02x12 - The Middle Way

[bunniefuu]

Oh. Morning.

Morning.

Don't miss the trade agreement. Page three.

It's finally happening. (chuckles)

(elevator bell dings)

Uh-oh.

More than three of you.

It's not bad news.

We just have a few things to discuss with you.

For your trip to Myanmar.

You're only the third secretary of state to visit in 50 years, you know.

And the first who gets to sign the Pacific Rim Trade Agreement.

Boom.

I'm just experimenting with that.

"Boom" is over, man. You missed it.

Daisy, what's up with page three?

Why isn't it bigger news than that?

Believe me, when you sign the agreement, it'll be front page, above the fold.

There is just one small fly in the ointment.

I can't believe I kicked that football.

The meet and greet at the elevator... always bad news.

Who's the fly?

Ambassador Arlen Maxwell.

In my office?

Blake: No, in Myanmar.

He's called a few times today.

He has some ethical concerns about the trade agreement.

He does?

Yes. The U.S. ambassador to Myanmar, whose job it is to represent U.S. interests in Myanmar, has some ethical concerns about the landmark trade agreement.

Upon which everyone has agreed.

You know, I've spoken to him a few times.

He seems reasonable enough.

What's going on?

I think the ambassador might have something referred to as clientitis.

He's identifying closely with the culture and its people.

Let's nip it in the bud, and...

Blake, get me the ambassador, will you?

So, is there anything else that I should know?

Yes. He and President Dalton have been friends since college.

Maxwell inherited a large sum of money and invested it in some high-risk enterprises.

One of them paid off.

A very deep gold mine in Argentina.

Matt: Now, word is, he got lucky.

His wife divorced him two years ago.

No prenup. Talk about a very deep gold mine.

So when the ambassadorship came up, he called his old friend the president and asked to be sent to Myanmar.

Maybe for a change of scenery?

I'm guessing to escape the tabloids. Their divorce was a splashy story.

To be fair to the president, a number of candidates turned down the post.

Myanmar is a very poor country a long way from anything.

Unless you're a fan of temples.

Matt: Look, there's no way this rube is gonna mess up the trade agreement.

I had to rewrite an entire Billy Joel song just to make it happen.

Yeah. And we had to sing it.

Don't you mean you got to sing it?

Don't worry, Matt.

It won't be for naught.

This agreement is going to go through.

Ambassador Maxwell.

Great.

Thanks, everybody.

Thank you.

Ma'am.

Ambassador, I'm looking forward to meeting you in person in the next couple of days.

And I you, Madam Secretary.

Uh, now, may I ask, have you... have you read, uh, this report put out by your State Department?

Well, I-I have to be honest with you.

The State Department puts out thousands of documents, feels like every day.

Well, this is called The World in 2030, and I just...

I have to tell you, it's not a pretty world, particularly for Myanmar, after we sign this trade agreement.

What in particular about the trade agreement bothers you?

Elimination of tariffs on hydro-power turbines.

Let's start there.

Yes. So that hydroelectric dams can be built, leading to the modernization of Myanmar's power grid.

At the cost of displacing whole villages of people.

People who have been farmers all their lives.

It's... it is all right in here.

But with the modernization to the cities, industry can thrive.

And it will help close the enormous wealth gap and, in turn, raise the standard of living for everyone.

We're talking about generations of people who have only lived close to the land.

Ambassador Maxwell, I understand.

This agreement, it isn't perfect, but at the end of the day, the positive effects clearly outweighed the negative.

Well, I can tell you, there is a large segment of people who live here who do not agree.

Even President Shwe, even he has concerns.

Concerns that have been resolved through hours of conversation and reviewing the data.

President Shwe got on board for a very good reason.

If Conrad would call me back...

President Dalton has entrusted me with this agreement, but I assure you that he is fully committed to it.

And I promise you that this is an agreement that you can represent to the people of Myanmar proudly.

See you then.

(computer beeps)

I don't know how we missed this.

We didn't.

I read it when it came out.

But probably just before I read the joint CIA and FBI projection of the ten most imminent t*rror1st att*cks on U.S. soil.

I do have to prioritize my end of the world documents, you know.

It's somebody's job in every department to game out worst-case scenarios.

It's not supposed to be taken as hard science.

Water is featured as a megatrend starting on page 380.

Elizabeth: See, that's good. Write that down.

We just... we just need to remind the ambassador of the counterpoints.

Why are we humoring this guy?

Because these big trade agreements are very fragile when you have so many countries involved.

And the last thing we need is a skittish ambassador.

If his concerns get out and they're taken as a sign that the United States has doubts, it could make others reevaluate, not to mention embarrass the hell out of us.

No kidding.

"2030, nearly half the world's population will live in areas of severe water stress."

The trade agreement is going to allow us to send in scientists to help shore up erosion.

It's all in the speech I wrote for the ceremony.

It's solid.

We just need talking points to ease the ambassador's mind.

Sure. No problem.

I love that answer.

Blake: Spider monkeys will be extinct?

Somebody take that away from Blake.

(line beeps)

Hi, it's me.

Uh, I called before, but I didn't leave a message.

Um, maybe you didn't recognize the number.

So, it looks like I'm going to be in your neck of the woods... soon.

And, um, it would be very nice to see you.

Anyway, I'll be there, uh, day after tomorrow.

And...

I-I look forward to seeing you.

Okay. Um... bye.

Damn it.

Oh, Madam Secretary!

Listen, I'm just heading home.

I need those, uh, talking points e-mailed to me.

But, um, or Jay can bring them tomorrow.

Uh, that's what I wanted to talk to you about.

I'll be joining you on your trip to Myanmar instead of Jay.

Oh. Okay. But everything all right?

Oh, it's fine.

I just thought he could use a break from all the traveling.

The baby's teething... incisors.

It's painful.

Yeah, those are the tough ones.

Yeah.

What's the real reason?

(chuckles, clears throat)

I recently found out that my son has been living in Myanmar for the last few months.

Your son?

From a very brief affair when I was touring Europe with a dance troupe.

Dance troupe?

Before law school.

Anyway, he quit Juilliard years ago and has been traveling around and wound up in Myanmar, as luck would have it.

You know, you and I really should have gone out for a drink at some point.

I like to keep my private life private, ma'am.

You've done a superb job.

Um, I'm glad you're coming.

That'll be great, and I look forward to maybe meeting your son.

Oh, thank you.

Be honored to introduce you to him if I can coax him out.

He's an artist, so he's anti everything we stand for.

Oh.

I've got a budding one of those myself.

(elevator bell dings)

See you tomorrow, Madam Secretary.

Okay.

I am off to the treaty signing in Myanmar.

Okay. Cool.

Sounds good.

What's the time difference there?

11 and a half hours.

Wow.

Guess everybody's over the gig, huh?

Kind of got it down by now, Mom.

Obviously. Jason isn't even here.

He's getting donuts with the Dudes.

It's their jam.

Stevie: If we were upset, then you would feel torn between your family and your career, and is that what you really want?

(phone ringing)

Is there something in the middle?

Just go and have another wonderful history-making trip and come home soon.

Oh, security.

Hey, Kevin. What's up?

Bye.

Bye.

Yeah, okay. Yeah, be right there.

Our neighbor Ted is outside.

He wants to see us.

It's a little late for the welcome basket.

Never too late for a welcome.

Come on.

You're so much nicer than I am.

Yes, I am.

Hello, Ted.

Come on in.

Sorry about the whole security thing. Thanks, guys.

Can I get you a cup of coffee?

I'm here on neighborhood business.

Oh. Okay.

Your residence has violated a number of our homeowners' association bylaws, such as your security taking up much of our street parking 24 hours a day, the removal of trash cans without permission, and the unsightly cones that are placed in the street, to name a few.

It's all in the complaint, but the worst is Madam Secretary's SUV, which is left running 24 hours a day, adding unwanted air and noise pollution.

Well, that's a hell of an icebreaker, Ted.

Why don't you come in? I'm sure it's our fault for not getting to know you guys.

We kind of hit the ground running.

We keep talking about having a dinner party.

We do. We talk about that.

I have to get to work.

We're having a meeting on Saturday to vote on whether or not we need to explore our legal options with regard to these complaints.

You're welcome to attend.

Elizabeth: You want us to move?

Seriously?

Henry: I'm sure they're not saying that.

Henry, they're saying that.

Right here.

It's-it's one of the options we've listed.

Well, I am sure that you'll find that the Fair Housing Act won't support those options.

I'll tell you what, Ted.

Why don't we host the meeting here at our house on Saturday?

We can have brunch and get to know everybody, work everything out.

We're not looking for a party, Mr. McCord.

Doctor.

Dr. McCord.

What party? It's eggs and mimosas and solving some problems.

All right.

I'll send out an e-mail to the members.

Great.

How could they not like us?

People like us.

Do you remember our old neighborhood?

They called us the Merry McCords.

Oh...

Okay, I hated it.

But now I miss it.

I mean, we're likeable!

Nadine: So you'll have about an hour with

Ambassador Maxwell before the reception.

And just a reminder about protocol here.

Men and women do not kiss cheeks in greeting.

No touching of the heads or feet.

And in the presence of the elderly, don't spit.

I can't make any promises.

I just can't. I...

(laughs)

(crowd chanting in Burmese)

(man chanting in Burmese over loudspeaker)

What's going on?

Some kind of demonstration, ma'am.

Nadine: I'll call Ambassador Maxwell and find out.

Wait.

(chanting continues)

Maybe we can just wave him over.

Oh, dear God.

(chanting continues)

Didn't he have hair the other day?

Maybe we can keep this from the Myanmar authorities.

(siren toots, chanting continues)

Or not.

(chanting)

(chanting continues)

The Arlen Maxwell I talked to the other day didn't look like that.

What happened?

He periodically wears the robes.

The shaved head is new.

(buzzer sounds)

Oh.

He had his teacher do it this morning.

His teacher?

Yes. Ashin Tun.

He's a Buddhist monk.

Ambassador Maxwell converted to Theravada Buddhism about six months ago?

Well, his religion is his own business, but inciting a demonstration against his own country's policies is...

I want to say insane, I do.

You have to understand, Ambassador Maxwell didn't come here with the idea to live a cushy life in the embassy.

He wanted to immerse himself in local life and-and culture.

He's a man of the people.

He's an ambassador for the American people.

Well, I think he's come to think of the Myanmar people as his people.

Elizabeth: Well, I think he should rethink that.

He's meditating.

Is he?

Mr. Ambassador?

Elizabeth McCord.

Secretary of State.

I'm so sorry to intrude on your downtime.

Arlen, do you think I haven't taken a yoga class?

I know you can hear me.

Madam Secretary, I'm happy to meet you.

What were you thinking?

Inciting a demonstration against the very work you were appointed to support?

I tried to share my concerns with you.

And when I didn't embrace them, your next step was to humiliate the president?

The right response to injustice is civil disobedience.

I came fully prepared to have a reasonable discussion with you, but since your new beliefs don't seem to include reasonable discussion, I am telling you that you are officially removed from your post.

So when you get released from here, you can pack your bags and head off to the monastery.

Good day.

All is as it should be.

Yeah, well, we'll see about that.

Yes, Mr. President, I am as surprised as...

Well, I-I spoke with an aide from President Shwe's office...

(phone chimes)

...and there has been no change in schedule.

As soon as the agreement is signed, I'll call.

(sighs)

Sir, it is a good deal.

In all fairness, sir, I-I don't think anyone could have anticipated a U.S. ambassador leading a demonstration against his own country.

(phone chimes)

With that said, I'm gonna do everything I can to...

Sir? Sir?

(phone whooshes)

The president hung up on me.

I'm sure he doesn't blame you.

No, no, he does.

I need to get back to the embassy and check in with the foreign ministers, make sure that the agreement still stands.

We have... three hours until the signing.

Matt and Daisy are working on a boilerplate press release.

Something about the ambassador wanting to spend more time with his family.

Good.

And for once, we can be thankful for a government that controls the media.

There won't be any press about the demonstration.

Have you read this thing?

Enough to get the gist of it.

Why?

I was up all night.

Daisy: Wait.

You read the whole thing?

It's like a horror film.

Bioterror weaponry, diseases that jump from animals to humans, accelerated climate change, demon robots who will take over the world.

Well, a demon robot is welcome to take over my world as long as he cleans my bathroom and organizes my stuff.

You know, I'm gonna get a 3-D printer, use it to make another 3-D printer, then return the first one.

I'm no fool.

And forget about bombs.

Okay? 'Cause hacking is gonna be the new b*mb.

Because banks won't be able to keep up with all the new hacking techniques.

Which means we'll have to pay in cash for everything.

Which means piles and piles of cash in every home.

Which means g*ns in every home.

Which means sh**t in the middle of the street.

It's gonna be like the Wild West out there!

Dude.

These doom and gloom predictions happen all the time.

You can't lose any sleep over it.

I suggest you take a second look at that thing.

Look, I'll just go with head in the sand.

Okay.

All right, just... just hope that sand isn't in Miami.

Because it'll all be underwater.

(indistinct chatter)

Oh, hello.

Um, I'm not sure if I have the right address.

Uh...

You are Roman's mother?

I'm Shindy.

I'm Nadine.

Is my son here?

I am sorry.

He had band practice.

Are you his girlfriend?

I am.

We've been together for six months.

Oh, I see.

And you're from here?

Oh, of course, you're from here.

Unless you're not from here.

I'm sorry, I'm very sorry.

I don't mean to assume.

It's all right.

I was born and raised here.

Ah.

How is he?

Uh, he's fine.

I'll tell him you stopped by.

Thank you.

Oh, um... would you please give him this?

It's all the information of where I'm staying.

My hotel, all the numbers where he can reach me.

I have to leave tomorrow.

I would love to see him.

I'll tell him.

Thank you.

It's lovely to have met you.

You, too.

(indistinct chatter)

She seems nice.

Mr. President, thank you for seeing me.

It was good of you to come to say good-bye.

Of course, of course.

My being here has been an honor.

It's changed my life.

I have to tell you, Mr. President, you cannot sign that trade agreement.

Mr. Maxwell, may I point out to you that 12 countries have sent heads of state to sign this agreement in two hours.

That may be in their best interest.

But I can tell you this agreement is not in Myanmar's best interest.

Even Secretary McCord expressed her doubts about it.

Really? With me, she was quite steadfast.

This is a predominantly Buddhist country.

The Noble Truths should be your guide as you plan for the future.

Let me remind you that one of those truths is "Don't struggle to get what you want, but modify your wanting."

I wish you a safe trip home to your country.

I'm sorry, Mr. President.

Uh, I, I have to keep struggling.

My work here is not done.

Everybody out or the president dies!

Get out! Get out!

Out! Get out!

(indistinct shouting)

(sirens wailing)

Madam Secretary, how was your...?

What's going on?

The president has been taken hostage.

What? By whom?

By the American ambassador.

(sirens wailing)

The ambassador has a g*n to President Shwe's head.

And this action seems to be linked to the trade agreement.

(sighs) Are we sure the g*n is real?

Where's a Buddhist even get a firearm?

Probably brought it with him from when he was an average American citizen.

Can we talk to him?

He is demanding that we cancel the signing of the trade agreement.

No discussion.

And he won't pick up the phone.

Any idea how to get through to a g*n-wielding Buddhist?

No.

But I know someone who might.

Male reporter: Ambassador Maxwell's excuse to meet with President Shwe was that he wanted to pay (phone ringing) his respects and say good-bye.

But at some point he pulled a g*n...

Babe, are you okay?

Yes, I'm far enough away from the action.

Unbelievable.

I guess hostage taking is the new form of negotiation.

It is definitely becoming a trend.

Henry, I need you to tell me everything I need to know about Buddhism in the next five minutes.

Look, I don't know what this guy's doing, but he is not practicing Buddhism.

Yeah, well, he thinks he is.

So just tell me.

Okay.

There are six realms divided into 31 planes of existence...

Henry.

The point is, it's not a five-minute conversation.

Well...

I need something.

Some way to reach him.

Maybe, what about a Buddhist quote?

Or-or-or-or a Buddhist teaching?

Just something to talk him down.

You just want me to reach into my grab bag of religious quotes?

Why not? You do it all the time!

It's adorable.

I quote when it makes sense in context.

Henry, please.

I can't just watch him k*ll somebody.

Or be k*lled himself.

He's not gonna listen to you anyway.

You're not his teacher or his mentor or a monk, so...

He-he mentioned that he had a teacher.

Well, your best bet is to find him.

Theravada Buddhism emphasizes heeding the advice of the wise.

Okay, I'm gonna...

I'm gonna get on that.

Listen, uh, I hate to bring this up, but, um... safe bet, you're not gonna make it home by tomorrow morning.

Oh, crap.

The brunch.

Don't worry about it. We'll cancel.

Oh, no, no, no.

We cannot cancel.

That would look like I'm...

The secretary of state?

(sighs)

Listen, the last thing that I need right now is a conflict on my own street.

Okay, like I said, it's just eggs and mimosas.

It's easy.

Okay, and you know what?

I'm gonna send Blake just for good measure.

Okay, well, don't worry about it.

We'll handle it.

And, um, I'd never thought I'd say this, but, uh.... don't get too close to the Buddhist t*rror1st.

Don't worry, I won't.

I love you.

Nadine, I need you to track down Arlen Maxwell's teacher.

I think his aide said he was a Buddhist monk...

Ashin Tun... I made a note of it.

Good.

And I-I don't care what you have to do to get him here, just get him here.

Yes, ma'am.

It's 12 hours and counting since this volatile situation began in Naypyidaw, Myanmar... formerly known as Burma... where American Ambassador Arlen Maxwell has taken the president of this country hostage.

The United States government has condemned Ambassador Maxwell's actions, which occurred after he was released from his post...

Dr. McCord, any change?

Not yet.

(TV shuts off)

On the upside, my quiches are perfect.

And I cleaned the kitchen. You're welcome.

Well, I'm all set up, if you want to have a look.

Sure.

So I have a 15-slide PowerPoint called "The Upside of Diplomatic Security."

Uh, would you like a quick preview?

Actually, I really have to go study.

So the quiches are on the counter and all you have to do is cut them and serve them.

(doorbell rings)

Sergio and Alice. Three doors down.

Hi. Sergio, Alice?

Henry McCord. Very nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you, finally.

Uh, new Tesla.

Hey, how do you like that Tesla of yours?

It's fast, right?

Too fast.

I'm going to get in trouble in that car.

Oh, I hear you.

I've been wanting to test-drive one of those.

Please, stop by.

He'll take you for a spin.

Really?

I'll take you up on that. Please, come on in and make yourself at home.

Thanks.

Gary and Margo. Big garden.

Hi. Uh, Gary, Margo?

Henry McCord. I love your garden.

Thank you.

Beautiful. Please, come in.

And of course, the Rhodes, Ted and Ginny.

Hi, Ted.

I'm really glad we could do this.

And you must be Ginny.

It's so nice to finally meet you.

I'm really glad we could do this.

Please, make yourself... at home.

(exhales)

You're really good at this.

Well, I welcome the distraction.

From what?

You don't want to know.

I mean, did you know that there are more plastic flamingos than real flamingos in this world?

What?

What? Don, Tina.

Hi, Don. Hi, Tina.

Henry McCord. Come on in.

So for all the inconvenience that a strong security detail may bring to the neighborhood, it also cuts crime rates in the following ways.

A nine percent decrease in automobile break-ins.

A 15% decrease in home break-ins...

Alice: What about all the foot traffic from the tourists?

Right.

Yeah, like every day.

Strangers, roaming our streets.

Blake: Strangers who actually raise the resale value of your home by an impressive 12%.

Remember, a famous area is a desirable area.

Now, here's a surprising yet charming statistic.

There's actually a four percent decrease in lost pets.

(laughter and indistinct chatter)

Ted: This is all very interesting, but, uh, we were led to believe that the secretary herself would be here.

Where is she?

That-that was certainly our plan, but unfortunately my wife was held up by the hostage situation in Myanmar.

What a mess. How did that happen?

Sergio: Is that trade agreement really a good idea?

It sounds like they're gonna send a lot of jobs overseas.

(neighbors clamoring)

Let's not drift into politics.

Let's not drift...

He's right, let's not.

We're here to talk about how the secretary's lifestyle is interfering with our own.

Alice, you were saying that your garbage bins are constantly being moved by the security guys.

Well, yes, I assume it's them.

Ted: And the tourists are actually picking Gary and Margo's prize roses.

Alice: Oh, it's terrible.

Ted: And they've caught them on camera, actually.

Not to mention the worst problem of all, which is the caravan of SUVs out front.

Margo: It is difficult to have a dinner party.

Alice: Also, my dog wakes up and barks every time the secretary leaves or comes home, which is all hours of the day.

Oh, please.

Tell me again about your barking dog while violent hurricanes pound millions and millions of homes up and down the East Coast, uprooting and displacing people, forcing them into these makeshift, disease-ridden little shantytowns right here in your own upscale Georgetown neighborhood!

Okay, thank you very much, Blake.

Thank you.

Um, why don't we take five?

There's some pastries and coffee in the kitchen.

No, let's talk about the environment.

Let's talk about your SUVs running day and night, spewing carbon monoxide into the air 24 hours a day.

That is a protocol issue.

They have to be kept running in the event of a state emergency.

Give me a break!

I'm sure your wife is too important to care about my son's asthma, but shouldn't she care about climate change?

Isn't that part of her job, too?

(neighbors murmur agreement)

I was hoping that this would be a reasonable discussion where we could all get to know each other and come up with some creative ideas about how to live together.

But it's turned into a platform for you to voice your opinions about foreign policy and elevate your mundane concerns to global importance...

(protesting)

...because my wife happens to be the secretary of state.

"Mundane concerns"?

Yeah, Ted.

Your garbage bins?

Really?

Dinner parties?

I'm sorry my house is a little busy because matters of national security really don't take a day off.

There are dangers that you will never know about because there are people out there working to make sure you're never affected by it.

People who are putting their lives at risk every day.

So why don't we all just take a time-out and then, if you still want to petition us to move out of the neighborhood, go with God.

Good luck with that.

Okay, everybody out.

Let's get out of here, honey.

What? Out?

Come on, let's go.

Let's go.

Let's all go.

(indistinct chatter)

Great diplomacy, guys.

Really.

Top-notch.

(front door closes)

The teacher Ashin Tun has been received by Mr. Maxwell.

A conversation ensued among the three of them.

Now, if you care to rest, the president and the teacher appear to be meditating.

The idea was that the teacher was going to counsel Mr. Maxwell.

We brought him in at your request, Madam Secretary.

What happened after that is not up to us.

Nadine: President Shwe and Mr. Maxwell want to talk to you. It's a secure line.

This is Secretary of State McCord.

I believe the hard work has paid off, Madam Secretary.

You must be exhausted.

Why don't you put the g*n down and let's... let's all talk?

Look, I know that I'm probably going to prison for the rest of my life, but I am ready to face that possibility if I know that I have created a better agreement for my new home and people.

Arlen, clearly, you-you care very much about these changes, so why don't you come out and let's discuss them?

Madam Secretary, are you aware of the sutta of the Middle Way?

I think that it's, um, similar to what the Greeks call the golden mean.

Moderation in all things.

It's the road between sensual indulgence and self-mortification.

It's... it is the path we should all seek.

And I have been successful in, uh, getting the president to understand that.

What does that mean?

He agrees that these hydroelectric dams are... they're just... they're a bad idea for his people.

Well, if the president is convinced, we can... absolutely take a look at making an amendment.

But we can't talk about anything while President Shwe has a g*n to his head.

It's not the president's attention that I need now.

It's yours.

And when I show you on a map, uh, the-these-these areas that will be flooded and these poor people who will lose ev...

(g*nsh*t)

Arlen, what was that?

Arlen?

(shouting)

I lost him.

The police chief isn't answering.

Nor is Arlen's aide. I...

Nothing reported on any news source.

The president is unharmed.

Oh, thank God. What about Maxwell?

Mr. Maxwell let his guard down as he spoke to you.

The sn*pers were able to wound him.

He is being treated.

He will recover.

The president wishes to see you immediately.

Of course.

(phone chimes)

The important thing is that you're all right.

And we all deeply regret Mr. Maxwell's actions.

But we came here for a specific reason that carries great international...

Madam Secretary, I must tell you that the reluctance that I voiced to Mr. Maxwell was genuine.

In order for Myanmar to sign this agreement, it must be amended to address the problem of the possible hydroelectric dams.

This agreement was based on hard data from every nation.

They predict that these hydroelectric dams will modernize your power grid, which will, in turn, help Myanmar to take better care of all of its citizens.

You and I both know why China was so interested in eliminating tariffs on hydropower turbines.

So that they could be the one to build the hydroelectric dams, using their technology and their labor.

And perhaps claim Myanmar's future water rights.

Mr. President, there is something in this agreement for every country.

That's how we got here.

I have a clearer picture now.

Signing this agreement is a short-term solution which will lead to much greater problems down the road.

I-I know that you are aware that it's too late to change the terms now, but perhaps we can use Myanmar's labor force to build the dams.

And at this point, Mr. President, there's no reason to suspect that China will lay claim to a sovereign nation's water rights.

Tell that to the African nations where China is buying up all their land.

Have you read The World in 2030, put out by your own State Department?

Water is the future's most precious commodity.

So for the good of my people and future generations, I must withdraw my support for this agreement.

If you could visit some of our villages...

(indistinct chatter)

Oh, it's okay.

Thank you.

I was worried.

I'm flattered.

Seriously?

Oh, I didn't mean it that way.

I...

I really wasn't sure...

That I care about my own mother?

Why do you have to be so dramatic?

Roman, you haven't returned my calls in... a few years, now.

What about when you stopped speaking to me when I dropped out of Juilliard?

That's ancient history!

I was angry then.

I was afraid I'd say something I'd regret.

And when I tried to get back in touch with you, you wouldn't hear of it.

You disowned me.

I didn't disown you.

I cut you off financially.

If you were adult enough to drop out of school, then you were adult enough to support yourself.

You were mad because I abandoned your dream.

No, no.

You wanted Juilliard as much as I did.

That is not true.

And Dad was totally understanding when I changed my mind.

Yeah, well, he wasn't paying for it.

It always comes back to money.

I was a single mother and a government worker.

I didn't have endless resources.

I saved from the time you were born to give my only child a college education, and you took that gift and threw it away.

I didn't throw anything away.

I'm using what I learned there.

You're just so prosaic.

It's like nothing counts unless it's some kind of pedigree.

(sighs)

Okay.

Okay.

(clears throat)

You're right.

I don't fully understand it, but I'm going to trust that you know what you're doing.

Anything to end this fight.

I want to have a relationship with you.

Well, how are we supposed to do that?

We keep talking to each other.

You return my calls, I won't mention Juilliard.

Can we do that?

I guess.

(phone chimes)

Ugh!

I'm sorry, I have to go back in.

I love you.

I get that. I do.

Nadine: I apologize, Madam Secretary.

It was my son.

(chuckles) He was worried.

Oh. Understandable.

Is he okay?

Yeah.

Where are we with President Shwe?

It's over.

We're going home without a trade agreement.

Called the president; I'm not sure the hearing in that ear will ever recover.

He's got a lot of nerve holding you accountable.

He's the one who put an unstable person in that post.

You got to see your son. It wasn't a total waste.

Yeah, we'll see.

The truth is, ma'am, um... we've been estranged for a while.

But I wanted to mend fences, so I had to suck it up.

I kept my eye on the bigger picture.

(sighs) And you know what?

He met me halfway.

At least in theory.

That's good.

You found the Middle Way.

That's a Buddhist principle I was lectured on by a guy holding a g*n to someone's head.

It's one thing to talk about, quite another to put into practice.

Yeah, it is.

I'll start making arrangements to go home.

Uh, first, Nadine, see if you can get the Chinese foreign minister on the phone.

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you, guys.

(groans)

Anybody home?

Just me.

Well, that'll do.

Are you okay, babe?

Yeah.

Ouch.

Oh.

I'm a little tired.

I'm sure you are. I saw the news.

You put that trade agreement back together.

What happened?

I had an epiphany.

I found the Middle Way.

Oh, my God. You're a Buddhist.

(both chuckle)

More like a... suck-it-upist.

Since when?

Well, after President Shwe changed his mind about the agreement, I managed to work a side deal with the Chinese to protect Myanmar's water rights.

So, by prostrating myself and taking all the blame, which I did not deserve, everybody signed and there you go.

Wow.

History made.

That's great. Congratulations.

Mm. Thank you.

(sighs)

I couldn't pull things off with the neighbors.

Well, there's... still time.

What, you want to employ the "suck it up" strategy with them?

While it's working, yes.

I may have incinerated the Middle Way.

Well, there's only one way to find out.

What in the world are...?

How do these things get so out of order?

It's the alphabet, people.

You're still upset about the 2030 report?

Rising sea levels, displaced people, economic upheaval?

Yeah, it's staying with me.

If you want to bury yourself in work, the secretary has a real assignment for us.

Yes, please.

We need to get to the bottom of why the SUVs are left running outside her house.

There has to be a way to stop that.

I tried.

Oh.

After the evil brunch, I did some research.

It would take mountains of paperwork, questions from Congress and at least six months of waiting.

Most likely to be turned down.

Huh.

Well... in that case, there's only one thing left to do.

♪ Oh, lay your hands ♪

Woman: ♪ Oh, lay your hands on me ♪
♪ Oh, lay your hands ♪
♪ Ooh... ♪

You know, when I was a little girl, we didn't have fire drills.

We had nuclear b*mb drills.

Duck and cover.

Duck under the desk and cover your head.

(laughs) As if that would've helped.

(sighs)

We were all absolutely convinced that one day we would all die in a nuclear w*r.

(groans): Oh.

We just lived with it.

Oh, we... tried to get the most out of our time, but we just hoped and prayed for the best.

I studied the Cold w*r.

It's a miracle it didn't happen.

Oh, partly.

There were other things.

The SALT talks.

Ongoing negotiations among world leaders.

The Berlin Wall eventually came down, seemingly out of nowhere, but really... it had to do with a lot of people making good moves at the right time.

And yet here we are again, making a big mess of everything, and if we don't change our ways, then yes, it will be the stuff of nightmares.

But if we turned things around once, I believe we can do it again.

Sometimes... you have to have faith in people.

Do not ever tell anyone I said that.

(laughs)

Yes, ma'am.

(music ends, woman laughs)

(crowd cheering)

Meanwhile, that's why God created alcohol and music.

Now, get up there and sing.

(chuckles)

Uh, why?

(sighs)

Because you can.

(James Taylor's "Fire and Rain" playing)

Blake: ♪ Just yesterday morning ♪
♪ They let me know you were gone ♪
♪ Susanne, the plans they made put an end to you ♪
♪ Walked out this morning ♪
♪ And I wrote down this song ♪
♪ I just can't remember who to send it to ♪
♪ I've seen fire and I've seen rain ♪
♪ Seen sunny days that I thought would never end ♪
♪ I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend ♪
♪ But I always thought that I'd see you again. ♪

(engine running)

Whew. Hi.

Matt: Can I help you, Madam Secretary, Dr. McCord?

Yeah.

Matt, I was wondering if maybe you guys could shut off the motors for the night?

No, ma'am. It's protocol.

I'm not kidding.

This is important.

I'll tell you what, if you get in trouble, you just blame it on me, okay?

I'm sorry, ma'am.

I'm not authorized to do that.

Hey, have you called Conrad to tell him the trade agreement is finalized?

Yeah, he was in a meeting, so I left a message at the office.

Uh, he's probably home by now.

It's this whole thing with the neighbors, Matt.

They-they don't like the cars running all the time.

The poor guy's kid has asthma.

Well, be that as it may, Dr. McCord, I don't work for your neighbors.

That's true.

Technically, I don't even work for Secretary McCord.

(chuckles): That's true, too, technically.

Elizabeth: Just hold on one second.

Um, Matt, the president would like a word.

Yes, Mr. President?

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

I understand.

Right-right away, sir.

Good-bye.

(engine stops)

Thanks, Matt.

I'll tell the other guys.

Have a good night.

(chuckles)

(sighs): Oh.

I like the Middle Way.

That was not the Middle Way. That was winning.

Well, I like that, too. (chuckles)