Object

Donald Dolan's Landline Phone

Nervous fingers snatch the receiver in the dimly lit Executive Clerk's office late at night, rookie Donald Dolan dialing Josh Lyman's line as stoic Kovaleski exits with the uniformed guard looming—blue folder clutching the House-passed Death Tax Elimination Act override bill, protocol demand thrusting the override crisis into White House frenzy with anxious voice confirming immediate notification for presidential signature or veto.

2 appearances

Purpose

Dialing urgent calls to notify West Wing senior staff of arriving legislation requiring President Bartlet's immediate signature or veto decision.

Significance

Triggers the explosive late-night chain reaction of whip counts, defection hunts, and crisis mobilization across the White House, shattering personal moments and escalating the veto override battle to fever pitch.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S3E4 · On the Day Before

Kovaleski Delivers Death Tax Override Bill to Nervous Rookie Dolan

Dolan snatches the landline receiver post-handoff, dials Josh Lyman with anxious precision to report Clerk's bill delivery, bridging clerical isolation to deputy chief nexus and igniting override crisis chain reaction in the dead of night.

Before: Idle on console in dark, empty Executive Clerk's office

After: Active in Dolan's hand, connected and ringing Josh Lyman's line

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S3E4 · On the Day Before

Donna's Bow Tie Banter with Josh Interrupted by Bill Crisis

Donald Dolan's landline phone serves as the vital conduit for crisis ignition: Dolan dials Josh's line from the dim Executive Clerk's office, nervously confirming the blue-folder estate tax override bill's arrival to Donna, who verifies and relays, thrusting the White House into veto frenzy and symbolizing bureaucracy's sudden eruption into power corridors.

Before: Idle in Dolan's possession within Executive Clerk's office at midnight

After: Hung up post-call, remaining in office as aftermath unfolds

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