Previously on The West Wing, all of the characters introduced themselves for the benefit of new viewers.

For a moment I worry that I've accidentally taped Inside the Actors' Studio, but it turns out to be "the third installment of this year's Marjorie DuPont lecture series." Josh is backstage, talking on his cell phone, trying to find out why someone was arrested. Sam answers, "Drunk driving, resisting arrest, and, I think, disorderly conduct." Sam is on the street a few blocks from the Capitol. He tells Josh that Roberto Mendoza doesn't drink, and that so far the press is unaware that the new nominee to the Supreme Court has been arrested. Sam steps into a cab that just happens to pull up in front of him without his bothering to hail it or anything, but on the other hand he is Rob Lowe and I'd probably pull over too. Josh says, "Stay ahead of the pace, Sam, and have Toby page me. I don't even know if this guy's called a lawyer. Is he sitting in a jail cell right now?" After a pause, he adds, "You're not there anymore, are you? I'm talking to no one at all right now." As he hangs up, the moderator, David, starts reading Josh's résumé: floor manager for the House Minority Whip, Chief of Staff for a congressman, blah blah Deputy-cakes.

At the White House, C.J. asks Sam what Mendoza was arrested for if he doesn't drink. "Driving while being Hispanic," Sam suggests. Toby arrives, and is told that Mendoza was arrested in Wesley, Connecticut. C.J. asks why Mendoza refused the breathalyzer. "Because he's a crazy man who's out to ruin my life," Toby answers. He asks whether bail has been posted, and is told that they can't find a judge to do so. Toby tells C.J., "I will find a way to blame this on you." Leo hurries in and tells Sam to take an Air Force jet to Westchester County Airport, rent a car, drive to Wesley, and get Mendoza out of jail. Why don't they just send Crockett and Tubbs to bust him out? (Admit it, you were thinking the same thing!) He adds, "C.J., [if] Sam sees one reporter when he gets off that plane, I'm gonna blame you!" C.J. says "Toby's got you covered there," and leaves. Toby insists on going along with Sam. Leo reminds everyone to keep him informed as the credits roll.

David asks Josh to tell the audience about a typical day at the White House. Josh offers to tell them about the events of the past thirty-six hours: "Depending on how you look at it, it started either with a Cabinet Secretary losing her temper, a Committee Chairman baiting her during a hearing, the President answering a question he shouldn't have, a dentist appointment, or me being stupid." Josh leads us into the flashback by saying the day should have been about the President's educational reform package.