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

Toby's Guilt-Fueled Resolve to Challenge Ron Butterfield

In a brisk hallway walk-and-talk, Leo reveals C.J.'s refusal to face morning show questions about the President's unprotected open-air exit—a vulnerability tied to Toby's own memo that may have doomed Josh. Defying Leo's warning that the Secret Service will stonewall on procedures, a guilt-ridden Toby insists on confronting Ron Butterfield anyway, transforming personal remorse into a principled demand for accountability amid White House chaos.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

5

Toby reveals his intention to confront Ron Butterfield about the Secret Service's open-air exit procedure, showing his guilt over the memo he wrote.

guilt to determination

Leo predicts Ron Butterfield's response, emphasizing the Secret Service's policy of not commenting on procedure, highlighting institutional resistance.

frustration to resignation

Toby insists on attempting to persuade Ron Butterfield despite the odds, demonstrating his moral responsibility and loyalty to the team.

determination to resolve

Leo reassures Toby that he doesn't have to confront Ron, but Toby firmly insists, solidifying his commitment to accountability.

support to resolve

Toby watches Leo exit, symbolizing the weight of their shared responsibility and the unspoken bond between them.

resolve to contemplation ['front door']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

5
Leo Thomas McGarry (Chief of Staff)
White House Chief of Staff
 primary

Cautiously advisory, masking concern for Toby's emotional burden with steady pragmatism

Leo strides purposefully through the hallway in a classic walk-and-talk with Toby, delivering news of C.J.'s morning show refusal, warning about Secret Service stonewalling on procedures, and gently advising Toby he doesn't need to pursue the confrontation before exiting through the front door.

Goals in this moment
  • • Dissuade Toby from a futile and risky confrontation
  • • Preserve team cohesion amid mounting crises
Active beliefs
  • • Secret Service protocols are non-negotiable and unyielding
  • • Toby's guilt-driven pursuit won't yield results but could exacerbate fractures
Character traits
Pragmatic Protective Authoritative
Follow Leo Thomas …'s journey
Toby Ziegler
White House Communications Director
 primary

Righteously determined, fueled by remorse transforming into unyielding accountability drive

Toby walks briskly alongside Leo, explaining C.J.'s questions on the open-air exit and his memo's role, defiantly announcing his plan to confront Ron Butterfield despite warnings, then pauses to watch Leo depart through the front door, resolve hardening.

Goals in this moment
  • • Force Secret Service transparency on procedural lapses linked to Josh's shooting
  • • Absolve personal guilt through public accountability push
Active beliefs
  • • Transparency on security failures is essential for trust and prevention
  • • His memo's influence demands personal intervention despite resistance
Character traits
Determined Guilt-ridden Principled
Follow Toby Ziegler's journey
C.J. Cregg
White House Press Secretary
 primary

refuses to do the morning shows due to questions about the President's open-air exit

Character traits
insightful assertive playful terse strategic poised decisive pragmatic dutiful quick-thinking tenacious authoritative wry measured protective charismatic committed resilient witty
Follow C.J. Cregg's journey
Josiah Edward 'Jed' Bartlet (President of the United States)
President of the United States
 primary

referenced as having exited in the open air without the usual Secret Service tent or canopy

Character traits
politically pragmatic jocular policy‑driven paternal commands institutional authority relational — centers staff and family centralizing (commands staff attention and schedules) centralized authority figure strategically vital intelligent politically consequential (actions and associations create immediate risk) protocol-driven calculating principled in public rhetoric vulnerable emotionally forceful institutionally minded performative control of public optics candid principled politically vulnerable (per party strategists and press) strategic witty/jocular under pressure vulnerable-to-proxy-actions collegial poised decisive principled but electorally mindful resolute constitutional protective (paternal focus on family safety) deliberative ruthless burdened decisive when confronted with moral stakes authoritative/managerial paternal/protective regionally grounded politically strategic supportive traditional weary/resolute authoritative public-facing decisive in crisis loyal blunt protective politically consequential measured committed politically shrewd risk‑aware consequential self-aware witty institutional (symbolic center of staff effort) ceremonial
Follow Josiah Edward …'s journey
Ron Butterfield (Secret Service Special Agent)
Secret Service Special Agent (Head of Presidential Protective Detail)
 primary

target of Toby's planned confrontation regarding Secret Service procedures on the President's exit

Character traits
loyal empathetic protective urgent under pressure dutiful guardedly tender precise disciplined methodical professional decisive defensive pragmatic resolute stoic authoritative
Follow Ron Butterfield …'s journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
White House Entrance

The West Wing Front Door frames Leo's decisive exit, swallowing his silhouette as Toby halts in watchful isolation, punctuating their debate with a physical severance that underscores Toby's solitary commitment to confronting Butterfield amid the hallway's fading echoes.

Atmosphere Abruptly isolating, heavy with unspoken reckonings and transitional weight
Function Departure point marking divergence in paths and resolve
Symbolism Threshold between internal chaos and external accountability demands
Access Secure entry/exit for cleared personnel only
Heavy panels sealing off internal tensions Pre-dawn shadows heightening dramatic finality

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

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Key Dialogue

"TOBY: She says she's been getting a couple of questions about why the President exited in the open air. You remember the Secret Service usually constructs a tent or a canopy. I'm going to talk to Ron Butterfield."
"LEO: He's going to say the Secret Service doesn't comment on procedure."
"TOBY: I know. But maybe I can talk him out of it. I should try, anyway. [...] Yeah, I should, though."