Surprise Visits, Returns, and Meetings
by AJ
[Fade in on woman in early thirties and young boy waiting at the front gate
with guards behind the counter. Sam just arrives at the main gate of the
White House, Friday, 1:00 pm.]
SAM
Jordan, Sandy, how are you?
JORDAN
Great! So did it work?
SAM
Did what work?
JORDAN
My surprise visit, did it work? Are you surprised?
SAM
Yes, I am definitely surprised. What are you doing here?
SANDY
If you're busy, I can take him home, Sam.
SAM
No, it's alright. But what are you doing here? Why the surprise visit?
JORDAN
I wanted to see where you work, that's all.
SAM
Well, okay. Wonderful! First things first, lets get the two of you signed
in, and we can go to my office and talk. Then, I will give you a tour. Well,
maybe we should take the tour they give, cause I don't really know anything
about the building.
SANDY
Oh Sam, I'm sorry, but I can't stay. I've gotta go to work. I'm only on my
lunch break right now. If you don't mind, Jordan just wanted to visit for a
little bit ever since you suggested it last time you were at the house. If
this is a problem then I can take him home, I still have some time.
SAM
No, it's alright. He can stay. I'd be glad to have him come see my office.
SANDY
Okay, thanks Sam. Just so you know, he has bus money, so just send him on
his way when he gets in your way.
SAM
Jordan, in my way? Impossible. Actually, if it's all right with you, I'd be
glad to give him a ride home when we are done.
SANDY
Yeah, that'd be great if it's not too much of an inconvenience.
SAM
No, No. Anything I can do to help, really, just let me know. I mean it,
anything, anytime.
[Fade out on Sam signing visitor log and getting id for Jordan. Fade in on
Sam and Jordan in Sam's office 4:20 pm. Enter Toby rubbing his head staring
at piece of paper.]
TOBY
Sam, we need to...I'm sorry, I didn't know you had company, who is this?
JORDAN
I'm Jordan, Sam's little brother...from the Big Brother Big Sister program.
TOBY
Hello Jordan, I'm Toby Ziegler, Sam's boss.
JORDAN
I thought his boss was the President.
TOBY
Well Sam has several bosses, the President is one of them, as am I.
SAM
Jordan's been helping me out with this speech for the fifth grade class
that's coming here in a week.
TOBY
Sam, can I talk to you?
SAM
Yeah, um, sure. Listen, Jordan, I'll be right back okay.
JORDAN
Okay.
[Toby and Sam exit Sam's office, enter Toby's office and shut the door.]
TOBY
Sam, what are you doing bringing a kid to the White House? Why are you
having him help you write a speech? And just when did you get involved with
the Big Brother Big Sister program?
SAM
First, I didn't bring Jordan here, his mother did. Second, he is very smart,
and hasn't been writing the speech, just giving me ideas, seeing how he is
right around the age group of the kids that are coming here. Third it's not
like it's against any rules or anything to have him here, and fourth, I
signed up as Jordan's big brother about eight months ago.
TOBY
Okay, well Sam, we need to go to senior staff right now, so call his mother
and have her take him home.
SAM
I can't.
TOBY
You can't?
SAM
Well, his mom, Sandy, is at work right now, his dad died when he was only six
months, and he is an only child, that's why he's in the Big Brother-
TOBY
Okay, Okay. Well we need to go, just have Charlie watch him until we
are done with staff. And next time, remember that the White House is not a
day care for anyone under the age of...how old are you Sam?
[Toby and Sam exit Toby's office, Sam with a look of discontent for Toby.
They enter Sam's office.]
SAM
Hey, Jordan,
JORDAN
Hey Sam.
SAM
Toby and I have a meeting to go to right now, you can't stay here alone, so
you're gonna go hang out with a guy named Charlie Young.
JORDAN
Is he my age?
SAM
No, he's like 21, but I think you'll like him anyway.
JORDAN
Okay.
[Toby, Sam, and Jordan exit Sam's office, begin walking toward Oval Office.
POTUS comes around corner behind Toby, Sam, and Jordan]
POTUS
Toby! Sam!
SAM
Hello Mr. President.
TOBY
Mr. President.
POTUS
I was just heading back to the office for the staff meeting.
SAM
If you don't mind my asking, sir, where were you?
POTUS
Well, if it's okay with you, Sam, I was helping my wife unpack.
SAM
I thought the first lady wasn't coming back for another week.
POTUS
You and me both. So who is this young man walking with us?
SAM
Oh, Mr. President, this is Jordan Dawkins. He is my little brother, in the
Big Brother Big Sister program. Jordan, this is the President of the United
States.
POTUS
Well hello Jordan, I'm Jed Bartlet.
JORDAN
He..h..hello Miiissterr. P..Pr...President, niccce to meet yoou.
POTUS
And what a wonderful surprise it is to meet you. Sam, I had no clue that you
were involved in the Big Brother Big Sister program, and I pride myself in
knowing all about my staff's personal lives.
TOBY
Isn't that the truth!
[POTUS, Toby, Sam and Jordan approach Oval Office. All stand just outside
talking. Sam ushers Jordan to a seat near Charlie's desk, Charlie not being
at his desk, and Mrs. Landingham hard at work behind her desk. POTUS, Toby,
and Sam gather around the chair Jordan is in.]
POTUS
I don't think I like your tone of voice Toby.
TOBY
Sorry, sir.
SAM
Well, sir, I guess it just never came up.
POTUS
Well we can talk about this later Sam, and don't think you're gonna get out
of it. So, Jordan, how old are you son?
JORDAN
I..I..I'm tttenn sssirr.
POTUS
Ten, well, I have a grand daughter around your age, actually, she's twelve.
JORDAN
Yeeesss sssirr.
POTUS
Relax Jordan, take a breath.
[Jordan takes a deep breath, with a loud inhale and exhale.]
POTUS
Good. Now, what grade are you in?
JORDAN
I..I'm in the ssixthh grade sssiirr.
POTUS
The sixth grade and you're only ten! Wow!
SAM
Yes sir, Jordan is really smart for his age. He skipped the fourth grade,
and he gets straight A's, along with being the smartest kid in his class.
[Jordan blushing.]
JORDAN
Sam!
POTUS
Now I get it, Sam, you're hoping that if you hang around Jordan long enough,
some of his...his intelligence will rub off on you.
TOBY
Sir, I think we both know that will never happen.
[Sam with an unamused look, Jordan snickers. Mrs. Landingham peers out over
her computer screen.]
MRS LANDINGHAM
Mr. President, you were supposed to be in your office five minutes ago with
your staff, not here in my office area with Toby and Sam.
POTUS
Thank you for that Mrs. Landingham, I actually am aware of this and am on my
way in.
MRS LANDINGHAM
No you're not sir, you're standing out here talking with Toby, Sam, and this
young man.
POTUS
I'm going to my meeting now.
[POTUS and Toby starts walking towards door to Oval Office, both stop and
turn towards Sam when he begins to speak.]
SAM
Mrs. Landingham, I was hoping to have Charlie sit with Jordan during..
POTUS
Nonsense, Jordan I'd be happy if you would come to the meeting with us.
Maybe you can teach my staff a thing or two. God knows they could use all
the help they can get.
JORDAN
Yess sir.
POTUS
Now let's get in there before the nicest secretary in this country yells at
me again.
MRS LANDINGHAM
Flattery will get you no where sir.
[POTUS, Toby, Sam, and Jordan enter Oval Office where Leo, Josh, and CJ are
sitting on the couches talking. The talking stops when the President walks
in.]
POTUS
Jordan, this is my office. Pretty fancy looking huh?
JORDAN
Yes sir.
LEO
Mr. President?
POTUS
Ah, Leo, CJ, Josh, this is Jordan. Sam is his big brother through the Big
Brother Big Sister program.
LEO
What?
CJ
Sam! Brother? Did I miss something?
SAM
It's true, Jordan is my brother.
[POTUS seats Jordan at his desk. Leo stands up and walks towards POTUS and
Jordan. CJ and Josh stand and walk towards Sam.]
POTUS
Here Jordan, you can sit here at my desk, cause we usually have our meetings
over by the couches.
JORDAN
Yes sir.
LEO
Well hello Jordan, I'm Leo.
JORDAN
It's nice to meet you Leo.
CJ
And I'm CJ, Jordan, what a pleasure it is to meet you.
JORDAN
Nice to meet you too. Josh, hey, what's up?
JOSH
Hey Jordan, long time no see. Where've you been hiding?
JORDAN
Well, mom's been keeping me pretty busy lately. This is my first time out in
a while.
POTUS
What!!?? Sam, Josh knew? Josh, you knew? And you didn't tell me?
CJ
Mr. President, you should find comfort in knowing that you're not the only
one who didn't' know, cause I, for one, had no clue.
LEO
Me neither.
JOSH
Mr. President-
[POTUS sits down on one of the chairs by the two couches. The rest follow
suit. Sam and Josh sit next to each other on the couch to POTUS's left, CJ,
Toby, and Leo sit on the couch to POTUS's right.]
POTUS
I'm waiting.
SAM
Mr. President, Josh came over to my place one day, a couple of months ago
when Jordan was there. The three of us hung out all day, watched a game on
TV, that kind of stuff. In the past few months we've managed to do a bunch
of stuff together. The reason I didn't tell you is because it was no big
deal sir. I mean I didn't actually think that you would be interested.
POTUS
Shows how much you know Sam. Your turn Josh.
JOSH
Well sir, I didn't think-
TOBY
That's always been you're problem, Josh, hasn't it?
[Josh gives Toby evil look, and Toby returns the look.]
JOSH
I didn't think it was such a big deal. I mean it just never came up sir,
like Sam said.
CJ
It never came up?
LEO
What, were we supposed to come to you Sam, and ask 'have you befriended any
young boys lately?' And 'did Josh came over and watched a game with the two
of you?'
TOBY
As much as I love the idea of yelling at Sam and Josh, we really need to get
this meeting over with, because I have other meetings, as do all of you, I'm
sure.
POTUS
Yeah. You're right.
TOBY
Thank you sir for giving in so easily this time.
POTUS
Well I figured it had to happen sometime. Leo, what do you have for me?
LEO
Well sir, Jeff Breckenridge was just confirmed by the senate judiciary
committee. So sir, you now have yourself one assistant attorney general for
civil rights. That's all I have, but everything I just told you, you found
out from C-SPAN.
POTUS
Yeah, it's about time too. Josh?
JOSH
Mr. President, Joey Lucas asked me to congratulate you on your victory over
the republicans on English as the national language, along with your current
73% approval rating. Oh, and she finally decided to take your advice, you
can see her name on the next ballot for the California 46.
POTUS
Josh, tell her that I couldn't have done it without any of my staff, or her,
she was a tremendous help, and let her know that I am here to help her with
the California 46. She need only call my name.
JOSH
Yes sir. Also, my cheese meeting was held up yesterday, so Donna rescheduled
it for later today.
POTUS
More cheese meetings?
JOSH
Unfortunately, yes sir.
POTUS
What group did you get?
JOSH
To be honest with you sir, I have no clue
POTUS
Okay.
CJ
Sir, I only have two things, Breckenridge, which you already know about, so I
guess it's really only one thing. That is the return of the first lady,
which reminds me, I'm gonna need to be able to tell the press something about
why she came back a week early.
POTUS
You can tell the press what she told me: she missed me, and wanted to
surprise me.
CJ
Yes sir, thank you, sir.
SAM
Sir, I don't have anything new since this morning.
POTUS
Toby, I guess this means you have the floor.
TOBY
Well sir, I only have one new thing, and that is yet another meeting that Leo
decided to surprise me with at the last minute.
[Toby looks at Leo with a look of bitterness and contempt.]
TOBY
It turns out that I have a meeting with Congresswoman Wyatt.
POTUS
You did it again.
TOBY
Did what again sir?
POTUS
You called her Congresswoman Wyatt.
TOBY
May I remind you that you call your wife Dr. Bartlet.
[Enter FLOTUS just in time with a playful look on her face.]
FLOTUS
Just for the turn on, I can assure you Toby.
[All laugh as FLOTUS walks behind Sam who is still seated on the couch.]
POTUS
Abbey.
FLOTUS
Jed, I'm sorry to interrupt your meeting, Mrs. Landingham and Charlie are
both away, and I thought you'd be done with staff by now.
POTUS
Well, we were sort of pre-occupied at the beginning of the meeting. But
actually, I think we just finished. So is that it everyone?
ALL
Yes sir.
POTUS
Okay, you may leave then.
[Leo, Toby, CJ, and Josh all walk towards door until FLOTUS speaks.]
FLOTUS
I have a question for you, Jed.
POTUS
Yes, Abbey?
FLOTUS
Did you know that there is a cute young man sitting at your desk?
POTUS
Yes I did.
[FLOTUS looks around the room at all the senior staff members.]
FLOTUS
Well, I was just wondering who he is and why he's in here.
TOBY
That's Jordan, ma'am, it turns out that Sam is his big brother through the
Big Brother Big Sister program, a shock to all of us, Mrs. Bartlet. Now, if
you'll excuse me, I have another meeting to go to courtesy of Leo.
FLOTUS
Sam?
[Exit Leo, Josh, CJ and Toby. Sam and POTUS stand up, Sam goes towards
Jordan and POTUS goes towards FLOTUS.]
SAM
Yes ma'am, I'm sure it is a surprise to you, as it was to everyone.
FLOTUS
Okay. Hello Jordan, I'm Abigail Bartlet. It's a pleasure to meet you.
JORDAN
Thhhe pleasure isss aalll minine Mrs. Bartlet.
FLOTUS
Well isn't that sweet.
SAM
Ma'am, I'm really sorry to interrupt, but I promised Jordan a tour of the
White House, and was sort of hoping to catch an actual tour, the last of
which is just about to start, so if we are going to catch it-
POTUS
Why don't you just have one of the secretaries give you a tour, like Donna,
Nancy, or Mrs. Landingham. I hear they're experts on this building.
SAM
Well, thank you sir, I will definitely ask one of them. Come on Jordan,
let's go.
[Jordan stands up from the desk and walks towards Sam who is walking towards
the door.]
POTUS
Bye Jordan, and please don't hold back on teaching Sam a few things about,
well, anything.
[Jordan laughs.]
JORDAN
Yes sir.
[Exit Sam and Jordan.]
FLOTUS
Jed.
POTUS
Abbey?
FLOTUS
I'm somewhat embarrassed. I thought you'd be done with your meeting by the
time I got here.
[POTUS and FLOTUS sit on a couch, cuddling up.]
POTUS
Abbey?
FLOTUS
Cause I have no reason for coming here, other than the fact that I missed
you. I really missed you. I've been away for three weeks and that little
bit of time a while ago, unpacking, it just wasn't enough.
POTUS
I missed you too, Abbey, and I'm glad you came over, cause I really have
nothing to do today. So what do you say to a little romantic dinner tonight,
just the two of us.
[Enter Mrs. Landingham]
MRS LANDINGHAM
Mr. President, excuse me Mrs. Bartlet, Zoey is here to see you.
FLOTUS
Zoey?!?!
POTUS
Thank you Mrs. Landingham. Send her in would you, and don't let her know the
first lady is here.
MRS LANDINGHAM
Sure thing Mr. President
[Exit Mrs. Landingham. Enter Zoey. FLOTUS has a bewildered look of
confusion on her face as she looks at POTUS and then Zoey, looking for
answers to unasked questions.]
ZOEY
Mom, what are you doing here?
FLOTUS
I could be asking you the same thing.
ZOEY
I got in yesterday,.
FLOTUS
You weren't supposed to be back for another two weeks.
ZOEY
Well, I managed to bring Elizabeth and Annie here for a visit. They're here
for the two weeks that I was supposed to still be there.
FLOTUS
Elizabeth and Annie are here? Really? Where? I didn't see them, and I was
already in the residence.
[FLOTUS whispers to POTUS]
FLOTUS
You can forget about dinner.
ZOEY
They went to the mall, Annie wanted to go shopping.
FLOTUS
Jed, why didn't you tell me they were here?
POTUS
They wanted to surprise you with their visit themselves.
ZOEY
Oops.
POTUS
Yeah, Oops.
[Fade out of Oval Office as Zoey sits on the couch to the right of FLOTUS.
Fade into entrance of Sam's office, where Sam and Jordan are, 6:00 pm]
JORDAN
That was a pretty cool tour. I never knew the White House had so many
secrets.
SAM
Me neither.
JORDAN
Boy, the stories I have to tell my class tomorrow. You know they won't
believe a thing I tell them.
SAM
I'll tell you what, how about I come to your class one of these days.
JORDAN
Really? Sam, that'd be great! Career day is coming up, in like a month.
Maybe you could come then. Oh no!
SAM
What, what is it?
JORDAN
I'm supposed to be home in five minutes.
SAM
I'll call your mom, I'll explain it to her, she'll understand. Besides, I
promised you dinner, didn't I?
[Enter POTUS who stays at doorway.]
SAM
Hello Mr. President.
POTUS
Hello Sam, Jordan. Listen, my grand daughter is in town, and she's been very
bored with no one here her age, so I was wondering if you would like to meet
her. Jordan, maybe you, your mom and Sam could have dinner with us?
JORDAN
Really!? Wow Mr. President! Thanks, that would be so cool. But sir, I
don't think my mom can come, she only gets a short dinner break.
POTUS
Okay, well then you and Sam. I'm headed over to the residence now. Oh and
Sam, you might want to brush up on your trivia.
[Sam and Jordan stand and POTUS, Sam, and Jordan leave Sam's office, walking
towards the residence.]
SAM
Huh?!
POTUS
This is what happens when you keep secrets from me Sam. So, what is the
biggest county-
SAM
Here we go again!
POTUS
What was that?
SAM
Nothing, I was just expressing my excitement. I love your trivia questions!
It's my idea of excellent conversation, very exciting, but I'll try to keep
my emotions from running wild, sir.
POTUS
Okay...So what is the biggest county in the United States?
SAM
I have no idea.
JORDAN
Isn't it San Bernardino County, in Southern California?
POTUS
Yes, Yes it is, how did you know?
SAM
See Jordan, now you're in trouble, not many people actually know the correct
answer to the President's trivia questions.
POTUS
What are you trying to say Sam, that I would hold this against Jordan, and
keep asking him trivia questions until he doesn't know the answer?
SAM
Well, yes sir, isn't that what you do when someone gets the right answer?
POTUS
Normally, but I would never do that to an unsuspecting little boy. Okay
Jordan, so what city has the largest amount of...
[Fade out on POTUS, Sam, and Jordan continue walking towards residence as
POTUS puts his arm around Jordan.]
THE END.