20 Hours in America (Part I)

Opening

The President is holding a campaign rally in Indiana.  C.J. tells Donna that they are wrapping up and getting in the motorcade right away.  Donna goes off to find Toby and Josh, who are talking with Cathy, in the soybean fields.  Toby is agitated, listening to the President's remarks - he is criticizing the President's delivery of the remarks he wrote.  The four of them walk back to the venue, only to find the motorcade has left without them.

Act I

Cathy offers Toby, Josh, and Donna a ride to Unionville to catch up with the motorcade.  Back at the White House, Leo is talking with Margaret about the President's schedule and when he is due back at the White House.  Leo arrives in the Situation Room for an update on events around the world - in Qumar, the government has reopened the investigation into Abdul Shareef's missing plane.  Leo and Fitzwallace exchange looks - and Fitzwallace promises to forward all intelligence to the State Department to share with the Qumari government.

Sam arrives in the office against orders from Leo and others that he is supposed to be home sleeping - he has been working very hard since the convention and Leo needs him at his best.  Sam tells Leo and Ginger he is just going to be there for a few minutes.

In Indiana, the President arrives for his next campaign stop.  Bruno tells C.J. that the President should talk up the military pay raise - C.J. says he won't.  Bruno mentions it to the President, who tells Bruno he can't campaign on a military base - it's against the law.  They are also dealing with a plummeting Dow, which is down almost 300 points.

Josh, Toby are riding in the back of Cathy's pickup truck with Cap, Cathy's boyfriend.  They are talking, while Toby is becoming unglued at missing the President's next appearance.  At the base, the President concludes his remarks and takes a call from Leo.  Leo tells the President about Qumar.  The President tells Leo they are on their way home.

Act II

The pickup truck carrying Toby, Josh, and Donna, runs out of diesel - leaving the trio stranded yet again.  Donna calls for a campaign volunteer to pick them up.  Cathy and Cap hitch a ride from a passing farmer to go back and get more diesel for the truck.

Back at the White House, Leo meets with Fitzwallace about the news out of Qumar.  Fitzwallace tries to assure Leo that it will be fine - they're not going to find the plane or any evidence that leads the Qumaris back to the President.

On Air Force One, C.J. is giving a briefing to the Press, while the President meets with two Executive Secretary candidates - he doesn't like either one.

Josh, Toby, and Donna arrive at a gas station to wait for the volunteer to pick them up.  Donna can't get anyone on their phones - Josh tells her to keep trying.  Josh and Toby start a contest - throwing rocks into a barrel - first one to miss has to say "I work at the White House" after each time they say their name.

Act III

Toby, Josh, and Donna are riding in Tyler's Jeep - a 17-year old campaign volunteer.  Tyler makes a stop to confront a girl that he is in love with.  Josh sends Donna into the conversation to try and get Tyler back to get them to Air Force One.  One of the girls tells them that they've already missed the plane because they have crossed into a county in Indiana that doesn't recognize Daylight Savings Time.  Josh and Toby explode with frustration.  Donna tells Tyler that he needs to get them to a commercial airport.

Back on Air Force One - C.J. asks Charlie if he would consider taking over as Big Brother to Anthony, who is in trouble and angry at C.J. after Simon's death.  Charlie would consider it - but he really can't devote the time it would take.

In Sam's apartment, Sam is sleeping when his phone rings - Josh screams into the machine, waking Sam.  Josh apologizes but tells Sam that he needs to staff the President because Josh can't get back there.  Josh tells Sam he will do fine.

Bruno comes to see the President and gives him information on new polls that are out.  C.J. finds Bruno to report on a story that is following Mrs. Bartlet around, including a response from Janet Ritchie, Governor Ritchie's wife, who went on the record about being proud of being a wife and mother.

Act IV

Sam is trying to get ready for his role, filling in for Josh.  Ginger is telling him about what he is going to be doing.  Sam asks Bruno about the women who appeared at Abbey Bartlet's appearance in Wisconsin.  The women were wearing aprons and holding rolling pins.  Abbey had responded to her question about her medical license being revoked by saying, "right now, I'm just a wife and mother."  Bruno goes into a meeting with C.J. and others about how best to spin this.

Tyler is still driving Josh, Donna, and Toby  to a train station, which will conduct them to Indianapolis where they will catch a flight home.  They stop into a diner to get some food and then head for the train. Donna gets C.J. on the phone, who asks Josh to come by her office - she hasn't realized the three of them are still in Indiana.

The President arrives in the Oval Office with Sam there to back him up.  The first meeting is with Commerce Secretary Bryce, followed by a meeting with a new Texas Congressman.