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S2E2 · In the Shadow of Two Gunmen Part 2
S2E2
· In the Shadow of Two Gunmen Part 2

Exit Polls Ignite Hope, Josh Reveals Father's Chemo

Sam and Leo buzz with cautious excitement over strong Illinois exit polls from Stark County, Rock Island, DeWitt, and Cumberland, with undecideds swinging decisively—Leo exclaims 'That's the Money!' Josh, shouting into an empty home line, ties the data to personal stakes, disclosing his father's chemotherapy that day as a much-needed cheer-up. Abbey grounds the tension with a wry complaint about fried food, Leo deflects humorously, blending campaign adrenaline with intimate vulnerability and everyday levity to deepen team bonds before results solidify.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

3

Sam and Leo discuss promising exit poll results, signaling a potential victory for Bartlet in the Illinois primary.

anticipation to excitement ['CHICAGO, ILLINOIS']

Josh reveals his father's chemotherapy and hopes the good news will cheer him up, adding a personal layer to the political victory.

excitement to concern

Abbey questions the lack of healthy food, providing a moment of levity amidst the tension.

tension to humor

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

7
C.J. Cregg
primary

excited

Watches TV with Sam and Toby, exclaims 'Here it comes!' before announcement, cheers after win.

Goals in this moment
  • • Anticipate and react to primary results
Character traits
resilient strategic poised terse dutiful
Follow C.J. Cregg's journey
Sam Seaborn
primary

Cautiously excited, buzzing with validated hope

Sam crosses the room with Leo, urgently reporting strong exit poll numbers from Stark County, Rock Island, DeWitt County, and Cumberland, specifying 53-58% with undecideds, fueling team momentum as camera pans from TV results.

Goals in this moment
  • • Update team on electoral momentum to build confidence
  • • Precise data delivery to sustain campaign energy
Active beliefs
  • • Strong undecided swings signal impending victory
  • • Timely poll shares galvanize the inner circle
Character traits
strategic optimistic data-driven
Follow Sam Seaborn's journey
Toby Ziegler
primary

joyful

Watches TV with Sam and C.J., cheers after win announcement.

Goals in this moment
  • • Monitor election results
Character traits
methodical sarcastic resolute irascible loyal
Follow Toby Ziegler's journey
Abigail Bartlet
primary

Dry amusement veiling underlying campaign strain

Abbey approaches the group, complains wryly about lack of non-fried food, presses Leo seriously on poll strength, grounding high-stakes buzz with everyday humanity amid the suite's tension.

Goals in this moment
  • • Lighten mood through relatable complaint
  • • Gauge true poll viability from Leo
Active beliefs
  • • Sustained energy requires basic comforts
  • • Strong polls demand insider confirmation
Character traits
wry grounded supportive
Follow Abigail Bartlet's journey
Josiah Bartlet
primary

grumpy and angry

Enters grumpy, complains about Sam's draft speech lacking opponent's name, pulls Leo aside to review it.

Goals in this moment
  • • Revise victory speech to personalize congratulations
Character traits
protective resolute self-aware principled
Follow Josiah Bartlet's journey
Donna Moss
primary

apprehensive

Approaches Josh apprehensively to inform him his father died.

Goals in this moment
  • • Deliver tragic personal news to Josh
Character traits
diligent observant resilient exasperated
Follow Donna Moss's journey
Press Pool
primary

Announces Illinois primary win for Bartlet on TV.

Goals in this moment
  • • Report election results
Follow Press Pool's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

2
Sheraton Centre Hotel Suite Television

The Sheraton suite TV screen glows with Illinois primary results, drawing the camera pan across the room to Sam and Leo as they discuss exit polls, serving as the visual catalyst and real-time oracle fueling verbal excitement over county surges.

Before: Displaying live primary tallies in the suite
After: Continues broadcasting undecided shifts and results
Before: Displaying live primary tallies in the suite
After: Continues broadcasting undecided shifts and results
Sam's Draft of Victory Remarks

Sam's typed victory speech draft is identified by Josh as the document Bartlet grumpily questions upon entering, its generic opponent reference looming as a narrative pivot from poll euphoria to presidential critique, underscoring premature scripting tensions.

Before: Held or nearby in suite, unread by Bartlet
After: Drawn into Bartlet's scrutiny, edges potentially crumpled
Before: Held or nearby in suite, unread by Bartlet
After: Drawn into Bartlet's scrutiny, edges potentially crumpled

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

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Key Dialogue

"SAM: "We're starting to get some good exit polling, at Stark County and Rock Island." LEO: "How good?" SAM: "We're running at 53 to 58 with the undecideds, from 72 hours ago, at the 12th, 14th and 15th.""
"JOSH: "Nothing. My dad had his chemo today. These exit polls are going to cheer him up.""
"ABBEY: "Leo, is there any food in this room that isn't fried?" LEO: "Well, if there is, let's get rid of it." ABBEY: "I'm not kidding.""