Gun Metal
from the TV series created by Aaron Sorkin
(Monica (Janel Moloney), a very sweet 25-year-old, appears at the door of Casey's (Peter Krause) office. She's holding several dress shirts over one arm and several neckties over the other. It would appear that she's had to summon most of her courage for this moment.)
Monica: Excuse me, Mr. McCall?
Casey: Yeah.
(He turns off the TV)
Monica: I'm sorry, is this a bad time?
Casey: For what?
Monica: I'd like to ask you a question, but if you're preparing the show, if this is a bad time, I can come back.
Casey: What's your question?
Monica: What's my name?
Casey: (beat) What's your name?
Monica: Yes.
Casey: What are we doing right now?
Monica: If this is a bad time --
Casey: I'm sorry, I'm not very good at remembering names.
Monica: Who was the number two man on the Boston Red Sox staff in 1977?
Casey: It was Ferguson Jenkins.
Monica: My name's Monica. I'm the assistant wardrobe supervisor for Sports Night as well as two other shows here at CSC. I think you hurt the feelings of the woman I work for. Her name is Maureen and she's been working here since the day you started.
Casey: I know Maureen.
Monica: Can I ask you another question?
Casey: I'm sorry I didn't know your name.
Monica: (holding up a necktie) Do you know what color this is?
Casey: It's grey.
Monica: It's called gun metal. Grey has more ivory in it, gun metal has more blue. Can you tell me which of these shirts you should wear it with?
Casey: I don't know.
Monica: No you don't. There's no reason why you should. You're not supposed to know what shirt goes with what suit or how a color in a necktie can pick up your eyes. You're not expected to know what's going to clash with what Dan's wearing or what pattern's gonna bleed when Dave changes the lighting. Mr. McCall, you get so much attention and so much praise for what you actually do, and all of it's deserved. When you go on a talk-show and get complimented on something you didn't, how hard would it be to say "That's not me. That's a woman named Maureen who's been working for us since the first day. It's Maureen who dresses me every night, and without Maureen, I wouldn't know gun metal from a hole in the ground." Do you have an idea what it wouldn've meant to her? Do you have any idea how many times she would've played that tape for her husband and her kids? (beat) I know this is when it starts to get busy for you, and I hope I didn't take up too much of your time. Please don't tell Maureen I spoke to you, she'd be pretty mad at me.
Casey: (pause) I won't, Monica.
(Monica leaves)
Kudos and much thanks go to Robert-Sean Patrick for this monologue, it is very much appreciated.