C.J. Pulls Sam Back — Wire Confirms Abbey’s Ehrlich Preference
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
C.J. urgently requests the wire report, revealing her concern over the First Lady's leaked preference for Ron Ehrlich.
C.J. intercepts Sam, redirecting him from personal plans to address the brewing crisis involving Abbey Bartlet's leaked endorsement.
Sam immediately abandons his gym plans upon hearing about the wire story, demonstrating his prioritization of White House crises.
C.J. confirms the damaging wire piece about Abbey's Fed Chair preference is already on her desk, escalating the urgency.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Calm and practical — not flustered, offering administrative support to steady C.J. during a potential spill.
Carol accompanies C.J. from the briefing room, points out the wire report's location on C.J.'s desk, and provides quick practical confirmation that the piece exists and is accessible for review.
- • Ensure C.J. has immediate access to the wire report
- • Keep the communications flow orderly and prevent confusion
- • That the staff should treat the wire as a tangible item to be examined immediately
- • That quick, composed responses from aides help stabilize the situation
Professionally urgent — outwardly composed but alarmed beneath the surface, moving quickly to triage reputational damage.
C.J. exits the briefing room, immediately locates a wire report on her desk and intercepts Sam in the lobby doorway, posing a pointed question about Abbey’s publicly stated preference and thereby converting rumor into confirmed leakage.
- • Confirm whether Abbey's preference for Ron Ehrlich has been publicly reported
- • Mobilize Sam (and communications resources) to contain and respond to the leak
- • That a wire story on her desk represents a breach of message discipline
- • That rapid staff coordination is necessary to prevent further political/marital fallout
Slightly distracted and ready to shift gears — initially casual about his plans but immediately willing to re-enter crisis mode when asked.
Sam is intercepted mid-exit, initially signaling his intent to go to the gym, then engaging with C.J.'s question about the wire; he physically relinquishes his gym bag to Ginger and accepts being pulled back into work.
- • Preserve a brief personal break (get to the gym) if possible
- • Respond helpfully to C.J.'s urgent communications needs once alerted
- • That small personal rituals (like a gym break) are important but secondary to urgent staff duties
- • That his presence and help are valuable to the communications response
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Sam's soft‑sided gym bag is the prop that marks his intent to leave; he physically throws it to Ginger when C.J. detains him, and its transfer dramatizes his abrupt shift from personal time to workplace duty. The bag's movement visually seals Sam's interrupted exit and underscores the sudden conversion of private routine into institutional obligation.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Briefing Room aisle is the narrative origin: C.J. and Carol emerge from it carrying the residue of public performance. Its recent use frames C.J.'s sensitivity about optics and her immediate reaction to seeing the wire on her desk.
The West Wing hallway outside Leo McGarry's office is the liminal corridor where private staff strategy and public posture collide. It is the transit point where C.J. exits the briefing room, intercepts Sam leaving for the gym, and where the wire's implications first become transactional business rather than private gossip.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
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Key Dialogue
"C.J.: "Get me a copy of the wire report?" / CAROL: "On your desk.""
"C.J.: "I need you." / SAM: "I'm going to the gym.""
"C.J.: "I got a question about Mrs. Bartlet stating her preference for Ron Ehrlich." / SAM: "Publically?" / C.J.: "It's in a wire piece that's on my desk.""