ACT II

INT. PAM'S CAR - LUNCHTIME

Jim is in the driver's seat still, Pam is holding her cell phone.

PAM:
I was hoping he'd call back today.

JIM:
Call back?  Would you like some privacy?

PAM:
 [distracted]
No Jim... can you drive to Radio Shack while I call Roy?

JIM:
 [obviously upset]
Would you like me to just drive to his house?

PAM:
 [dials Roy, unaware of the sarcasm in Jim's tone]
We don't have time, plus I'm not sure where he... wait...
 [realizes that Jim is upset]
oh Jim, I'm sorry...
 [Gets Roy on the phone]
Yeah, I got a call today from the bank.  At work!
 [pauses, gets upset when Roy doesn't recognize her voice]
It's Pam!  The least you could've done was call me.
 [pauses]
Well when are you going to hear back from them?
 [pauses]
I'm going to have to get them the money by the end of the week.
 [pauses, gets impatient and upset]
No, I am not going to meet you at Poor Richard's!  I can't afford a cup of coffee!
 [she hangs up on him]

JIM:
Pam?

They arrive at Radio Shack, she gets out and grabs a bag from the back seat.

PAM:
 [crying, leans in the passenger window]
I'll be right back.

INT. MICHAEL'S OFFICE - EARLY AFTERNOON

Ryan is on the phone with Michael.

RYAN:
 [on phone]
So you are going to need to squeeze a few more dollars out of the branch somehow.  I'm not recommending terminations, not yet.  It all depends on what you come up with.

MICHAEL:
Do you have any recommendations on what I could come up with?

RYAN:
 [on phone]
You have until the end of the week.  Find at least $5,000 somewhere.

MICHAEL:
Well the camera crew's last day is Friday... does that count?
 [Ryan hangs up phone]

Michael contemplates for a few moments and then goes into the main office area.

MICHAEL:
Jim, Dwight, Andy I need you in my office.  I need my brain trust.
 [Dwight almost runs Andy over to get to Michael first.]
Where's Jim?

DWIGHT:
He's still out to lunch, Michael.  I never take lunches.

MICHAEL:
Let me know when he gets back. 

DWIGHT:
What can I do for you, Michael?

MICHAEL:
Go back to your desk.  I should talk to my #2 first, not my #3 or #4.
 [Dwight and Andy look deflated]

INT. PAM'S CAR - EARLY AFTERNOON

Jim is still driving, he pulls into the Dunder Mifflin parking lot. Pam is looking out the passenger window.

JIM:
Okay, you've been pretty quiet since you talked to Roy.  And this seems important.

PAM:
It's embarrassing, Jim.
 [She turns towards him]

JIM:
Maybe I can help.
 [Jim reaches for her hand]

PAM:
 [starts unloading]
Apparently, Roy's truck loan is in default.  I co-signed back when we were engaged and I am financially responsible to make up the payments that he's behind.  I'm not making all that much to begin with...

JIM:
Were we returning Christmas gifts just now?

PAM:
 [nods her head]
I bought all the gifts on Black Friday, but with all the great deals I got I haven't made up what the bank needs yet.
 [she starts crying again]
And I need good credit to buy a house someday...

JIM:
I can help... how much are you behind?

PAM:
Oh, no, Jim.  I'm not going to borrow any money from you to repay Roy's loan.  I'll think of something.
 [pauses]
We're already late getting back from lunch. 
 [looks at herself in the vanity mirror]
I'll come inside after the puffiness subsides.

JIM:
 [cups her face in his hands]
You sure?
 [Pam nods]
I'll see you inside in a minute.
 [Jim gives Pam a kiss and exits her car.  She watches him go inside.]

INT. SCRANTON BUSINESS PARK LOBBY - EARLY AFTERNOON

Jim pushes the elevator button, the elevator doors open and Dwight is waiting for Jim inside.

DWIGHT:
Michael's been waiting for you Jim.  Where have you been?

JIM:
Top secret mission for Michael.

DWIGHT:
Top secret?  He didn't mention anything to me and I've been in his office a lot this morning...

JIM:
It would not have been possible for you to go on this mission.  It involves cunning, mastery of mind control and the ability to shape-shift.

DWIGHT:
You can shape-shift?

JIM:
I turned into Meredith just this morning.

DWIGHT:
 [drops jaw]
What was your secret mission?

JIM:
I went comp shopping at Staples.  As Oscar.

DWIGHT:
But I could've done that.

They arrive at the Dunder Mifflin floor, the elevator doors open.

JIM:
Think about it, Dwight.  You worked there.  They would've had you thrown out in an instant.  That would've compromised the integrity of Michael's mission.
 [He walks away]

DWIGHT:
 [after him]
Michael wants to see you.

INT. MICHAEL'S OFFICE - AFTERNOON

Michael sees Jim come into the office and take off his coat.

MICHAEL:
Jim?  Can you come in here? Close the door behind you.

JIM:
Sure thing, Michael.
 [closes the door]

MICHAEL:
I need your help, Jim.  I need to cut $5,000 from our budget before the end of the week.

JIM:
Wow.  Ryan?

MICHAEL:
Yes.  I would really love to give up my Christmas bonus, but I need the money.  Where can we get 5Gs?

JIM:
I was just going to ask if there is some way we could get a few employees some extra...

MICHAEL:
Not this year.  And I thought we were having a good year.

JIM:
We have had a good year.  We absorbed Stamford, cut staff but retained clients.  Infinity has been adding more business... wait a minute... Infinity...
 [realizes something]

MICHAEL:
Yes to all of that!

JIM:
Is Jan back from Scottsdale?

MICHAEL:
No, not yet, but she doesn't have any money either.

JIM:
Does she have her cell phone?

MICHAEL:
Yes, but...

JIM:
I'll be right back.

INT. MAIN DUNDER MIFFLIN AREA - AFTERNOON

Pam is sitting at her desk, she sees Jim exit Michael's office.  He gives her a warm smile and walks towards the stairwell.  She raises her eyebrows asking if he wants her to join him.  He shakes his head no, but he is still smiling.  She smiles back at him.

Pam goes over to Phyllis' desk.

PAM:
Phyllis, can I ask you something?

PHYLLIS:
Sure thing, Pam.

PAM:
Would you have time to teach me how to knit?  I've always wanted to learn and I think I'm going to be making presents this year.

PHYLLIS:
Oh sure.  I'm going to be making Bob Vance a new nose warmer this year.  I could show you how to make one for Jim, but I think his nose is bigger...

PAM:
Thanks Phyllis, that would be great.

STANLEY:
You should give away some of your sketches Pam.  They would make lovely gifts.

PAM:
Thank you Stanley, I hadn't thought of that.

ANDY:
Cutting back on presents this year?

PAM:
A little, Andy, yes.

ANDY:
I don't ever have to worry about that.  Want to know how much I'm spending on Angela?

PAM:
 [quickly realizing that Dwight is listening]
No, I don't.
 [she turns and walks towards her desk]

INT. STAIRWELL - AFTERNOON

Jim is finishing up his conversation with Jan on the phone.

JIM:
So that application is on the intranet?  That's great, Jan.  Thanks for your help.  Have fun in Scottsdale.

Scene of Jan sitting in a waiting room.

JAN:
Scottsdale?  Oh yeah.  Thanks.

RECPTIONIST:
Ms. Levinson?  The Vice President of Sales & Marketing will see you now.

JAN:
Thank you.

As Jan walks through the office doors, a large Wachovia Complex sign can be seen along with smaller signs for the Philadelphia Flyers and Philadelphia 76ers.

INT. MICHAEL'S OFFICE - EARLY EVENING

Michael is sitting at his desk.  Pam enters.

PAM:
Michael, can I talk to you for a moment?

MICHAEL:
Sure, as long as you don't come in here asking for money.

PAM:
Actually, I was wondering if I could work overtime for awhile.

MICHAEL:
You get everything done during your workday already.  What would you do after hours?

PAM:
I don't know, clean the office? 

MICHAEL:
Billy already has a cleaning crew for the business park. 
 [to himself]
Hmm... I wonder how much money we could save by not paying rent for the office space this month...

PAM:
 [noticing that he isn't paying attention]
Play Freecell?

MICHAEL:
Sorry, Pam, overtime is not in the budget.

Jim enters Michael's office without knocking.

JIM:
Michael, oh, sorry.

PAM:
That's okay.  I was just going...

MICHAEL:
Since you're both here, would you like to join Jan and me for dinner tonight?

JIM:
Isn't Jan still in Scottsdale?

MICHAEL:
Damn.

Pam exits.

JIM:
I have a few ideas to share with Corporate about the budget.

MICHAEL:
Ryan won't listen.

JIM:
But David Wallace might.  Why don't you schedule something with David's assistant?  A conference call first thing tomorrow.

MICHAEL:
What...

JIM:
I'll take the lead on the call.  Just interrupt if you want, but I think the ideas are pretty solid.

MICHAEL:
I would really love to not have to think about giving up my bonus Jim.

JIM:
Then it's settled.  Set it up.

INT. MAIN OFFICE AREA - EVENING

Pam gets up from her desk, carries her coat, purse and Jim's coat and walks towards Jim.  Jim is working on something at his desk.

PAM:
What'cha working on?

JIM:
 [looks around to make sure no one is listening]
Budget cuts.

PAM:
Oh no.

JIM:
I think we're okay.  David Wallace and I have a good rapport, so I'm going to take the lead tomorrow.

PAM:
Are you sure?

JIM:
I am, oh ye of little faith.
 [smiles]

PAM:
I'm sorry I have to break our movie date tonight.

JIM:
Damn, another guy?

PAM:
I wish.
 [coyly]
I just need to start working on making gifts.

JIM:
 [Gets up from his desk, opens one of Dwight's drawers to pull out a large deck of cards]
Do you think you'd have time to play a little Harry Potter UNO with me between crafts?  They have Draw Three cards instead of Draw Two.
 

PAM:
You're on.  I'll make a Totino's.

JIM:
Make it two, I need to bulk up for my next rematch with Darryl.

They leave for the day.

INT CONFERENCE ROOM - NEXT MORNING

Michael and Jim are sitting at the conference table with the phone between them.  Jim has several file folders in front of him, Michael has one post-it and a pencil.  Dwight tries to peek through the conference room blinds, which Michael close.

JIM:
Thank you for talking with us this morning David.

DAVID:
 [on speakerphone]
Not a problem, Jim.  I apologize in advance - I have a hard stop at 8:30 so you'll have to share your ideas quickly.

MICHAEL:
Top o' the morning to ya, Mr. Wallace!

DAVID:
 [on speakerphone]
Good morning Michael.  I'm sorry Ryan couldn't join us.  He's on his way to Corcroan, but my door is always open.

JIM:
 [smiles]
David, Michael and I have been looking over where we could cut our budget.  After absorbing Stamford, retaining customers and cutting staff with no new hires, we're not sure where we can cut our budget anymore than we already have.

The only thing I can think of is to give up my title as Assistant Regional Manager, and the $5,000 annual increase that comes with the title.

DAVID:
 [pauses]
 [on speakerphone]
What?  Michael, did Ryan tell you that $5,000 had to come from Scranton's budget?

MICHAEL:
Yessh.

DAVID:
 [on speakerphone]
Can the two of you hold for a moment?

JIM:
Yes.

There are a few moments of awkward silence between Jim and Michael, until Michael starts dancing along with the hold music.

DAVID:
 [on speakerphone]
Thank you both for holding.  Ryan misunderstood my instructions.  We will not need to cut $5,000 from Scranton's budget.

MICHAEL:
 [loudly, raising his hands in victory]
YES!

The rest of the office can hear them.  Pam smiles.

DAVID:
 [on speakerphone]
Thank you both for bringing this to my attention.  Was there anything else?

JIM:
Nope.  Thank you for your time.

Everyone hangs up.

MICHAEL:
 [gets up]
I'm going to go share the good news.

JIM:
But you didn't share the bad news...

MICHAEL:
Are you coming?

JIM:
In a minute - I'm going to clean up here.

Michael exits but doesn't close the door.  Jim goes to close it but sees Pam at her desk.  She smiles at him, he winks at her.  He locks the door behind him and hits the redial button on the conference room phone.

DAVID:
 [on speakerphone]
David Wallace.

JIM:
Hello again, David.

DAVID:
 [on speakerphone]
Jim!  Is it just you?

JIM:
Yes.  Do you have a few moments to spare before your 8:30?

DAVID:
 [on speakerphone]
I'll be honest with you Jim, I don't have an 8:30.

JIM:
 [smiles]
Understood.

DAVID:
 [on speakerphone]
How can I help you?

JIM:
I wanted to talk to you about the Dunder Mifflin Exceptional Employee Bonus Program.

DAVID:
 [on speakerphone]
Okay, not many people know about that program...

JIM:
If I understand correctly, this bonus is given to employees who think outside the box, go above and beyond their position, give exceptional ideas, and save Dunder Mifflin money.

DAVID:
 [on speakerphone]
Yes, that is verbatim what the application says.  It has to be completed by a superior.  When will Michael be submitting your form?

JIM:
This form isn't for me David.  I am submitting it for Pam Beesley, who created the Dunder Mifflin Infinity logo upon Ryan's request.  But I'm not her immediate supervisor...

DAVID:
 [on speakerphone]
Ryan didn't submit the form for her?

JIM:
Not that I know of.

DAVID:
 [on speakerphone]
Fax that completed form directly to me.  I will sign it this morning and Pam can expect a certificate and a check before the end of the week.
 [to himself]
Little punk.

JIM:
I'm sorry?

DAVID:
 [on speakerphone]
Ryan, Jim.  Can we talk off the record?

JIM:
Certainly.

DAVID:
 [on speakerphone]
Ryan wanted an exorbitant bonus this year for coming up with Dunder Mifflin Infinity.  I told him if he could find it in his budget somewhere, I'd think about it.  For him to turn around the same day and try to get that money from Scranton... well... let's just say I'm very sorry that you withdrew your name from consideration.

JIM:
Thanks for saying so, David.

DAVID:
 [on speakerphone]
What about Regional Manager for Scranton?

JIM:
Michael does a fine job.

DAVID:
 [on speakerphone]
He does.  Please don't ever give up #2 again though, okay?

JIM:
Okay.  Thanks for your time.

DAVID:
 [on speakerphone]
Get me that application this morning.  It's as good as done.

INT. MAIN OFFICE AREA - FRIDAY EVENING, JUST BEFORE CLOSING

Michael is standing at Pam's desk. They are throwing a going-away party for the camera crew.  Pam is going through the mail; Jim is sitting at his desk.  Pam finds a letter addressed to Michael from the camera crew's production company.

PAM:
Michael?  Maybe you should read this.

MICHAEL:
What can this possibly say that would make this day better Pam?
 [reads aloud]
Dear Mr. Scott,
We are pleased to inform you that we found funding to extend the production of our documentary with the employees of Dunder Mifflin Scranton indefinitely.  We have shopped some of the newer footage to various markets and we are getting enthusiastic feedback due to the chemistry between two of Dunder Mifflin's employees.  With your approval, the camera crew will return next week.
Sincerely,

The camera pans to Dwight, then Angela, who look at each other briefly.  After Angela turns away, Dwight looks back towards her.

They're staying because of Jan and me!  I need to get her back here!
 [he runs to his office and picks up the phone]

A FedEx delivery man, Brian, enters the main office area.

BRIAN:
Delivery for you today, Pam.

PAM:
For me?
 [frowns; signs for delivery]
From Corporate?  Thanks Brian.

Brian exits.

Pam opens the contents of the Fed Ex envelope.  She goes to Jim's desk, takes his hand and leads him to the stairwell; the door remains slightly open.

PAM:
I got this today, Jim Halpert.

JIM:
Got what, Pam Beesley?

PAM:
A Dunder Mifflin Exceptional Employee certificate and a bonus check for...

JIM:
 [puts his finger on her lips]
Shh... let's not talk money.  It's so...
 [she quiets him with a kiss]

-THE END-