The Best of Wives and The Best of Women

The Lovers, The Dreamers, and Sam

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) To answer the first question in last week's game, the Chapter title is a nod to Kermit the Frog's Rainbow Connection and is based on The Portland trip episode. Be sure to play in this week's challenge/game and leave your answer as a comment!

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White paper with meaningless words typed in Times New Roman 12 dangled out of Sam's hand as he stared into the abyss from a plush, cream leather armchair aboard Air Force One against the backdrop of a clear, starry night out the window. 'I- it... it's not.... good enough.' Sam thought as the pilot made an announcement over the intercom. 'I need to rewrite this..... that is if I can write anymore... I need to find Toby.' Sam leapt to his feet to stride down the hallway.

Sam entered the cabin. "Toby?"

'Finally.' Toby reviewed his notes. "Let me see it."

"Could I talk to you a second?"

'This isn't good.' "Is it done?"

"It... it's not... it's not good. It's not going well."

'Oh God not again.' "We've had meetings..."

"Yeah, Toby..."

"For the past three weeks!"

"I'm not confused about policy."

"What's the problem?"

Sam's eyes darted. "I'm not writing well. I'm just... I'd rather not distribute this to the pool yet."

'Oh so that's what this is about.' Toby thought as the steward approached the cabin.

"Mr. Ziegler, Mr. Seaborn, do you know what you'd like for dinner?"

Toby closed his notebook with his teeth clenched. "We'll be eating in the conference room. I'll have a club sandwich, Jack Daniels and ice."

"Mr. Seaborn?"

Sam's exhausted face looked away. "Nothing for me."

"You have to have something." Toby implored.

"I'm fine."

"Bring him a club sandwich." Toby requested.

"Yes, sir."

They ambled out of the room as C.J. met them at the foot of the stairs.

"Nice hat." Toby teased C.J about the Notre Dame hat that she wore out of penance for mocking the President's Alma Mater on the eve of a Michigan game.

"Shut up!"

"Sam and I are going to work for a little bit, you'll have draft copies to distribute to the press in about three hours."

"It was already distributed."

"W-what do you mean?" Sam's eyes burst with panic.

"It was already distributed."

"You have to get it back!" Sam demanded.

"I can't get it back."

"C.J..."

"They know you're polishing it..."

"I'm doing more than polishing it, C.J., you've got to get it back!" Sam pleaded.