Object

Coffee Served During Starbucks Robbery (Leo's Anecdote)

Leo shares an anecdote with Toby about a Starbucks robbery where employees continue serving hot coffee to customers despite armed intruders demanding money. The coffee embodies routine persistence amid chaos, mentioned during light banter in Leo's office that precedes a shift to urgent Oval Office matters. No direct interaction occurs; the story punctuates political talk on patronage and loyalty.

2 appearances

Purpose

Hot beverage served to customers during robbery

Significance

Anchors Leo's tale of absurd normalcy in crisis, lightening tense discussion on Senate retribution and confirmations before humanitarian pivot

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S4E9 · Swiss Diplomacy

Office Banter Hardens into Political Demand — Then a Clinical Crisis

The anecdotal image of coffee served during a Starbucks robbery functions as a rhetorical prop: it colors Leo's opening tone, illustrates opportunism and routine amid chaos, and helps contrast the petty-seeming patronage fight with the real emergency that follows.

Before: Referenced in conversation as part of Leo's opening anecdote, serving as a humorous, concrete image.

After: Remains a rhetorical device; the anecdote is left hanging as the scene pivots to the Oval Office emergency.

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S4E9 · Swiss Diplomacy

Six Hours Out — No Surgeon

The coffee anecdote (Leo's Starbucks story) is an emblematic prop: it frames the tone of the opening conversation, grounding staff banter in an absurd domestic image before the emergency breaks that tonal rhythm.

Before: Referenced verbally during Leo's opening anecdote.

After: Becomes narratively irrelevant once the lack of a doctor is announced.

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