"My pleasure, Mr. Lyman."

"Please, call me Josh."

"Ok…Josh. I've put together an extensive database of individuals all over the country willing to help in the CiC effort."

"CiC?"

"Computers in Classrooms," Donna said helpfully.

"Ahhhh."

"It's important to pull people together and create a structure within which everyone can work to make the dream come true. I have a feeling everyone will be very excited to have the First Lady of the United States leading the charge. And of course her Chief of Staff as well."

Albert looked at Donna with a gaze that stopped just short of adoring. A gaze which didn't go unnoticed by Josh. He had to smile at the effect Donna was having on Albert.

"It's heady stuff," Josh agreed.

Donna was trying to give Albert encouraging looks but he seemed too intimidated by both Josh and his proximity to the Oval Office to say what he had come to say.

"Soooooooo….." Josh said leadingly.

"Albert has been trying to get a meeting with you for a long time," Donna interjected. "Since the early days of the primaries."

"I apologize. We were so busy during the campaign, and now getting things off the ground here…."

"Oh, I understand. I'm sure you have a lot to do…." Albert said apologetically.

"If you write up a report and leave it with my assistant I'll make sure to take a look at it as soon as I can," Josh offered, trying to move things along.

"Oh ok," Albert started to collect his things and Josh rose to walk him out.

"Sit back down," Donna said kindly but firmly.

Both men did as instructed.

"Tell Josh about your collection, Albert."

"His collection?" Josh eyebrows rose.

"He doesn't have time…" Albert stammered.

"He has time." Donna smiled sweetly.

"But he said…"

"The collection, Albert. Tell him about the collection."

Albert glanced nervously at Josh then complied. "I was explaining to Donna earlier that I've traveled all around the country over the last several years--to town hall meetings, school board meetings, pretty much any gathering where I could find people talking about education. Everywhere I've gone I've taken my Pledge for a Better American Education System with me. After I talk to people, and listen to their ideas and concerns, I ask them to sign the pledge to work with us."

"That sounds like a good idea."

"I think so. But I'm always looking for ways to do more. So during the last election cycle I added congressmen, senators and prospective congressmen and senators to the list of people I asked to sign. I wanted to be able to use their pledge later to help get some reform bills to the floor."

Josh's ears perked up.

"Congressmen and senators?"

"Yes."

"And Albert's pledge just happens to talk generally about a lot of the same things that are spelled out in the Santos education plan," Donna pointed out.

"Did they sign?" Josh couldn't believe he would get that lucky.

"Many of them did. Yes." Albert nodded emphatically.

"How many?"

"295 current members of the HOR and 62 current senators."

"They actually committed their signatures to paper?" Josh asked incredulously.

"Yes."

"You have these signed pledges with you?"

Albert reached into the box at his feet and extracted two thick folders. "Right here."

Josh read over the pledge and smiled as he flipped through the signatures. "Chapman, Patterson. Jenkins. That old gasbag has been stalling on giving his support to the President's bill for weeks and trying to say it isn't a partisan thing. Ha."

"So I was right in thinking these can help you?" Albert asked.

"Help is an understatement, Albert."

"So is there a chance I can put together a report on some of my other ideas for you and the President to look over?"

"I can do better than that, Albert my man. How would you like to have breakfast with the President of the United States tomorrow?"

CUT TO
INTERIOR WHITE HOUSE MESS

Lou, Annabeth, Donna and Helen sat gathered tightly around a small table littered with half empty coffee cups and partially eaten muffins. The First Lady was reading over some of the materials on the Computers in the Classroom initiative that Albert Titlebaum had provided while also keeping one ear on the conversation going on around her. Annabeth stared distractedly off into space while Lou and Donna compared notes and consulted calendars in an attempt to synch up the schedules of the East and West Wings.

"The education vote is next Monday so if you guys announce sometime late in the week it'd really give the story a nice second life," Lou said tiredly. "If we play this right we can control the news cycle all week."

"We can hold off till then, right?" Helen asked Donna as her Chief of Staff flipped through the First Lady's official schedule.

"That shouldn't be a problem. We'll coordinate with Congresswoman Payne. Maybe set something up at one of the schools downtown."

"We'd like you to make a number of appearances next week, both by yourself and with the President, if that's at all possible, ma'am," Lou requested. "We not only need a big win on this bill but we need to win the PR battle as well."

"I'd love to help," Helen said. "Just coordinate with Donna and let me know where you need me."

"Thank you, ma'am."

Helen smiled. "My pleasure."

"Does Thursday work for you, Annabeth? Or maybe Friday morning?" Donna asked without looking up.

When her question was met with silence she lifted her eyes from the schedule she'd been studying and looked across the table.

"Yoo-hoo. Annabeth?"

"Hmmm?" Annabeth turned her attention back to the table.

"Next week. Thursday or Friday? Does that work for you?" Donna asked with a bemused smile.

"Oh yeah, sure. That would be great."

"Which one?" Donna smiled.

"What were we talking about again?" Annabeth's brows were knit in confusion.

Helen chuckled and Lou rolled her eyes.

"The Computers in Classrooms announcement," Donna smirked.

"Oh. Sure. If we hold off till later in the week it'll help keep things rolling public relations-wise."

Lou rubbed her temples roughly with one hand and scribbled something on her calendar with the other. "Why didn't I think of that."

"You weren't listening to a word we were saying. Where were you?" Donna asked curiously.

"Probably still recovering from the nightmare that was Big Block of Cheese Day," Lou ground out. "If Josh ever plans on doing that again I'm gonna make it a point to be as far away from the White House as possible. Out of the country even."

"It wasn't that bad, was it?" Helen asked sympathetically.

"Worse," Lou growled as Donna tried to hide a smile. "It was pure torture. Though not a total waste of time. I did learn a very important lesson about whose good side to stay on in this White House."

"My husband?" Helen teased.

"No," Lou shook her head vigorously. "Margaret. She's much more dangerous than the President."

"You mean Margaret, the redhead? Josh's assistant? The woman currently blowing raspberries into her baby's tummy? That Margaret?" Helen laughed as everyone at the table turned and glanced at Margaret and Jack enjoying a mother/son moment across the room.

"Don't let her doting mother act fool you," Lou scoffed.

"She does have a certain way of getting her point across," Donna agreed.

"That's an understatement," Lou huffed. Even through the irritation in her voice it was clear she had developed a new level of respect and admiration for Margaret.

"I really enjoyed my first Cheese Day experience," Annabeth said happily. "It was fun."

"What was your assignment?" Lou asked suspiciously.

"Preservation of Broadway theaters."

"It figures," Lou grumbled.

"Did you know there are three historic theaters scheduled for demolition within the next five years?"

"I had no idea," Helen answered.

"Anything here the First Lady might want to get involved with?" Donna asked as she took a sip of her coffee.

"I think there might very well be. I'd love to set up a meeting between you and Craig. He has some great ideas."

"Craig," Donna raised an eyebrow, and Helen grinned.

"He was really sweet and…well…quite handsome if you like the tall, blond, broad shouldered type," Annabeth smiled.

"Do you baby-sit for Margaret on weekends or something?" Lou asked incredulously.

"No." Annabeth looked confused.

"That might be an idea for you though," Donna smiled at Lou who glared back at her. "Might get you off her list more quickly."

Annabeth, somewhat oblivious to what was going on around her, went on with her story. "Craig asked me to go to the K Club with him and some friends tonight for karaoke night."

"Karaoke?" Helen put down the papers she was reading and started paying closer attention.

"He's a fellow musical theater lover. And he has a great voice."

"Realllly?" Helen and Donna asked in unison.

"How come she gets Broadway theaters and I get the rules police?" Lou muttered glaring across the room at Margaret.

"Miranda desperately wants a karaoke machine for her birthday," Helen said.

"I could never get Josh to go to karaoke night," Donna said enviously.

"Matt would rather have a root canal without Novocain," Helen concurred. "You need to go so the rest of us can live vicariously through you."

"Definitely," Donna agreed as she popped the last bite of her muffin into her mouth.

"I have no desire to ever go to a karaoke bar, vicariously or otherwise," Lou huffed. "So can we please just finalize this announcement schedule so I can put this whole ugly day behind me."

"I don't know," Annabeth continued undaunted. "I haven't been out much since…."

The table fell silent.

"Leo died?" Donna asked softly.

"Yeah," Annabeth sighed. "I mean it's not like we were…and I don't even know why…it's just….." She had trouble getting a full thought out.

"Totally understandable," Helen helped her along. "It was a hard time for all of us. And you worked so closely with him. But you need some fun in your life again. It's time. Leo would want you to get out there."

"You might be right," Annabeth agreed. "He did love the sound of people laughing."

"That he did," Donna smiled in agreement. "I'll bet he whispered in Margaret's ear about what meeting to assign you."

"Do you really think it'd be ok? I'm afraid it might seem….inappropriate…you know. We had a business meeting. He's lobbying the administration. How will it look?" Annabeth worried.

"No one will think a thing of it." Donna assured her. "There's nothing improper about you having a drink with a nice man you just happened to meet at the White House."

Helen nodded in agreement. "I say you should go. Don't you, Donna?"

"Absolutely. Don't you, Lou?"

"Huh?" Lou grunted as she scrolled through messages on her BlackBerry.

"Don't you think Annabeth should meet Craig tonight for karaoke?" Donna repeated.

"Me?"

"Yes, you." Donna kicked her under the table.

"Oh sure. Go. Have a great time." Lou rolled her eyes.

"It's not like you're committing to anything serious," Helen added helpfully. "It's just drinks and a little karaoke."

"I'd have to go home and change…" Annabeth protested. "And I really should finish working on a press plan for the announcement."

"What you have on is fine," Helen assured her. "And the press for the announcement is under control. We can finalize everything tomorrow."

"Well…" Annabeth was clearly being swayed. "Are you sure I look ok."

"Maybe let your hair down." Donna said as she studied Annabeth carefully.

"That would look good," Helen agreed. "Much more casual. Don't you think Lou?"

"Look," Lou said desperately trying to control her temper. "I just want a firm commitment on this Thursday/Friday thing so I can get out of here before you all start giving each other facials."

"Don't listen to her, Annabeth," Donna tsked then turned to Lou. "I'll get back to you after I check with Congresswoman Payne."

"I don't know…"

"Josh is meeting with Sam over at the Hawk and Dove. I don't know how much he has to do when he gets back, but I'm ready to go now so I'll walk with you. He can meet me at home later."

"You wouldn't mind?" Annabeth asked.

"Not at all. The K club is only a few blocks past our apartment."

"I've never been there," Annabeth said a bit apprehensively.

"We used to go there once in a while for assistants' night out. It's a great place," Donna reassured her.

"It does sound like fun….." Annabeth finally acquiesced. "I'll do it."

"Excellent. Do you need me for anything else tonight, ma'am?" Donna asked the First Lady.

"Nope, I'm headed up to the Residence to have dinner with my kids."

"And I'm heading somewhere to have a very tall scotch," Lou said.

CUT TO
INTERIOR HAWK AND DOVE

Josh slid into a booth across from Sam who was already most of the way through his first beer.

"How'd it go?"

"Good. They thought they could strong arm me but I think I made it pretty clear that isn't gonna happen." Sam took a long draw off his beer and signaled the waitress for two more. "Hamilton, Clark and Larimer tried a little power play. Putzes. I'm gonna let them stew in their own fear for a day or two then offer them a chance to make it up to us."

Josh smiled at the changes in Sam. He was definitely growing into the position just as Josh had known he would. The trick was going to be keeping that innate core of sweetness that made him Sam Seaborn. "Great. I think I have something that might help you sway a few votes."

The waitress sat a beer in front of each of them and took Sam's empty. Sam watched her walk away then turned back to Josh.

"What do you mean?"

"Donna's Cheese Day assignment was Albert Titlebaum."

"The name doesn't ring a bell."

"He's an eccentric old professor. Totally out there. He travels the country trying to reform the American education system single-handedly."

"That sounds a little….odd."

"To put it mildly. But somewhere along the way he started asking all sorts of senators and congressmen to sign a pledge saying they supported his reform plans. Which just happen to dovetail very nicely in a lot of ways with what we're trying to get passed."

"And…" Sam asked leadingly.

"They signed." Josh's grin was infectious.

"They didn't." Sam was stunned. "How many of them?"

"More than enough. Forget about this being a squeaker, buddy, we may be able to turn this into a big win and a real mandate."

"You've seen these signed pledges?"

"They're in my office."

"Anyone we can use?"

Josh grinned. "Oh yeah."

Sam smiled. "I can't wait to see their faces when I wave the pledge in front of them with their signatures on it."

"It's gonna be fun. I almost wish I was gonna be there to see it."

Sam cleared his throat and wiped the table with his napkin, suddenly nervous. "I know I've been a little wishy-washy in this job till now."

"Sam…" Josh tried to interrupt.

"No, let me finish. Today, this whole thing with Amy, I think I finally realized exactly what this job requires."

"That's good." Josh looked confident.

"I can do the job, Josh."

"I know you can. That's why I hired you."

"I just want you to know that what happened with Amy…"

"Forget it." Josh waved him off. "I know better than anyone what a loose cannon Amy can be. And hey, if the new you likes to take meetings at the Hawk and Dove, I'm all for it."

Sam smiled. "Hey, look who's here." He waved at Lou and Lester as they made their way across the bar.

"Hey," Josh said as they approached the table.

"Hey," they replied with exhaustion in their voices.

"You guys look….beat," Sam said, scooting over to make room.

"Cheese Day sucks," Lou spat out as she slid into the spot Sam had vacated. Lester nodded silently in agreement as he remained standing.

"I had a great Cheese Day," Josh said.

"Me too," Sam agreed.

"I hate you both," Lou growled, then turned to the approaching waitress. "Scotch. Neat. Bring the bottle."

Josh chuckled as he got up and threw a few bills on the table. "I need to get back."

"Josh," Lou asked, "did you have anything to do with today's assignments or was it all Margaret?"

"It was all Margaret. Why?"

Lou laughed. "Tell her---message received."

"Ditto," Lester sighed as he dropped into the spot Josh had been sitting in.

"What are you two talking about?" Josh looked at his staffers with equal parts amusement and confusion.

"You have a very loyal assistant, Josh."

Josh smiled. "I've been very lucky in the assistant department."

"The details aren't important," Lester said. "Just tell her I'll be bringing her her favorite muffins every morning from now on."

Josh laughed, "I'll tell her. You guys have fun tonight. I'll push staff back to 8am tomorrow."

"You're all heart," Lou said sarcastically.

"I try," Josh called over his shoulder as he headed for the door.

CUT TO
INTERIOR JOSH'S OUTER OFFICE

"What is that?" Josh asked with a frightened look on his face as he stood across the office from Margaret.

"What?" Margaret asked.

"That…thing…on your desk," Josh said as he held his ground as far from the object as the room would allow.

"I'm not sure. It was just delivered by a man in foul weather gear."

"You're kidding." Josh frowned.

"I wouldn't kid about something like that."

"It's a clam."

"It looks like it, yes."

"A big clam."

"It's quite impressive."

"Is it ticking?"

"Not that I can hear."

"Should we…I don't know…open it?"

"I would think so. Otherwise it may start to get game-y and if that happens the cleaning crew will be all over me."

"Go ahead then."

Margaret rolled her eyes.

"Fine." She picked up the clam and gently opened it. She smiled as she lifted out a bleached white paper scroll. She unrolled it gently and began to read. "Edward and Sassy McBain cordially invite you to attend their clambake..."

Josh laughed out loud. "They really go all out don't they?"

"That they do," Margaret agreed.

"I'll RSVP this one myself," Josh said as he headed into his office. When he was almost to the door he turned back. "Lou and Lester wanted me to tell you 'message received', whatever that means."

Margaret nodded.

"I'm not exactly sure what they're talking about but…I just wanted you to know…I'm glad you came back, Margaret."

"Me too," she smiled fondly. "Is it ok if I take off? My mom came and got Jack so they can spend some time together and Ronna invited me to the Hawk and Dove."

"Sure. Go ahead. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Try not to mess up your desk while I'm gone," she called as he headed into his office.

"I'll do my best. I'm leaving in a few minutes myself so how much damage could I do?"

"You're kidding, right?" Margaret rolled her eyes as she grabbed her purse.

CUT TO
INTERIOR JOSH AND DONNA'S APARTMENT
ONE HOUR LATER

"So how was your first Cheese Day?" Donna asked as she flopped down on the couch beside Josh. She had changed from her work clothes into a comfortable pair of jeans and one of Josh's t-shirts.

"All in all I think it was a success." Josh had removed his jacket and tie, and unbuttoned a few buttons on his shirt, but was still wearing the rest of his suit.

"Any day that starts off with the firing of Amy Gardner can't help but end up as a win," Donna smirked.

"I feel 10 pounds lighter," Josh teased back.

"Me too. There's a possibility I may have actually done a dance around my office."

"I wish I had seen that." Josh waggled his eyebrows.

"I'll reenact it for you later if you're good."

Josh smiled. "Seriously, she doesn't still bother you does she?"

"Not so much bother. Annoy. Irritate. Frustrate."

"Amy has that effect on people," Josh put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. "But we don't have to worry about her anymore."

"So let's stop talking about her then," Donna purred as she ran her hand across his chest.

"I'm sure we can find something better to talk about." Josh's voice went an octave lower as he pulled Donna into his lap.

"Or not talk about as the case may be." Donna leaned in and kissed him.

They were well on their way to a serious make out session when the phone rang. Josh reached for it trying not to dislodge Donna.

"Josh Lyman. What?? Yes. Are you ok? Alright. Alright. We're on our way. We'll be there in 10 minutes."

Josh hung up the phone, scooted Donna off his lap and jumped to his feet.

"What happened???" Donna asked, trying to push down the panic.

"That was Annabeth," Josh swallowed hard and looked at Donna. "She was
mugged."

END ACT THREE