07x22 - Tomorrow

Episode transcripts for the TV show "The West Wing". Aired September 1999- May 2006.*
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An American political drama revolving around the White House Staff.
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07x22 - Tomorrow

Post by bunniefuu »

Previously on The West Wing:

I'm gonna need another cop
when Bartlet leaves office.

Secretary of State?

I'm not asking you if you'd consider it,
Arnie, I'm asking you to do it.

So presidential pardons.
'Tis the season, right?

The DOJ and the Pardon Attorney
are reviewing applications...

...but I don't think anybody's had
an opportunity...

Is Toby on a list somewhere?

For a moment, I thought you came
because you gave a crap...

...and wanted to see
how I was doing.

You don't need a pardon, just
a frying pan to the side of your head.

- I don't want a pardon.
- Well, that simplifies matters, thanks.

It promises to be a cold and windy day
here at the Capitol.


As predicted, , spectators
crowd the Capitol mall to watch...


... Matthew Santos
take the oath of office...


... as the next
president of the United States.


It's the end of an era,
as President Bartlet steps down...


... after eight tumultuous years
in the Oval Office.


President Bartlet's popularity can
certainly help Matthew Santos...


... in this tight electoral race...

It's gonna be cold on that dais today.

Who in his right mind decided
that January...

...would be the best time of year
to hold an outdoor ceremony...

...north of the equator?

Jefferson. Adams. Franklin.

They should've lined them up
and sh*t them.

- That's what King George had in mind.
- January th?

- They got a few things right.
- Habeas corpus, sure.


Freedom of speech...

...but separation of powers,
what a crock.

You did a lot of good, Jed.

A lot of good.

- Pearls or the gold cross?
- Gold cross.

You don't think it makes me
look like Mary Magdalene...?

Gold cross.

- What are you wearing?
- Long underwear.

- You look bulky.
- Lou doesn't want me to wear...

...an overcoat
when I take the oath.

- It's gonna be below out there.
- Youth. Vitality...

- Frostbite?
- Never too early to think re-elect.

That was a short honeymoon.

I'm gonna go with the pearls.

- Mr. President-Elect. Mrs. Santos.
- Good morning, Bram.

The National Security Advisor
and McLean are here.

- Then we run through today's schedule.
- Yeah, I'll be right down. Thanks.

Do you notice how he just knocks
and walks right in?

I know, honey.
I'll talk to him about it.

We're gonna have to figure out some
kind of signal when we want privacy.

Like a necktie on the doorknob.

Thanks.

- General McLean, huh?
- Yeah.

He's gonna give me the card
with the nuclear codes.

- It's a card? Really?
- So I've been told.

- Better not leave that laying around.
- Oh, God.

Come on, it will be an adventure.

It's what you told me...

...when you wanted to run
for city council and I didn't want you to:

"Come on...

...it'll be an adventure."

Perfect.

The Weather Service issued an ice-storm
warning for Southern New England.

- Anything we can do?
- Send them some salt?

Pardon Attorney needs the signature
on the clemency warrants.

- The president decided on the final list?
- Last night.

Thirty-six pardons,
commutations.

Anybody gonna set
the press's hair on fire?

- Peggy Ann Green.
- Pot-Pushing Peggy.

- It's medicinal.
- I bet the first joint's free.

- Well, DEA isn't gonna be happy.
- Morning, sunshine.

Chief Usher's waiting for you
and Will's already in there.

Big ice storm in New England, up to a
quarter inch accumulation on the ground.

- Send them salt.
- Mallory called.

- Wants to drop by in about an hour.
- Leo's Mallory?

Said she has something she wants you
to pass on to the president.

- You ready for Curtis?
- Sure.

Write your note
for the flak jacket?

Don't know any useful advice
to pass on.

It's tradition. You can't break the chain.
Just make it funny.

Got a pardon list?
Fourth estate's chomping at the bit.

- Last night.
- Anybody gonna add...

...a little spice to my final briefing?
- Peggy Ann Green.

Granny Pot.
Hot diggity dog.

A final act of self-immolation
before the hungry hordes.

- You sound positively giddy.
- I was reaching for more like delight.

You enjoy being
a human piniata on C-SPAN?

Never know what you've got
till it's gone.

Mr. Chief Usher, what can we do
for you?

I thought I should take a moment
to remind you of today's schedule...

...for the removal of the Bartlets' things
from the building.

As soon as the president
and first lady leave for the Capitol...

... of my staff will begin
packing the Bartlets' possessions.

Precisely at noon, moving vans
will line up at the South Portico.

And an additional staff members
will arrive...

...at the West Wing
to pack the Oval Office.

After Mass at Holy Trinity,
come back here...

...before heading to the White House
for a reception...

...with the president, first lady
and the JCCIC.

- JCCIC?
- Joint Congressional Committee...

...on Inaugural Ceremonies.
- Hence the acronym.

Following
the reception...

...the president-elect and the president
will travel to the Capitol...

...for the swearing-in
in a single limousine.

- Mrs. Bartlet and I gonna hitch?
- Hike up that skirt. You'll do fine.

The president and the first lady
will then be escorted to the podium.

You and Mrs. Santos are taken through
the Capitol to be introduced. Ronna?

Sellner will deliver the remarks,
followed by the invocation...

...followed by Keb' Mo'
and Gloria Estefan.

- I'm looking forward to that.
- You're not gonna be wearing pantyhose.

Followed by a poetry reading
by Jimmy Santiago Baca.

Then at noon exactly,
you take the oath of office.

Followed by a -g*n salute
and the playing of "Hail to the Chief."

In case you weren't feeling
important...

...after they gave you the launch codes.
- You then give your inaugural address.

After, you will escort
the Bartlets to the limo...

...that will take them to Andrews
for their trip.

Do I get to start governing
anytime in here?

Soon as you take the oath of office,
we start moving staff into the West Wing.

Do we really have to go
to nine parties?

You only have to stay for minutes.
One dance, shake hands, on to the next.

- What kind of dance?
- What's your favorite song? I'll sneak it.

I'm not dancing to
"You Can Leave Your Hat On."

- Sir, we should really head to the church.
- Let's get it on.

We're to leave our credentials at the
front desk when we exit the building.

They've asked that we vacate
our parking spaces by p.m.

- Not a problem. I walked today.
- Really?

- Yes, I often walk.
- You do?

Sometimes I walk.
I'll walk a lot more...

...when I get back to California.
- Los Angeles being a pedestrian nirvana.

- That was disappointing.
- What was?

- See my final briefing?
- No.

- Didn't push back on Pot-Pushing Peggy.
- Must be heartbroken.

Inconsolable. There's a train derailment
in New England.

- The ice storm?
- Just came over on CNN.

- Got a minute?
- Apparently, I'm good until .

Then I gotta move my car.

Pardon Attorney brought the warrants
for the president to sign.

He called her early this morning.
Asked her to add a name.

It's the last one.

You may get your wish
for a final pasting on national television.

Morning, sir.

- Good morning, Mr. President.
- Morning.

- How are you feeling?
- Unemployed.

Lot of that
going around the building.

Dr. McNally is waiting to give you
your security briefing.

You asked me to remind you to write
a note to the president-elect.

And Ms. Cregg is anxious
to speak with you.

- Mr. President?
- Hey, all.

- You heard about this ice storm in...?
- New England.

The storm caused
a train derailment.

On Amtrak's regional route between
Portland, Maine and Boston.

- Any fatalities?
- Thirteen injuries so far.

The worst is a badly broken leg.

With the weather, we'll need emergency
rescue before everybody freezes.

- Sounds like a state matter.
- Normally, yes.

It's between the Exeter
and Haverhill stops.

Known as the New Hampshire-
Massachusetts border.

The governors are fighting.

Sidley says it's New Hampshire's.
Wilkins says it's a Massachusetts issue.

- Get the governor on the phone.
- Which governor, sir?

Whichever you can
get on the line first.

Should we nationalize the Guard, sir?
Send in units?

Don't you think that's something
the president might want to avoid?

We should survey the accident site
to resolve the dispute?

What are we supposed to do?
Send in cartographers?

- Both governors are on the line, sir.
- Thank you. Pick a number. Two or four.

- Two.
- Four.

Governor, call up the Guard unit
and get them to this crash site.

No one gives a damn
where the accident is.

Be that as it may, sir, you are
about to become a star player...

...in my soon-to-be-written
autobiography.

It's the right decision.
Thank you.

- Thank you, sir.
- Thank you, sir.

- You're hovering, Claudia Jean?
- Yes, sir.

What you got there?

The pardons and clemency warrants
for your signature.

- I haven't decided to do it.
- No?

Do you have an opinion?

I'm sure you'll do
whatever you think is best.

Toby's is the last one in the folder.

- Anything else?
- No, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Governor Wilkins is still holding
on two.

Tell him I'll be right there.

- How's the baby?
- Wonderful. Noisy.

All boy.

Sam's coming back to work for Josh.

That's great.

- How is he?
- Engaged.

Good for him.
Say hello for me, would you?

He's in town.
You can tell him yourself.

I've been going through Dad's stuff...

...and I found something the president
might want to have back.

You don't want to give it
to him?

- It's a little sentimental.
- I'll make sure he gets it.

Thanks.

Dad loved every moment
he spent here.

Mrs. Bartlet called,
asked me to remind you...

...that the Santoses
are expected in the residence...

...in less than minutes.

She asked me to mention
that you need to leave time enough...

...to change before they arrive.

Mrs. Bartlet doesn't want me
wearing penny loafers...

...and a cardigan to the inaugural?

That's about the gist of it, yes, sir.

Did you write that note
to President-Elect Santos yet?

Saving that for last.

- All done.
- What about that one?

I'm still on the fence.

You do realize that you turn
into a pumpkin at noon?

I'm gonna take one final stroll
around the joint.

Make sure nobody's making off
with the cutlery.

Fifty-three minutes.

- Did he sign it?
- Not yet.

- Is he going to sign it?
- I have no idea.

You think he should sign it?

The Founding Fathers left it
to the president...

...to decide who should get clemency.

National Guard on the way
to the train accident?

We probably witnessed the final act
of governance of the administration:

The president serving as
national school marm on a snow day.

Nice job on Granny Ganja. I thought
you'd have gotten more of a rise.

- Yeah, me too.
- You do the flak-jacket note yet?

- Little writer's block.
- Just make it funny.

Right. Let me know if he signs it.

- Signs what?
- You're a little early.

The Santoses went to church,
so I got an hour...

...before heading over to the Capitol.

Thought I'd drop by and make
one last s*ab at getting you to stay on.

Nine-thirty tomorrow morning,
Dulles to LAX, non-stop.

Glass of bad merlot. Three bags
of peanuts and an Ambien.

- But thanks for asking.
- Danny?

Waiting at LAX
with a tub of sunscreen.

So, Baker for V.P. You're gonna
have quite a battle up on the Hill.

Yeah, we're hoping Vinick at State
helps grease the skids a little.

You ever stop thinking of this
as Leo's office?

No.

Oh, hey,
I've got something for you.

- "WWLD"?
- "What Would Leo Do?"

You're gonna do great, Josh.
You don't need me.

- Morning, Carol.
- Mr. President.

Thanks for your work.
Couldn't have done it without you.

Thank you, Mr. President.

- Morning, Ray. Thank you.
- Morning, sir.

- Hey, Carla.
- Mr. President.

Larry. Gonna finally get some time
with the kids now, I hope.

- Absolutely, Mr. President.
- Ed, thanks.

No, sir. Thank you.

- Nancy, how's your mother doing?
- She's fine now.

Tell her I'm looking forward
to seeing her soon.

- Absolutely, sir.
- Thank you.

- Gotta go. Do you need something, sir?
- Heard a rumor...

...about you and the Oregon Fourth.
Any truth to it?

D-Triple-C thinks
it'll be a tough race.

Give me a call. I'll help
you pound in some lawn signs.

I'll have a mallet ready, sir.

Excuse me, will you?

- Morning, Charlie.
- Mr. President.

You made a decision
about your future?

- Georgetown Law.
- You got the early acceptance?

I think the letter from you
may have helped a little, sir.

I don't need this anymore. I thought
maybe you could get some use out of it.

Was trying to remember if my father
had given it to me when I was...

...in the th grade or the th.

I considered getting you a tie
with the scales of justice on it.

Figured you'd use this more.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Charlie.

Homily seemed a little pointed.

The cardinal. Think he was pushing the
"swords into plowshares" stuff hard?

Well, he's right.
This Kazakhstan thing is a mess.

We got thousands of our soldiers
in the middle of Central Asia.

They haven't a clue
as to what's next.

Nine inaugural balls.

You think I'm supposed to wear
nine gowns?

- Do you have nine gowns?
- No.

Well then, probably not.

- Nineteen minutes and counting, sir.
- Almost done.

Well, that's it.

What about that final pardon warrant?

- There's still time.
- Not much.

- Two hours and minutes.
- Two hours and .

Mr. President? Aren't you supposed
to be getting ready...

...for the Santoses?
- Yes.

- Just leaving.
- So he keeps saying.

Mallory came by this morning
and asked me to give you this.

I was gonna ask Debbie to send it
with you on the plane, but...

- Why didn't she stop in and say hello?
- I don't think she wanted to bother you.

- Sixteen minutes, sir.
- I'm a fast dresser.

Not that fast. Why don't I put this
in your briefcase for the plane.

Your letter to President-Elect Santos?

It's been a pleasure, Claudia Jean.

The pleasure's been all mine, sir.

- Thank you. Thanks so much.
- I really appreciate it.

- Thank you. Thank you very much.
- Thank you.

Goodbye, Mr. President-Elect.

- Thank you so much for your help.
- Goodbye. Thank you.

Good luck, sir.

- You okay?
- Sure.

We could make a run for it,
you know.

Catch the first plane out of Dulles,
head to Panama.

- I hear Uruguay's nice.
- Southern Hemisphere.

- It's summer there.
- Cheaper housing.

- You speak the language.
- What about the kids?

- We'll send them a postcard.
- They'll be pissed.

- I left enough time.
- No, you didn't.


- I was ready before they got here.
- Because they're running late.

When was the last time
someone actually was late to meet us?

Eight years ago to the day.

Get used to it.
It's gonna happen a lot more.

The girls are gonna be waiting for us
when we get to the farm this evening.

It's supposed to be a surprise.
Act like it.

Tonight? I was looking forward
to some peace and quiet.

I know.
That's why I'm warning you.


I don't want you to look stricken
when you see them.

Does it have to be tonight?

They just wanted to show you their love
and support in your hour of need.

Afraid you might have re-entry issues,
returning to live amongst us mortals.

Have I been so out of touch?

When was the last time
you used a phone?

Or went to a bank? Or drove a car?

It's just like riding a bike,
only more horsepower, right?

Excuse me, Mr. President?
The Santoses have arrived.

- They're in the Blue Room.
- Thank you.

Abbey?

Nine inaugural balls.
How's that supposed to work?

You want to skip the champagne
when they do the toast.

I'm afraid I made a bit of a mess
this morning...

...and it may eat
into your news cycle.

- The pardons.
- Granny Pot. I heard.

And a few others.

- How's the speech?
- It's okay.

Couple of good lines.

There's no "Ask not what
your country can do for you," but...

J.F.K. Really screwed us with that one,
didn't he?

Have you chosen a biblical quotation
for the oath?

Kings Three. Nine to .

Grant thy servant an understanding
heart to judge thy people?

- That's the one.
- Good choice.

You know what I'm gonna miss
the most?

The Marine Corps Band.

Those guys can really play.

Ask them to do "Semper Fidelis."
They'll knock your socks off.

Mr. President, Senator Wirth
will escort you to the podium.

This way, Mr. President-Elect.

I guess this is where
our paths diverge.

- Sure you're ready to retire?
- See you on the podium.

Mr. President-Elect.

Capitol Police estimate today's crowd
at over , ...


... with an additional ,
expected to line the parade route later.


Incoming Secretary of State,
Arnold Vinick, is here.


Senator Vinick
surprised many Republicans...


... surprised everyone
across the board...


... by accepting a position
in Matt Santos ' cabinet...


... perhaps eschewing his own chances
to run again in four years.


- It's gonna be cold out there.
- Yeah.

I hope brevity is in order.

I cut the speech down
to about pages in the car.

Gettysburg Address was what,
four minutes long?

Lot of run-on sentences, though.

Didn't a two-hour inaugural address
k*ll a president once?

William Henry Harrison.
But, yeah, he was ...

...and he refused to wear a coat.

You refuse to wear a coat.

But I'm wearing long underwear.

The dignitaries on the platform
have taken their positions.


And now, here are President Bartlet
and the first lady...


... making their way to their seats
on the podium.


After eight years in the White House,
they're handing over the reins...


... to the Santoses
in a few short minutes.


C.J.? The president's office just
sent this over, says it needs to go...

...to the Pardon Attorney.
- The president surprised...


... both supporters and critics with his
willingness to use force abroad...


... and his aggressive pursuit of peace
on the world stage.


Man, I hope Janet Spragens
has her TV on.

- Who?
- Senior year.

She b*at me for the last varsity
spot on the swim team.

- Guess what.
- What?

You win.

Well, she did get Don Vogel to take her
to the prom instead of me.

We'll call it even then.

No. I'm pretty sure Janet had to put out
so Don would take her.

Ladies and gentlemen,
Mrs. Helen Santos.

No turning back now.

Ladies and gentlemen, President-Elect
of the United States...

...Matthew Vincente Santos.

O Lord, we come together
on this historic and solemn occasion...


... to inaugurate a president.

We pray, O Lord,
for President-Elect Santos...


... to whom you have entrusted
leadership of this great nation.


Give our new president
and all who advise him...


... calmness in the face of storms...

... encouragement in the face
of frustrations...


... and humility in the face of triumph.

We pray that this good
and generous country...


...may be a blessing to the nations
of the world...

...and fulfill the hopes
of our Founding Fathers.

This we ask in your most holy name.
Amen.

Speaker of the House,
Mark B. Sellner.


It gives me great pleasure
to introduce...


... the Chief Justice of the United States
Supreme Court...


... to administer the presidential
oath of office.


Please raise your hand
and repeat after me.


I do solemnly swear
that I will faithfully execute...

...the Office of the President
of the United States.

I do solemnly swear
that I will faithfully execute...

...the Office of the President
of the United States.

And will, to the best of my ability...

And will, to the best of my ability...

...preserve, protect and defend
the Constitution of the United States.

...preserve, protect and defend
the Constitution of the United States.

So help me, God.

So help me, God.

Afternoon, ma'am.
Good afternoon, sir.

- Hey, Gerald.
- Good to see you.

It's good to see you too.

Home sweet home.

Most important is keeping track of who 's
going in and out of the Oval Office.


First thing you'll need to do is establish
who'll have walk-in privileges.

Usually it's just the first lady
and the chief of staff.

At some point, the president is gonna ask
you to take away his wife's privileges.

Don't do it,
no matter how much he begs.

You have the right to attend
the staff meeting.

I never went, because the senior staff
was already appropriately intimidated...

...by my stern visage and dry wit.

But you're young.
You have a baby face.

They are gonna try to walk all over you.
You should go.

Your desk sits right outside this door.

You prepare his schedule. You decide
who goes in and who doesn't.

Your most frequent response
to any question will be "no."

Say it with empathy and you'll be fine.

- Where is Mrs. Bartlet?
- Already inside the car, sir.

- Nice speech.
- No J.F.K.

No. But you've got time.

I left something for you on the desk.

- Just some random thoughts.
- I'll look forward to them, sir.

Make me proud, Mr. President.

I'll do my best, Mr. President.

What in the world was he trying
to prove by not wearing an overcoat?

Youth and vigor.

He looked like a leader.

He looked like a lunatic.

A young and vigorous lunatic.

Jed?

You made it.

You're still here.

Yeah.

I'm still here.

As they headed to the parade
here on Pennsylvania Avenue...


... the president
and first lady...


- This -B?
- Yeah.

- This gonna be you?
- Looks like it.

- Charlie Young.
- Bram Howard.

- Parade almost over?
- Yep.

Watch out for the thermostat.
Hair one way or the other...

...is the difference between
convection oven and meat locker.

- Have fun.
- You bet.

You wanna go see a movie?

It's : in the afternoon.

You got anything better to do?

No, I guess we don't.

Is there a movie theater around here?

I have no idea.

You look good up there.

Thanks.

- We missed you.
- Can't say the feeling's mutual.

President Bartlet pardoned
Toby Ziegler. Any comment?

- Nope.
- You have an opinion?

Sure I do.

Unfortunately, the suite that Mrs. Bartlet
was using is going to be torn up...

...for most of the next year while we
restore the marble and original moldings.

We're hoping that this suite
will meet with Mrs. Santos' approval.

Nice.

The office for the first lady's
press secretary...

...would be over here.
- Great, thanks.

Ms. Moss, if you'll follow me.

We hope this will meet
with your approval.

Oh, it's lovely. I'm sure the first lady
will be very happy here.

Oh, no. I'm sorry.
The first lady's office is next door.

As her chief of staff,
this would be your office.

Yes. This will be fine.

Shall we get started
with the Joint Chiefs, sir?

Yes, thank you.

Excuse me.

- Excuse me. Do you work in there?
- I'm sorry. What?

We saw you come out the gate.

- You work at the White House?
- No.

No. I'm sorry, I don't.

Must be something, huh?

Yeah. Something.

General, admirals, we'll talk
about this more in detail tomorrow.

I do appreciate your candor.

- Thank you, sir.
- Thank you, Mr. President.

They want , more troops
in Kazakhstan on the ground...

...for logistical support.

Public opinion is already divided
over our mission in Central Asia.

Do you want more troops
on the ground in your first week?

We may not have a choice.

- What?
- You look good back there.

Excuse me, sir.
It's almost .

The first lady called to remind you
to change for the inaugural balls.

Thanks. Tell her I'll be up there
in minutes.

- Thank you, Mr. President.
- Thank you, Mr. President.

What's next?

Sir, the Senate Democrats wish
to move fast on the education bill...

Come in.

Colonel says we'll land
in New Hampshire in minutes, sir.

Thank you.

What are you thinking about?

Tomorrow.
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