Parks and Recreation Episode 7.08 Ms. Ludgate-Dwyer Goes to Washington

Leslie and April are headed to Washington D.C. to drum up legislative support for the proposed park budgets. Leslie being Leslie, of course there's a binder filled with a minute-by-minute schedule, itinerary and briefing documents. But April's got a problem, one she's afraid to tell Leslie about: she's planning to leave government work and find something more meaningful. But she knows Leslie will flip out over the news, so she soldiers on, binder in hand.

They head to the airport, where Leslie unveils yet another binder for April: an official five-year career plan, charting a steady and rewarding path up the ladder of government jobs. It's all there, from fashion choices, to branches of government to policy objectives. It's thorough - and thoroughly terrifying for April. It even comes with matching "Gov Buddies for Life" T-shirts.

Back in Pawnee, Andy makes it his mission to find April a new job while she's away. He reviews her scribbled list of ideal job attributes (a few examples: "Get to be my own boss. Mostly work one on one. Tell people what to do. Passionate interest in subject matter. Work with Zombies."), then meets with Ben and Ron to explore some possibilities. At Very Good Building Company, we meet what appears to be a bevy of Ron's brothers. Could April fit in here? Maybe not. Still, Ron's determined to help pry another wretched soul away from government work.

In Washington, Leslie and April meet with their big boss, Assistant Interior Secretary Randy Steptaszkji, to plot their barnstorming tour of Capitol Hill. They review their presentation and then head out, paying a visit first to California senator Barbra Boxer, then New York's Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. They bushwhack John McCain in the Capitol lobby, then make a combined presentation to Cory Booker and Orrin Hatch, who seem to offer their support before making a pitch of their own: They invite April, Leslie and Randy to their concert of Polynesian folk music tonight in Georgetown. The name of their group? Across the Isle.

Ben wonders if a job at his old accounting firm, Tilton and Randomski, might fit the bill for April; they've opened up a new consulting division. Along with Ron and Andy, Ben pays a visit to Barney, his old client at the firm. Ben charms Barney (not a difficult task) before pitching up April for a job. Barney's flattered but explains that the application process is over.

Between legislative appointments, Randy pulls Leslie aside. He tells her that a position is opening up in the Interior Department and he'd like Leslie to consider it: Deputy Director of Operations. It's a huge step up, one that would require Leslie to move to D.C., take part in the Senior Executive Service Candidate Development program and pass a confirmation hearing. Leslie's so excited to say yes, she stops a stranger to ask if she can borrow her hat so she can throw it up in the air.

Later Leslie takes April to a picturesque bench along the Mall to tell her she's accepted the job offer. There's even an updated five-year career plan for April; Leslie wants her to move to D.C. with her. But April can't take it anymore. She stammers her way through a confession to Leslie that she's been working with Andy and Ben to help find a fulfilling new job back home, one outside of government. She's quitting. Shocked, Leslie walks away.

Leslie heads to a favorite waffle shop for lunch with friend Madeleine Albright. She tells her tale of woe. Madeleine gently explains to Leslie that her passion sometimes blinds her to other people's feelings. She tells Leslie that sometimes all you can do is give people a little bit of advice and a push, but then you've got to step back and let them make up their own minds. Leslie takes it to heart.

Ron, Andy and Ben regroup. They decide they need to push Barney a little harder to consider April. They mobilize Craig, Garry and Donna to put together presentation and research materials and burnish April's resume (her old one was simply a signed photo of TV's Alf). Andy goes off the reservation, putting on an April cutout mask and cornering Barney in his parking lot after work. Andy lights an assortment of fireworks and screams at Barney to hire April.

In the shadow of the Washington Monument, Leslie sits with April to apologize for storming off and for trying to control her destiny. April's touched and tells Leslie she appreciates all she's done and that she loves her. They hug. Leslie then takes her to her friend Alyssa at the American Service Foundation, an organization that helps young people explore new career directions in public service. The consultation works; now April knows what she wants to do: work at the American Service Foundation, helping young people find new careers. "I want to tell people what to do and then send them far away from me." It seems like a perfect fit. Leslie loves the idea.

Back at Tilton and Randomski, Ron and Ben make the case for April, unaware that she's chosen to work in Washington. Barney's impressed by the personal pleas and agrees to interview April for a job. But just as he's giving the good news to Ron and Ben, Ben's phone rings. It's April, explaining that she's not interested in any job at Tilton and Randomski. It's an awkward moment, but a triumphant one. Finally, Ms. Ludgate-Dwyer has something to believe in.