Fictober Day 24
Prompt: “Who said this is a good idea?”
Fandom: The West Wing
Pairing: General (with a hint of Josh/Donna)
Rating: General
Summary: The country’s best and brightest decorate the White House for Halloween.
Jed walked into the Oval Office on a crisp autumn morning to find black and orange lights strung across his desk.
Mrs. Landingham walked by just then, looking as busy as ever. “Did you do this?” He asked her, taking off his scarf.
“Oh yes, Mr. President. Last night.”
“Why?”
“It’s almost Halloween. Your first Halloween in the White House.”
He threw up his hands. “I have no great love for Halloween.”
“Well, it’ll be gone in a few weeks.” She shrugged, placing a bowl of candy corn on the center table.
Charlie strolled into the room carrying a jack-o-lantern under one arm. “Good morning Mr. President.”
Jed did a double take. “Good morning Charlie. Did you see my desk?”
“I did.”
“Is that a jack-o-lantern?”
“It is.” He flipped it around to face the President. It was a simple carved rendering of-what else-The White House.
Jed pointed at it. “That’s very good. Did you make that?”
“No sir. My sister did.”
“Tell her I think she’s very talented at carving pumpkins.”
“I will, sir.” Charlie beamed and placed the pumpkin on the table next to the candy.
Choruses of “Good morning Mr. President.” soon followed Charlie as Josh breezed into the room, with Donna and Sam close behind him. Donna was holding a caramel apple, and Sam had another pumpkin with him.
Jed greeted them all, feeling bemused.
“All right,” he sighed. “I want to know something. Who said this is a good idea?” He looked around the room.
Donna held the apple close to Josh’s head so he could take a bite.
“Leo did, sir.” Sam said, putting his pumpkin next to the one Charlie brought in. His was carved as Jack Skellington, but it wasn’t very good. They both laughed at it.
“It’s team building!” Leo said on cue, walking over to Jed.
“What’s next? Costumes?”
“That could be fun.” Sam nodded.
Jed played along, knowing he’d never really get around to it. It seemed like the right thing to do in the moment. “All right. Maybe for ONE day. And I’ll judge them.”
Josh and Donna both cheered.
“Did you know this is a very serious building where very serious things happen?”
“Yes, Mr. President.” came the reply from his employees.
Jed walked over to his desk and sat behind it, smoothing out his tie. “All right, scram, all of you.” He said. And they did. To their meetings, to their phone calls, to their busy and demanding jobs. Jed chuckled to himself. He was greatly amused by their holiday spirit, but he still had a country to run.
