Two-Minute Drill

Leo launches the two-minute drill in Toby's office as a confidence sting: Bartlet fields a capital punishment question with a deliberately feeble, rambling answer while Toby, Sam, and Josh deliver scripted praise. Toby snaps first, denouncing the response; Bartlet then unmasks the test. The timed rehearsal format grips the room, exposes staff reactions, and flips paralysis into unity hours before the debate.

2 appearances

Purpose

Timed rehearsal where staff provide only positive reinforcement to President's answers, testing conviction and breaking performance slumps

Significance

Ignites turning point in trust between Bartlet and senior staff; reveals President's strategic ploy, restores momentum, and clears path for Sam's campaign push

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S4E6 · Game On

Two‑Minute Drill — Sam's Plea and the President's Test

The Two‑Minute Drill functions as a named procedural object: a timed, concentrated rehearsal format repurposed as a psychological tool—no notes, only positive reinforcement—to jolt the President out of indecision.

Before: Programmed into the day's schedule (five drills planned); considered a standard exercise in debate prep.

After: One drill was used as a confidence intervention; the format is validated by its success and remains part of the prep schedule.

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S4E6 · Game On

The Two‑Minute Confidence Test

The 'two‑minute drill' functions as a procedural object: a timed rehearsal framework used as the mechanism for the sting. It structures the exchange, mandates 'no notes' discipline, and provides the safe space in which a performance test can be enacted and evaluated.

Before: Scheduled and ready; several drills planned for the day including one on the plane, and the staff has just convened to execute one immediately.

After: Executed successfully — the drill's purpose fulfilled, having restored confidence and cleared the room for next steps.

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