07x04 - Lost Girls

Episode transcripts for the TV show "Scandal". Aired: April 2012 to April 2018.*
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A White House Communications Director leaves to start her own crisis management firm only to discover she has not left the past behind.
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07x04 - Lost Girls

Post by bunniefuu »

President Grant.

It's an honor.

- Mr. Pryce.

- What are you doing here?

I, uh, actually was hoping for your help on some Institute business, but if this is a bad time...

No.

No.

Not at all.

Uh...

Actually just leaving.

[ELEVATOR DINGS]

Curtis.

Uh, nice to meet you, Mr.

President.

FITZ: You, too.

That was exciting.

What are you doing here?

What is this?

An Institute project Marcus and I are putting together.

I was hoping you could lend us a hand.

Lend you...

Are you crazy?

It's a missing-girls case.

I don't care what kind of case it is.

Hundreds of teenage girls no one's looking for because of the color of their skin.

The president of Bashran is in town.

- We're organizing a summit.

- It's right up your alley.

[CHUCKLES]

- Olivia.

- [PRESSING ELEVATOR BUTTON]

Was.

Was up my alley.

This isn't...

You're not supposed to be here.

We're not...

Why are you here?

100 days is over.

I kept my head down, but now I have work to do.

Come on.

If we don't help them, who will?

♪ Give this to Quinn Perkins.

- I don't want Quinn Perkins!

- If she can get some traction, I'll have Mellie make a statement.

- Otherwise...

- I want you.

- Well, you can't have me.

- [ELEVATOR DINGS]

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do, too.

[SIGHS]

♪ It's a momentous day at the White House with President Grant set to preside over a nuclear summit between President Rashad of Bashran and Prime Minister Nazari of Dakal this week.

RASHAD: If my past experience with this man is any indication, he'll want to know what's next...

how any of this actually gets implemented.

Well, that's why today's negotiation is simply a starting point.

If we are to convince Prime Minister Nazari to get behind this treaty and sign...

I don't think it's a question of "if," Madam President.

Nazari will sign.

You and I will make sure of it.

I like the way you think.

[CHUCKLES]

If only the people of my country all shared in that opinion.

I know you're getting some pushback.

Certainly no surprise there.

I want you to know if there's anything more I can do, anything else that you need...

I appreciate that.

Of course.

So, is there?

Anything else you need?

[DOOR OPENS]

Olivia!

Come in.

Madam President, President Rashad, good morning.

We were just finishing up some last-minute talking points.

We're all on the same page, I take it?

- I believe so.

- Wonderful.

Looking forward to the talks, Madam President.

As am I, President Rashad.

Thank you.

Did you know Fitz was in town?

He called this morning asking when he could see the kids.

Has it been on the books for awhile?

MELLIE: No, it was very last minute.

I told him he could do whatever he wants, as long as he doesn't upstage our summit.

My first official treaty-signing pens.

We are making history today, Liv.

You and me.

I can feel it.

♪ HANNAH: "An employee of the Executive Branch" may accept a gift only if it is unsolicited..." Which it was.

"And if the gift is valued at $20 or less..." How much is the painting worth?

A bit more than that.

What could that man have possibly been thinking?

I mean...

What?

Oh.

I...no.

Nothing.

Hannah?

Well, it's just that the barista at Hot Pot tries to give me free biscotti every morning because he wants to...

He thinks that I'll...

- For biscotti?!

- Right.

That's why I always pay full price so that I don't send him the wrong message.

In this case, paying full price is not going to be an option.

Then you're gonna have to give it back.

I mean, unless you do want to send a message.

Hannah.

You can go.

[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING]

219 missing black girls ignored by the press, cops, everyone, and that's just this past year.

- This is criminal.

- Fitz agrees.

He asked us to make some noise.

We do our jobs right, everyone and their uncle will know who these girls are and be out there looking for them.

- How much does it pay?

- Charlie!

What?

We got a wedding to pay for.

You got the Save The Date, right?

First thing we need is a face.

What about 219 faces?

219 missing girls is just an idea.

People can ignore an idea.

What we need is an individual, a poster girl, someone who can get the public's attention.

Question is...

who?

I coordinated with Bashrani Security.

Everyone they flagged as a potential thr*at to Rashad is now in our system.

To be on the safe side, though, I think it's time we talked about hiring some agents.

The more eyes and ears we have in the field...

I need you to look into Fitz.

He's back.

No warning.

Shows up on my doorstep saying he's got some case he needs my help with.

And you think that's strange?

A man who hasn't gone for three minutes, let alone three months, without wanting to see you.

We had an understanding.

He stays in Vermont, keeps his nose out of Mellie's business...

out of my business.

If he comes here, it's coordinated with the White House.

No surprises.

What's the case?

It doesn't matter.

It's not the point.

Maybe it is the point.

Maybe this is a case that's actually worthy of your attention.

May I ask what you're afraid of?

I don't know.

You don't know.

It doesn't feel right.

Claudia Lopez...

17 year old from Fort Myers.

Vanished during her lunch break at the Gettysburger where she was employee of the month.

She dropped out of high school after being held back for spotty attendance.

So, what?

We're saying she's irresponsible?

- Employee of the month.

- It doesn't matter.

Whoever we pick has to be squeaky clean.

Next.

Hannah Martel...

16 year old from Galveston.

Went missing while at the mall with her friends.

Lost her private-school scholarship after smoking a cigarette at a dance.

QUINN: Lost her scholarship?

I was caught smoking in the school dance and got detention.

Okay, next.

[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING]

Quanesha Turner...

honor-roll student at Bishop High in Cincinnati.

- Disappeared...

- No good.

What, are you kidding?

She's the perfect poster child.

People hear "Quanesha" and stop listening.

We need a name that sounds white.

Ugh.

Anyone else grossed out by all this?

We're all grossed out by this, but this is what it's gonna take to get the American people to pay attention.

Ou-Our girl is in here somewhere.

She has to be.

A case?

That's how you're gonna save my daughter?

It's a noble cause.

Getting Liv involved is a chance to remind her who she is, what she cares about.

So, Olivia will help you find these girls, and as a result, she'll what?

Trade in her B613 horns for a halo?

Has she agreed to work on it?

She put her old team on it.

- So, no?

- What would you have me do?

Ask her politely to dismantle B613?

If Liv shutters B613, it has to be her idea, not mine.

We are luring her into a cage.

Let's be very clear about that.

We are not doing anything.

Whatever I do is because I want to do it.

If we're gonna be clear about something, let's be clear about that.

You know what?

Never mind.

You forget, I was in a cage, too.

They'll say I was lured by fossils.

No.

It was the girl who dangled those fossils in front of me.

She was the cheese in my trap.

What's your point?

My point is this case is not the bait.

You are.

You are her weakness.

It is why I have always hated you with the passion of 1,000 suns and why I think you're her only chance at salvation.

The case is fine.

The case will get her attention, but if you want to fix her, she can't fall in love with a cause.

She has to fall in love...

with you.

You are the cheese, Mr. President.

You.

Remember that.

[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING]

♪ Zoe Adams...

15 year old from Baltimore.

Rangerette.

Last seen at dance practice with her troupe.

[KEYBOARD CLACKING]

Straight-A student.

♪ Hey, Marcus, reach out to your press contacts.

Get Zoe's story out there.

Huck, Charlie, verify her background.

Get those school records.

Do we have the Baltimore PD case files?

I wouldn't expect them to be too helpful.

I'll get David on it.

♪ [SIGHING]

Vice President Beene!

This is an unexpected treat.

Just a sec.

[LOCK BEEPING]

Mr. Glackland.

Did you get my present?

Uh...

W-W-Would you mind, uh...

Oh, oh!

Right!

Yeah.

Hey, come in.

Come in.

Look, you-your...

your gift was very generous.

The painting is incredible, but I can't accept it.

Of course you can.

I gave it to you.

Mr. Glackland...

Call me Fenton.

Or Fentsie...

That's what they called me at MIT.

Fenton...

you're aware that there are laws that forbid me as vice president to accept gifts of any value, much less the gift of a $100-million Cézanne.

Oh, right.

Well, that's too bad.

I really wanted you to have it.

I'll, uh, I'll give you my office address, and you can ship it back there.

See, that's the other thing.

I'm...

I'm sure it needs to be transported by a special mover and insured, and I can't pay for that out of my office budget.

That's taxpayer money.

Of course.

I'll, um...

I'll have my assistant make arrangements, then.

Sorry if I, uh, put you in an awkward position.

It's okay.

I...

it was a nice thought.

It was, wasn't it?

Especially after you were a real jerk to me.

I do want to apologize.

Ah, forget about it.

Maybe you're right.

Maybe I'm not...

cut out for politics.

All this ass kissing and trying not to say what you mean, though...

now that I think about it, you're not too great at either of those yourself.

I-I-I guess you're right.

[CHUCKLES]

Yeah, I should...

let you get back to whatever you've got...

going in there.

You want to try it?

No, I couldn't possibly.

Sure, you can.

Come on.

Try it.

I-I have a lot on my plate today.

Cyrus, you're making me pay to take back the Cézanne that I gave you.

The least you can do is try out my embarrassing glasses.

- Oh!

My God!

- Oh!

Fenton, that was like a legion!

That was awesome!

Are you okay?

- Uh...

- You okay?

Yeah.

Who am I?

Admit it...

you were enjoying it.

I'll never admit it.

At this age, my pride is all I have left.

Tell you the truth, I'm surprised to hear you say that.

Oh, don't flatter me, Fentsie.

I'm immune.

Oh, I'm not flattering you.

I'm surprised to hear you say that because it seems like all your dirty laundry's aired.

I mean, your ex-hubby has custody of your kid for God's sake.

You must've been a...

bad, bad boy.

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

What time is it?

I-I should be going.

Oh, ho-hold up!

Don't get defensive.

I-I meant that in a good way.

How's that?

Well, you're...

you're not some pretty person who got voted in 'cause of your kindly wife and your 2.5 kids and a bunch of swing voters thought you had a nice smile.

You're a real human, warts and all.

You're a career politician and you're there on your own merit.

Honestly...

you're who got me thinking maybe I should give politics a go.

[CHUCKLES]

Come on.

I do have a nice smile.

Well, you have...

You have much more than that, Cyrus.

What do you say that...

we, um...

do this on the regular?

You...

teach me about politics, and me...

getting under your skin.

I think we could, um...

learn a lot from each other.

Thank you for a lovely evening.

But I-I-I really should get going.

[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING]

[KNOCK ON DOOR, DOOR OPENS]

The former Press Secretary is here to see you, and I have Curtis Pryce on line two.

Former Press...

send him in.

And tell Mr. Pryce I'm unavailable.

In fact, whenever Mr. Pryce calls, I'm unavailable.

Hey.

What are you doing here?

It's nice to see you, too.

I thought I'd pop in to see Mellie, but Rachel said I had to get a hall pass from you.

What do you need?

I just wanted to see how she's doing.

- How is she doing?

- She's busy.

Sure, but there's no way you can squeeze me in between meetings?

- Mnh-mnh.

- 30 seconds.

Come on.

Unlike the major nuclear summit President Grant's currently dealing with, this isn't a negotiation.

We picked a girl, by the way.

Our TV-friendly, missing black girl.

Zoe Adams...

15, Baltimore native.

I think she's gonna make a great face for the cause.

- Glad to hear it.

- Right.

Well, maybe if you have a minute, you could stop by the office, get your hands dirty.

This is my office.

My hands are plenty dirty.

Fair enough.

How's Vermont?

Cold.

White.

No, I mean how's Fitz in Vermont?

Cold.

White.

[BOTH LAUGH]

[SIGHS]

He misses you.

♪ So, this newfound passion for finding missing black girls is just...

what?

An excuse to see me?

If it means that we're able to bring even one of these girls home, then...

who cares?

♪ [CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING]

♪ [SIGHS]

♪ ♪ [ELEVATOR DINGS]

CHARLIE: Look, uh, I'm all about pro bono.

Love pro bono.

Can't get enough pro bono as long as we get paid.

Wh...

Stop.

What is she doing here?

I invited her.

What?

When?

Yesterday.

I can hear you.

How's it going with Zoe?

We tried drawing attention to her story with a couple press releases, but no one's reached out.

That's because you don't need a story.

You need a storyteller.

A missing girl can't speak.

A mother can.

Nora Adams is attractive.

She goes to church.

She put herself through school after her husband d*ed serving his country.

She set up web pages, opened a dozen social-media accounts to help look for Zoe, staged a week-long vigil outside city hall, wrote to the governor, even reached out to former President Grant.

People can't identify with a missing girl, but they will identify with a determined mother.

You want results, put her out there.

Let her tell Zoe's story.

Do that, I'll make sure she gets all the press she needs.

Thank you.

[ELEVATOR DINGS]

Liv.

I didn't expect to see you here.

I had a few minutes.

Thought I'd pitch in.

- What?

- Just...

You in this office feels like old times.

[CHUCKLES]

We should get a drink before I head back to Rutland.

Or we could keep meeting outside elevators.

[LAUGHS]

Let's see how the summit turns out.

- I have to...

- Sure.

Yeah.

Okay.

Good luck today.

Thank you.

[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING]

This is very thorough.

The conditions listed in that document, Prime Minister Nazari, are an attempt to level the playing field...

a sign of good faith that shows that even before we begin negotiations, both Bashran and Dakal stand to gain equally as a result of signing this treaty.

A lovely notion.

Too bad it is complete bunk.

Is this how you want to start?

With insults?

That document is the insult.

What sort of fool do you take me for?

I would tell you, but there are women present.

President Rashad.

I know you, son.

You are a child, and you are greedy, so I know that no matter what it says on this paper, we are not starting from a level playing field.

What did you offer him to get him to come to the table?

This summit is happening because President Rashad requested it.

Because it is time there was peace.

This summit is happening because the United States will never be happy until they are the only ones with the big bombs.

No, you two made some sort of bargain at that State Dinner.

You are conspiring.

You know, I miss your husband, Madam President.

Mm.

He at least would do me the courtesy to look me in the eye when he tried to screw me.

[SLAMS TABLE]

You will apologize.

Maybe I'm wrong.

Maybe there was no bargain.

Maybe the lady's charms were enough.

Gentlemen!

I suggest we take a break in the interest of clearer heads and lower tempers.

♪ I want a list of proposed sanctions against Dakal on my desk in an hour.

We need to show Nazari in full detail what's going to happen if he continues being uncooperative.

So, we're resorting to threats, then, already?

If we want to get this done, we don't have much of a choice.

You saw that man in there.

The nerve.

What I saw, Madam President, was a man who is frustrated and skeptical and suspicious.

Nazari doesn't trust or believe anything you say.

Why would he?

You invited President Rashad here.

You threw him a great, big, fancy State Dinner.

You've been lauding his achievements, his generosity in the press ever since.

You've been working with him behind closed doors, - just the two of you.

- What exactly is your point?

That it's obvious what's happening here.

And not just to me.

Oh, don't be ridiculous, Olivia.

Then tell me I'm wrong.

There's nothing to tell.

[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING]

All of these girls just... gone.

It's like no one even cares.

[SIGHS]

This is an uphill battle.

The media, local police, the public...

you're right.

They don't care.

They haven't been listening.

But we can make them care.

Make them listen.

You can make them.

Let us fight for your daughter...

for each of these girls.

- Fight?

- Yes.

Us.

Together.

I've been fighting this whole time.

It's about time you showed up.

The police insisted she had just run away.

They said that it happens all the time...

that she would turn up eventually.

That was three months ago.

I keep calling them.

They don't know my daughter.

Her dance recital was last week.

She missed it.

She would never miss it unless...

My daughter's out there somewhere.

She needs help, and nobody seems to care.

I just want my baby girl back!

Thank you, Ms. Adams, for sharing your story with us today.

I can't imagine how difficult all this must be for you.

If anyone has any information that might help locate Zoe Adams, you're encouraged to call the number.

It's free and completely anonymous.

Thank you, Curtis.

It's an unfortunate truth that girls of color, like Zoe, go missing every day in this country.

Girls who aren't just slipping through the cracks.

They're being ignored and forgotten outright.

Yeah, I'd call that more than an unfortunate truth, Mr. President.

I'd call that a national crisis.

I couldn't agree more.

But something occurs to me.

If it's a national crisis now, it was a national crisis when you were still president.

If time is of the essence in cases like these, why didn't your Justice Department do something to shine the light on these missing girls?

I wasn't aware of the problem.

- You're claiming ignorance.

- I am.

As I'm sure many of your viewers would've before our talk tonight because girls like Zoe aren't just being ignored by the justice system.

They're being ignored by the press.

So, you're saying the media's to blame - for these girls going missing?

- No, Curtis.

I'm saying the media's to blame for them staying missing.

And for the fact that the only reason Zoe's picture is on TV tonight is because a rich white guy is sitting next to her mother right now.

Curtis, I didn't come here to spar with you.

I came here in hopes that your viewers could help us find Zoe Adams.

- That's why I'm here.

- Fair enough, but what happens when you leave this studio here tonight...

when you go back to Vermont, and...

Who says I'm going back?

My library's in Vermont, but my foundation, my real work, it's in the cities...

Baltimore, Atlanta, Chicago, right here in D.C.

That's why I'm back and why I'm strongly considering moving my foundation here permanently.

Vermont can wait.

Reuniting girls like Zoe with their families can't.

[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING]

Has anyone ever told you you have the most bracing taste in alcohol?

[CHUCKLES]

A powerful leader needs a powerful drink.

Second one goes down easier.

I think I'll need at least one more if I am to keep myself from clobbering that disgusting, old bastard with a chair.

Which would not advance our cause.

For him to speak to you like that...

I appreciate your outrage, but I don't need you to stand up for me.

And if we're gonna get anywhere with Nazari at all, he cannot see us as a united front.

I'm here to facilitate these talks, so I need to seem impartial.

- Are you?

- [GLASSES CLINK]

Impartial?

I need to seem as though I am.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

- Mmm.

- [COUGHING]

Oh, okay.

Maybe that's enough.

I think I can stand a little more.

♪ Perhaps you're right.

Until tomorrow, Madam President.

♪ [SIGHS]

♪ [SIGHS]

Help me.

[SIGHS]

[DOOR OPENS, KNOCK ON DOOR]

You should've told me you wanted some new art, Cyrus.

I could've gotten you something.

This is the White House.

You can't just buy a cheap print online and call it a day.

You're the vice...

Oh, my God.

What on Earth?

- This is real?!

- It's a gift.

From Fenton.

Glackland?

Yes, he...

He...

wants you!

[GASPS]

Cyrus, he wants you bad!

Here, gimme.

I want to hear everything.

Oh, this is exciting!

You two!

Glackland-Beene.

It has a ring!

Power couple!

Madam President.

You've uttered many, many objectionable things to me, but that is by far the worst.

What?

I'm j-just saying maybe it's time for...

For throwing in the towel?

What are you talking about?

That man is beneath me.

He gave you a Cézanne!

And...

And maybe you shouldn't be so quick to dismiss him based on...

based on what exactly?

Did you see my ex-husband?

Did you catch his face?

I can't go from that...

to that.

I have standards.

Of course you do.

I will not lower them.

I know you won't.

Cyrus.

I'm sorry.

Forget I said anything.

[SIGHS]

He's making me feel all twitchy inside.

President Rashad.

Oh.

Well...

I can't.

I shouldn't.

I'm President.

But it's intoxicating.

Everyone always doing what I say.

I start to think...

I can do whatever I want.

Whomever I want.

But that is exactly what they all thought.

All those old, dead guys with their mistresses and their child brides.

The pigs.


And now...

it's happening to me.

It's a nightmare.

I n-never thought about it like that.

Well, now you know.

You're not the only one with issues around here.

[SIGHS]

At least Glackland has good taste.

And not just in his choice of art.

[BOTH LAUGH]

Oh...

[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING]

[DOOR OPENS, FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]

I see you've opened a nail salon.

Ethyl methacrylate...

if I don't treat Annie's bones, they'll degrade.

[SIGHS]

To what do I owe the pleasure?

I had a meeting at State.

Thought I'd pop by, see if you're behaving yourself.

Mm.

Annie, huh?

I caught myself talking to her.

Decided she needed a name.

Croissant?

I've been thinking about you a lot lately.

How you used to come home at night when I was a kid, regale Mom and me with stories of the day you'd spent at the museum.

Mm.

It's called "lying." Yeah, you were good at it.

- You figured it out.

- Did I?

I'm sure there were times you could've left or come clean, but you didn't.

You stuck it out.

That tells me you thought it was worth it.

Ah.

You're asking...

if it's possible to be Command and share your life with someone.

I'm not asking anything.

No, the path that you are on is a lonely one.

It doesn't have to be.

Sharing your life with Fitzgerald Grant - may sound appealing...

- Who said anything about Fitz?

He was on television last night talking about staying.

I know you, Olivia.

You want to share your life with him, and you want me to say that it's possible.

Well, it is not.

Not if you insist on being Command.

Your B613 isn't my B613.

I've been saying that from the beginning.

-Oh, please.

- Just because you were miserable...

Damn it!

Olivia!

Look at you!

You're asking me for boy advice!

Your own father.

That's how alone you are.

The people's whose advice you normally seek, you can't go to them.

Not anymore.

They can't know the secret.

They can't know that by night, you oversee the most bloody band of murderers this world has ever known.

I can.

I've borne that secret.

I understand.

I mean, that's why you're here!

Because despite your contempt for me, I'm all you have.

Just me.

Dear...

old...

dad.

And when I'm gone...

then what?

You'll be talking to dinosaurs just like I am.

If that's not reason enough to shutter B613...

then I don't know what is.

♪ [SIGHS]

You don't have to like me, Olivia, but you're a fool if you don't learn from me!

♪ [DOOR SLAMS]

See?

The fact Grant was able to get theses two countries to even agree to a summit is in itself a huge achievement.

Convincing Rashad and Nazari to ditch their nuclear capabilities won't be easy, yet sources inside the White House remain confident saying that if anyone can accomplish this feat, it's President Mellie Grant.

MELLIE: I believe we have a point that needs to be cleared up before we can proceed.

I am all ears.

You were correct.

There was a deal made the night at the State Dinner.

Of course there was.

This is not news.

An American spy was captured while doing reconnaissance is Bashran.

Well...

now you have my attention.

Madam President, this is unnecessary.

In order to secure his release, I agreed to host this summit.

You could've asked for anything.

Why this?

Because you and I do not like each other...

which is unlikely to change, but I don't believe that means that my people should live in fear of annihilation.

Neither should yours.

This treaty stipulates periodic inspections of our nuclear facilities.

Will you agree to allow Dakali inspectors into your facilities?

If you would allow Bashrani inspectors into yours...

yes, I would agree to these terms.

Well, Madam President...

I believe you can proceed.

- [DOORS OPEN]

- [MEN SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]

What has happened?

Olivia?

What just happened?

Rebels have entered the Bashran capital.

I need you to keep eyes on President Rashad.

This was a coup.

Rashad isn't president of anything anymore.

[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING]

It's wall to wall Bashran.

Not a single mention of Grant versus Pryce.

It was impressive, sir.

It would've been top of the news if not for this coup.

Look, we are not giving up.

We dig back into this case file, and we find Zoe ourselves if we have to.

We need Mellie on this.

I'll handle it.

JAKE: They've seized control of the palace.

State's getting calls asking us to recognize the rebel leader as the new president of Bashran.

How did we not see this coming?

This isn't a handful of drunks cutting throats in the middle of the night.

This is a highly organized, highly coordinated coup.

There should've been chatter.

We should've been able to take action instead of...

Instead of just following your ex-boyfriend around?

We need more agents, Liv!

I don't know how many times I have to say it.

If we had them, I wouldn't have missed this.

You need to make up your mind, Liv.

Are you Command or are you someone's girl?

You can't be both.

You are not to recognize him.

I understand that, Secretary, but Bashran already has a leader...

a president...

and I am going to make sure that it stays that way.

[SIGHS]

I want the Joint Chiefs along with State and Defense here first thing in the morning, and the Director of the CIA, as well.

There's a very real possibility that we are going to have to send in troops to put down this coup in Bashran.

Okay.

That is a relief.

[SIGHS]

I'm glad we're on the same page.

You said "possibility." You can be talked out of a possibility.

A possibility is not a certainty, - and for that, I am relieved.

- Olivia...

A U.S. m*llitary intervention in Bashran would not be wise, Mellie.

It would undermine our efforts in the Middle East, antagonize our enemies, not to mention represent a massive shift in our foreign policy.

I disagree!

We send in troops, reinstate Rashad as the rightful president, and we'd actually be reinforcing our efforts in the Middle East.

Until then, we'd have to grant Rashad sanctuary, of course.

Sanctuary?

Sanctuary.

Mellie, you need to be very careful here.

We can't send him back.

Not now.

Olivia, where is your humanity?

He is no longer a leader.

He has effectively become irrelevant to the United States.

The rebels will k*ll him.

Our hands are tied.

Well, we need to untie them.

By going to w*r?!

I can't let you do that.

[SIGHS]

[BREATHES SHAKILY]

He was at the table, Olivia.

You and I, we got him there.

He was at the table with Dakal, ready to forgo his nuclear capabilities and make peace with his enemy.

We...

found a solution to a problem that this country has been wrestling with for over 50 years because of him.

If that isn't worth fighting for, worth going to w*r for, then you tell me what is.

♪ ♪ [SIGHS]

Olivia!

I need to think about it.

[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING]

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Hi.

- What?

- No "Hi"?

What is it?

What do you want?

This revolt in Bashran is dominating the news cycle just when we were getting traction in the missing-girl story.

You want me to hit the undo button on the revolution?

I want you to talk to Mellie, see if she'll make a statement, hold an event in the Rose Garden.

You share custody of a child.

You are her ex-husband and the ex-President of the United States.

You don't need me to talk to Mellie.

I do when you control her.

I know how this works.

You're the power.

Why are you here?

I told you.

You didn't.

You deflected.

One of the many tools in your political arsenal...

tools I handed you.

So, stop trying to use them on me and answer my...

I need your help with this case.

Quinn is more than capable of...

It's a great cause, and it's being overshadowed by Bashran.

- Stop lying.

- So, you're passing the buck?

Abandoning the missing girls?

Okay, you need to leave.

[SIGHS]

Leave!

Now!

I'm not going anywhere.

Why are you here?!

Because you are here!

Because I love you!

You are here, right where you need to be.

You are running the world.

I ran the world, too, and everything that went wrong happened when we weren't together.

Everything.

Without you...

I was better with you.

You were better with me.

You know that.

I know you know that.

Olivia.

Tell me you know that.

♪ ♪ ♪ [CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING]

OLIVIA: Good morning, Madam President.

Well, what did you decide?

- Ma'am?

- About sending troops to Bashran, helping Rashad get his country back...

what did you decide?

I've prepared two briefs.

You'll need to review them before we can discuss.

I have feelings for him.

President Rashad.

I do have feelings for him.

He means something to me.

I know I serve my country, and I am beyond fortunate to do so.

I, alone, sit at the the top of the world and all...

We sit at the top of the world.

You are never alone.

You may run the playbook, you may make the tough calls, but I am the one who has to stand before the American people and own those calls.

Good or bad, I am the one who is responsible for the conscience of a nation.

I am always alone.

Mellie...

I have feelings for him, but I am not a teenage girl writing in her diary.

I understand the job.

I work the office, and I know we have a chance here to do what's right, to add some peace to this world.

Liv... this time...

I want it to be my call.

Just one time.

Like I said, I've prepared a couple of briefs.

The first one outlines troop deployment stats.

The Joint Chiefs will be here in an hour.

You'll need to make decisions on numbers of m*llitary if you're going to send troops into Bashran.

Of course...

you have feelings for him, and of course we will restore Rashad's presidency and return peace to Bashran.

It's what you want to do.

You are a woman, a tactical thinker, a strategist, and the leader of the free world.

So, yes, this can be your call, and you will not make the same think-below-the-waist mistakes as the 44 men who came before you.

I will not allow it.

That is my call.

You are never alone.

♪ A lonely mother gazing out of her window ♪

You have me.

♪ Staring at a son that she just can't touch ♪

What's in the second folder?

♪ If at any time he's in a jam she'll be by his side ♪

Another chance to do what's right.

To add some peace.

♪ But he doesn't realize he hurts her so much ♪

♪ But all the praying just ain't helping at all ♪

♪ Cause he can't seem to keep his self out of trouble ♪

- No.

No.

No!

- Mrs. Adams.

Let's go in the back.

I-I...

She's alive.

♪ Don't go chasing waterfalls ♪

She's with a counselor in Alexandria.

I'll take you to her.

♪ Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to ♪

My baby?

She's alive.

♪ I know that you're gonna have it your way or nothing at all ♪

- [CRYING]

She's alive!

- [LAUGHS]

♪ But I think you're moving too fast ♪

She's alive!

♪ Little precious has a natural obsession for temptation ♪

♪ But he just can't see ♪ ♪

♪ She gives him loving that his body can't handle ♪

Hello.

Is anyone there?

♪ But all he can say is, "Baby, it's good to me" ♪

- Cyrus?

- [LOCK BEEPING]

♪ What's this?

That painting.

I'm keeping it.

Oh.

But it can't be a gift, which is why I'm buying it from you.

[LAUGHS]

20 bucks.

Well..that's a steal.

20 bucks and...

starting tomorrow, I'll teach you about politics.

Sound good?

Yeah.

♪ Don't go chasing waterfalls ♪

♪ Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to ♪

♪ I know that...

♪ The Justice Department, as ordered by the President and the Attorney General, are setting up a special division within the FBI to focus on missing persons of color.

- Really?

- Really.

I handpicked the chief investigator to lead it off.

It will be well-funded and made a top priority.

- Thank you.

- Don't thank me yet.

We still have a lot of work to do.

Yes, we do, but it's a start.

[CELLPHONE CHIMES]

Excuse me.

What is it?

JAKE: You were wrong...

about Fitz.

He did what he was supposed to do.

He stayed in Vermont.

He didn't stick his nose into your business.

He didn't misbehave.

♪ Don't go chasing waterfalls ♪

♪ Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to ♪

♪ I know that you're gonna have it your way or nothing at all ♪

OLIVIA: Looks like Annie isn't the only one you've been talking to.

♪ ♪ Don't go chasing waterfalls ♪

♪ Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to ♪

Sit.

[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING]
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