History Main / HandcuffedBriefcase

* ''Series/GetSmart''. Our bumbling hero Maxwell Smart manages to lose the courier he's escorting on an airliner in mid-flight. He duly gives a detailed description of a missing briefcase to the stewardess, concluding with, "oh yes, there was a man attached to it."

* ''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 the case to the Driver's wrist instead. "Now drive!"

* Kentucky Fried Chicken used to hide the secret recipe in a briefcase and handcuffed to the wrist of a hired guard [[http://custodianvaults.com.au/security-first/kfcs-top-secret-safe-vault-kfc-protects-recipe when its headquarters underwent security upgrades to get a new vault installed.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/MuppetBabies'': One of their {{Imagine Spot}}s had Kermit as a secret agent trying to transport a briefcase like this, and the others being enemy agents trying to steal it in one of those mystery on the train scenarios. Their attempts to steal it got pretty blatant, up to Gonzo trying to hide it under his hat ''while it was still cuffed to Kermit's wrist''!

* The list of winners for the 2015 Golden Globes was brought by representatives of Ernst & Young, in briefcases, [[http://www.peoplestylewatch.com/people/stylewatch/package/article/0,,20881790_20890913,00.html with rhinestone studded handcuffs]].
* Kentucky Fried Chicken used to hide the secret recipe in a briefcase and handcuffed to the wrist of a hired guard [[http://custodianvaults.com.au/security-first/kfcs-top-secret-safe-vault-kfc-protects-recipe when its headquarters underwent security upgrades to get a new vault installed]].

* ''Series/NightCourt''. In "Dan, the Walking Time Bomb", a man with a grudge against DA Dan Fielding handcuffs a briefcase full of dynamite to Fielding's arm.

* ''Series/{{UFO}}'' episode "Identified". Colonel Straker has a briefcase containing evidence of the existence of U.F.O.s chained to his wrist (it also has a SelfDestructMechanism). 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.

* ''TabletopGame{{Shadowrun}}'' adventure ''Bottled Demon''. The magician Topal owns The Guiding Hand talismonger/lore shop. One day an old friend of his, Simon Templeman, enters his shop with a briefcase chained to his wrist. The briefcase contains a idol filled with evil magical energy.

[[folder: Western Animation ]]
* In the ''WesternAnimation/{{Archer}}'' episode "Diversity Hire", Conway Stern handcuffs himself to a briefcase containing plans for a secret submarine engine before grabbing onto a helicopter rappel line. Unfortunately for him, Lana then fires a harpoon bolt into the briefcase and pulls on it so hard [[BloodyHilarious that Stern's hand is yanked off below the wrist.]]
* 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.
* ''WesternAnimation/MuppetBabies'': One of their {{Imagine Spot}}s had Kermit as a secret agent trying to transport a briefcase like this, and the others being enemy agents trying to steal it in one of those mystery on the train scenarios. Their attempts to steal it got pretty blatant, up to Gonzo trying to hide it under his hat ''while it was still cuffed to Kermit's wrist''!
* Once when WesternAnimation/BugsBunny was a presenter at the Academy Awards, the envelope was delivered to him this way.

[[folder: Other ]]

* This leads to a murder in an ''Series/InspectorMorse'' episode. The courier who's wearing the chained money satchel is a conspirator in the robbery, but unfortunately his partner-in-crime carelessly leaves the key elsewhere when changing jackets. As a result he's murdered so his hand can be cut off.

* During the opening of ''Film/SpiesLikeUs'', the courier delivering the satellite images has the briefcase chained to his wrist, and the photos are secured to the inside of the briefcase. Since he's not particularly cleared for the discussion about the photos, he's shoved into a closet. With the chain sticking out the door.

* In one of the ''Corps'' books by W.E.B. Griffin, General [=MacArthur=] remarks to a Marine Brigadier that he's the only person he knows who just takes MAGIC[[note]]Extremely classified information derived from intercepts of encrypted Japanese communications[[/note]] dispatches out of his pocket instead of carrying them in a handcuffed briefcase. The Brigadier replies that he delegates the job of carrying around the handcuffed briefcase to the sergeant who acts as his bodyguard, who was left outside the General's office.

* This leads to a murder in an ''Series/InspectorMorse'' episode. The courier who's wearing the chained money satchel is in on a robbery, but unfortunately his partner-in-crime carelessly leaves the key elsewhere when changing jackets. As a result he's murdered so his hand can be cut off.

* ''Series/{{Elementary}}'': In "Rip Off", the VictImOfTheWeek had his hand ripped off so the killer could steal a handcuffed briefcase containing conflict diamonds. The briefcase was then thrown into a dumpster unopened, which confuses the police.

* The U.S. President's Nuclear Football is handcuffed to the one of his military aides who is at his side when he is away from the White House.

[[folder: Other ]]

* ''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 the case to the Driver's wrist instead. "Now drive!"

[[/folder]]

** The case is indeed handcuffed to someone's wrist, so they shoot the courier and break the chain with a tiny explosive charge.

* ''Film/{{Ronin}}'' has a briefcase handcuffed to the wrist of a VIP the mercenaries are ordered to secure with a MacGuffin inside.
** The trope is [[DiscussedTrope brought up]] during a planning session when Sam gets increasing frustrated over the lack of information provided to them by Deirdre.

* ''Film/DayOfTheJackal'': Viktor Wolenski, the OAS bag man who picks up the mail for the OAS heads while they're hiding out in Rome, has his briefcase chained to his wrist when making his pickups. The chief of the French Action Service points this out as an obstacle for the operatives sent to intercept Wolenski.

* ''Film/DayOfTheJackak'': Viktor Wolenski, the OAS bag man who picks up the mail for the OAS heads while they're hiding out in Rome, has his briefcase chained to his wrist when making his pickups. The chief of the French Action Service points this out as an obstacle for the operatives sent to intercept Wolenski.

* On ''Series/{{Atlanta}}'', a drug deal hits a snag when Darius brings the money in this fashion and forgets the key to the cuffs. The seller tells him ominously that they have ways of getting the money anyway. [[spoiler: They just open the briefcase and take the money out.]]

* On ''Series/{{Atlanta}}'', a drug deal hits a snag when Darius brings the money in this fashion and forgets the key to the cuffs. The seller tells him ominously that they have ways of getting the money anyway. [[Spoiler:They just open the briefcase and take the money out.]]