The table reading of the episode was held on Wednesday, December 12, 1990. Julia Louis-Dreyfus stated, "I read the script and I remember thinking, 'We're not going to do this.'" According to Alexander, when she read a scene in which she holds the gun to her head stating, "Where do you want it, Jerry? The Kennedy? [holds the gun to her stomach] The McKinley?" (referencing the assassination of the two American presidents), Louis-Dreyfus turned to Alexander, stating, "I'm not doing this." Both Alexander and Cherones, who would direct the episode, felt that the gun content in the story was too provocative. Richards was concerned that his character would be open about arming Elaine, though in a later interview he stated, "Although, why not? I think Kramer could justify the use of a weapon."

Julia Louis-Dreyfus post VEEP would've done it and it would've won an Primetime Emmy.