50 Best Tom Lennox Quotes

Reed: [Talking privately] what happened?
Tom: The President just rejected everyone of my proposals right there in front of the Cabinet: not only he changed his mind on the internment plan, he is rolling back on the detention facilities that are already in place
Reed: I thought he was on board?
Tom: So did I. Now his putting forth his own agenda to try and appease the Muslim population
Reed: His hoping they'll cooperate? Help find the nuclear weapons?
Tom: That's it and all he will succeed in doing is to prove to the terrorists that he does not have the stomach to do what's necessary and inevitable
Reed: Ok, then you need to use your "influence" to change his mind
Tom: [Raises his voice] my "influence"? You don't get it, I have no "influence." Not here: not in this Administration. No, I'm resigning
Reed: Sir, that would be a terrible mistake
Tom: My "mistake" was to believe Wayne Palmer has the courage and vision to fill this Office. Clearly, I overestimated him: he is certainly not his brother
Reed: Which makes it all the important that you stay. Sir you have the support of great many people here, the least of which is the Vice President
Tom: Unfortunately the Vice President is not the one in power and this country is being lead to slaughter by the man who is... no I can't in good conscience be a party to this
Reed: Sir this is a terrible mistake...
Tom: [Interrupts him] I cannot talk about this any further: go now and draft my letter of resignation and bring it back to me to sign

Tom: [after entering the Oval Office] sir, Melinda said you read the flash regarding CTU's "attempt" to make the exchange? We're still trying to track the water craft Philip Bauer's men used to escape: they've no success yet
Vice: Suvarov is expecting my call to confirm that we've "retrieved" the component
Tom: My advice is to give CTU a few more minutes before we call the Russians, we can still get lucky on this
Vice: Karen was right
Tom: Yes sir, she certainly was
Vice: And I was wrong: not just about Karen but about Wayne Palmer. I judged his performance as President unfairly but what he "faced" these past weeks was an impossible situation. Maybe he was right to reach out to Assad? I don't know anymore. You know it's easy to think you've got all the answers but ultimately the responsibility lies with you but then sitting in this chair, until you sit in this chair, you don't know anything. You can't know
Tom: Sir, the fact that Karen was right, you might want to "reconsider" your punitive stance towards her
Vice: My decision might've been wrong but I can't condone that kind of insubordination
Tom: Sir you do not want the fact that you disagreed with Karen made public and that's exactly what will happen if you prosecute her. After this crisis has passed, Karen Hayes and Bill Buchanan can retire quietly into their country home in Vermont, you will be honoring her service: it's just a better outcome all around
Vice: I'll take your advice into consideration but right now I need a real time update on CTU's progress
Tom: [Before leaving] alright sir

Lisa: [Over the phone as Lenox and Daniels listen in] it's me
Mark: Hey you, I thought I wouldn't hear from you again until the morning?
Lisa: Sorry I left so suddenly: we had a "crisis" with the Russians
Mark: What kind of "crisis"?
Lisa: It doesn't matter anymore, it's been averted
Mark: That's good
Lisa: Anyway, I was thinking maybe we can pick up where we left off? If you want?
Mark: [Amused] you know I do sweetheart but isn't Daniels going to want you to stick around so he can "paw" you any time he wants?
Lisa: I'm the last thing on his mind right now
Mark: Well, that's his loss: how soon can you get here?
Lisa: I'm on my way
Mark: I love you
Lisa: [Before hanging up] I love you, I'll see you soon
Tom: [after taking off his headset] alright, that sounded "genuine" enough. Now when you go back to Mr. Bishop, you will find a way to excuse yourself from the room, to "allow" him time to access your PDA. We've uploaded memos, stating the Chinese agent who was trying to smuggle a piece of Russian technology out of the country, was taken out in a military strike. Do you understand?
Lisa: You want the Russians to think the component was destroyed in the attack?
Tom: That's correct: it's up to you now if you can "feed" all of this convincingly to Bishop, he'll relay it to his Russian contact. With any luck at all, President Suvarov will call off his threat of military action against us: at least for the time being
Lisa: I'm sorry, I just don't know if I can go through with this. If I can be with him again and act like nothing's wrong?

Karen: I spoke with Bill and he "assures" me CTU has deployed all their resources to find Bauer
Vice: I don't want to near about their "assurances", they let Bauer steal the component: so their "assurances" means nothing
Tom: If I may sir, I could authorize ancillary agencies to join the search that would increase our chances of finding Bauer
Vice: Do it
Lisa: [after Tom and Karen leave] is there anything else you need from me?
Vice: Is there anything else I need from you? Let me think, I have the fate of the western world and the lives of millions of Americans hanging in the balance, I can't stop thinking about you
Lisa: [while he hugs and kisses her, sarcastically] I'm not sure this is appropriate behavior Mr. "acting President"
Vice: Well there's the phone: call the media and tell them the "acting President" is a "dirty old man"
Lisa: [Before they kiss] they already know
Vice: I would you to spend what's left of the night here with me
Lisa: I'll go home and pick up a change of clothes

Thomas: [Talking privately] this simply isn't working for me, I can't have you stand in my way anymore
Karen: [Confused] what?
Thomas: I need the President's undivided attention and you are frankly, "dividing" it
Karen: I'm not going to stop doing my job because it irritates you, I thought I made that perfectly clear?
Thomas: [Hands her a piece of paper] I'd like you to tender your resignation
Karen: [Amused] My resignation? What are you smoking?
Thomas: I'm here to "blow away all the smoke", I want to talk about your husband's incompetence and you're covering it up
Karen: I don't like this conversation: what're you talking about?
Thomas: Fourteen months ago, we had Abu Fayed in CTU custody in Seattle and Bill Buchanan signed off on his release
Karen: I don't believe this. The case you're referring to if I may remember correctly involved over twenty "detainees", not prisoners: detainees and at the time there was not enough evidence to hold him
Thomas: It's just a little "grayer" than that isn't it? If what you're saying is true, how come that incident wound up "blue coded" at Homeland in a dead end file? You sequestered that file to protect your husband
Karen: [Sternly] I did nothing illegal or incorrect: every single one of those detainees were cleared of any conspiracy charges
Thomas: Nevertheless, one of these "detainees" detonated a nuclear bomb in Los Angeles. You think your husband could survive that story? You for that matter...
Karen: [Interrupts him] do you want to get in the ring with me? You've got "skeletons" in your closet and I will not hesitate to pull them out
Thomas: We've all got our "skeletons." Its proof we don't all have, I've got mine. How long before you get yours?
Karen: You're a son of a bitch
Thomas: I never claimed otherwise. Look, I'm not out to hurt you or your husband personally I just need room to work, I need your resignation within the hour

Karen: [while in the Oval Office, after a staff member hands her a report] Mr. President...
President: Another attack?
Karen: Los Angeles, a bus
President: How many causalities?
Karen: Twenty three so far, including the suicide bomber
President: And we're still certain this man Assad is behind all these attacks right?
Karen: Yes Sir, we confirmed he arrived in the United States three days before the first bombing in San Antonio
Tom: And let us not forget Assad has been calling for the destruction of the United States for the last twenty years
Karen: Mr. President, my analyst believe Assad's organization cannot survive without him and once his dead, these attacks will stop
Tom: So this assumes the success of the operation to terminate Assad?
Blake: CTU estimates the success probability at seventy five percent
Tom: [Sarcastically] oh, I think that's very generous
President: It sounds like your anticipating failure Tom?
Tom: I fully acknowledge Sir that this is our only option but I am firmly advocating "contingencies"
President: "Contingencies" are well and good Tom but CTU needs to eliminate Assad: that's all there is to it. God knows we're paying a steep enough price to get him

President: When I agreed to run for this Office, I thought I understood this job. I mean I was right beside my brother David when he had to make impossible decisions: times when he had to choose bad options but now that I'm the one sitting in that chair, I'm starting to wonder if I'm the right person to lead this country
Tom: It's an irrelevant question Sir
President: Excuse me?
Tom: You will lead this country: whether you want to or not. You are the President
President: This President can't shake the feeling of sacrificing Jack Bauer as a mistake. Maybe I should call this whole thing off before it's too late?
Tom: No Sir, you have not made a mistake and for what it's worth, your brother would be doing just the same thing
President: It doesn't make it right
Tom: It isn't right: it isn't wrong, it's simply our only option. Bauer has to be sacrificed so this country can survive

Vice: Have a seat Mr. Ambassador
Ambassador: Thank you
Ambassador: [after seating down] how is President Palmer?
Vice: The President's a tough man: his injured but we're confident he'll make a full recovery
Ambassador: What a tragic and despicable act
Vice: I agree, what makes it more troubling is that a citizen of your country, Hamri Al-Assad was responsible for the assassination attempt
Ambassador: My understanding is Assad lost his life in the process but I was lead to believe he was "working" with President Palmer to promote a "peace plan"
Vice: Well, I'm afraid that was all a ruse Mr. Ambassador. Assad's real intentions became clear when he detonated the explosive
Ambassador: [Surprised] you have proof of this?
Vice: Conclusive, forensic evidence, at least one eye witness that saw the detonator in Assad's hands immediately before the explosion: isn't that right Tom?
Tom: Yes Sir, that is correct
Ambassador: Even if what you say is true, you must know Hamri Al-Assad was not working at the behest of our government. He was as much as a wanted in our country as he was in yours
Vice: [Amused] oh, not as much but that's going to change
Ambassador: What are you referring to?
Vice: The terrorists currently on US soil are acting on the orders of the citizens in your country who have the support of your government: you know it and I know it
Ambassador: [Stands up] that is simply not true
Vice: I say it is and I'm willing to "bet" you that I'm right
Ambassador: What do you mean?
Vice: I have a carrier group within striking distance of every major city in your country waiting for me to give the order
Ambassador: You would attack us?
Vice: Abu Fayed, a citizen of your country, enters the United States, detonates a nuclear bomb, killing thousands, next Assad attempts to assassinate the President
Ambassador: We cannot be held responsible, you know full well that we have cooperated with you since the inception of this crisis. These threats against us are reckless and counterproductive, I had an "understanding" with your President
Vice: [Raises his voice] and now you're going to have one with me. You help us find those nukes before another goes off, or I'm going to unleash the full power of our military on your country

President: [In the Oval Office, after hearing demands from Fayed] is it even possible that's what these attacks were about? Releasing prisoners at Palmdale?
Karen: Sir, I feel it's "wishful thinking" that this is Fayed's endgame
Tom: [to Palmer] you cannot seriously consider giving into this man's demands: you said it yourself, Fayed cannot be trusted
President: No, he can't and I do not believe for one second he has any intention on stopping these attacks, not permanently. If I go along with this, it only buys us more time in finding Fayed. At the very least, it gives this country a rest from the bombings
Karen: Sir, you'd be releasing a hundred and ten extremely dangerous terrorists
President: [Sternly] Karen, I am very well aware of that but unless we find Fayed, I may be forced to

Ethan: [During a meeting, to Daniels] reports the indicate the Russians are "setting up" an offensive position
Vice: Meaning they can attack our base at a moment's notice?
Ethan: That's correct Sir
Tom: [after hanging up the phone, to Daniels] Sir, that was CTU, they've just located Philip Bauer, and a dozen or so confederates on an oil refinery platform six miles off the coast of Los Angeles
Vice: And he has the sub circuit board?
Tom: We're "assuming" so Sir
Vice: Pass this on to Suvarov: maybe this will buy us some more time. Meanwhile, I want an assault team dispatched to that oil rig
Ethan: [to Daniels] if I may?
Vice: [to Kanin] what?
Ethan: If the platform is well defended, the assault team might run into trouble, I recommend an air attack. Two Navy F-18s' could obliterate that platform and everyone on it
Vice: What about the sub circuit board?
Ethan: If it's not destroyed in the attack, it'll sink into the ocean and the salt water will render it useless in minutes
Vice: [Asking him for his opinion] Tom?
Tom: Sir, we "think" Philip Bauer's grandson is on that same platform: now he may well survive a surgical strike, or an assault team. There's no way his going to live through a "proposed" aerial attack. We are talking about an innocent sixteen year old boy here
Vice: None of us like this anymore than you do but if the Russians attack our base, a lot of innocent young men are going to die and the truth is an airstrike will be the most effective from a political point of view as well. It'll show the Russians that we are "sparing" no effort to destroy the sub circuit board
Vice: [to Kanin] send the F-18's immediately

Reed: [while Lennox is gagged and restrained] sir, if I take that off of you and I'm going to clean up that cut: if you try to call out, Carson will kill you and I cannot stop him, you understand?
Tom: [Referring to the plan of assassinating Palmer and Assad after Reed takes off the gag] you've got to put a stop to this
Reed: No, when this is done and the President is out of the way, I think you will see things differently. I think you will see that this is "better" for our country
Tom: No, you're going to destroy this country: you're just as bad as Fayed
Reed: There must've been a moment when you were on board with this plan. Are you playing with us again? Or did you change your mind along the way? I need to know
Tom: Know this, I was against you from the start

Ambassador: [Over the phone] Mr. President, my government has alerted me of the nuclear weapon heading towards my country
President: [Over the speakerphone] that's correct Mr. Ambassador: we've "made good" on our threat
Ambassador: For God's sake I implore you to stop it
President: On what grounds?
Ambassador: We've uncovered new information regarding your situation
President: I'm listening
Ambassador: We've identified a General in our Central Command: General Mohmar Habib has also been in contact with Fayed. I "believe" his been helping orchestrating the attack on your country
Karen: Have you arrested Habib?
Tom: Yes, his being interrogated as we speak. Please, you must abort this attack before it's too late
Tom: Does Habib know the present location of Fayed's nuclear weapons?
Ambassador: It is my understanding that the General's last contact with Fayed was during the drone operation: he has no current knowledge of weapon's whereabouts or their "intended" targets
President: Mr. Ambassador, your government has known about this man for quite some time, haven't they?
Ambassador: Mr. President, this "development" has come as a shock
President: [Yells, slams his hand on the table] stop lying to me. The missile will hit in less than two minutes so please don't try my patience again
Ambassador: You must understand the fragile political "climate" of our country. General Habib is a high ranking military commander
President: I really hope protecting this man was worth pushing us to the brink of World War Three. The missile will be aborted but in the meantime I strongly suggest you give me a full dossier on General Habib. I want a thorough update on the progress on his interrogation, I'm also demanding that you return here to the White House immediately. I want direct access to you sir for the duration of this crisis
Ambassador: [Before hanging up] as you wish Mr. President

Vice: [Talking privately] we need to "clear the air", you and I: you still have evidence that could hurt me and I'd like to know what your intentions are?
Tom: Truthfully sir, I haven't given it much thought
Vice: Why don't you think about it now?
Tom: Alright sir, it "concerns" me that you engaged in conspiracy and perjury to achieve "political ends", I don't think that behavior is be fitting of the acting President of the United States
Vice: The world has changed in the last half hour. Right now this country above all, needs stability, not brought up on charges in the first hours of his Presidency. America needs elected leadership
Tom: I'd just like to complete my thoughts sir, I made that tape to back you off President Palmer but also to protect "me." Now that "was" and "remains" my only reason
Vice: What about forcing my resignation?
Tom: Wayne Palmer's idea: not mine
Vice: So you're ok with me in this chair?
Tom: Sir, it's no secret that policy-wise, you and I are in alignment, I just simply "hate" how we got "here"
Vice: Now that we are "here"?
Tom: Yes sir, you have my support
Vice: In the event that we ever get "out of alignment", I can't have you holding this evidence over my head
Tom: Its understood sir, you have my word

Admiral: [During a briefing] the USS Victory has been "detached" to carrier group alpha which currently has control of the region: the Victory will reach launch position in forty minutes
Vice: So in less than an hour, we will have made our point to the enemy?
Admiral: Yes Mr. Vice President, the V-6-11 short range tactical warhead has a blast yield of three hundred kilotons. The "message" will be loud and clear
Vice: Very good Admiral: exemplary. Tom, give us the damage and causality estimates you got from COMM PLAN?
Vice: [after he doesn't respond] Tom?
Tom: I'm sorry sir
Vice: Is there a problem?
Tom: No, this "projection" of course is based on theoretical models generated at our nuclear facility in Alamogordo, COMM PLAN estimates a high range of general damage by zone as well as by casualty numbers based on various climate models

Vice: Congratulations this is an excellent plan
Tom: Thank you very much Mr. Vice President
Vice: It's about time someone in this Administration stood up to these people: to be honest, I didn't think this President had the stomach for this
Tom: I think we're about ready here, I'm going to put you on speakerphone
President: [while entering the room to meet with his Cabinet members] is the Vice President with us?
Vice: I'm here Mr. President
President: I'm assuming everyone here has read Executive Order 1066? Tom first proposed this plan to me very early this morning and I rejected it: sacrificing the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution seem like too steep of a price, even for the "promise" of security but then Fayed murdered twelve thousand innocent Americans with a nuclear weapon, I felt compelled to "revisit" my earlier position. After careful reconsideration, I remain convinced that my initial response was in fact the right one. Implementing this plan would be a terrible mistake. Now I cannot and I will not endorse these actions. Some of you seem to feel that the Constitution is somehow valid only in times of peace but not during war time. That is not what the Founders intended
Tom: With your indulgence Sir, George Washington's enemies wore bright red coats and marched in a straight line: the Founders could have never conceived a stateless enemy hiding among us that targets not only our soldiers but our civilization
President: Your plan would only "hinder" the efforts of law enforcement to stop Fayed
Tom: How does my plan "hinder" law enforcement Sir?
President: By marginalizing and thereby radicalizing the very people's help they need to enlist. The American Muslim community is our best line of defense against these terrorists. We as Americans need to demonstrate that we are governed by the rule of law and never by the politics of fear
Vice: Mr. President?
President: Yes?
Vice: Before you make any unilateral decisions, maybe you should hear other people's thoughts?
President: I'm sorry, the discussion on this matter is over

Karen: [after entering the Oval office] Mr. President, I just got off the phone with Bill Buchanan at CTU: he has intel that four more tactical nuclear weapons were stole along with the one that went off
President: Do we have any idea where they are?
Karen: We do not
President: [to Tom] I want to meet with the Joint Chiefs, right away
Tom: I've already let them know
President: [to Karen] has civilian air traffic been shut down?
Karen: Yes Sir. The FAA gave the order as soon as they heard about the bomb

Bill: [Over the speakerphone inside the Situation Room] Mr. President, there's some new information you need to consider in regards to the airstrike on Assad. I'm on the line with Jack Bauer: he escaped from Fayed
President: [Over the speakerphone inside the Oval Office] What? How?
Bill: I'm not sure but his requesting we abort the airstrike against Assad
President: For what possible reason?
Bill: According to him, Assad is not the one behind the attacks Sir
Karen: Bill, that is insane, what is Jack basing this on?
Bill: He has an explanation but he wants to talk directly to the President
President: Put him on
Bill: You're on with the President Jack
Jack: [Over a cell phone] Mr. President
President: Jack I am so sorry...
Jack: Sir, I'm sorry we don't have a lot of time: did Bill Buchanan explain to you about Assad?
President: Yes he has but I have to tell you something, we're all very skeptical here. What's Assad doing in this country if his not behind these attacks?
Jack: He's trying to stop them. His trying to stop Fayed
President: So you're saying Fayed is carrying out these bombings?
Jack: Yes Sir, Fayed admitted to me that Assad is planning to renounce terrorism, his trying to mainstream his organization. He wants to bring them into the political process. Fayed wants to stop that from happening, Fayed is behind the recent wave of attacks
Karen: Jack, this is inconsistent with twenty years of terrorism on Assad's part, his organization has waged nonstop war against the west. His responsible for hundreds of deaths
Jack: I'm aware of Assad's history and I am still telling you there's sufficient cause to call off this strike
President: What if we change the strike to a ground assault? If we capture Assad...
Karen: Sir, we cannot afford a ground assault, we have to take him out now: while we've got the chance
Bill: Mr. President, if Jack is right and we've got the wrong man, it's a risk we have to take
Karen: Jack has been in a Chinese prison for twenty months. His ability to access the situation is highly "questionable." I believe he is being "played"
Jack: I know what I heard and I am not being "played"
Tom: [to Palmer] with all due respect to Mr. Bauer, I think Karen is right
Jack: Mr. President, you want to stop these attacks? You need to stop Fayed and in order to do that, you need to capture Assad, and find out what he knows. Sir, he might have the only hope you have
Tom: [to Palmer] I know your history with Mr. Bauer runs "deep" but don't let that impact your judgment here
President: We have the opportunity to eliminate Assad, we have to take it. Bill I want real time progress on that airstrike
Bill: I'm sending you a video uplink now Sir
Jack: Mr. President, don't do this
President: Jack, I am sorry, I really am

Karen: I just heard a disturbing rumor
Tom: What rumor is that?
Karen: That your authorizing the National Guard to set up "detention facilities" at convention centers, and sports arenas in Los Angeles, Detroit, and Philadelphia
Tom: That's correct
Karen: That's against the President's order, I was there when he gave it
Tom: I know where you were, I was standing right next to you
Karen: To my knowledge, that order hasn't been rescinded
Tom: Alright, you're confused, I haven't "implemented" yet. I'm merely "positioning", if the President changes his mind, as I suspect he will, and then we will have wasted less time
Karen: I'm not confused, you can use whatever word you like. In plain English, you're second guessing the President
Tom: Plain English does not allow for the nuances that my job requires
Karen: And just how far are you going to push this? The ACLU has already filed complaints against us that we've given the Bureau too much field authority
Tom: And by my estimations, they have not been given nearly enough: we need a wider "net" with tighter mesh
Karen: And what happens when innocent people get caught in that "net"?
Tom: Well, like I told you before, "security has its price". Just get used to it

Dr. Arthur Welton: [after entering the Oval Office, referring to Palmer's health] all signs indicate the President has suffered a cerebral hemorrhage brought on by injuries he sustained earlier in the day
Vice: Meaning he should've never been brought out of the coma
Karen: However detrimental that decision was to his health, I'm "confident" that in light of his actions today, he would continue to support it
Vice: I'm glad you're so confident Karen, it was your reckless action that resulted in his stroke
Dr. Arthur Welton: [to Daniels] sir, it's unclear if the stroke is evitable but in any event, I'll take full responsibility
Tom: Excuse me, now's not the time for recrimination: self imposed or otherwise. When will we know the extent of the damage and the "prospects" for recovery?
Dr. Arthur Welton: After the MRI, the President is being transported to Bethesda as we speak. Based on my "impressions", the damage was severe, I don't think we can expect the President to regain consciousness any time soon
Lisa: So it is incontestable Wayne Palmer won't be able to continue his duties as Commander in Chief
Vice: There's no denying that this is a great tragedy for the nation and for those of us that know the President personally: just take care of him doctor
Dr. Arthur Welton: [Before leaving] of course, excuse me

Tom: You really should work from medical Sir: at least they can monitor you from there
President: I'm fine
Tom: I don't think you are Sir. Neither does Dr. Welton
President: Putting myself under medical supervision might give the Vice President a pretext to try to take a run at my job
Tom: You don't need to worry about that Sir
President: What "exactly" do you have on Vice President Daniels?
Tom: I have "the truth", Sir
President: Now's the time I need to know what that is
Tom: It is a tape recording of Vice President Daniels conspiring with Lisa Miller to commit perjury at your competency hearing
President: I'd love to hear that as soon as possible
Karen: [while rushing into the room] I have good news: CTU has recovered the two remaining suitcase nukes
President: [Surprised] what?
Karen: Just a few minutes ago, I just got off the phone with Bill, his waiting to brief you as soon as you're ready
Tom: What about Fayed?
Karen: He and his men were killed during the assault
President: Then it's over
Tom: It certainly seems so Sir, congratulations
President: The American people should know that we're no longer at a risk of a nuclear attack
Karen: I'll have the press corp. down here in thirty minutes
President: No, we're going to do this from upstairs: the press room
Tom: Shouldn't we wait for clearance from Secret Service?
President: No, there's no need for anyone of us "hiding" underground any longer. Inform Secret Service that we will be leaving the bunker, we are returning to the Oval Office

Tom: This memo says Palmer is arranging for Assad to make a televised statement?
Reed: I heard
Tom: Not only are we providing free airtime to a mass murderer and a vowed enemy of democracy, we are proving terrorism works. Do you have my resignation?
Reed: No sir, I don't
Tom: Why not?
Reed: Because you can't resign while this country is being brought to the brink of a nuclear holocaust by a weak misguided President
Tom: Damn it I explained this, I cannot get the President to budge on policy, there's nothing I can do about this
Reed: What if I told you the "the climate can change"?
Tom: What does that even mean? "The climate can change"?
Reed: I'm just saying there are people who believe like you that more aggressive steps need to be taken to crackdown on terrorism both here at home and abroad and that a change in leadership is imperative to ensure this nation's security
Tom: [Stands up and walks to the front of his desk] who?
Reed: [Nervously] excuse me sir?
Tom: Who are these like minded people we're talking about?
Reed: Oh, I was just speaking "abstractly." But you'd have to agree that your plan would have all the support it needed if the Vice President was the man occupying the Oval Office
Tom: Wait, I may dislike the President's current course of action, I hardly think that warrants his removal
Reed: I'm not talking about holding hearings: something more "immediate" would have to happen
Tom: Oh my God, you can't possibly be "intimating" what I think you are
Reed: I'm not "intimating" anything, I'm just simply "musing"
Tom: Careful: that kind of "musing" will get you thrown in prison
Reed: I'm sorry sir, that you "misunderstood" me
Tom: I certainly hope so, for your sake. I think you have a letter to draft for me

Tom: Are you feeling alright?
President: I'm fine, just a little tired
Karen: [to Palmer while entering the room] I just got word from CTU: the General's phone call "appears" to have satisfied Fayed, his leading them to the safe house and the bombs
President: Oh, thank God
Ambassador: [to Palmer] I'm pleased we were able to help
President: [Stands up] so am I, Karen would you please show the Ambassador to his car?
Ambassador: Forgive me but I believe you asked me to remain here until the crisis is...
President: [Interrupts him, before shaking his hand] that won't be necessary any longer. Thank you again for your cooperation

Vice: [after entering the room] Admiral Smith, is the Victory ready to launch?
Admiral: Its seconds from optimal launch position Mr. Vice President
Vice: Good
Tom: [Walking over to him] Mr. Vice President?
Vice: Yes Tom?
Tom: I just spoke to Bill Buchanan at CTU: they've taken Gredenko into custody. Jack Bauer is questioning him now
Vice: Does Bill think there's a "chance" this could lead to something?
Tom: His "confident" that Bauer's the man for the interrogation and his hoping he'll get the answers he needs
Vice: [Amused, referring to Bill] I hope his "confidence" is justified
Admiral: [to Daniels] sir, the Victory's in position: their standing by
Vice: Proceed with the strike
Tom: [Stands up] Mr. Vice President, if I may, in light of the development at CTU, do we not want to delay this launch? And see what Bauer gets out of Gredenko?
Vice: I'm not going to delay our response based on what Gredenko may or may not reveal
Tom: But if Gredenko gives up the bombs, surely that is the desired result...
Vice: [Interrupts him] then we can consider this strike as retaliation for American lives already lost: a reminder to the world there are consequences when attacking our country

Tom: [while in the Oval Office] Sir, not to "quash" your "flush of victory" here: the actions of the Chinese can't go unaddressed
Vice: We'll leave that for another day. Right now, I don't know about you but I could use some sleep
Tom: There is one other "outstanding" issue I'd like to discuss with you Sir
Vice: Karen Hayes
Tom: Sir, she's about to be transferred to FBI custody. Now in light of the recent terrorist attacks, the nuke in California, the plot against the President, I just think we need to preserve any "fragile faith" the American people might still have in this Administration: just let Karen and Bill resign with their reputations intact
Vice: [Smiles] alright, take care of that for me

Vice: [Over the speakerphone] I'm here with Karen
Tom: Yes sir, that information we planted for the Russians has been sent on to Bishop's contact
Vice: Good, do you think it's made its way to Suvarov yet?
Tom: I'm confident it has sir but I do think a call to the Russian president giving him the news ourselves that might strengthen your creditability of our story here
Vice: I agree
Tom: Sir, there is one other thing
Vice: What's that?
Tom: We had some "complications" and Lisa was injured in the operation
Vice: How badly?
Tom: Well, she experienced a loss of oxygen to the brain: we won't know the extent of the damages until she regains consciousness. She is on her way to the hospital
Vice: How the hell did this happen?
Tom: Sir, she attacked Bishop "suddenly" before we could even get in there: he almost strangled her to death
Vice: And what were you doing during all this? You should've been watching her the whole time. Where was Secret Service?
Tom: Sir, we did everything we could, it just "happened" too fast

Thomas: I'd like you to tender your resignation, Karen.
Karen: [laughs] My resignation; what are you smoking?

Karen: [Surprised to see him] you're coming to say goodbye?
Tom: Well, in a manner of speaking: you're free to go. The Vice President is dropping all charges against you
Karen: What about Bill?
Tom: He's being pardoned as well. First, the Vice President's still expecting your resignations but your free to go, live your lives without fear of prosecution. Is that suitable?
Tom: [Smiles, nods] yes, yes it is
Tom: Well, good luck
Karen: I know you had a hand in this: thank you
Tom: You know, I actually think I'm going to miss you
Karen: Really?
Tom: [Jokingly] I can answer that after you're gone

Vice: [Talking privately] there is "something" in this room you need to know about sir
Vice: "Something" in this room? What're you talking about?
Tom: [while picking up a decorative tray] this small object here is a micro transmitter. After you directed me to lie to the Ambassador about the attempted assassination, I decided to protect myself. Now it turns out, I was protecting the country as well
Vice: Be careful: be very careful on what you try to do here
Tom: [Before taking out and playing a digital recording of Daniels and Miller conspiring to commit perjury] actually sir, you're the one who needs to be careful here
Vice: Turn it off
Tom: As I'm sure you're aware of sir, conspiracy to commit perjury is a felony offense: now I strongly urge you to pick up that phone and call the Supreme Court. You tell them you have withdrawn your affidavit and that of Ms. Miller as well, tell them that you support the vote of the Cabinet. That you no further objections to President Palmer continuing his Presidency
Vice: You do understand that I was only trying to do what's right for this country?
Tom: So am I sir. Are you going to make that call now sir?

President: You're on speaker with Tom Lennox and myself. So what's the situation?
Bill: Jack Bauer wasn't able to extract any information from Fayed: his considered a "dead end." Consequently, we implemented a plan to trick Fayed into leading us to the location of the suitcase nukes
President: What sort of "plan"?
Bill: We staged a fake rescue of Fayed by CTU agents posing as members of a terrorist cell with loyalties to Habib. We "hopped" he would lead us to wherever his men are hold up
President: But he hasn't right?
Bill: No Sir, Fayed is "stalling" until he can get confirmation from Habib that his men are taking orders "from "him". He wants to speak to the General, Sir
President: Habib is still being interrogated: we don't know yet how cooperative his being or even if he will be
Bill: I appreciate that Sir, our agents on the inside are trying to circumvent Fayed's request but Jack believes Fayed will not lead us to the location of the nukes unless he speaks "directly" to the General
President: [to Tom] where is the Ambassador now?
Tom: He arrived a few minutes ago: Karen Hayes is meeting him in the lounge
President: [to Bill] I'll do my best to put "pressure" on the Ambassador, maybe they can "force" him into making that call. Keep doing what you're doing on your end just in case I'm not successful
Bill: Yes Sir, we'll keep you apprised
President: [Before hanging up] alright
Tom: You know Sir, if this ruse isn't working, our time might be better served getting information out of Fayed by more "conventional" means
President: If Jack Bauer says that's a "dead end", then that's a "dead end". I believe him

Tom: [Calling his name while chasing after him in the hallway] yes I hear you
Karen: You can't possibly be in favor of Daniels' plan of a nuclear strike
Tom: You heard the Vice President: it's a "warning shot" into an unpopulated area
Karen: It is a military offensive on foreign soil and you and I both know it will be impossible to contain. You know this is insane, I know you do. I saw you in that meeting. I saw the doubt in your eyes
Tom: Do not presume to know what I am thinking or what I am feeling. I serve at the "discretion" of those above me
Karen: You serve the President and you know Wayne would not sign off on this course of action
Tom: Wayne was wrong: every decision he made today was wrong. Rejecting my security initiates, using Assad as an appeal to his extremist groups, and look what we've been lead to
Karen: You can't seriously believe that, you just cannot
Tom: It doesn't matter what I believe. As long as the President is in a coma, Daniels is the acting Commander in Chief. Now if you want him to abort that missile launch, you had better pray that CTU can find and stop that drone

Tom: [Reading over the statement she prepared] "The latest terrorist "incident?" This was a nuclear bomb: can we call it what it is?
Ellen: We thought it'd give the President a little more "flexibility." Once you mention the word "nuclear", they're not going to hear anything else
Tom: No, actually Ellen, they'll hear the truth. Everybody in this country knows what happened today and now they're looking for reassurances that no matter how ugly this "thing" is, the President is in charge
President: [to both of them] listen, we don't have any tangible leads. If confidence is low, now if I go out there and I lie to the American public and tell them that "we're on top of this"? And some other bomb goes off somewhere, they won't believe a single word I say: that can't happen
Tom: I agree Sir and that's why I see an opportunity here
Karen: Opportunity?
Tom: This bomb is going to remove any remaining doubt that we should be taking more aggressive "measures." Suspension of certain freedoms, internment, and deportation. Now is the time is to start hitting those topics
Karen: Tom, you are counseling we embrace the politics of fear
Tom: I am saying we "embrace" reality: we are afraid but if fear consolidates public support, for "measures" that saves our nation from extinction? Then you bet I am in support of fear
President: Tom, the people can't be any more afraid than they are now. I would like this message to have a "calming" effect. Yes we will call this "a nuclear bomb" because that is what it is but if we expect civil order on those streets, we cannot "stow" the panic
President: [to Ellen] we're not going to mention policy in this speech. The American public just needs to know that every single member of this Administration is working with the single purpose of restoring order and making our streets safe again

Tom: [Referring to conference call between Daniels and Suvarov] well, that did not go well: not that I expected much good will from Suvarov
Karen: I just got off the phone with Jack Bauer
Tom: I thought he was under arrest?
Karen: He is but he called me
Tom: [Implying she should tell him more details on the phone call] ok, he called you?
Karen: Yes and his convinced his father will to get the boy and the circuit board
Tom: How is going to do that? We can verify the authenticity of the board before we hand over Josh. you think Jack's concerns are warranted?
Karen: Absolutely, his Philip Bauer's son and his been more right than we have today
Tom: Point taken there: alright, let's say we refuse to give up Josh, which is the only thing Philip Bauer seems to want and how do we get the circuit board?
Karen: Well, if you don't have any ideas, I might?
Tom: If your plan involves keeping Daniels in the dark...
Karen: [Interrupts him] he won't listen to me but if you...
Tom: [Interrupts her] my relationship with the Vice President is complicated at best. I can't be seen making any run arounds around him. But I promise I won't be looking your way if we do

Karen: [while in the Oval Office] CTU is pouring all their resources into finding Cheng and this Executive Order gives them the authority to close all ports and border crossings
Vice: We can't stop migrant workers from crossing our borders: how the hell are we suppose to stop a determined agent?
Karen: Well, I think the point is to slow him down Sir so CTU has more time to find him but I agree Cheng will find a way to smuggle out the Russian component "eventually"
Vice: So, then Russia loses its defense to the Chinese, and Moscow blames us?
Karen: We will do everything in our power to do that Sir
Karen: [after he signs the Executive Order] thank you
Vice: Tom told me about you and Bill: how you had to fire him from CTU, how'd he take it?
Karen: Not well
Vice: You and I have had our "difficulties" in the past but I want you to know I value your role here and that I appreciate your "sacrifice"
Karen: Thank you
Vice: [after Tom knocks and enters the room] what is it?
Tom: The Russian President is calling for you in the teleconference suite: his insisting on a face to face
Vice: [Confused] did he say what he wants?
Tom: No, but his on with the heads of military and intelligence services
Vice: [to Karen, referring to her and Tom] I want both you with me on this

Tom: [Talking privately, to Daniels, referring to his cell phone] I've got a Philip Bauer holding for you on a scrambled line
Karen: [Surprised] what? What does he want?
Tom: I don't know: his in league with the Chinese, I think we need to hear him out?
Vice: [to Tom] put him on speaker
Vice: Mr. Bauer
Phillip: Thank you for taking my call Mr. Vice President
Vice: What's this about?
Phillip: I think you know what this is about
Vice: Tell me anyway so there's no miscommunication
Phillip: I want my grandson and I want a clear passage to a country of my choice. If you give me that, I'll give you the FB sub circuit board
Vice: You're working with the Chinese
Phillip: I was: they had their chance, they blew it
Vice: How do I know you even have this component?
Phillip: [while reading off the circuit board] the serial number is 3PTL3, check it on any records you have
Vice: [after Tom shows him a schematic of the circuit from his PDA] do you realize what you're asking?
Phillip: I'm offering you the opportunity of avoiding a conflict this country does not want: a war this country cannot afford, not after what's happened today. I'll send my instructions on an encrypted data stream
Vice: [Before Philip abruptly hangs up] Mr. Bauer...
Karen: Sir, you are not seriously considering this. Philip Bauer is a federal fugitive, complicit in selling nuclear weapons to terrorists
Vice: I know what crimes his committed
Karen: Then how can you even entertain the thought of negotiating with him?
Vice: Because maybe we can't afford not to
Karen: We are talking about trading the life of an innocent young boy
Vice: We're talking about the lives of a lot more young men if we go to war with Russia
Karen: And you think Philip Bauer is somebody we can trust? The man is a sociopath
Vice: [Asking for his opinion] Tom?
Tom: He is a sociopath: she's right about that. Given the stakes, this is a risk worth taking sir
Vice: None of this makes sense, everything we know about Suvarov tells us the man wouldn't risk a military engagement even for this piece of technology
Tom: Unless his being squeezed
Vice: By who? His cabinet?
Tom: I don't know, the military. Gredenko was not the only anti-American general left over from the Soviet regime
Karen: Yes, some of them are still in power and Suvarov does rely on them
Vice: [to both of them] so you think these generals are looking for an excuse to pull the trigger?
Tom: Well, it certainly sounds plausible sir

Bill: [Over the phone] we completed our sweep of the strike zone Sir: we recovered four bodies, none of them is Assad
President: [Over the speakerphone inside the Oval Office, surprised] what?
Karen: Are you sure?
Bill: We're still checking the site but it's safe to assume Assad is still alive
President: [shouting to Bill] how the hell did we miss him?
Karen: [to Palmer] we couldn't have. Someone must've warned him
Tom: Or the intel we got from Fayed was bad and Assad was never there to begin with
Karen: Well, that's irrelevant: what matters now is that Assad is still out there
Bill: We're sealing off a ten block perimeter Sir. Assad may still be in the vicinity
President: [Before hanging up with Bill] alright
President: [to Karen] we put everything we had into that strike: we thought if we "cut off the head", we could stop these attacks and now...
President: [to Tom] what do you think Assad's next move is going to be?
Tom: It's likely they'll be more attacks but he will respond: guaranteed

Ambassador: [while in Oval Office] these events in the past few weeks are deeply distressing for all of us. If there's anything we can do to help, please tell me
Wayne: You can help right now Mr. Ambassador: you can have a very "candid" conversation with us
Ambassador: I'm always "candid", Mr. President
Karen: Mr. Ambassador, we've been in contact with Hamri Al-Assad. We know his been a "driving force" behind a number of terrorist attacks around the country, around the world for the past two decades
Ambassador: I know who he is
Wayne: Assad "claims" his renounced terrorism Mr. Ambassador, says his "willing" to negotiate: do you think his telling the truth?
Ambassador: I have reason to believe he is telling the truth
Tom: But how much "influence" does he have? Does he speak to a large number of terrorist organizations?
Ambassador: As you know, there are literally hundreds of such groups but Assad's reputation is that many of them, not all by any means, but a "substantial" number would follow his lead at least for a while
Wayne: So this could really be a "significant" step towards peace?
Ambassador: I sincerely hope so
Wayne: Thank you Mr. Ambassador: you've been extremely helpful
Ambassador: [Shaking hands] your welcome Mr. President

Wayne: [after Tom and Karen enter the Oval Office] I've just approved the written agreement with Assad
Karen: That was quick
Wayne: It had to be. We don't the time to "stand on ceremony." Tom, I know you disapprove of this agreement but you have got to put that behind you: the issue now is how we "position" this with the public
Tom: It must be kept "from" the public
Wayne: That's not practical Tom. Word will leak out: it's to our advantage to make it known that Assad is on our side
Tom: Then don't disclose the form of the agreement. Don't use the words "pardon" or "amnesty". We're cooperating
Karen: I agree. Let's not portray Assad as a terrorist but someone's who's renounced terrorism and wants peace
Tom: Terror turned "statesman"
Karen: His not the first: the point is saving lives: that needs to be our focus here
Tom: Ok so for every life that was lost in the past, because of this man, ten more would be saved in the future by working with him. Alright, let's face it, the logic is compelling
Wayne: Alright, let's make a set of briefing points and get them to our communication people
Karen: I'm on it
Tom: [after Karen leaves to Palmer] I still have to say, I don't like this
Wayne: I understand and it makes me appreciate your loyalty all the more

Lisa: There's "something" on the agenda I think you want immediate clarification on
Vice: What's that?
Lisa: [Hands him a piece of paper] Wayne Palmer just issued a "finding" about allowing Jack Bauer to hand classified Russian technology over to the Chinese in exchange for the return of a "covertly" held hostage
Vice: [to Karen, holding the piece of paper] can you explain this?
Karen: Yes, that was a "personal request" from Jack Bauer to the President: they have a long standing relationship and as Jack Bauer was largely responsible for recovering the suitcase nukes today, the President wanted to honor his service to this country
Vice: I asked you to explain it, not "excuse" it
Karen: Understood, Bauer has "guaranteed" that the technology will not fall into the hands of the Chinese, it will only be used to "secure" the hostage
Tom: Incidentally sir, the hostage in question is Audrey Raines: the daughter of James Heller
Vice: Even Jack Bauer can't "guarantee" that outcome. Now I am "happy" to honor Agent Bauer's service to this country but not at the risk of giving classified technology to the Chinese and "potentially" damaging our relationship with Russia in the process: you tell CTU to stop Bauer immediately
Karen: Sir, the President expressly...
Vice: [Interrupts her] that's enough for now

Tom: You asked to see me Sir?
President: Yes, I'd like to hear your thoughts on something
Tom: My thoughts on what Sir?
President: Assad's speech: his going live in less than one hour and before I give him my thoughts, I wanted to hear yours. Is there a problem?
Tom: No Sir, it's just...
President: [Interrupts him] what?
Tom: I assumed you were no longer interested in my opinion Sir
President: I still value your judgment and if I made you feel otherwise, I apologize

Tom: I just heard about Karen's resignation: sorry for the loss
President: Are you really sorry? Because your words seem somewhat hollow to me
Tom: It's no secret Karen and I "butted heads" the last few weeks. Nevertheless, I "respected" her as an adversary
President: She never gave me a concrete reason why she resigned but there was "something". "Something" she wasn't telling me
Tom: [while handing him a file folder] this "may" have something to do with it. This is the draft of the Executive Order I presented this morning, Karen found out I was going to resubmit to you for your authorization
President: So she quit? That makes absolutely no sense to me: she's never been afraid of a fight
Tom: Maybe she finally realized her arguments were invalid and this is the only possible response to the dangers we're facing?
President: Tell me why I would sign off on something I rejected six hours ago?
Tom: Because Sir six hours ago, we didn't know Fayed had nukes
President: Even so, you're talking about suspending Habeas corpus, expanding the length, and broadening the criteria for those detention centers. Those actions would constitute a brazen abuse of Executive Power
Tom: Those actions would damage Fayed's network: limiting his ability to make use of these remaining nuclear weapons. Sir, Fayed's sole intention here is the destruction of our country, its infrastructure, social order, entire way of life, and he has the will and the means to make good on that threat
President: Have you stopped to think about the fact that I will be forcing the people who elected me to give up their rights and freedoms defining the essence of this country?
Tom: Sir, if one more nuke goes off, it will have been Fayed who redefined our country
President: [Referring to Tom's Executive Order] pass this out to the Cabinet, we'll reconvene in thirty minutes

Reed: [Meeting privately] I was beginning to get worried
Tom: Meeting went long: here's the President's itinerary
Reed: Ok, this will work
Tom: So, when's all this happening?
Reed: For now, I need you to authorize clearance for somebody to get inside the bunker. Once his inside, he'll "carry the ball"
Tom: [Amused] "Carry the ball?" You mean kill the President?
Reed: I would like to think we are beyond the point of "second guessing" ourselves. This President has endangered the lives of millions of people
Tom: You do not need to tell me what the stakes are here. So, who's this person we're putting inside?
Reed: He's a security specialist: private sector but I've already put in a request for him to advise my group on civil response options. He has a Level Two clearance, I just need you to upgrade him
Tom: They'll trace this thing right back to me
Reed: No, you won't even be investigated. We have a "cover"
Tom: A "cover?" Who?
Reed: Assad
Tom: Assad? You're trying to make it look like he did this?
Reed: Sir, all you need to do is call in your authorization

Vice: So, have you given any thought to our earlier conversation?
Tom: Yes I have sir
Vice: And?
Tom: And I agree that the priority here is to protect our country and I am prepared to "look the other way" regarding "details" of the assassination plot "to a point"
Vice: Well, what does that mean?
Tom: It means the truth must ultimately come out: Reed and Carson need to be punished for what they did
Vice: And they will. Look, all I'm trying to do is to keep America united. I can't have our critics screaming "Look how bad we are, we're worst than the terrorists." We need to keep our eye on the ball right now
Tom: On that point sir, we are in complete agreement
Vice: Good because I need you to tell the Ambassador and Assad's country that you saw Assad plant the bomb that injured the President
Tom: Sir, "looking the other way" is one thing but choosing to tell a lie to the Ambassador, that becomes a matter of public record
Vice: Now you listen to me, if we expect to navigate through this crisis, I need you to "cooperate"
Tom: Yes and I would like to "cooperate..."
Vice: [Interrupts him, raises his voice] I'm still talking. Come on, let's just "count our blessings" here for a minute: President Palmer survived this awful attack and neither you nor I had anything to do with this heinous plot to kill him and the most beautiful fact of all is that we now have the opportunity to implement the correct policy to stop these terrorists lunatics. Can you just put aside your distastes for my methods for one minute and think about the great gifts that have been given to us?
Tom: I will think long and hard sir
Vice: Good. Now I need you to tell the Ambassador that Assad carried in the bomb, I'll take it from there ok?
Tom: Sir, I would like to know what you "hope" to "achieve" in your talk with the Ambassador
Vice: I want him to know that we'll hold his country responsible for "all of it." The nuke and the assignation attempt: they need to be "motivated" to rein in these terrorists and I want them to know America is mad as hell and is ready to retaliate with a nuclear "option"

Tom: [while looking at his report] I think I've identified the "leak" sir
Vice: Is here or CTU?
Tom: Very much here sir, I had NSA run a "data sort" on all White House phone calls and emails over the last two and a half hours: that's when we "found out" the sub circuit board was in "play"
Vice: And?
Tom: During the same timeframe, one of "our" staffers, called a lobbyist: Mark Bishop three times. Now CIA "flagged" this Bishop two years ago as having "possible to likely" contact with Russian intelligence agents. No further investigation was done, due to "lack of resources"
Vice: Which staffer are we talking about here?
Tom: Lisa Miller, sir
Vice: I find it hard to believe she's "working" for the Russians
Tom: I don't think she did so "knowingly," she wouldn't have called Bishop from her phone
Vice: I don't understand how this man is getting information from her
Tom: Well, so far we have found credit cards records that show Ms. Miller and Bishop staying at the same hotels, on the same nights, several times over the past year, and I think if we "dig" a little deeper, we'll find more evidence that these two are sleeping together
Vice: Then we have a "bigger problem" than you think
Tom: Why's that sir?
Vice: Because I'm sleeping with her too: she started working for me two years after my wife Nancy died. I didn't think I'd feel that way for another woman again but Lisa and I became "close" in the last year. We were working late one night, you understand how these "things" happen, what a fool I've been. What the hell do I do?
Tom: You know actually sir, handled "correctly", we may be able to turn this situation over to our advantage

Thomas: The Constitution is a wonderful thing, Karen, but back in the days of the Founding Fathers, the weapon at hand was a single-shot musket. It took half a minute to load and fire. Fayed just killed 12,000 people in less time without even taking aim. I love the Constitution, but I won't be ducking behind it when the next nuke goes off.

Wayne: So now we have to assume there is a rogue nuclear weapon somewhere on American soil or there will be soon?
Tom: All agencies are advised to proceed under that assumption
Wayne: So, what're we doing about this Karen?
Karen: "Suitcase nukes", the term refers to a number of devices manufactured by the former Soviet Union: small enough for one individual to carry and they have a yield of one kiloton or less
Wayne: Potential damage?
Karen: The kill rate for a typical suitcase nuke is about half a mile. The radiation from the blast greatly extends that radius depending on the prevailing winds and other weather conditions
Tom: You just arrived at the point here Karen, how many causalities are we talking about?
Karen: Well, that depends on the population density: in a crowded city, many thousands would die instantly. Taking the radiation into account, the number of deaths and serious injuries would multiply into the hundreds of thousands

Tom: [Talking privately, referring to the assassination attempt on Palmer] I tried to stop this
Vice: I'd like to believe you but I'll leave it up to the Justice Department to determine your role in this as well as Assad's
Tom: Assad? Reed was setting him up: he had nothing to do with this
Vice: [Raises his voice] you don't know that. It's my understanding you suggested that "others" besides Reed and this man Carson may have been involved?
Tom: Only because Reed implied as much, I was just trying to "fair" it out who else might be involved
Vice: Did you?
Tom: [Shakes his head] no
Vice: Then it's "conceivable" that at the very least Assad may have been a "willing participant" in this attack
Tom: [Raises his voice] that makes no sense what so ever
Vice: [Raises his voice even louder] Assad was a terrorist who hated this country and everything it stands for, what better way for him to rally his people than to martyr himself by murdering the President of the United States
Tom: [Stands up] don't you understand that is exactly what Reed and Carson wanted this to look like? And you're playing right into it
Vice: I am going to address the nation shortly on what's happened: until I have all the facts, I am not about to tell them that Hamri Al-Assad is innocent in this
Tom: I see what you're doing here. By scapegoating Assad, you'll be able to reverse the President's agenda, get even more aggressive with the Islamic community. You think I don't see what you're doing here?
Vice: [Sternly] it's your plan, you outlined those measures yourself. I was your staunchest advocate. What has happened to the President is horrific so if there's any good to come from this is that we now have the opportunity to do we both know is the best interest of protecting this country
Tom: You're asking a whole heck of a lot more for me to just maintain silence on Assad
Vice: The Cabinet knows that you are the architect of the plan. If you're not on the face of it now, it may raise questions. You've come to believe the President was "correct" in rejecting your proposals
Tom: Now I know it was the only way to stop these attacks
Vice: Then you can "stick" to your "assertion" of Assad's "complete innocence", or I can clear you of these charges if you help me to initiate your plan, which we both know is in the best interest of this country

Karen: Now you're making policy "unilaterally", the President was absolutely clear about your proposals
Thomas: I'm sorry, what is this about?
Karen: [Reading from a piece of paper] "National Guard policing major cities, expanding detention space based on soft intel." You authorized these without Presidential consent
Thomas: Now how many times do you think we're going to be going over this? I am taking "preparatory" steps to allow the President to act swiftly should he decide to act at all. Nobody is authorizing anything
Karen: That's what you said about the detention facilities and yet those "preparatory measures" turned into a paramilitary operation
Thomas: Well, however you chose to characterize it, the President agreed to all of these actions
Karen: Your just distorting the facts: what is it? Is it you think I'm some kind of "bleeding heart liberal", who's preaching civil liberties? Is that it?
Thomas: I'll tell you what I think: the Constitution is a wonderful thing but back in the days of the Founding Fathers, the weapon at hand was a single shot musket. It took half a minute to load and fire. Fayed just killed 12,000 people in less time without even taking aim. I love the Constitution, but I won't be "ducking" behind it when the next nuke goes off
Karen: I'm a realist too and I am willing to do what it takes to protect this country
Thomas: [Raises his voice] no, you are not
Karen: But I am looking a little further down the road: these warrantless arrests and detention centers will cause irreparable damage to this country
Thomas: [Irritated] you know something? Why don't you just hop a shuttle over to the Justice Department?
Karen: You are using this crisis...
Thomas: [Interrupts her] you don't belong in national security
Karen: [Finishing her sentence before she was interrupted] to advance a very dangerous agenda and take advantage of Presidential power and I will not let you do it. And if you think you are going to wear me down, you are sadly mistaken
Thomas: [Before leaving the room] actually, you're wearing me down

Tom: [while Bishop is in handcuffs] we have incontrovertible evidence you are spying for the Russians: we recordings of you on the phone with the agent "running" you. Do I have your attention?
Tom: [after Bishop remains silent] alright so here it is: you are going to upload the emails from Ms. Miller's PDA to your players, additionally you are going to call your handler to back up the story these emails tell, naming our country destroyed the circuit board before it could fall into Chinese hands. Now if you comply, you can push for leniency in your sentencing, if you do not, and I can all but guarantee you the death penalty

Tom: [Meeting privately] you sure it's safe to talk in here?
Reed: Yes, this area is currently unmonitored
Tom: Alright, you intimated you had some plan on dealing with the President
Reed: Palmer's refusal to implement your proposals will unquestionably lead to the loss of many more American lives and I and many others like me who love this country will not stand idly and let that happen
Tom: So what is it you propose?
Reed: I think you know
Tom: I need to hear it
Reed: "Definitive action." We are in the middle of a national crisis and he is in over his head: his brought this on himself. Before you start "reconsidering" reporting me, just know I will deny we ever had this conversation
Tom: I'm not "reconsidering", I know what your saying is necessary, just cannot believe it's come to this. Who else is involved?
Reed: You don't need to know that
Tom: I'd like to know who I'm dealing with
Reed: Right now, you're dealing with me
Tom: Vice President Daniels, is he involved?
Reed: No, the Vice President doesn't know anything about this but we do know he shares our "sentiment" regarding the current "state of affairs" and he will enact your initiatives once he has the power to do so
Tom: You seem certain this is going to work
Reed: More so with your help, I need the President's itinerary: specifically in regards to Assad's televised address. I do not have the proper clearance, I need you to access it
Tom: Why? Why do you need this? Damn it. We are talking about removing the President of the United States, do not keep me "in the dark" here
Reed: I never said I was the architect of this, I'm just a conduit. Besides, for your sake it is very important we maintain a certain level of "plausible deniability." The less you know, the better
Tom: [Before leaving] I'll get you that itinerary

Tom: Your sister's been arrested
President: What? When?
Tom: Less than hour ago: the FBI was sent to the offices of the Islamic American Alliance to serve a warrant for the personnel files. Sandra proceeded to delete them right in front of the agents. They had no choice but to arrest her
President: Damn it, where is she being taken to?
Tom: She's being detained at one of our "provisional" facilities