Fabula
S2E4 · In This White House
S2E4
· In This White House

Leo's Gamble: Offering Ainsley Sparks Outrage

In Josh's bullpen Leo quietly drops that he's offered Ainsley Hayes—the conservative who humiliated Sam on Capital Beat—a job in the White House. The news detonates instantly: Sam is stunned and C.J. erupts in personal and ideological fury. Leo admits he "took a shot," then shepherds them away to avoid a scene. The moment fractures trust, exposes raw ideological tension, and functions as a turning point that turns an outreach gambit into an internal crisis.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

4

Leo announces his intention to hire Ainsley Hayes, immediately provoking a defensive reaction from Sam and C.J., who demand more information.

calm to frustration

Sam presses for specifics, and Leo reveals the job offer is for the White House, shocking both Sam and C.J.

anticipation to disbelief

C.J. erupts into outrage, questioning Leo’s judgment repeatedly while staffers around them react in stunned silence.

shock to anger

Leo dryly acknowledges his gamble failed as both Sam and C.J. yell at him, forcing him to lead them away from public scrutiny.

frustration to resignation

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3
C.J. Cregg
primary

Furious disbelief erupting into righteous shrieking outrage

C.J. probes 'Scream about what?', escalates with repeated 'Are you kidding?' demands growing louder to shrieking, unleashes 'Well, what the hell made you think I wouldn't scream where there are people?!' and unison 'Leo!' shriek, drawing stares before being herded away.

Goals in this moment
  • • Challenge and reject the absurd hiring notion
  • • Express visceral ideological betrayal publicly
Active beliefs
  • • Conservative adversaries like Ainsley threaten Democratic core
  • • Staff cohesion requires shared political values
Character traits
Fiery Indignant Vocally explosive Ideologically protective
Follow C.J. Cregg's journey
Sam Seaborn
primary

Stunned betrayal laced with rising anger from fresh humiliation

Sam initiates by questioning 'What's going on?', reacts sharply to the hiring news with 'Where?' and joins C.J. in unified shrieking 'Leo!', standing stunned amid the public outburst as Leo moves to de-escalate.

Goals in this moment
  • • Seek clarity on Leo's cryptic announcement
  • • Voice collective staff dissent to hiring decision
Active beliefs
  • • White House loyalty demands ideological alignment
  • • Ainsley's public takedown disqualifies her from team
Character traits
Loyal Reactive Outraged Personally wounded
Follow Sam Seaborn's journey
Ainsley Hayes
primary

Referred to as 'the woman who was on Capital Beat with Sam'; Leo is offering her a job (she is not physically present in the scene).

Goals in this moment
  • • implicitly: consider the job offer / reconcile joining the White House with conservative views
Character traits
authoritative principled witty sharp-minded loyal
Follow Ainsley Hayes's journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Josh's West Wing Bullpen

Josh's bullpen area serves as the charged public stage where Leo deliberately drops the Ainsley hiring news amid staff activity, amplifying irony as reactions explode despite his crowd-choice strategy; stares from everyone underscore exposure, transforming neutral workspace into ideological flashpoint before dispersal.

Atmosphere Suddenly tense and electric with shrieks piercing the hum, collective stares freezing the air in …
Function Public confrontation arena for controlled chaos and rapid de-escalation
Symbolism Embodies fragile White House unity cracking under bold leadership gambits
Access Open to circulating senior staff and aides
Desks and staff presence creating unwilling audience Audible turning heads and stares amplifying exposure

Organizations Involved

Institutional presence and influence

1
Capital Beat

Capital Beat is invoked as the infamous platform where Ainsley Hayes humiliated Sam, framing her as the antagonist in Leo's hiring pitch; its legacy fuels the explosive outrage, linking external media ambush to internal staffing crisis and highlighting recruitment risks from public battles.

Representation Through direct reference to recent on-air confrontation
Power Dynamics External media foe whose past victory empowers Leo's contrarian hire, challenging staff emotionally
Impact Underscores media's role in fracturing administration cohesion
Generate provocative political discourse Elevate analysts like Ainsley via high-profile takedowns Public humiliation shaping personal grudges Reputation as debate arena dictating hire viability

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 2
Causal

"Bartlet's announcement to hire Ainsley Hayes triggers Leo to inform Sam and C.J., leading to their furious reaction."

Portico Decision: Bartlet Commits to Hiring Ainsley Hayes
S2E4 · In This White House
Causal

"Bartlet's announcement to hire Ainsley Hayes triggers Leo to inform Sam and C.J., leading to their furious reaction."

Nimbala's Plea and Bartlet's Unexpected Recruit
S2E4 · In This White House

Key Dialogue

"LEO: "I'm offering her a job.""
"SAM: "Where?" LEO: "Here.""
"C.J.: "Well, what the hell made you think I wouldn't scream where there are people?!" LEO: "I took a shot.""