Abbey and Bartlet's Flirty Banter Interrupted by CJ
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Abbey praises Bartlet's performance, initiating playful banter about meeting upstairs while he persists in extolling the Statue of Liberty's significance.
C.J. interrupts with urgent business, prompting Abbey to assert the President's need for personal time while Bartlet reluctantly postpones their rendezvous.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
N/A (mentioned off-screen)
Invoked by C.J. as crisis focal point; Bartlet debates then greenlights his unbridled media expression, citing Vietnam service as earned privilege despite personal disagreements.
- • Voice military critiques freely
- • Leverage valor for policy influence
- • Service grants outspoken rights
- • Administration weaknesses demand public callout
Urgently professional, undeterred by intimate context
Enters Oval Office mid-flirtation, professionally addresses President about Ed Barrie, seeks directive on handling his criticisms, accepts authorization to release him without pushback, confirms no further issues before exiting conversation.
- • Obtain clear presidential guidance on Barrie crisis
- • Resolve military-press tension efficiently
- • Presidential authority trumps personal timing
- • Honoring veterans' valor outweighs political friction
Proud and lustfully affectionate shifting to visibly irritated by interruption
Proudly watches Bartlet's radio address conclude, lavishes immediate praise, launches into urgent flirtatious banter pushing for upstairs intimacy with 'Get upstairs' repetitions and 'special garment' lure, sharply blocks C.J.'s intrusion claiming 'personal staff time,' then exits ahead after Bartlet's whisper.
- • Secure private intimate time with Bartlet immediately
- • Shield their respite from work encroachments
- • Their marriage thrives on stolen personal moments amid chaos
- • Professional intrusions erode vital spousal connection
Calmly procedural
Crisp announcement of 'We're out' marks end of radio recording, pivoting room from broadcast formality to private intimacy without further intrusion.
- • Confirm successful recording completion
- • Facilitate seamless transition post-broadcast
- • Technical precision enables leadership's focus
- • Minimal presence maximizes operational flow
playful and affectionate
delivering radio address about women's historical contributions, removes glasses, engages in flirty banter with Abbey, whispers to her, authorizes C.J. to let Ed Barrie speak freely, plans to follow Abbey upstairs
- • conclude radio address triumphantly
- • share intimate flirtatious moment with Abbey
- • quickly resolve C.J.'s inquiry about Ed Barrie to resume personal time
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The microphone, conduit for Bartlet's just-delivered impassioned radio plea for women's monuments and congressional action, now rests dormant at the Resolute Desk, embodying the abrupt shift from public advocacy to private marital spark, its silence underscoring vulnerability to instant duty recall.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Abbey's discussion of Nellie Bly directly inspires Bartlet's radio address about overlooked women in history, linking personal conversation to public action."
"Abbey's discussion of Nellie Bly directly inspires Bartlet's radio address about overlooked women in history, linking personal conversation to public action."
"C.J.'s exposure of Barrie's stolen medal leads to Bartlet granting him leniency on Meet the Press, showing the aftermath of her confrontation."
Key Dialogue
"ABBEY: "Very nice, babe.""
"BARTLET: "By the way, sweet knees, the Statue of Liberty." / ABBEY: "Get upstairs." / BARTLET: "Right there at the front door to the country!" / ABBEY: "Get upstairs." / BARTLET: "Like a lawn jockey.""
"ABBEY: "Ah, C.J., the President's going to take a little personal staff time right now." / BARTLET: "[stage whispers] I'll be right behind you." / ABBEY: "Special garment..." / BARTLET: "Go.""