A Silence Full of Sound [hiatus]

6.2 - Ria: The Big Block of Cheese Day

"Leo set up the appointment?"

"Yes, he did."

He stood up to gather some files from his desk. "While Leo might have made the appointment, it doesn't mean I have to keep the appointment. I have meetings to attend."

"Including one with me."

"What Leo doesn't know won't hurt him."

She tried to keep her expression as neutral as possible. If she had to talk to Leo McGarry, so be it. Though, suddenly, the thought of doing that made those jitters from earlier return.

"Mr. Lyman—"

"Look, if you want to stand there and preach, go ahead. But I have a very important meeting to attend and I'm already late."

"Mr. Lyman—"

"And don't call me Mr. Lyman. My father was Mr. Lyman. I'm Josh. Excuse me." He turned his back on her to head out the door into the hallway.

"Josh—"

He turned to face her again. "No, Dr. Brewer—"

"Ria."

"Ria. Whatever. I am busy, and Leo knows I'm busy. And I'm late. Talk to my assistant, Donna. Get it rescheduled."

Josh left the office and Ria stood there, gripping her briefcase. She tried to rein in her annoyance, but if anyone were to pass by her, she'd imagine they would see frustration wrinkling the corners of her eyes and mouth. She counted to ten, slowly, reached in her jacket pocket to grab another piece of gum, and popped it in her mouth. The people milling about seemed to ignore her and she was glad, especially as she intentionally sought out Donna.

The blonde was sitting at her desk, typing away at something on her computer. Ria tried not to be nosy, but she couldn't help it. She glanced over Donna's shoulder, trying to decipher what was going on, but quickly decided that, even though she was curious, this was not a good idea. She looked away and cleared her throat.

Donna spun around in her chair. "Dr.—" She stopped herself. "Ria." She glanced over Ria's shoulder with a frown. "Did Josh—"

"Yes."

The woman heaved a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry. Today of all days. He had a meeting with the Society for the Preservation of Possums, but Leo decided to take the meeting instead."

Ria just stared at her for a moment. "The Society for the Preservation of Possums?"

"It's 'big block of cheese' day."

Again, Ria just stared at her. "Big block of cheese day?"

"Andrew Jackson had... No, no, I'm not going to tell you the story. It's basically a day when groups who otherwise couldn't get appointments can bring their issues to some of the senior staff."

"Right," Ria began slowly, "okay. If you don't mind, go ahead and reschedule the appointment for Friday morning. In the meantime, is there any way I can speak to Mr. McGarry?"

"I'll call Margaret and see if he has time available."

She picked up her phone and dialed a number. Ria tried not to be nosy and read Donna's lips as she talked, so she focused on the people milling about the fishbowl. Many of the faces were people she didn't know or hadn't seen before. Lower-ranking members of the administration who were never out in public, not like the Press Secretary or the President or even the Vice President. They were the ones on the fringes. Cogs in a well-oiled machine.

Jack would have loved this.

The thought stopped her dead in her tracks, and she had to take a deep breath to steady herself. Jack really would have loved this, the chance to see the administration in action, to see the White House with a liberal Democrat in office. It would have been his heaven and her chest ached as she looked around and tried not to think about him anymore. It wouldn't do her any good and she knew it. She swallowed thickly and turned back to focus on Donna, who was still on the phone with Margaret.

But, as soon as she'd refocused her attention, the short conversation was over. and Donna looked up from her desk. "He just got back from the meeting with the possum people. You can go ahead and head on over."

The mention of "possum people" made Ria snort softly. "Thank you, Miss Moss."

"Please, call me Donna."

"Donna. Right, of course. It was a pleasure to meet you. I'll see you again on Friday?"

Donna nodded. "I'll make sure his schedule is clear, and he can't try and make any excuses."

"Thank you."

Ria didn't get far in her quest to find Mr. McGarry's office before Donna stopped her by tapping her on her shoulder. She turned to face the blonde with a smile and a slightly confused look.

The blonde proceeded to give Ria directions to Mr. McGarry's office with an apologetic expression., "If you get lost, don't be afraid to ask the guards for directions. They're really sweet."

"Thank you, Donna."

Ria appreciated the tip as she spun on her heel and made her way down the hall in the direction she'd been given. She was grateful when she didn't get lost and walked into Margaret's office with an anxious smile. Her palms were clammy as she held her briefcase in both hands. The redhead returned the therapist's smile, though hers was much warmer and more genuine, Ria noted silently. She was trying to think of anything but the fact that she was inches away from both Mr. McGarry's office and the Oval. She was also trying not to think of Jack, not wanting to feel that tightness in her chest while meeting the second most powerful person in the world. That was the worst thing she could imagine happening.

Margaret greeted Ria, making sure to face her properly when she did. Ria was grateful for that, wiping a hand on her pants as briefly as she could before she extended it towards Margaret.

The red-haired woman shook it firmly before saying, "He's just getting settled. I'll tell him you're here."

Margaret disappeared through a door behind Ria's shoulder, leaving Ria to her own devices for a moment. She took turns drying her hands on her pants before turning in anticipation of Margaret's return. It didn't take long, and the red-haired woman came bustling back in, that same warm smile from before stretching across her lips.

"He'll see you now."

Ria nodded, took a deep breath, and then stepped into the office of the Chief of Staff to the President of the United States.