The West Wing (TV Series)

A Proportional Response (1999)

Janel Moloney: Donna Moss

Photos 

Quotes 

• [first lines] 

  [entire conversation takes place in the show's trademark "Walk-and-Talk" style, with Donna and Josh navigating through the West Wing's maze of crowded hallways] 

  Donna Moss : [Startling Josh by coming up from behind him, as soon as he walks into the West Wing]  C.J.'s looking for you.

  Josh Lyman : Huh?

  Donna Moss : C.J.'s looking for you.

  Josh Lyman : Donna? 'Good morning, Josh,' is a pretty good way to start the day.

  Donna Moss : Good morning.

  Josh Lyman : What's up?

  Donna Moss : [rolling her eyes]  C.J.'s looking for you.

  Josh Lyman : Tell her I'm in the office.

  Donna Moss : Josh, I'm saying

  [assuming a more serious facial expression] 

  Donna Moss : C.J. is *looking for you.*

  Josh Lyman : What did I do?

  Donna Moss : How would I know?

  Josh Lyman : 'Cause you know everything.

  Donna Moss : I *do* know everything.

  Josh Lyman : [exasperated]  Donna...

  Donna Moss : I'm saying you say that now, but anytime I want to make a substantive contribution...

  Josh Lyman : You make plenty of substantive contributions.

  Donna Moss : Like what?

  Josh Lyman : This! *This* could be a substantive contribution.

  Donna Moss : I need a raise.

  Josh Lyman : So do I.

  Donna Moss : You're my boss.

  Josh Lyman : Don... uh... uh... I'm not the one who *pays* you.

  Donna Moss : Yes, but you could recommend that I got a rai...

  Josh Lyman : [cutting Donna off]  Donna, she's looking for me. Do ya think this is a really good time to talk about a raise?

  Donna Moss : Hmm, I think this is the best time to talk about a raise.

  Josh Lyman : *Donna,* you're not a very nice person.

  Donna Moss : You gotta get to know me...

  Josh Lyman : [sighs, exasperated]  Donna...

  Donna Moss : The best I can cobble together from the small shards of information I've been able to overhear in the restroom and at the danish cart...

  Josh Lyman : Donna...

  Donna Moss : [pausing, taking a breath, leaning close to Josh to whisper]  Is it possible there's a situation involving Sam, a woman, and C.J. being denied information about something?

  Josh Lyman : [pausing, staring blankly for a split second]  Ok, here's what I'm gonna do...

  [turns toward his office] 

  Donna Moss : Hide in your office?

  Josh Lyman : No, I'm not going to 'hide' in my office. No, I'm gonna *go* into my office and devise a strategy. That is what I *do.*

  [pausing] 

  Josh Lyman : I'm a professional, not a child.

  Donna Moss : Hmm, that's the spirit.

  Josh Lyman : But if she calls, I'm at the dentist... I'll be back in an hour.

  Donna Moss : Got it.