Object

Sam's Stapler

Sam packs his desk amid departure for his congressional campaign. Toby spots the stapler amid small items like a Lakers banner and instructs Sam to leave it behind—another staffer will need it for routine office tasks. The stapler stands as a mundane fixture of Sam's workspace, caught in the brisk exchange that mixes barbs with practical handoff instructions.

2 appearances

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S4E10 · Arctic Radar

Optics, Exits, and Who Writes the Speech

The stapler is invoked as a piece of shared West Wing property Toby insists Sam leave behind; it functions as a concrete shorthand for institutional continuity and small, practical responsibilities that outlast departures.

Before: On Sam's desk among personal belongings being packed.

After: Left behind in the office for the next occupant; remains institutional property.

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S4E10 · Arctic Radar

Parting Advice in a Packed Box

The stapler acts as a small, practical proxy for institutional continuity. Toby insists Sam leave it behind so the next West Wing occupant has necessary supplies; it becomes a brief argument about public vs. personal property amid departure rituals.

Before: On Sam's desk among other personal items; implicitly being packed or considered for packing.

After: Left behind in the office for the next occupant to use; retained as West Wing property.

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