Whitening Toothpaste
Chapter Three: You Picked the Right Party
By: Eve Karma
Disclaimer: Let me check here-nope, I still don't own them :)
Spoilers: 18th and Potomac, some references to Ainsley (grrr)
Other: I'm not liking this chapter; it proves that I can't write. :) I'm warning you, this all could get very farfetched.
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The rest of my day passed in a whirlwind. My hand cramped up after filling out scads of paperwork.
Mrs. Landingham treated me to lunch at the White House cafeteria, as a thank you for helping her in the office. She told me all about the new car she was picking up that night, and promised me I could test drive it. We told each other stories about college-Mrs. Landingham seemed to remember more about her college days than I remembered about mine! She invited me to have lunch with her the next day, and I gratefully accepted, glad that I had made a new friend.
When I arrived back at my office (It was so small, but I didn't care. Heck, I had an office!) I was amazed. When I left for lunch the room was almost empty. Now I had a desk, a chair, a computer...Christ, I even had a stapler!
I was testing out my chair (Okay, I was spinning in it.) when Sam walked in. I stopped, dizzy and startled. "Sorry," I apologized, "I'm just....not used to having an office to myself!"
He was smiling. "That's fine, Kate. I understand," he assured me. "I wanted to see if you'd like an official tour of the bullpen. You know, see the sights, meet the staff..." He held out his hands in front of him as if he was reading a Broadway marquee.
"I'd love to." I said, getting up from my chair. My head was still spinning.
I met everyone. CJ, Leo, Toby.....everyone! While Toby seemed a little rough around the edges, everyone was very nice. I knew that I was meant to be there.
The last stop on our little tour was Josh Lyman's office. He had an assistant too, and her name was Donna. She had gotten her job in almost the same way I had gotten mine-be in the right place at the right time. I instantly knew that Donna and I would become friends.
When Josh came out of his office, I recognized him immeadiatly. I had seen him on a few news shows. He looked tired, (Then again, so did the rest of the staff.) but he was still very friendly. Sam and I were on our way out when Josh stopped me.
"Hey," he asked, "Kate, right?"
"Yeah...Kate Montgomery." I reminded him.
"Are you a Democrat or a Republican?" he wore a sly smile directed at Sam. He didn't know that Donna was standing behind him, arms crossed, obviously ticked off at him for asking that.
"Democrat." I answered without skipping a beat.
"Good." Josh smirked. "Sam, you finally picked the right party!"
I looked back at Sam, questioning him with my eyes. Donna let out a heavy sigh. "Kate," she said, "I'm going to get some coffee, come with me." She gave the two men an angry stare as I followed her out. I could tell that Sam and Josh were standing in the open doorway, watching us walk away.
I stopped and turned around when I heard two thuds and "Ow! CJ!!" and "Geez, whaddaya have to do that for?" Sam and Josh were both rubbing the sides of their heads while CJ stood angrily next to them, holding a binder in her upraised right hand.
Donna laughed behind me. "I take it that happens often?" I asked, motioning to CJ as we continued down the hall.
"Yeah," she replied. "She always manages to catch them in a stupid moment. I didn't want you to be around for that." She smiled knowingly. "You'll get used to it."
Ten Minutes later I arrived back at my tiny but wonderful office. My half-drunken cup of coffee was still steaming. As I set it on my desk I noticed a note.
"Kate-The President would like to see you at two thirty. I'll be working with Toby in his office if you need me. Sam"
"Oh, no, more paperwork," I thought. I glanced at my watch, noticing that I had a good twenty minutes until my appointment with Mr. Bartlett. "Just enough time to get some business out of the way," I mumbled as I picked up my new phone.
"Chrissy? It's me, Kate. Listen, I need you to find something out for me. You know the apartment complex down the street from you? Yeah, that one. Go down there, pick out a decent apartment, I know they still have some available. Yeah, I'm going to rent it, Chris. Tell them I'll be there around seven to do the paperwork and give the deposit. I'll explain everything later. Thanks so much. Yeah, I'll call you later."
I dialed a new number. "Hi mom! I'm still at the White House. Listen, pack up the stuff in my room? I'm getting an apartment. Mom, I can't explain now, I'll talk to you about it when I get home tonight. Just pack up everything you can. Yeah. Thanks mom, I'll see you tonight. Love you!"
I hung up the phone and grabbed my new photo ID from where Sam had left it on my desk. "Gosh, I look bad," I thought, "But it'll have to do." I slipped it around my neck and left the office, on my way to meet the President.
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