Object

Sam's Stapler

Sam packs his desk amid departure for his congressional campaign. Toby spots the stapler amid small items like a Lakers banner and instructs Sam to leave it behind—another staffer will need it for routine office tasks. The stapler stands as a mundane fixture of Sam's workspace, caught in the brisk exchange that mixes barbs with practical handoff instructions.

2 appearances

Purpose

Stapling documents in daily White House office workflow

Significance

Symbolizes the transfer of routine resources as Sam exits, highlighting personnel shifts and Toby's pragmatic guidance during transition

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S4E10 · Arctic Radar

Optics, Exits, and Who Writes the Speech

The stapler is invoked as a piece of shared West Wing property Toby insists Sam leave behind; it functions as a concrete shorthand for institutional continuity and small, practical responsibilities that outlast departures.

Before: On Sam's desk among personal belongings being packed.

After: Left behind in the office for the next occupant; remains institutional property.

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S4E10 · Arctic Radar

Parting Advice in a Packed Box

The stapler acts as a small, practical proxy for institutional continuity. Toby insists Sam leave it behind so the next West Wing occupant has necessary supplies; it becomes a brief argument about public vs. personal property amid departure rituals.

Before: On Sam's desk among other personal items; implicitly being packed or considered for packing.

After: Left behind in the office for the next occupant to use; retained as West Wing property.

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