Bartlet Banters with Wit Before Formally Crediting Thai Ambassador Sumatra
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
President Bartlet engages in lighthearted banter with Ambassador Sumatra about golf, setting a casual diplomatic tone.
Bartlet confirms his upcoming trip to Bangkok with Charlie, subtly reinforcing his attention to detail and schedule.
Sumatra shares a cultural anecdote about James Michener's typewriter at the Oriental Hotel, sparking Bartlet's interest.
The formal credential acceptance ceremony takes place, marking Sumatra's official recognition as ambassador.
Bartlet concludes the meeting with gifts and photo opportunities, reinforcing diplomatic goodwill.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Formal poise with understated command
Tom formally introduces Sumatra with pleasure, requests credential acceptance on Secretary of State's behalf, and directs the ambassador precisely for post-ceremony photographs, orchestrating protocol seamlessly.
- • Execute accreditation protocol without flaw
- • Manage ceremonial logistics including photos
- • Diplomatic rituals demand exact adherence
- • State Department directives guide Oval interactions
Calm focus with quiet competence
Charlie swiftly checks his Palm Pilot to confirm the President's June Bangkok trip, then acknowledges the directive to ensure a visit to Michener's typewriter suite, maintaining unflappable efficiency amid the unfolding ceremony.
- • Verify and log presidential travel details accurately
- • Capture ad-hoc instructions for future execution
- • Precise scheduling anchors executive unpredictability
- • Personal presidential whims merit immediate prioritization
Amused respectfulness with poised warmth
Ambassador Sumatra smiles politely during golf banter, shares vivid anecdote about James Michener's typewriter at the Oriental Hotel, bows gracefully upon accreditation, accepts signed credentials, shakes hands with President, thanks him, and moves for photos as directed by Tom.
- • Secure formal accreditation as ambassador
- • Foster personal rapport through cultural shared interests
- • Light-hearted anecdotes strengthen diplomatic bonds
- • Royal credentials demand ceremonial reverence
charming
banters affably with Sumatra about golf and the Oriental hotel, directs Charlie to note trip details, formally accepts and signs credentials from King Bhumibol Adulyadej via Tom, declares Sumatra ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary, shakes hands, mentions exchanging gifts, and congratulates Mrs. Sumatra before posing for photos
- • build rapport with incoming Thai Ambassador through banter
- • conduct formal diplomatic accreditation ceremony
- • ensure details for upcoming Bangkok trip are noted
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Charlie's Palm Pilot serves as the digital nerve center for presidential logistics, opened and consulted twice—first to affirm the June Bangkok itinerary amid banter, second to etch the Michener typewriter visit—bridging casual geekery to concrete planning in the ceremonial flow.
Sumatra's Letter of Credence from King Bhumibol is formally presented by Tom, accepted by Bartlet who signs and seals it with a declaration of extraordinary plenipotentiary status, then returned to Sumatra post-handshake, catalyzing the accreditation ritual's core transformation.
Diplomatic gifts materialize as reciprocal tokens post-accreditation, announced by Bartlet before handshakes and photos, exchanged between parties to embody goodwill and cultural courtesy, softening the formality with tangible symbols of alliance amid White House strains.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Oriental Hotel in Bangkok emerges as a vivid conversational focal point, exalted by Bartlet and enriched by Sumatra's Michener anecdote, fueling presidential enthusiasm and prompting a logged itinerary note—foreshadowing cultural respite from crises, infusing the ceremony with anticipatory allure.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The Kingdom of Thailand advances bilateral ties by dispatching Ambassador Sumatra with King Bhumibol's credentials, enabling formal presentation, anecdote-sharing, and gift exchange in the Oval—ceremonially embedding Thai culture and statecraft into U.S. diplomacy.
The United States asserts host sovereignty through Bartlet's witty reception, credential acceptance per State Department request, formal declaration, signing, and photo ops—ritualizing executive authority while humanizing it with banter, prioritizing Thailand first in envoy order.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
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Key Dialogue
"BARTLET: "Mr. Sumatra, I understand you're a sports fan." SUMATRA: "Yes, sir, Mr. President. Golf." BARTLET: "Okay. Well, golf's not a sport. It's fine. Don't get me wrong but let's not you and I confuse it with things that men do.""
"TOM: "Mr. President, it is with great pleasure that I present his excellency, Tada Sumatra of Thailand and by request of the secretary of state ask that you accept his credentials from King Rhumibol Adulyadej.""
"BARTLET: "Mr. Sumatra, I accept your letter of credence from King Adulyadej and by affixing my signature and seal, do hereby declare you to be an ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary. May our people know peace and prosperity.""