Spin City

Charlie and the mayor set off to negotiate with the striking binmen, hoping to settle the dispute. While they are away, they leave Stuart in charge of the office, a decision they later live to regret once they return and the office's difficulties become apparent.

"The Apartment" is a programme presented in the format of an episode. It belongs to the broader category of television content, offering a self‑contained story that fits within the series' structure. In this particular instalment, the characters Charlie and the mayor set off together to hold talks with a group of striking binmen. Their aim is to reach an agreement that will end the disruption caused by the industrial action. While they are away, they entrust the day‑to‑day running of the office to Stuart, handing him full responsibility for everything that happens in their absence. The decision to leave Stuart in charge quickly turns out to be a misstep. As the negotiations unfold elsewhere, the office environment begins to show signs that the choice was ill‑advised. The narrative makes clear that both Charlie and the mayor come to view their earlier confidence in Stuart’s handling of the office as a mistake they will later regret. By the episode’s end, the consequences of that misplaced trust are evident, underscoring how a seemingly simple delegation can spiral into a situation the protagonists wish they could undo. The story therefore centres on the fallout from that regrettable decision.