Bruno Interrupts Gibson's Relapse Probe, Adjourned Post-Holidays
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Chairman Bruno gavels the hearing back into order and allows Congressman Gibson to proceed with his questioning.
Gibson begins to question Leo about the night of October 30 in St. Louis, Missouri, hinting at a damaging revelation.
Chairman Bruno abruptly adjourns the hearing until after the holidays, stunning Leo and Jordan.
Gibson protests the adjournment, but Chairman Bruno stands firm and Cliff Calley formally concludes the day's questioning.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Invoked as absent linchpin of scandal
Referenced explicitly by Gibson in question as central to October 30th St. Louis events, underscoring stakes of Leo's hidden relapse night.
- • N/A (referenced)
- • N/A (referenced)
Initial worry yielding to stunned incredulity at unexpected reprieve
Seated beside Leo at witness table, displays visible worry as Gibson prepares attack, joins Leo in stunned reaction to Bruno's adjournment surprise.
- • Bolster Leo's defense amid questioning threat
- • Gauge committee reactions for strategy
- • Leo's vulnerability demands unwavering support
- • Political timing can avert personal catastrophe
Eager anticipation curdling into frustrated outrage at interruption
Launches pointed question at Leo about October 30th St. Louis events tied to Bartlet, halted mid-sentence by Bruno, shoots warning glare and protests 'Mr. Chairman...' in frustration.
- • Expose Leo's relapse to damage administration
- • Force immediate testimony before recess
- • Truth demands ruthless pursuit regardless of cost
- • Partisan advantage lies in unrelenting pressure
Tense anticipation shattered into stunned disbelief at sudden salvation
Seated at witness table with Jordan, stares intently at Gibson as questioning looms on St. Louis relapse, reacts with stunned vocal disbelief 'What?' to Bruno's adjournment.
- • Withstand Gibson's probe without cracking
- • Preserve sobriety secret for Bartlet's sake
- • Endurance defines loyalty amid scrutiny
- • Recess offers fragile window to regroup
Commanding poise concealing partisan favoritism and protective calculation
Gavels hearing into session with authoritative strike, directs Gibson to question Leo, raises hand to interrupt mid-question about St. Louis, announces adjournment until post-holidays citing long day, overrides Gibson by calling on Calley to conclude.
- • Delay Leo's damaging testimony on relapse
- • Exploit recess to shield administration from holiday scrutiny
- • Procedural authority trumps aggressive probing
- • Bartlet loyalty justifies tactical maneuvering
Exasperated tension dissolving into palpable relief
Sighs in exasperation as Gibson begins St. Louis probe, breathes deep relief at Bruno's adjournment, formally concludes questioning as directed: 'Mr. McGarry, that concludes our questioning for today...'
- • Mitigate damage from Gibson's aggression
- • Secure clean closure to day's testimony
- • Fair process favors delay over ambush
- • Administration's integrity withstands procedural pause
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Bruno wields the gavel to strike and summon order at session's restart, its resonant bang punctuating authority and framing the brief, fraught questioning before adjournment; narratively, it bookends tension, symbolizing institutional control wielded to protect Leo.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Invoked by Gibson as explosive site of Leo's concealed relapse on October 30th during Bartlet's announcement, its mention detonates threat without visuals, ratcheting suspense toward delayed revelation.
Serves as charged arena where Bruno gavels order, Gibson probes Leo at witness table, and abrupt adjournment ripples through committee seats; daylight through windows heightens stark partisan divide, amplifying emotional whiplash from probe to reprieve.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Leo's admission that Gibson witnessed his relapse directly leads to Gibson questioning him about that night during the hearing."
"Leo's admission that Gibson witnessed his relapse directly leads to Gibson questioning him about that night during the hearing."
Key Dialogue
"BRUNO: "Mr. Gibson, you can proceed with your questioning.""
"GIBSON: "Mr. McGarry, 30 October in St. Louis, Missouri, the date Jed Bartlet was...""
"BRUNO: "No, I'm sorry. Mr. McGarry, it's been a long day and, unless Counsel has an objection, I'm gonna resume this after the holidays.""
"LEO: "What?""