Air Force One. Jed is telling his assembled court that they need to come up with something he can ask China and Vietnam to do about shrimp without causing serious political repercussions. C.J. looks at him and then tells everyone that the President has a phone call to make, so they all need to clear out. After everyone but C.J. has left, Jed asks her why she made up the call. She asks him if he's all right, pointing out that he hasn't had a bite to eat. "I'm not that hungry." She notes that he said he was hungry when he ordered the food. He tells her that he's fine, but thanks her for getting rid of everybody: "Sixteen more hours of that would be a bit much." He asks her to send Millie in, since he doesn't have to talk business with her.

Josh is admitted to Vinick's office by one of his aides. Vinick (Alan Alda) is sitting with his back to the door, shining his shoes. Josh greets him, and Vinick asks, "Shine your own shoes, Josh?" Of course Josh doesn't. I wouldn't be surprised if Donna doesn't do it for him. Vinick says, "My father used to say you can't trust a man who doesn't shine his own shoes." Man, I just bet Vinick is from Crabapple Cove, California. And what does his father have against the shoeshine man? He's trying to earn an honest living, and along comes Vinick Sr., trying to put him out of business. Vinick looks at Josh's shoes and asks him if anybody shines them. Vinick asks how many people in D.C. shine their own shoes, and answers his own question by guessing "none." Josh asks him if that's how many people he trusts, and Vinick says it is. Josh starts to speak, but Vinick interrupts him: "I know what you're thinking. It must be lonely to be this mean old man who doesn't trust anyone. Well, I trust my brother, my four children, my nine grandchildren, and my dog." I really hope there's not a Mrs. Vinick, because if there is, this guy's a total asshole. Vinick suspects that's more people than Josh trusts. Josh says it is. Now Vinick gives a lecture on checks and balances. If you want a recap of it, go read The Federalist Papers. Vinick tells Josh to take a seat.