Object

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

Purpose

Office copy paper supply

Significance

Comedic red herring that hazes new associate counsel Quincy, highlights staff hierarchy, and underscores his outsider status during orientation.

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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