Fabula
S2E11 · The Leadership Breakfast
S2E11
· The Leadership Breakfast

Congressman Denies Then Dodges Wage Hike Talks

Outside Capitol Hill, Reporter 2nd aggressively questions the First Congressman on minimum wage discussions. He initially denies any talk of a hike, but when pressed on a two-dollar increase over two years, he evasively counters with a preference for the same over three years. This slippery contradiction—denial followed by veiled admission—exposes Republican inconsistencies, amplifying Ann Stark's ambush strategy, eroding bipartisan facades, and intensifying White House scrutiny as C.J. observes.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Reporters challenge the Congressman's claims about wage discussions.

curiosity to confrontation

First Congressman dodges questions, contradicting earlier statements.

defensiveness to evasion

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

1
Second Congressman
primary

evasive

initially denies that the wage hike was discussed, then evasively counters by stating a preference for the same increase over three years

Goals in this moment
  • • dodge direct admission of minimum wage hike discussions
  • • counter reporter's questions with an alternative timeline proposal
Character traits
indignant outspoken combative partisan anticipatory poised dutiful
Follow Second Congressman's journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
United States Capitol Building

The Capitol Building Steps form the exposed public arena where reporters swarm and congressmen face relentless media fire, turning a routine query into a viral partisan fracture point that broadcasts GOP evasions nationwide, heightening scrutiny on Toby's wage provocations and accelerating the collapse of cooperative facades under daylight's unforgiving glare.

Atmosphere Tense and electric, buzzing with journalistic hornets and clipped urgency amid fading conference echoes.
Function Public stage for press ambush and political slip-ups
Symbolism Powder keg of bipartisan betrayal, embodying raw fault lines of legislative warfare
Access Open expanse accessible to press, lawmakers, and onlookers, yet pulsing with controlled chaos
Sun-baked marble steps thrusting upward Swarming reporters thrusting microphones Crackling anticipation and shuffling postures

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

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Key Dialogue

"REPORTER 2ND: "What about minimum wage hike?""
"FIRST CONGRESSMAN: "The wage hike was not discussed.""
"REPORTER 2ND: "Well, are you considering a two-dollar increase over two years?""
"FIRST CONGRESSMAN: "Well, we want the same thing over three years, certainly...""