The Best of Wives and The Best of Women

Mr Konanov Goes to Washington

Mr. Konavov goes to Washington

Note: If you haven't checked, I have posted rewrites of the first two chapters because it was very bad writing and had my fingerprints all over it (bonus points if you catch the reference).

Disclaimer:

1) I don't own anything related to the West Wing.

2) The title 'The Best of Wives and the Best of Women' is inspired by Lin Manuel Miranda's Hamilton song of the same name.

3) Title references Frank Capra's 1939 film 'Mr. Smith goes to Washington'.

'God the peanut brigade is going to be the death of me.' Leo thought as he entered his office where his staff waited for him as Sam said " Leo-"

Leo cut him off. "There'll be an editorial in The Post tomorrow." The door slammed behind him as he walked over to his desk and C.J., Sam, and Josh became irate as Toby sat back and jotted down notes.

"You're kidding me?" C.J. exclaimed with a leather binder in her hand. 'I'm gonna kill Danny.'

" 'The President's time isn't being used efficiently.' "

"It couldn't wait?" C.J. asked as she and Josh moved up closer to Leo's desk.

" 'Schedules are abandoned before lunchtime.' " Leo continued as C.J. rested her hand on the reddish brown leather armchair in front of his desk.

'They have a point.' Toby thought.

"That's four in two weeks." C.J. said through clenched teeth.

" 'The West Wing resembles a high school yearbook office.' .... And I believe I am compared to a substitute teacher." Leo continued from behind his desk.

"That's ridiculous." Sam said with his hands on his hips.

"No, it's not." Leo said.

"Leo-"

'Seriously they're like children.' Leo thought. "Certainly not based on the display I just saw in there. So, new rules. You need an answer from the President, you need to brief him on something, you want him the way in; I want to see a summary on my desk. Absolutely no longer than two pages. And I want my initials on it before you go into the Oval Office." Leo insisted.

"Leo." Sam was shocked. 'Are you kidding me? Two pages?'

"A two page summary's gonna kind of cramp our style." Josh whined.

'Maybe ya shoulda thought of that before treated this like the frat house's fundraising committee.' Toby thought.

"Your style could use a little cramping. Are we understood?"

"Yes." They grumbled.

"Toby, Sam, take some meetings on the Hill tonight. Toby, concentrate on votes that can be lost with Stensen gone. Sam, dangle reservations in front of them. C.J. start the leak." They started for the door. "Oh, anybody happens to see Vasily Konanov in the hallways, walk in the other direction." Leo instructed.

"I can't unleash my full potential in a two page summary." Sam bemoaned as they turned the corner.

'It's not about unleashing your full potential. It's about not writing a dissertation when you just need a synopsis.' Toby thought. 'You know this is why Republicans complain about the inefficiency of big government. Save your full potential for your crime-fighting pilgrim series.' "Listen to me." Toby said as they passed through the Roosevelt Room. " I'm going to meet with Fox and Fowler. Sam, you're gonna go to the Hill."