OutdoorType

This scene sets up a later, rather more poignant scene, between the President and Charlie…

MRS. LANDINGHAM
How’d it go?

CHARLIE
I think I’ve got it this time.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
Well I wouldn’t get your hopes up, dear.

CHARLIE
Nope, this is a very good knife.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
He’s very particular.

CHARLIE
That’s one word for it.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
I heard that!

Charlie enters THE OVAL OFFICE.

CHARLIE
Mr. President?

BARTLET
Ah!

CHARLIE
I think you’ll find this to your liking, Mr. President.

Charlie opens a box with a carving knife inside.

BARTLET
Yes, yes! Indeed I do.

CHARLIE
Excellent.

BARTLET
Chef’s choice. Twice the amount of carbon, which means it’ll hold a sharp edge up to ten times longer and you can see the handle which texturized molded polymer has no rivets or air pockets.

CHARLIE
Well, I’m glad you’re happy, Mr. President.

BARTLET
This is an American knife.

CHARLIE
Yes.

BARTLET
No German knives for us.

CHARLIE
No, sir.

BARTLET
Good job.

CHARLIE
Thank you, sir. [turns to leave]

BARTLET
Hold on.

Charlie turns back around and sees Bartlet carving the air with the knife.

CHARLIE
Sir?

BARTLET
Nah… Nah. No, the balance isn’t right.

CHARLIE
[sighs]
I’ll take it back, sir.

BARTLET
Yeah. You know what we need?

CHARLIE
A German knife?

BARTLET
Yeah.