Poolside Pitch: Toby Recruits Skeptical C.J.
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Toby reveals his purpose: recruiting C.J. for the Bartlet campaign, shifting the conversation to a serious and pivotal proposition.
C.J. questions her qualifications and the drastic pay cut, revealing her doubts and the stakes of the offer.
Toby reassures C.J. of her capabilities and Bartlet's integrity, leading her to consider the offer seriously.
C.J. agrees to discuss the offer further, signaling her openness to a life-changing decision.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Initial annoyance and vulnerability shifting to startled intrigue and cautious optimism
Dripping wet from pool plunge, C.J. explains her firing due to Roger Becker's status drop, probes Toby on Bartlet's impression of her Emily's List work, questions pay cut, inexperience, and Bartlet's character, then decisively invites him inside to discuss further while wringing her hair.
- • Assess legitimacy and viability of the Press Secretary offer
- • Probe Bartlet's character and her qualifications to protect her integrity
- • Hollywood power games are petty and destructive
- • True opportunity aligns with principled leaders like a 'good man'
Amused confidence masking urgent determination to recruit top talent
Seated poolside, Toby banters lightly about her firing, pitches her recruitment as Press Secretary citing Bartlet's Emily's List admiration and Leo's instructions, chuckles at mishap but turns away respectfully, reassures on pay, experience, and Bartlet's goodness to secure her interest.
- • Convince C.J. to join Bartlet campaign despite her doubts
- • Leverage her credentials to build campaign's press operation
- • C.J.'s skills transcend Hollywood to national politics
- • Bartlet campaign offers meaningful purpose over financial gain
mentioned as having instructed Toby to recruit C.J. for the campaign
mentioned as C.J.'s former Hollywood client whose drop from third to ninth most powerful person led to her firing
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The Mexican-tiled pool, site of C.J.'s immediate prior plunge, lingers as a symbol of her raw vulnerability—clothes clinging wetly as she climbs out and engages Toby. It heightens comedic tension and underscores her disheveled state during the high-stakes recruitment pitch, contrasting domestic oasis with career pivot.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
C.J.'s sunlit backyard serves as intimate stage for Toby's ambush recruitment, poolside slick concrete amplifying post-plunge awkwardness and banter. From vulnerable emergence to invitation inside, it cradles barbed negotiation—salary slashes, integrity probes—transforming private haven into launchpad for her Bartlet allegiance.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"C.J.'s recruitment by Toby, emphasizing Bartlet's integrity, mirrors her reclaiming her public voice in the crisis, both highlighting her resilience and commitment."
"C.J.'s recruitment by Toby, emphasizing Bartlet's integrity, mirrors her reclaiming her public voice in the crisis, both highlighting her resilience and commitment."
"C.J.'s recruitment by Toby, emphasizing Bartlet's integrity, mirrors her reclaiming her public voice in the crisis, both highlighting her resilience and commitment."
"C.J.'s recruitment by Toby, emphasizing Bartlet's integrity, mirrors her reclaiming her public voice in the crisis, both highlighting her resilience and commitment."
Part of Larger Arcs
Key Dialogue
"C.J.: How much does it pay? TOBY: How much were you making before? C.J.: $550,000 a year. TOBY: This pays $600 a week."
"C.J.: Does he know I've only ever worked statewide? Does he know I've never worked on a national campaign before? TOBY: Yes. It's Graduation Day."
"C.J.: Is Jed Bartlet a good man? TOBY: Yeah. C.J.: Then, let's go into the house so I can change my clothes and we can talk about it."