ACT 1
INT. CAR – ROUTE 33,
Despite trying his hardest, Josh was unable to shake his Secret Service detail for the weekend. He begged and pleaded with Ron Butterfield, but the only thing he allowed was for Josh to use his own car. Ron had sent a team of agents to the Mirror Point Inn early on Friday to ensure its safety. Although he didn't have to travel in the same vehicle as the agents, Josh would be accompanied by one to all public places, including the clambake.
As they pulled on to Route 33, Donna became more and more anxious about their accommodations for the weekend. "Are you going to keep me in suspense until we get there?"
"No." Josh grinned. He dug in his back pocket and pulled out a glossy brochure. "This is where we're staying."
Donna took the leaflet from him and read the front cover. "The Mirror Point Inn – 100 acres of breathtaking grandeur on
He glanced at her. "Is that good?"
"It's..." Donna looked up at Josh. "THIS is where we're staying?"
He nodded.
"Josh, it's beautiful!"
He breathed a sigh of relief. "It damn well better be for the amount I'm spending."
"It'll be worth every penny." She smiled, then began reading. "Enjoy the serenity of the
"I don't know how much exploring I'll want to do of the fields and woodlands," Josh commented.
She grabbed his right hand off the steering wheel and laced their fingers together.
"For the history buff...that's me." She continued reading. "There are the quaint, historic villages of St. Michaels,
"Read the part about the animals," Josh requested.
"Meet our Jack Russell terriers and see our chickens, cows and goats quietly grazing." She absentmindedly rubbed his knuckles with her thumb. "That's the part you wanted me to read?"
"Yeah," he responded. "They have livestock."
"Josh, I'd hardly call a couple of chickens and some cows 'livestock.'"
"It sounds like a veritable farm!" He squeezed her hand. "I thought it might be reminiscent of your younger days in
"So you're admitting that I am indeed a farm girl from
"Only if you show me how to milk a cow."
CUT TO:
INT. CAR – ROUTE 50
Sam felt guilty for taking Josh and Donna up on their offer but not guilty enough to turn them down. He and Lauren packed in record time, and made it on the road only 30 minutes behind the other couple.
Sam had high hopes for the weekend – rest and relaxation topped with pleasant conversation with friends. Lauren had one objective: getting the hell out of DC with her man.
A ringing cell phone broke through the silence.
Sam looked at the caller ID. "I have to get this. I'm sorry....Hello?"
Joey Lucas was calling for the second time to clarify exactly what Sam was hunting for in the polling numbers.
Although the phone conversation was short, Lauren shook her head. It was already the fourth work-related call Sam had received since they got on the road an hour ago.
"Can we have one moment in our lives when you're not working?" There as no hint of bitterness in Lauren's voice, but Sam felt her frustration.
"Yes. Yes, we can." He put his hand on his fiancée's leg. "That should be the last call from Joey. We straightened everything out."
She put her hand on top of his. "I'm glad."
CUT TO:
MIRROR POINT INN
"Wow."
The inn was exactly how she'd imagined it – perfectly situated on a broad field overlooking the Bay. There was a long wooden deck straight ahead with a couple of boats docked to the sides. The sun was just about to set over the Bay, making the water glisten and look terribly inviting.
"This is amazing."
Josh parked the car and turned off the ignition. "It is."
They checked in with near celebrity status. While they weren't keen on the play their relationship got in the media, there were certain perks associated with being recognized.
"Did she say the Magnolia Cottage?" Josh asked as he walked next to Donna along a rocky path.
"Yes."
"Here it is."
They stopped in front of a beautiful clapboard cottage surrounded by magnolia trees. The entrance was about 30 feet from the Bay.
"This is ours?"
Josh nodded and stuck the key in the door. He pushed it open and allowed Donna to enter first.
She stepped into the center of the living room, admiring the setting. "Unreal."
"Not bad," Josh said, closing the door.
"Not bad?" Donna turned on a lamp, then walked into the enormous kitchen. "Look at this place!"
He put his hands on his hips. "I did good."
She skidded from one room to the next, more amazed with every thing she uncovered. "Did you see the size of this bathroom?"
Josh grinned as he followed Donna into each room. He didn't care much about the amenities, but he cared a great deal about what Donna thought.
They made it back to the living room as she admired the fireplace.
"So I take it you're satisfied?"
"Extremely satisfied." She wrapped her arms around his neck.
Josh took that opportunity to kiss her properly since he hadn't been able to do so in the car. His hands settled on her waist, lifting her shirt just enough to touch bare skin.
"You doubted my planning abilities?" he asked.
She giggled against his lips.
By the time they made it to the sofa, Josh's hand was up the back of her shirt, and Donna was pressed against his chest. She was practically climbing onto his lap when they heard a key in the door. Sam and Lauren stopped dead in their tracks.
"I see you've wasted no time christening the couch," Sam said with a smile.
Josh smirked. Donna looked mortified.
CUT TO:
EXT. ROOFTOP POOL, THE HEIGHTS CONDO COMPLEX, ADAMS MORGAN
During Bram's sophomore year of college, he'd shared a house with six guys. He refused to join a fraternity, and this was as close as he got to brotherhood. One of those guys was Trey van Housen, a rich New Yorker with a penchant for rainbows. Trey came out the following year, his homosexuality surprising no one, including Bram.
"The place is crawling, and it's not even 9 o'clock," Lester commented.
Bram smiled. "Sure is."
"We started at six," someone on their right said. "I was here before Trey even got home!"
"Let's find a place to sit," Otto said.
As they walked along the edge of the pool, Otto couldn't get over the number of women in bikinis and the buff men accompanying them. He didn't think he was going to take off his shirt.
"Told you there'd be a tequila bar," Bram commented as they approached a long wooden table. "We'll have three shots and three Coronas."
Lester bopped a little to the reggae music. He hadn't been to a pool party since he was a child, partially because he couldn't swim. But that didn't stop him from enjoying the scenery tonight.
"Here's to good times!" Bram clinked his shot glass with Lester's and Otto's, then threw the gold liquid into his mouth.
Otto winced as the tequila went down, then sucked a large slice of lime. "I haven't done shots of tequila since college."
Bram patted him on the back. "That was like two years ago, right?"
"You're three years older than me!" Otto shot back.
"Stop bickering, children," Lester said. "Or I'll send you to your rooms."
They all chuckled as they found an empty table not far from the bar.
"So," Bram began. "Fifty-seven percent is good?"
"You're back to the polling numbers?" Otto asked.
Lester checked to see if there were any signs of joking on Bram's face. "Didn't you hear a word Joey said today?"
"Technically, Kenny was doing the talking."
Lester shook his head. "Yes, 57% is good."
"It wasn't good in school," Bram reasoned. "If you got a 57 on an exam, that was an F."
"I never got an F," Otto replied.
"You've never gotten an F in your life?"
"Nope."
"I went to tough schools," Bram remarked, taking a long sip of his
"This isn't school," Otto replied.
"Yet I'm learning so much."
"Really? Because the way I see it, Bram, you get an F in listening." Lester chuckled.
A woman in a purple string bikini approached Bram, asking if he wanted to go for a dip in the pool. Surprising both Otto and Lester, he turned her down.
"I have to be a lot looser than this to jump into that cold water," he explained.
"Speaking of getting loose, I wonder if Lou's already drunk."
They looked at Otto like he was crazy.
"Lou?"
Otto nodded. "She was spending the night at home working and drinking whiskey."
"You need to get over your Lou crush, man." Lester shook his head.
"I don't have a crush on her." Otto blushed. "She's my boss."
"That didn't stop you when we were campaigning," Lester responded.
"Did I miss something?" Bram asked.
Lester raised his eyebrows. "You really don't know?"
"Know what?"
"About the hook-ups on the campaign trail."
"This is the first I've heard of it." Bram appeared extremely interested.
"I'd sound like a gossip-spreading, 16-year-old girl." Lester took a long swig of beer. "Otto, you tell him."
Otto stopped peeling the label off of his bottle and looked up,unsure if he should be offended by Lester's comment. Nevertheless, he proceeded. "There were a number of staffers who got together while we were on the road." He lowered his voice. "Lou and I..."
Bram slammed his hand against the table. "No way!"
Lester laughed.
"I wouldn't laugh if I were you," Otto said, glaring at Lester. "You and Edie were hot and heavy for like a month."
"She was fine," Lester commented.
"What ever happened to Edie?" Bram took a sip of beer. "I liked her."
"She's at the DNC."
"Ah." Bram nodded. "Who else?"
"Let's see...Ronna and Cindy," Otto replied in a low voice.
"I knew about that one."
"Josh and Donna," Lester said.
Bram raised his eyebrows. "Is that when they first...?"
Otto nodded. "We think so. Ronna and Edie caught them in Josh's room one day."
"And when he says 'day,' he means 'mid-day.'" Lester grinned.
"Afternoon delight?" Bram smiled.
"Nothing wrong with that!" Lester downed the rest of his beer, then stood. He picked up Otto's bottle to feel how much was left. "You need to drink up. I'm getting three more."
CUT TO:
INT. MIRROR POINT INN, MAGNOLIA COTTAGE
After Donna was thoroughly embarrassed by being busted with her boyfriend's hand up her shirt, she vowed to be more careful of public displays of affection. Josh, on the other hand, spent the next half
hour strutting.
The two couples sat outside on a deck overlooking the Bay. They ignored the Secret Service agent who stood close to the door. Over the past six months Josh and Donna had become a little more comfortable with the lurking agents.
"You guys want steamed crabs for dinner?" Josh asked.
"That sounds good," Donna replied.
"Sam?" Josh stood. "Let's go to the seafood place down the street."
"Ok." He stood and walked toward the cottage.
"Anybody need another beer while I'm up?" Josh asked.
"I could use one," Lauren said.
"Me, too." Donna smiled.
Josh went inside to find Sam punching away on his BlackBerry.
"Working?"
He was glad it was Josh who found him and not his fiancée. "Just sending a quick text message to Joey. I have a feeling she's not going to have to dig very far to find where we polled the lowest."
"Let her do her job, Sam." Josh pulled two Heinekens out of the refrigerator. "And bring these to our women while I get my wallet."
Sam hooked his BlackBerry onto his belt loop before taking the beers from Josh. He walked outside, then handed one to Donna and Lauren.
"I'm hungry. Don't take too long," Donna said.
"We'll be back before you know it."
CUT TO:
EXT. ROOFTOP POOL, THE HEIGHTS CONDO COMPLEX, ADAMS MORGAN
Otto was having trouble keeping up with his companions, but he never refused a beer.
"Which one of these guys is your friend?" Lester asked.
Bram pointed his bottle toward the guy at the bar with the heavily gelled hair. He resembled Kyan on Queer Eye. He was rubbing his hand down another man's back.
"Whoa," Lester commented.
"Yeah," Bram said. "He's gay. Works for the Human Rights Campaign."
"I never pegged you as the type to have gay friends." Otto took a swig of his fourth beer.
"He's a Democrat, Otto. Of course he has gay friends."
Bram and Otto laughed.
"I've known Trey for ten years. He's a good guy, but he can't talk about much other than gay rights." Bram threw his bottle into the trash can. "I mean, I'm all for equal rights and stuff, but he tends to take things to the extreme."
"Sometimes it's hard to find a balance," Otto replied.
"Trust me, this guy's over the top."
Just then, Trey walked up to the trio. "Bram, glad you could make it."
Bram shook his hand. "Thanks for the invitation. Great party."
"Who are your friends?"
Bram introduced Otto, but no introduction was necessary for Lester.
"You're the press secretary," Trey said with a little shock in his voice.
Lester smiled. "Not tonight, I'm not."
"Tell me," Trey began, ignoring Lester's last line. "Is there any truth to the rumors that the President's executive secretary is gay?"
Otto's eyes went wide. Bram lowered his head.
"We don't comment on the personal lives of White House staffers," Lester responded even-keeled.
"But you're ok publicizing the hell out of a heterosexual relationship?" Trey huffed. "Josh Lyman and Donna Moss were all over the media a few months ago."
"That was a completely different situation," Bram chimed in.
"No one in the administration, especially Josh and Donna, wanted their relationship publicized," Lester replied. "The media found them, man."
"Imagine if they found another couple as well." Trey tilted his head. "A homosexual couple."
"You better leave her out of this." Bram stood. His fist was balled up, and his jaw was set.
He and Ronna had worked together for two years and had become quick friends. She'd confided in him about her sexuality nearly a year ago. Since that time, Bram had become quite protective of Ronna's privacy.
"We're out of here." Lester stood between the two men before Bram could react. "Let's go."
Otto's heart rate tripled. He slid behind Lester and followed the two men downstairs. "What in God's name just happened back there?"
"Looks like we're in for some trouble." Lester put his arm around Bram, who was having difficulty walking down the steps. "We'll talk about this when we're sober. Until then, both of you: keep your mouths shut."
CUT TO:
EXT. MIRROR POINT INN
Donna and Lauren sat on the edge of the dock that jutted out over Chesapeake Bay, dangling their feet in the water.
"Thanks for inviting us, Donna."
"You're welcome. I'm glad this worked out."
The women were quiet for a few minutes, listening to the crickets chirp and the occasional fish splash.
"I don't know what happened to the romance, you know?" Lauren interrupted the silence. "Sam used to whisk me away to Santa Barbara or Palm Springs. Sometimes we'd just spend the weekend on our sailboat."
"Sounds nice." Donna stirred her foot in the water.
"He proposed almost a year ago," Lauren continued. "We'd sailed to Pismo Beach the first weekend in August. The sun was setting, and I remember thinking there was nowhere else I'd rather be. The next thing I knew, he was on one knee."
Donna grinned. "Sam never told me how he proposed."
"He had the ring and everything." Lauren smiled at the memory. "Those were the days."
"It sounds romantic," Donna said.
"It was. HE was." She sighed. "Now I can't get him to talk about our personal lives, much less set a wedding date."
Donna looked at her. "I'm sure he's just trying to readjust to life out here."
"We've been here for almost seven months. How much more time does he need?"
Donna lowered her head. While she was happy to listen to Lauren's nostalgic tales, she didn't know how much she wanted to hear about their relationship troubles. After all, she was still closer to Sam than she was to Lauren. However, she got the strong sense that Lauren didn't have anyone else to talk to. She certainly hadn't established a support system yet in DC. The people she worked with were either much older or much younger than her. That left Donna as her sole female confident in Washington.
"I know better than anyone how much time and energy goes into being Deputy Chief of Staff," Donna replied. "I'm sure once things settle down and Congress recesses in August, he'll have more time to devote to you."
Lauren turned to her companion. "You really think so?"
"I do."
"Does Josh ever talk about this stuff with you?"
"What stuff?" She creased her brow.
Lauren shrugged. "You know, Sam, me, our engagement..."
Donna almost laughed. "No. Josh is a fairly private person, especially when it comes to relationships."
"I wonder if Sam talks to him about us?"
"I wouldn't know." She shrugged.
"Maybe you could..." Lauren trailed off. "I don't know. I was thinking maybe you could ask Josh if Sam has talked to him about setting a date."
Donna didn't feel comfortable asking Josh this, but if the subject ever came up at the right time, she figured it wouldn't hurt. "I can try."
Lauren covered her hand and squeezed. "Thank you."
CUT TO:
EXT. MIRROR POINT ROAD
Sam had convinced Josh to walk to the seafood market, which was less than a mile down the road. In return, he agreed to pick up the tab for the crabs.
"You're all set for the clambake?"
Josh kicked a rock and watched it skip into a puddle. "Yeah. I'll go over my notes again tomorrow, but I'm ready."
"I talked to Maury Hulsman this morning," he said.
"The CEO of Glaxo Pharmaceuticals?"
Sam nodded. "He'll be at the clambake, pushing routine HIV testing for everyone between 13 and 64."
"I'm not sweating Hulsman." Josh swatted a mosquito.
"I know McBain's on board with the energy bill," Sam said. "And you shouldn't have much trouble convincing Sawyer and O'Toole. It's Chapman I'm worried about."
"Me too. He's like a Republican trapped in Democratic clothing." Josh walked around a puddle. "Chapman's family owns a farm outside of Chicago, so I'm going to try selling him on the emission credits in the bill."
"Sounds like a good strategy," Sam said. "If you can get Chapman on board, he'll get Naughton and Goldstein."
"That's what I'm hoping." Josh swatted at another bug. "Sam, are there mosquitoes out here?"
"Not that I noticed." He redirected the conversation back to work. "We're still lobbying the National Association for Environmental Protection pretty hard."
"Good. Let's keep the pressure on," Josh replied, looking for more insects and picking up the pace. "In the meantime, we have the full support of at least five other environmental groups."
"I just hope that's enough."
"I've got 60 pages of notes on this bill," Josh said. "Twenty-four are dedicated to environmental issues. We're going to get this thing passed if I have anything to say about it."
"I hope you're right," Sam replied.
They finally reached the seafood market, and Josh couldn't get inside and away from the bugs fast enough. An agent was already stationed at the door.
"I'm riding back with Rodney," Josh announced, scratching his arm. "I've had about all I can take of nature."
"We just got here." Sam chuckled.
"Doesn't mean I have to walk everywhere like I'm in an episode of Little House on the Prairie."
"They rode in carriages most of the time," Sam said. He took his place in line behind an elderly couple. He looked around the room before changing the subject completely. "So...how are things with
you and Donna?"
Josh's head snapped up. He still got nervous when anyone, including his closest friend, asked about his personal life. "Fine. Why?"
"Just wondering."
"We're good." Josh smirked. "Better than good, actually."
The truth was, Josh was terribly happy. He couldn't remember a time when he was this content, and a large part of it was because of Donna.
"I'm glad."
Josh was pretty sure where this was headed. The polite thing to do would be to ask about Sam's relationship with Lauren. But before he decided if that was a road down which he wanted to travel, Sam spoke. "Lauren's pressuring me about setting a date."
"A wedding date?" Josh's eyebrows shot up. He'd play dumb until he could figure out a safe way out of the discussion.
He nodded. "I'm not sure how much longer I can put it off."
"Is that what you want to do? Put it off?"
"It's just..." Sam lowered his head. "How do you know she's the one?"
He gulped.
Sam lifted his head and looked Josh square in the eye. "How do you know that the woman you're about to marry is the one you're supposed to spend the rest of your life with?"
Josh shrugged. "You just do."
The line moved, and they stepped forward.
"Then I'm not so sure I'm making the right decision," Sam replied in a low voice.
"Every man I've ever known who's gotten married said he had cold feet before the wedding." Josh patted Sam on the back. "It's totally normal, buddy."
"What if it's not just cold feet?"
Josh raised his eyebrows. "Does this have anything to do with Ainsley Hayes?"
"Josh!"
"It's a reasonable question!"
"No," Sam said without conviction. "I've always found Ainsley...intriguing, but it's nothing more than that."
"I was just asking," Josh replied. "Things have been non-stop since you moved back to DC, Sam. Maybe you haven't set a date because your life is still too chaotic."
Sam tried to smile. "That must be it."
The man behind the counter interrupted them. "What can I get ya?"
"We'd like some steamed crabs."
"You got it. How many?"
The men exchanged glances, neither having a clue how many crabs would feed four people.
"You wouldn't be running some sort of special?" Josh asked.
"A dozen of mediums for $30."
"Sounds good. We'll take 'em."
CUT TO:
INT. MIRROR POINT INN, MAGNOLIA COTTAGE
Josh had never understood how Donna was able to peel crabs twice as fast as he could. She didn't grow up on the coast, and she ate them twice a year at best. However, Donna had a disciplined system of breaking the claws and legs, opening the top shell, peeling back the 'dead man,' and then cracking the body open to reveal the succulent meat. For the claws, she didn't even need a mallet. Instead, Donna used only a butter knife to break the shell. When she'd pull it off, a perfect stack of meat emerged.
"I forgot what a treat it is to eat fresh crabs," she commented as she handed a peeled claw to Josh.
He sucked the well-seasoned meat off the cartilage. "We should do it more often."
"So I can peel them and feed you like a child?" She scooped a chunk of white meat onto her knife and offered it to him.
"Exactly." Josh pulled the meat off the butter knife with his lips.
"Can you get fresh crabs in California?" Donna asked, cracking another one.
They'd been at the table for 30 minutes, and Sam and Lauren hadn't said much. When they did, it was one word answers or quick, polite questions. Both Josh and Donna were doing their best to involve them in the conversation.
"Dungeness," Lauren replied.
"And Alaskan King Crab," Sam added.
"Those are the long tentacle-like ones, right?" Josh took a sip of beer. He noticed Donna's bottle was empty, so he stood and walked to the refrigerator to get more. "Beer, anyone?"
"No, thanks," Sam and Lauren replied simultaneously.
"Didn't we share a crab dinner a long time ago?" Josh returned to the table. When he saw Donna looking at her hands, which were covered with crab drippings, he popped open the bottle top for her, then set it down on the newspaper-covered table.
"I think we did," Sam responded. "It was the summer of our first year working for President Bartlet."
"Baltimore," Donna added.
Josh looked at Lauren. "It was this fancy restaurant where you'd expect them to crack the crab for you."
"Kind of like I'm doing now?" Donna dug her knife into a crevice.
"Hey, I'm not *asking* you to peel them for me," Josh said.
"Then I won't."
Josh's face dropped. "But I wouldn't mind if, you know, you did."
Sam grinned as he watched Josh and Donna's exchange. They shared the same easy banter they'd had all those years ago. He wondered not for the first time if two people were simply meant to be together. Then he glanced at Lauren. He could tell she wasn't really paying attention to Josh's story. In fact, her mind looked like it was a million miles away. Sensing her discomfort, Sam vowed to excuse themselves the moment an opportunity arose.
"Anyway, as I was trying to peel one of these things, the claw slipped out of my hand and landed in the President's lap."
"You should've seen the look on President Bartlet's face," Donna chimed in.
"He didn't know whether to yell or laugh at me!" Josh chuckled.
Sam grinned. "I remember that."
"That's a funny story." Lauren smiled, then wiped her mouth. "I think I'm all crabbed out tonight."
"But we have five left," Josh said. "There's no way the three of us will be able to eat the rest."
"It'll have to be the two of you." Sam tore off his plastic bib and stood. "I'm going to get cleaned up and ready for bed. It's been an exhausting week." He put his hand on Lauren's shoulder as they walked into their bedroom. "Good night."
"Is it just me or..."
"...was that really weird?" Josh finished Donna's question for her.
"Well, it *has* been a long week," Donna tried.
"Yeah, but Sam's usually a mile a minute when we start talking about old times."
"Maybe that's it." Donna wiped her hands with a wet paper towel. "Maybe Lauren is uncomfortable when we talk about things she wasn't a part of. Think about it, Josh. The three of us have years of memories, and all Lauren can do is listen. It's bound to get old."
Josh started clearing the table. "You think that's it?"
Donna stood to help him. "Could be."
They both wanted to discuss their private conversations with Sam and Lauren, but neither wanted to betray confidences. Donna knew it would take a deft touch.
"So," she tried easing her way into it. "Has Sam talked to you about setting a wedding date?"
"Uh...No." Josh turned his attention to scrubbing utensils so he didn't have to look at Donna. If he did, she'd know he wasn't being completely honest. "I mean it's Sam, you know? He likes spring flowers, so he's probably going to...uh...wait until spring."
"To set the date or to actually get married?" Donna dried the dishes and looked up at him.
"I'm not...we didn't really, you know, get into it." Josh gulped.
Donna finished drying the last dish, then put a hand on his arm. "We probably shouldn't talk about them when they're in the other room."
"I'd be ok if we never talked about them at all," Josh said, pulling Donna by the hand toward their bedroom. "I can barely discuss *our* relationship with finesse, much less another couple's."
She grinned. "That's very true."
"Hey, who booked this cottage at a five-star inn?" He shut the bedroom door.
"You did." Donna put her arms around his neck and kissed him.
"Damn straight." Josh put his hand on the back of her head, pulling her closer and deepening the kiss. "I seem to remember a promise you made about doing that thing you did in Hawaii."
She smiled against his lips. "With a twist, as I recall."
"Yes." He started removing her clothes.
"I'll need a moment to access my props." She unbuttoned Josh's shirt.
"Props?" he asked with a growl.
She kissed a line down his chest. "Technically, 'prop,' as in one thing."
"Donna?" Josh stumbled until the back of his knees were against the bed. "I may need to sit down for this."
"I'd actually prefer it," Donna began with a grin, "if you'd lie down."
Josh smiled. He liked where this was headed.
FADE TO BLACK