C.J. Strong-Arms Hackett for Secret Unbranded Broadcast
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
C.J. enters and secures a private meeting with Paul Hackett, ensuring no interruptions by asking Bonnie to guard the door.
C.J. reveals the extraordinary secrecy of their meeting, refusing to disclose the topic but requesting a 30-minute live broadcast on Hackett's network.
Hackett probes defensively about Haiti, but C.J. stonewalls while insisting on strict broadcast logistics with no network branding.
C.J. threatens to withdraw the opportunity if any leaks occur before Wednesday, asserting total control over the sensitive information flow.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Calmly professional and unquestioning.
Stands attentively beside Hackett offering polite assistance which he declines; promptly exits the room on C.J.'s direct instruction to knock only if visitors arrive, enforcing privacy.
- • Provide hospitality to high-profile guest
- • Secure the room per C.J.'s security directive
- • Protocol demands courteous service to visitors
- • Senior staff directives must be followed without query
Not directly observed.
Referenced by C.J. as co-participant with President in the secured 30-minute live broadcast, her presence framed to humanize the revelation in this intimate venue.
- • Support husband's MS disclosure publicly
- • Project familial warmth to mitigate crisis
- • Joint appearance strengthens vulnerability narrative
- • Her role stabilizes Bartlet's reelection amid scandal
Resolute facade masking acute crisis pressure, admitting vulnerability only in metaphor.
Enters purposefully, shakes Hackett's hand warmly yet firmly, dismisses Bonnie to guard the door, sits to negotiate aggressively—stonewalling Haiti questions, demanding unbranded 30-minute Wednesday live slot for President and First Lady in this room with TBD interviewer, issuing no-leak ultimatum before final handshake.
- • Secure immediate unbranded airtime without revealing MS disclosure content
- • Prevent leaks to maintain narrative surprise and control timing
- • Network prestige and exclusivity will compel Hackett's cooperation despite constraints
- • Absolute secrecy is essential to pivot from poll catastrophe to redemption
Wary skepticism tempered by old-friend loyalty and genuine worry for C.J.'s predicament.
Stands casually with Bonnie upon C.J.'s entry, politely declines aid, greets her intimately as Claudia, notes basement evasion tactic, sits to probe Haiti motives and broadcast details, reluctantly concedes no-logo terms amid concern, pledges to consult Jeremy, and shakes hands to close deal.
- • Extract content details to justify to news director and protect network interests
- • Leverage relationship for viable deal benefiting his company's prestige
- • White House desperation signals high-value opportunity despite opacity
- • C.J.'s crisis ('water at head') underscores urgency, warranting risk
Neutral; not directly observed.
Invoked by Hackett as key decision-maker to consult on approving the unbranded broadcast deal, pivotal off-screen arbiter whose greenlight seals White House airtime.
- • Evaluate deal viability for network
- • Align with executive directives
- • Network hierarchy requires his approval for major slots
- • White House requests merit priority consideration
significantly mentioned as scheduled participant in the 30-minute live broadcast with the First Lady
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Referential evasion pathway smuggling Hackett past press corps into Mural Room undetected, underscoring White House's subterranean secrecy tactics amid Haiti distractions and MS leaks, enabling uninterrupted crisis negotiation.
Serves as clandestine negotiation chamber where C.J. and Hackett hash out high-stakes broadcast terms away from prying eyes, its muraled walls and antique intimacy masking crisis urgency while proposed as raw, unbranded stage for President and First Lady's MS pivot, transforming residence space into media lifeline.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
Targeted by C.J. for live pickup alongside other networks, integral to syndicating unbranded Wednesday slot despite rival interviewer tensions, positioning it as key amplifier for controlled MS revelation amid Haiti noise.
Looms as external predator outside, compelling basement evasion and room lockdown; C.J. cites them as 'front' obstacle fueling Hackett's intrigue, their absence amplifying negotiation's stakes in shielding MS bombshell from grand-jury scrutiny.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Toby's plan for a Dateline special is directly executed by C.J. in her negotiation with Hackett for a live broadcast."
"Toby's plan for a Dateline special is directly executed by C.J. in her negotiation with Hackett for a live broadcast."
Key Dialogue
"HACKETT: C.J., what the hell are you guys planning for Haiti? C.J.: It's not Haiti."
"HACKETT: Between friends... Is the water over your head? C.J.: No. The water is exactly at my head."
"C.J.: Paul, we'll start to leak Wednesday morning to soften up the ground a little bit. Anything leaks before then and I'll take my business across the street."