A CHANGE OF SCENERY
TO: [email protected]
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: a change of scenery
DATE: Tue 20 Dec 8:42:33 -0800
Hi Donna!
Thanks for the phone call yesterday; you saved my Glenlivet from sudden death. Anyway, that’s not what I’m writing for. I registered and I really like a house in Connecticut. It’s actually not that far away from your getaway. I’m sending you the link, what do you think?
CJ
TO: [email protected]
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: Hi
DATE: Tue 20 Dec 9:22:45 -0500
Hi Sam!
How are you, buddy? How was San Diego? Everything went smooth, I hope. Listen, Donna is nagging me so I have to ask you, was I insensitive sending you on a working trip this close to Christmas? I just thought… Well, you probably know what I was thinking. Anyway, if you are not up to it, screw Sacramento and come home. I’ll make Bram pitch in; he is going there to visit some relatives.
Call me if you need me, or call Donna if you need her. No matter how late, just page me and I’ll call you back.
Josh
TO: [email protected]
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: FWD : Sam
DATE: Tue 20 Dec 9:32:05 -0500
Okay, I sent him an email, see the proof below. Could we please leave him alone now?
Love ya,
Your Joshua
Josh Lyman wrote:
>Hi Sam!
>How are you, buddy? How was San Diego? Everything went smooth, I hope. Listen, Donna is nagging me so I have to ask you, was I insensitive sending you on a working trip this close to Christmas? I just thought… Well, you probably know what I was thinking. Anyway, if you are not up to it, screw Sacramento and come home. I’ll make Bram pitch in; he is going there to visit some relatives.
>Call me if you need me, or call Donna if you need her. No matter how late, just page me and I’ll call back.
>Josh
TO: [email protected]
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: RE: FWD : Sam
DATE: Tue 20 Dec 9:52:31 -0500
Okay, I have proof of your incredible sensitivity. >Listen, Donna is nagging me…< Smooth, very smooth, Lyman! Anyway, I want him to stay there, and if you start nagging him he will just because. And now leave me alone, I have a plan to execute.
I miss you,
Your Donatella
TO: [email protected]
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: miss ya
DATE: Tue 20 Dec 12:42:45 -0500
Listen, I wanted to go home for lunch but this is apparently not one of those days when I can. So… Would you drop by with Hannah later? I really miss the two of you. I even promise I won’t make fun of you and your ‘partners in crime’. At least, not in front of the President.
Joshua
TO: [email protected]
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: me too
DATE: Tue 20 Dec 13:12:11 -0500
Hannah will wake up soon, I’ll feed her and then we’ll visit Daddy. And of course you won’t make fun of me in front of the President. His wife is one of my partners in crime after all. Listen, I know you don’t like me meddling but I have a feeling that they need me. Let me execute the plan, and if I don’t succeed I can always blame Fate, Chance, Kismet or whatever. Is Lou in?
Donatella
TO: [email protected]
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: favor
DATE: Tue 20 Dec 13:15:01 -0500
Hey Ainsley!
How are you today? I’m heading to the White House; Josh is in a mood today. If I didn’t know better I would suspect that he is in Christmas mood, but since he is not celebrating it I don’t know what brought it on.
Anyway, I have a favor to ask. CJ wanted a change of scenery and I found this website (would you believe they are called A Change of Scenery?) for her where people are swapping houses for the holidays. She likes a house in Connecticut. I’ll send you the link and if it’s not far from where you are staying, could you check it out please? I’d be forever grateful. I just want to make sure that if she is really doing it, it’s at least safe.
Thanks in advance,
Donna
TO: [email protected]
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: nice
DATE: Tue 20 Dec 15:27:27 -0500
That was very nice of you, Joshua. Sometimes, you are so sweet… And I’ll show you how much I love when you come home tonight. I’ll wait up, implementing my plan and working out subplans and Plan Bs and Plan Cs etc.
Helen asked me if I wanted to be there with Hannah for the lighting of the Christmas tree. I think it would be nice, what do you think? Of course there would be photographers and I know we didn’t want to make a poster child of Hannah, but they are pestering us anyway and this would be a nice occasion. I think she would enjoy it, and I’d enjoy it too. So, what do you think?
xxx,
Your Donatella
TO: [email protected]
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: Christmas tree
DATE: Tue 20 Dec 19:52:15 -0500
Sorry, emergency. But we were good (‘da men’ I daresay) and I might even be able to go home today. About the Christmas tree… You are right. They won’t stop pestering us, and it’s really a nice occasion. You should buy new overalls and a new coat for Hannah. Something red, maybe. ;) I like my women in red. Anyway, I’ll make sure to be there too, I think Miranda is on this year. It will be nice. But no one can hold Hannah except the First Couple and us. No exceptions, Donna.
What are you doing? I’m reading a report on agricultural subsidies. No further comment needed.
xxx,
Your Joshua
TO: [email protected]
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: Lady in Red ;)
DATE: Tue 20 Dec 20:47:18 -0500
Hannah had her bath and is out like a light, I’m waiting for Ainsley’s response.
And okay, I’ll buy new overalls and a new coat, although the two sets she has are completely alright and in perfect condition. And I’ll make sure it’s red.
And could you be more overprotective, Josh? I mean she is one year old, she isn’t a baby anymore. Other people held her when they visited with us.
xxx,
Your Donatella
TO: [email protected]
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: RE: a favor
DATE: Tue 20 Dec 20:52:15 -0500
Hey Donna!
The place is like in the neighborhood, so I went out and took a look. It’s nice, but not nicer than Ainsley House. While I was scouting out that house I had an idea. CJ could come to Ainsley House; it’s basically the same area. And I could travel to California; I really don’t remember when I was there the last time. This way she’d know who occupies her house, and I would have a place where there are people but not the politicians whom I see everyday.
I’m not talking about you and Josh here, but if I would go back to DC, I would end up at the workplace and I really need some time for myself. Today, I even had to slap myself for thinking about going back to work. So temptation would be next to nil in California. What do you think? Give CJ my email address if you think the idea has merit. Otherwise tell her that the house she picked seems to be okay.
Hugs,
Ainsley
GO TO PART SIX