History Main / HandcuffedBriefcase

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* During UsefulNotes/WorldWarII the British [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Mincemeat dumped a body dressed in a British officer's uniform]] off the Spanish coast, with [[WeNeedADistraction fake plans on where the Allies were going to invade next]]. To ensure the plans stayed with the body they used a leather-covered chain (used by bank couriers at the time) attached to a briefcase, though since the cover story was that 'Major Martin' had been on a long air trip, the chain was looped through his belt instead of run down the sleeve.

* During UsefulNotes/WorldWarII the British [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Mincemeat dumped a body dressed in a British officer's uniform]] off the Spanish coast, with [[WeNeedADistraction fake plans on where the Allies were going to invade Europe]]. To ensure the plans stayed with the body they used a leather-covered chain (used by bank couriers at the time) attached to a briefcase, though since the cover story was that 'Major Martin' had been on a long air trip, the chain was looped through his belt instead of run down the sleeve.

* During UsefulNotes/WorldWarII the British dumped a body dressed in a British officer's uniform off the Spanish coast, with [[WeNeedADistraction fake plans on where the Allies were going to invade Europe]]. To ensure the plans stayed with the body they used a leather-covered chain (used by bank couriers at the time) attached to a briefcase, though since the story was that he'd been on a long air trip the chain was looped through his belt instead of run down the sleeve.

* During planning for [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII Operation Mincemeat]], the British had to make sure "Major Martin's" briefcase stayed with him. They used a leather-covered chain (used by bank couriers at the time) to attach the briefcase; though since the story was that he'd been on a long air trip the chain was looped through his trenchcoat belt instead of run down the sleeve.

* According to DaveBarry, seeing someone get mugged on the UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity subway is an easy way to identify them as out-of-towners, since native New Yorkers have long since learned to keep their valuables attached with solid chains bolted directly to their skeletons.

* ''Series/{{UFO}}'' episode "Identified". Colonel Straker has a briefcase containing evidence of the existence of U.F.O.s chained to his wrist. When the car he's riding in is attacked by a U.F.O., he's thrown out of it and the chain is broken. The evidence burns up in the fiery wreck of the car.

* In the episode "High Court Storm" of ''Series/{{Tiger Cubs}}'', a High Court guard is seen going inside a courtroom with a briefcase that's been handcuffed to the guard's wrist.

* ''Film/{{Condorman}}''. Comic book writer Woody's task is to courier one to a Soviet FemmeFataleSpy. When someone throws a knife at him, Woody instinctively flinches, raising the briefcase on its chain to miraculously block the knife. This convinces the Soviet spy that Woody really is the elite secret agent he's pretending to be.

->'''Max:''' Yes, well it was a black attache case, about oh... ''(gestures with hands)'' so big. Morocco leather. Beautiful case. And let's see...oh yes! There was a man attached to it.

->'''Stewardess:''' Well if you describe it too me, maybe I can find it.
->'''Max:''' Yes, well it was a black attache case, about oh... ''(gestures with hands)'' so big. Morocco leather. Beautiful case. And let's see...oh yes! There was a man attached to it.

-->'''Max:''' Yes, well it was a black attache case, about oh... ''(gestures with hands)'' so big. Morocco leather. Beautiful case. And let's see...oh yes! There was a man attached to it.

* ''Series/PersonOfInterest''. In "Search and Destroy", Root steals a kevlar-protected (but not chained) briefcase from a courier. Later when those she stole it from come after her, she takes out handcuffs and attaches the case to her wrist, to leave her hands free for fighting.

* ''WebVideo/TheHire''. This is the MacGuffin in "Ticker". When it looks like the Driver might refuse the mission after a helicopter gunship attacks them, the courier chains it to the Driver's wrist instead. "Now drive!"

* The characters end up having to take one of these from a couple armed guards in EagleEye. Although the contents are unknown at the time, it's revealed later that [[spoiler: it's an injection of a experimental compound that slows the heart rate to the point where they just hibernate, instead of suffocate.]]

[[caption-width-right:350:Your important stuff is safe in that briefcase.[[note]]Unless [[BodyHorror the bad guy/s resort to drastic measures.[[/note]]]]]]

When whatever is in the briefcase is too important to lose, the briefcase will often be handcuffed to the courier. Whether it's a BriefcaseFullOfMoney, jewels, or most often top secret documents, it adds a level of security to the package. However, there are [[BodyHorror ways]] around this.

* According to DaveBarry, seeing someone get mugged on the UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity subway is an easy way to identify them as out-of-towners, native New Yorkers having long since learned to keep their valuables attached with solid chains bolted directly to their skeletons.

* In the {{WesternAnimation/Futurama}} film Bender's Big Score, Professor Farnsworth's doomsday device, kept within a briefcase bag, is directly handcuffed to him in order to prevent it from being stolen. Bender later gets around this by sawing the Professor's hand off.