Object

Security Tag

Charlie Young hands Claire Huddle a security tag in the rain-soaked White House driveway before dawn. She slips it around her neck, gaining entry past staff into the Oval Office. The tag serves as her credential amid the tense delivery of John Hoynes's resignation letter to President Bartlet, with C.J. and others watching silently.

2 appearances

Purpose

Grant authorized access to restricted White House areas

Significance

Enables Claire Huddle to enter as official messenger, heightening the stakes of the resignation handoff and framing the episode's central mystery

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S4E21 · Life on Mars

Claire Delivers Hoynes's Resignation

The security tag is handed by Charlie to Claire under the covered driveway and used as her credential to pass through guarded interiors; it physically authorizes her movement and signals official access for the sensitive handoff.

Before: In Charlie's possession, ready to issue to an arriving visitor under the driveway.

After: Worn around Claire's neck as she proceeds past staff into the Oval Office; remains on her while she completes the handoff.

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S4E21 · Life on Mars

The Resignation Letter Delivered

A security tag is issued by Charlie and placed around Claire's neck to grant her authorized access through West Wing checkpoints; it functions as the practical key enabling a private delivery to the President and signals official acceptance of her presence.

Before: In Charlie's possession under the covered driveway, ready to authenticate visitors.

After: Worn by Claire around her neck while she proceeds to the Oval Office; possession likely retained by Claire until escorted out.

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