FAA Call Provides Escape from MS Revelation
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Charlie interrupts with a call from the FAA, prompting Leo to redirect the call to his office, allowing Bartlet to exit and Toby to retreat to the portico.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Distressed and reeling, shattered loyalty clashing with shock
Toby abruptly stands, rubbing his head in distress, formally asks permission to stand, then stammers an apology and excuse before walking out to the portico, physically fleeing the suffocating revelation.
- • Escape the Oval's oppressive tension for mental breathing room
- • Process the MS betrayal without exploding in the moment
- • The President's secrecy demands immediate personal withdrawal
- • Loyalty requires composure even in personal devastation
Neutral and duty-focused amid surrounding turmoil
Charlie knocks and enters promptly, notifies Bartlet of the FAA call from Mr. Garreth, and immediately complies with Leo's instruction to redirect it, facilitating the tension-breaking pivot.
- • Deliver the FAA call notification accurately and swiftly
- • Execute Leo's redirection without hesitation
- • Protocol demands precise relay of urgent communications
- • Senior staff directives override all in chain of command
regretful
explains the nature, symptoms, progression risks, and incurability of his relapsing-remitting MS to Toby, grants permission for Toby to stand, receives FAA call notification from Charlie, and exits to Leo's office to take the call
- • to clarify his MS condition for Toby
- • to handle the incoming FAA call
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The FAA intrudes via an urgent call from Mr. Garreth, which Charlie relays to Bartlet, providing an opportune external interruption that Leo redirects—symbolizing relentless institutional demands piercing the administration's private MS meltdown, forcing a tactical pause in personal recriminations.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Bartlet's downplaying of his MS leads to Toby probing about potential fatal outcomes."
"Toby's confrontation with Bartlet about his MS diagnosis continues his relentless pursuit of truth."
"Toby's confrontation with Bartlet about his MS diagnosis continues his relentless pursuit of truth."
"Toby's confrontation with Bartlet about his MS diagnosis continues his relentless pursuit of truth."
"Toby's pressing about the disease's progression leads to his physical reaction of being visibly shaken."
"Toby's direct question about Bartlet's MS leads to Bartlet downplaying its severity, prompting Toby to press for more details."
"Toby's request to leave the room is interrupted by Charlie's call from the FAA."
"Bartlet's downplaying of his MS leads to Toby probing about potential fatal outcomes."
"Charlie's interruption leads to Toby retreating to the portico where Leo reveals more about Bartlet's MS."
"Toby's pressing about the disease's progression leads to his physical reaction of being visibly shaken."
"Toby's direct question about Bartlet's MS leads to Bartlet downplaying its severity, prompting Toby to press for more details."
"Toby's request to leave the room is interrupted by Charlie's call from the FAA."
Key Dialogue
"TOBY: "I'm sorry, sir... I need to, uh... Can I, uh... Excuse me.""
"CHARLIE: "You wanted the call from Mr. Garreth at the FAA.""
"LEO: "Charlie, could you put it through to my office?""
"LEO: "Go take it in my office.""