Jordan's Ultimatum Cracks Leo's Silence on Relapse
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Leo dismisses a phone call and enters the waiting room where Jordan confronts him with an ultimatum.
Jordan demands full disclosure from Leo, threatening to leave if he doesn't comply.
Leo begins to reveal his relapse on the day of the final debate, setting up a confession.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Furious determination laced with frustrated loyalty
Waits tensely in the waiting room, closes the door firmly after Leo enters, confronts him furiously with an ultimatum demanding full disclosure or she'll walk, sharply cuts off his hesitant 'Look-' with 'Tell me now,' forcing the confession that reveals his relapse night activities.
- • Extract complete truth from Leo to mount effective hearing defense
- • Preserve their professional partnership by enforcing transparency
- • Leo's secrecy risks exposing the relapse and dooming the administration
- • Unwavering honesty is the only path to shielding Bartlet effectively
Blank detachment masking mounting resignation and internal pressure
Walks down the hallway toward the waiting room, curtly dismisses an urgent call with 'Don't worry about it,' hangs up his cell phone, enters as guard opens door, stares blankly at furious Jordan despite her upset demeanor, responds quietly with 'Look-', then walks slowly along one side of the table before beginning his confession about meeting donors on debate day.
- • Deflect external pressures to focus on the confrontation
- • Capitulate to Jordan's demand to secure her continued loyalty and strategic support
- • Partial disclosure now prevents total collapse of his testimony strategy
- • Trusting Jordan with relapse details strengthens their partnership against congressional scrutiny
Calm and impartial professionalism
Positioned at the waiting room threshold, opens the door for Leo's entry, enabling the private confrontation without further interference.
- • Facilitate smooth access to the waiting room per protocol
- • Maintain order in the high-stakes congressional environment
- • Strict adherence to access rules upholds institutional security
- • Neutral facilitation supports the hearing process
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Leo's cryptic admission about unshared information escalates to Jordan demanding full disclosure about his relapse."
"Leo's cryptic admission about unshared information escalates to Jordan demanding full disclosure about his relapse."
Key Dialogue
"JORDAN: You have to tell me what's going on now or I'm walking out the door."
"LEO: Look-"
"JORDAN: Tell me now."
"LEO: On the day of the final debate, I was meeting with two potential donors..."