The 4300

In a hurry? Read the recaplet for a nutshell description! Finished? Click here to close.

The branch has come in under budget, and Michael has to decide how to spend the extra $4,300 that day or else lose it from year's budget. Of course, he doesn't decide, because the staff is split between the need for a new copier and the need for new chairs, and making decisions is not his thing. He does momentarily make up his mind when he learns that he has the option of returning the surplus in exchange for a bonus for himself, but that's not exactly a popular decision. Which is why he tried to make it in secret, until Oscar outed him. In the end, he leaves the factions to fight it out on the assumption that they won't come to a decision before the deadline, which will leave him free to collect his bonus. In that assumption, he is incorrect. Pam's finally getting that new chair she's been wanting.

Yeah, about that -- Pam and Jim were on opposite sides of the copier/chair issue, which sends both of them to new depths of butt-kissing and manipulation. Pam's victory proves short-lived, because now Jim is going to start making her do his copying for him on that shitty old machine. It says something about these two that they can still be so adorable even while acting like assholes.

And Dwight gives Andy and Angela a tour of Schrute Farms in preparation for their wedding there, complete with a little demonstration of the German-language ceremony featuring Dwight as the groom. Angela is so moved by the setting and the moment that she confesses her true feelings to Dwight. But Dwight ruins it when he tells her that the "demo" was the real deal. At which point Angela's so pissed at Dwight that Andy might actually get some. Funny little subplot, but it needed more Mose.

Want more? The full recap starts right below!

Oscar brings a printout of the branch's financial numbers to Michael, who cuts to the chase: "Why don't you explain this to me like I'm an eight-year-old?" I'm sure that's for the benefit of the cameras. Bottom line: they've got a $4,300 surplus that needs to be spent today, or it'll be deducted from year's budget. Michael tries again: "Explain it to me like I'm five." Oscar explains it in terms of a lemonade stand, and makes the case that they should spend the money on a new copier. "I think I'm getting you," Michael lies.

Eventually (as in, after the credits), Michael happily bursts out into the bullpen and announces that he's buying everyone a new copier. Oscar's the only one who's happy about it, so Michael amends, "Unless everybody can agree on something better?" Pam wants new chairs, and so does Stanley. Toby suggests air quality testing for radon and asbestos, which he calls "silent killers." "You're the silent killer. Go back to the annex," Michael snaps. Pam claims that Meredith, Stanley, and Jim are in her camp, but Jim gently says he's actually leaning toward the copier. In a TH, he says he makes his own copies rather than asking his girlfriend to do it. "And that copier? Sucks." But they don't have to agree on everything, right? Meredith and Creed both commend Jim for his cojones, and Michael ducks into his office to "digest" everyone's ideas. And Pam stares daggers at Jim. No PB&J sandwich tonight, clearly.

In the kitchen, Dwight's going over arrangements with Andy and Angela for their upcoming wedding at Schrute Farms. There are some concerns about the directions (measured in paces) and the sanitary facilities ("We'll dig a trench," Dwight shrugs). Still, Andy is not about to lose a ninth venue deposit. "I have seen Angela naked zero times," he insists. So he's pretty motivated to make this work.

In the kitchen, Jim is enjoying a break when Pam comes in and acts like a controlling psycho about the chairs. She pretends to be all sweet, but as she leans in for a kiss, she whispers that he is on "very dangerous ground." "Ooh," Jim shudders in a TH afterward. This is weird.

Dwight shows Angela and Andy the barn where the receiving line will be. He promises to clean out the livestock and hay, but not the manure. "Covers up the smell of the slaughterhouse," he explains. "You want to eat, don't you?" Andy, desperate to avoid any deal-breakers, offers to pay Dwight extra to do the slaughtering the day before. And then he steps in animal poo.

Provenance
Original URL
http://www.brilliantbutcancelled.com:80/show/the-office/the-surplus-1/
Captured
2018-04-21
Page Type
recap (100%)
Wayback Machine
View original capture

Historical archive · About · Takedown policy