Ainsley scene from The West Wing, practice script

AINSLEY

(Sitting)

Yes, well, Mr. McGarry--

LEO

Leo.

AINSLEY

Yes, sir. I’ve been thinking about that ever since your office called me on Tuesday, and I have something to say on my own behalf, if you’ll permit me a moment to say it, and I understand if you won’t, but I would really appreciate it if you did.

LEO

I didn’t really follow that, but whatever.

AINSLEY

I think that it is wrong for a man in your position to summon someone to the White House to reprimand them for voicing opposition. I think that that is wrong, and it is inappropriate. It’s inappropriate, and I’ll tell you what else--

LEO

(nodding slightly)

It’s wrong?

AINSLEY

Yes.

LEO

That’s fine, except you weren’t summoned here to be reprimanded.

AINSLEY

Well, then, if you’ll permit me, why was I summoned?

LEO

You have an interesting conversational style, do you know that?

AINSLEY

It’s a nervous condition.

LEO

I used to have a nervous condition.

AINSLEY

How did yours manifest itself?

LEO

I drank a lot of scotch.

AINSLEY

I get sick when I drink too much.

LEO

I get drunk when I drink too much.

AINSLEY

Well, Mr. McGarry--

LEO

Leo.

AINSLEY

Yes, sir. I’ll ask again: for what purpose was I brought here today? LEO

LEO

Cat and mouse?

AINSLEY

Yes. And it’s not like I’m not, you know... the fact that I may not look like some of the other Republicans who have crossed your path does not mean I am any less inclined towards...

LEO

Here it comes.

AINSLEY

Did you say offer me a job?

LEO

Yes. Associate White House counsel. You’d report to the Deputy White House Counsel, who reports to the White House Counsel, who reports to me.

AINSLEY

I’m sorry...a job in this White House?

LEO

You want a glass of scotch?

AINSLEY

Yes, please. (Beat) Mr. McGarry, I have always been a Republican. My father is a Republican. His father was State Chairman of the Ohio Republican Party.

LEO

Yes.

AINSLEY

When I was young, I was a Young Republican.

LEO

(Sitting up)

Yeah, Ainsley, even if you hadn’t already told me all of this, you know, many, many times, I would know it anyway, ’cause I have this FBI file.

AINSLEY

You have my FBI file?

LEO

Yes.

AINSLEY

I can’t believe that! You have my FBI file?

LEO

Yes.

AINSLEY

I have an FBI file?

LEO

Ainsley...

AINSLEY

Mr. McGarry, I loathe almost everything you believe in.

LEO

Where are you going?

AINSLEY

I’m not going anywhere. I’m standing up, which is how one speaks in opposition in a civilized world.

LEO

Well, you go, girl.

AINSLEY

I find this administration smug and patronizing, and under the impression that those who disagree with them are less than they are, and with colder hearts.

LEO

I don’t think that’s true.

AINSLEY

How many people on your staff assumed that I was ambitious, mean, and stupid?

LEO

(Firmly)

None. (Beat) C.J. Cregg thinks you kill your pets. You don’t do that, do you?

AINSLEY

No, I don’t kill my pets. I don’t have any pets. I was thinking about getting a pet, but...that doesn’t matter. The point is--

LEO

Ainsley.

AINSLEY

Yes, sir.

LEO

Don’t you want to work in the White House?

AINSLEY

Oh, only since I was two.

LEO

(Shrugging)

Okay.

AINSLEY

It has to be this White House?

LEO

Ainsley...

AINSLEY

Mr. McGarry.

LEO

The President likes smart people who disagree with him. He wants to hear from you. The President’s asking you to serve. And everything else is crap. (Beat) Think about it overnight. Come back here at six tomorrow and give me your answer.