Fabula
S2E7 · The Portland Trip
S2E7
· The Portland Trip

Ainsley's Quirky Fresca Demand and Fan Banter with Leo

In a late-night visit to the White House Mess, Ainsley arrives fan-in-hand and orders a chocolate chip muffin, Fresca, and ice from the waiter, who informs her there's no Fresca; she persistently insists they stock it, revealing her idiosyncratic assertiveness. Leo warmly greets her, inquiring about the fan amid freezing weather—she explains her sweltering office—highlighting her quick adaptation and quirky integration into the staff. As they part, she reiterates the Fresca demand, and he playfully promises action. This breather humanizes Ainsley, contrasts high-stakes crises, and cements her rapport with Leo through light humor and vulnerability.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

4

Ainsley enters the cafeteria, fan in hand, and orders a chocolate chip muffin, a can of Fresca, and a bag of ice, only to be told they don't have Fresca.

expectation to disappointment ['White House cafeteria']

Ainsley insists the cafeteria should have Fresca, highlighting her personal preference and slight frustration.

frustration to insistence ['White House cafeteria']

Leo greets Ainsley and questions her about the fan, leading to a brief exchange about the temperature in her office.

curiosity to humor ['White House cafeteria']

Ainsley and Leo part ways, with Ainsley reiterating her desire for Fresca in the building, and Leo humorously agreeing to address it.

persistence to amusement ['White House cafeteria']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
Ainsley Hayes
primary

Playfully insistent with buoyant outsider charm masking adaptation strains.

Bursts into Mess clutching fan, places order for muffin, Fresca, and ice with polite insistence, banters sharply with waiter on stocking Fresca, pivots to warm exchange with Leo on her office inferno and fan retrieval, picks up food, exits while doubling down on demand.

Goals in this moment
  • • Procure comfort items to endure late-night work
  • • Endear herself to Leo through humor and vulnerability
Active beliefs
  • • Fresca is a non-negotiable staple for productivity
  • • Personal quirks strengthen workplace bonds
Character traits
persistent quirky witty assertive
Follow Ainsley Hayes's journey
Unnamed White House Mess Waiter
primary

Steadily courteous, unruffled by quirky demands.

Stands at counter, greets Ainsley crisply, relays order, flatly denies Fresca availability twice, absorbs her persistence with agreeable deflections amid her fan-flourished arrival.

Goals in this moment
  • • Fulfill available orders efficiently
  • • Uphold service protocol without deviation
Active beliefs
  • • Menu limits are firm and non-negotiable
  • • Politeness diffuses all customer interactions
Character traits
polite professional unflappable concise
Follow Unnamed White …'s journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
White House Mess

Hosts Ainsley's late-night raid for snacks amid fluorescent hum, framing her quirky order skirmish with waiter and Leo's avuncular banter as they stroll to exit; embodies staff pit stop where crises yield to mundane cravings, underscoring human rhythms beneath policy tempests.

Atmosphere Casual late-night respite, quietly humming with service routine and light laughter.
Function Informal refreshment hub for weary staff bonding.
Symbolism Oasis of normalcy humanizing White House intensity.
Access Open to White House personnel after hours.
Nighttime quietude Fluorescent lighting Food counter with available items

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

No narrative connections mapped yet

This event is currently isolated in the narrative graph

Key Dialogue

"AINSLEY: "You should really have Fresca.""
"LEO: "What's with the fan?" AINSLEY: "I just went and got it from my apartment." LEO: "It's seventeen degrees outside.""
"AINSLEY: "You should really have Fresca in the building!" LEO: "I'll get right on that!""