Xerox Paper Boxes

Joe Quincy eyes these boxes in the Vice President's grungy steam pipe trunk distribution venue office and declares them Xerox paper. Blair Spoonhour snaps back with a correction, prompting chuckles from C.J. Cregg and the group. The error fuels immediate ribbing, marking Quincy as green while staff like the Washington Post science editor look on.

2 appearances

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S4E21 · Life on Mars

Orientation by Ribbing — Quincy Entrenched as Hoynes' Counsel

Joe mistakes the stacked boxes for Xerox paper, creating a comic beat that underlines his outsider status; Blair corrects him, turning the joke into a quick character-establishing moment.

Before: Boxes sit on the shelf, visually indistinguishable to a newcomer.

After: Corrected identification: they are briefing boxes, not Xerox; the comedic misunderstanding resolved.

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S4E21 · Life on Mars

Orientation and Orders: Quincy Is Put On Notice

Joe mistakes one stack for Xerox paper, providing a comic beat that highlights his inexperience in this setting and Blair's corrective role; the misreading punctuates his outsider status and the Counsel Office's joking culture.

Before: Boxes sit on the shelf and are visually ambiguous to Joe, who jokes they are Xerox paper.

After: Blair corrects him; the boxes are revealed as briefing materials, not supply boxes, and remain on the shelf.

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