Business Ethics

Vol. 5 · Issue 2The Office · NBCScranton, PA

Here’s where you’ll find every single line from the episode where Michael and Holly try to teach the office about morality. Between Jim timing Dwight’s every yawn and Meredith’s questionable love for Outback Steakhouse coupons, this script covers all the chaos of the ethics seminar. It’s the perfect place to grab those specific character lines or just see how the HR drama unfolds.

Scene 01

27 lines

Pam Beesly

(on the phone) Well, I should go.

Jim Halpert

Alright. I'll tell everybody here that you say hi.

Pam Beesly

No, don't. I'm mad at them.

Jim Halpert

Why, what happened?

Pam Beesly

Not one of them called to congratulate me on our engagement.

Jim Halpert

Ah. That... they might be off the hook for because I... didn't tell them.

Pam Beesly

What? Why not?

Jim Halpert

I just didn't, you know, want a deal.

Pam Beesly

Come on, it won't be that bad.

Jim Halpert

OK. You know what? Here we go. (stands up) Uh, everybody? I just want to make an announcement. Pam and I are engaged.

Pam Beesly

(speakerphone) Hi everyone!

Oscar Martinez

I thought you were already engaged.

Jim Halpert

Nope.

Angela Martin

That was Roy. She was engaged to Roy.

Jim Halpert

Thank you Angela.

Kevin Malone

I got a gift for Pam and Roy. Do I have to get another one?

Jim Halpert

Yes.

Andy Bernard

A little close to my engagement there Tuna, what's your game here?

Jim Halpert

To get married.

Dwight Schrute

(raises hand) She's not a virgin, you know.

Pam Beesly

Wow.

Michael Scott

(walking in) What's going on?

Pam Beesly

No, nothing. Nothing Michael! Just saying hi. (Michael waves "hi" at the phone)

Creed Bratton

The tall guy got engaged.

Michael Scott

(to Jim) To be married?

Jim Halpert

Yep. (Michael hugs/tackles Jim)

Pam Beesly

Sorry.

Scene 02

1 line

Holly Flax

Pencils down! (Dwight quickly puts his pencil down) Just kidding, take your time.

Scene 03

1 line

Holly Flax

Today is ethics day. After they finish their quiz I'm going to run my first ethics meeting here. It's gonna be insaaaaane. No, it's not. I have to read from the binder.

Scene 04

3 lines

Dwight Schrute

(trying to assist Michael, who is trying to press play on a CD player) I got it, I got it. (Olivia Newton-John's "Let's Get Physical" starts to play as Holly and Michael jog into the meeting room, dancing)

Michael & Holly

Let's get ethical! Ethical! I wanna get ethical! Let's get into Ethics yeah! Let me hear that Dunder Mifflin talk! Your body talk. Let me hear your body talk.

Michael Scott

WOO! Alright!

Scene 05

1 line

Michael Scott

"Why are you helping her? You're not even dating." She's my friend... and... ultimately my strategy is to merge this into a relationship... without her even knowing. Uh...

Scene 06

71 lines

Michael Scott

Ok, let's give it for Miss... Holly Flaaaax! (everyone claps)

Holly Flax

Thanks Michael. (Michael groans exhaustingly) Today we're going to have a business ethics seminar because recently, without mentioning any names, there has been some misconduct at corporate and we have a very strict ethics policy and that employee has been fired.

Kevin Malone

Oh come on! He's right there. (points at Ryan) He was hired. (to Jim) Oh check it out, "Hired Guy."

Jim Halpert

Nice. (they bump fists)

Ryan Howard

Ok, elephant in the room. Let's talk about it. Do I regret what I did? Of course I do. Even though it was an amazing ride, and I'll give you an example. Anyone see Survivor season six? (Dwight raises his hand) Anyone know Joanna on that show? (Dwight nods) In New York City, I hooked up with a girl who looked exactly like that. Indistinguishable. So...

Michael Scott

(clapping) Ok. Well done. Good speech Ryan, you're a good guy.

Holly Flax

Let's start discussing those questionnaires that you filled in this morning. It is wrong to make personal calls during work hours. Now, some of you marked that you very strongly agree. But ideally you would have selected totally agree.

Phyllis Vance

I thought very strongly agree sounded stronger than totally agree.

Holly Flax

Corporate would like to emphasize that ideally you would all totally agree with that statement.

Michael Scott

Well, I think we can all totally agree that Holly is totally fantastic. (claps)

Holly Flax

Thank you. In fact, spending a half hour at the water cooler during work hours is a form of stealing.

Kelly Kapoor

What?

Holly Flax

Yes, it's called time theft, and it's the same as taking money from the company. Can anyone think of examples of things that are over the line time wasters?

Stanley Hudson

This meeting.

Andy Bernard

Hey-oh!

Dwight Schrute

Yes.

Michael Scott

(to Holly) Can't set 'em up like that.

Kelly Kapoor

Why is ok for smokers to take breaks all the time? If I want to go outside and hang out once an hour, then I'll just take up smoking. I'll do it. I don't care.

Meredith Palmer

I'll smoke with you. I got a bag of cigars in my purse.

Holly Flax

Stealing office supplies is another big ethical area that there seems to be some confusion about.

Michael Scott

Can we have a moment? (whispering) Can I talk to you for a sec? Lot of good stuff. And you look... you look fantastic.

Dwight Schrute

Michael.

Michael Scott

Yeah.

Dwight Schrute

What should we be working on while you guys are talking?

Michael Scott

Do some... do some work. (whispering to Holly) People expect a lot from these meetings. Laughter, sudden twists. Surprise endings. You need to be Robin Williams and M. Night Shyamalan. You need to be Robin Shyamalan.

Holly Flax

Well, I just have to get through the binder.

Michael Scott

Do you... just... you're kind of losing them.

Holly Flax

I am?

Michael Scott

Yeah, don't think about the stakes. It'll freak you out.

Holly Flax

Ok. (to everyone) Michael makes a really good point so, uh, let's just open this up a little bit. Say my name is Lauren and here I am shopping in a supermarket and I steal a pencil. That's not right.

Michael Scott

(coughs to hide his words) Lauren, (coughs) enough with the pencils.

Holly Flax

No, I have to go over pencils and office supplies. It's part of the ethics thing.

Oscar Martinez

That isn't ethics. Ethics is a real discussion of the competing conceptions of the good. This is just the corporate anti-shoplifting rules.

Andy Bernard

I'll drop an ethics bomb on you. Would you steal bread to feed your family? ... Boom!

Oscar Martinez

Exactly, Andy.

Andy Bernard

Yeah, I took intro to philosophy, twice. No big deal.

Dwight Schrute

It's a trick question. The bread is poisoned. Also, it's not your real family. You've been cuckolded by a stronger, smarter male.

Andy Bernard

No that's... not how it works.

Michael Scott

I would not... steal the bread. And I would not let my family go hungry.

Holly Flax

Ok, but we should get back to business. Have any of you ever faced any ethical dilemmas in the workplace.

Michael Scott

Anybody? This is a chance for you to say something without any repercussions. Stanley? Oscar, come on.

Oscar Martinez

Pass.

Michael Scott

I will go first. When I discovered YouTube I didn't work for five days. I did nothing. I viewed Cookie Monster sings Chocolate Rain about a thousand times.

Holly Flax

What was the dilemma?

Michael Scott

To tell you or not. And I'm glad I did. I feel very very good. Cathartic. I promise you that you are not going to get into trouble. You can say anything you want with total and complete immunity.

Holly Flax

Oh--- no no no.

Michael Scott

Yeah, (interrupting gibberish). Come on, anybody. Let it fly.

Oscar Martinez

Ok, once in a while I'll take a long lunch.

Michael Scott

A siesta!

Dwight Schrute

Time thief. Time thief! Fire him!

Jim Halpert

Dwight, you've really never stolen any company time?

Dwight Schrute

Never!

Michael Scott

You are a thief of joy. Anybody else. Yeah?

Kelly Kapoor

Sometimes I download pirated music onto my work computer.

Michael Scott

Who hasn't? Good. Good! What else?

Holly Flax

No--- I, I'd like to hear more about that.

Michael Scott

Mmm...

Angela Martin

I once reported Oscar to the INS. Turns out he's clean, but I'm glad I did it.

Michael Scott

Well, let's keep this party movin' on.

Meredith Palmer

I'll go. Have you guys ever met Bruce Meyers, the Scranton rep for Hammermill?

Michael Scott

Bruuuuuuuuuce.

Meredith Palmer

Well for the past six years I have been sleeping with him in exchange for discounts on our supplies and Outback Steakhouse gift certificates.

Jim Halpert

Jackpot.

Michael Scott

Ach! Wuh---

Holly Flax

Meredith, that is serious. I mean not only that a conflict of interests, there's also an exchange of goods.

Meredith Palmer

Exchange of steak. Have you ever had sirloin steak, honey?

Michael Scott

That's crazy. That's crazy talk! Meredith! The Merenator, sleepin' with suppliers! Hoo-ooh! Wow! What time we got? (checks watch) You know what? That's a good place to end it. Right there. This, I think, was a great ethics seminar. She has given us a lot of wonderful things to think about. Right... what is wrong. Who's to say? Really. In the end. I mean because it is... unknowable. But, let's give her a round of applause. Holly, everybody. Holly! Get back to work. (everyone applauds, then leaves) (to Holly) Great job. I am truly impressed. That, uh, you really pulled that one out. Classic. Classic meeting. We should celebrate.

Holly Flax

Michael, there is some serious issues with Meredith.

Michael Scott

Oh...

Holly Flax

I mean all of you have done things I wouldn't have done myself but Meredith's actions are really over the line.

Michael Scott

Nnyeah. What ya gonna do?

Scene 07

12 lines

Holly Flax

So, regarding this supplier, approximately how many liaisons have there been?

Meredith Palmer

Liaisons, you mean meet-ups? I don't know, once a month for six years. Something like that.

Michael Scott

Meredith, why don't you tell Holly... it's not what she thinks. Nothing unethical happened... and that you just like to sleep around.

Meredith Palmer

Am I in trouble here or something?

Michael Scott

No... no, this is just a stupid formality.

Holly Flax

No, it's not a formality. Now, were these, um, meet-ups just personal? Unrelated to business?

Meredith Palmer

Nah, I wouldn't have done it if it wasn't for the discount paper. There's not a lot of fruit in those looms.

Michael Scott

Ughh! For the love of God we're trying to help you... stupid bag.

Holly Flax

What I don't understand is... why the steak coupons? I mean, if you were already getting the discounted paper?

Meredith Palmer

Well it's funny. Maybe it's a girl thing, but after we did it, and he would give me those coupons, I just felt good about myself. (Holly begins to write in her notebook) Hey what's going on here? I thought I had immunity?

Holly Flax

Well unfortunately immunity or something being off the record does not really exist in the workplace. I mean I've never heard of anyone who's kept their job after something like this.

Meredith Palmer

Well... I'm not quitting.

Scene 08

14 lines

Jim Halpert

(starts a stopwatch as Dwight yawns, stops it when Dwight is done) Yawn. Four seconds.

Dwight Schrute

What are you doing?

Jim Halpert

Oh you had said that you don't do anything personal during work time so... I'm just making sure.

Dwight Schrute

Oh, so wait a minute, you're going to time me every time I yawn? That's absurd. (Jim smiles and starts the stopwatch) Really? (in a mocking voice) Oh hey look, monkey knows how to use a stopwatch everybody! He's ti--- (Dwight conceeds and goes back to work, Jim stops the watch)

Jim Halpert

Personal conversation. Seventeen seconds.

Dwight Schrute

There is no way that that was--- (Jim starts the watch)

Jim Halpert

(stops the watch) One second.

Michael Scott

Well, well. Holly... lujah! It's a miracle, you're at your desk.

Holly Flax

It's Mike-raculous.

Michael Scott

Hoo-ooh! Reaching! You'll get there. Anyway, I was giving it some thought, and there's no reason that two attractive, good looking, intelligent, funny, attractive people can't, you know, just... sit down and work this whole Meredith thing out.

Holly Flax

Sounds good.

Michael Scott

Good. Would you care to bang it out over lunch?

Holly Flax

Oh I already bought this...

Michael Scott

Oh no, no, no. Your food is no good here, my lady. (sweeps her food into the trash can, misses) Sorry! You know what? Let's go out! Dunder Mifflin's treat. Um, actually you're not a client... so... we'll just split it? Ethical.

Scene 09

14 lines

Holly Flax

So, I've gone over corporate policy.

Michael Scott

What do you think? What do you think of this place?

Holly Flax

Oh, it's very nice.

Michael Scott

Istn't it? Yeah, it's kind of... business/romantic. So you're from Des Moines?

Holly Flax

Mmm.

Michael Scott

Wow, that sounds so... warm.

Holly Flax

In Summer.

Michael Scott

Here too. You know what my favorite season is?

Holly Flax

Maybe we should talk about Meredith first.

Michael Scott

Yeah, get the boring stuff out of the way. Autumn was what I was going to say. When the leaves change. It's just, I... I think it is the most contemplative of seasons.

Holly Flax

Ok, so I have gone over this and I have thought about it and I just don't think there is any way I can write a report that doesn't end with her being terminated.

Michael Scott

Wow, terminator, terminator.

Holly Flax

I'm from da future.

Michael Scott

Yeah.

Scene 10

12 lines

Jim Halpert

Hey, Andy.

Andy Bernard

Yo.

Jim Halpert

By any chance, did you see Battlestar Galactica last night?

Andy Bernard

No, I did not. Was that any good?

Jim Halpert

Actually not. It was really so-so.

Dwight Schrute

Ok. (Dwight turns around, but Jim holds up the stopwatch, threatening to start it)

Jim Halpert

I mean I like all the crazy monsters and stuff. You know, like klingons and wookies and all that but... (Dwight begins to turn around again, Jim holds up the watch) Sorry, was there something you wanted to add, Dwight?

Andy Bernard

Is that anything like the original Battlestar Galactica?

Jim Halpert

You know, it's weird. It's practically a shot for shot remake.

Andy Bernard

Really? (Dwight closes his eyes, clutches the paper in his hands) Huh, that's cool.

Jim Halpert

Story's kinda bland. It's about this guy named Dumbledore Calrissian who needs to return the ring back to Mordor.

Andy Bernard

Really? That doesn't sound right.

Scene 11

9 lines

Michael Scott

I just don't want my employees thinking that their jobs depend on performance. I mean, what sort of place is that to call home? And Meredith needs this job. This is her main source of money.

Holly Flax

Well, that's very sweet but we have to follow the protocol. Those are the rules.

Michael Scott

Ok, new idea. We don't report it at all. We just punish her.

Holly Flax

We punish her?

Michael Scott

Mmhmm, tell her she can't have sex for six months.

Holly Flax

I don't think we could enforce that.

Michael Scott

I don't know. I saw this thing, like a belt with a key.

Holly Flax

A chastity belt.

Michael Scott

No, it's more of a underwear garment that has little spikes like made of, sometimes they are made of metal. You know what I am talking about. You unlock a little door that... down... where you, where you put, where you put the...

Scene 12

1 line

Jim Halpert

He has not stopped working for a second. At 12:45 he sneezed while keeping his eyes open, which I always thought was impossible. At 1:32 he peed, and I know that because he did it in an open soda bottle under the desk while filling out expense reports. And on the flip side, I have been so busy watching him that I haven't even started work. It's exhausting, being this vigilant. I'll probably have to go home early today.

Scene 13

8 lines

Michael Scott

I am just saying that I don't think that you understand what I am saying.

Holly Flax

No, you are saying that we should sweep it under the carpet, accept the discount on supplies, not fire Meredith and pretend like the whole thing never happened.

Michael Scott

Yes.

Holly Flax

What am I saying?

Michael Scott

Well... bleh busted. I don't...

Holly Flax

I'm saying that her behavior is unethical and a little icky and I don't think I want to work in an environment where that sort of conduct is tolerated.

Michael Scott

Well, you have to tolerate a lot when you are part of a family.

Holly Flax

It's not a family. It's a workplace.

Scene 14

1 line

Michael Scott

I will be honest with you. That car ride did not go well and that was not my fault. The only reason I am standing out here right now is because I don't want to take the elevator with her. And I am holding on to her leftovers. (throws Holly's leftovers in the trash)

Scene 15

6 lines

Jim Halpert

(Dwight walks back to his desk) 19 minutes and 48 seconds. What were we doing for 19 minutes and 48 seconds?

Dwight Schrute

None of your business.

Jim Halpert

So I guess I can assume that was personal.

Dwight Schrute

(Dwight stares at Angela, buttoning the top button of her blouse) Fine.

Jim Halpert

So maybe you're not completely ethical after all.

Dwight Schrute

Yes, maybe I'm not. (Dwight grins and gives a sly look at the camera)

Scene 16

1 line

Holly Flax

It's been a little tense. People are suspicious of me. And my best friend in the office won't even talk to me. Turns out being the morality police does not make you popular. I should know because in middle school I was the hall monitor and the kids used to stuff egg salad in my locker. I was just hoping middle school was over.

Scene 17

18 lines

Ryan Howard

Kendall from corporate HR is on line one and Holly is on her way in too.

Michael Scott

What's the only thing worse than one HR rep?

Ryan Howard

Two HR reps.

Michael Scott

You get me.

Holly Flax

Can I sit?

Michael Scott

I don't know. Can you? Kendall, my main man.

Kendall

(on speakerphone) Listen, Holly, Michael, I just got the report that your branch submitted and there's a lot of stuff about a relationship Meredith is having with..

Holly Flax

Yes, that came out during the ethics seminar.

Michael Scott

Let the record show that it was during the immunity part of the seminar.

Kendall

Well, I'm not sure these circumstances warrant any action.

Holly Flax

Oh, I think it is pretty clear that it was unethical.

Kendall

Well, from what I can gather it seems like a gray area. Look, to be honest the company is getting a discount at a tough time in our balance sheet and I don't know that the right thing to do for the company is to turn our noses up at that.

Holly Flax

Umm, Kendall, I understand that the discount is good for the company but I'm just not happy about the way we are getting it.

Kendall

I thought it was clear with you, Holly. Your task was to get signatures from the employees showing that they completed the training.

Holly Flax

No, I understand.

Kendall

Every other branch has managed to get this to us so if it's not something you can handle then that's a different discussion.

Holly Flax

No. I can do it.

Kendall

Good.

Scene 18

1 line

Michael Scott

How do you tell somebody that you care about deeply, "I told you so." Gently with a rose? In a funny way, like it's a hilarious joke? Or do you just let it go, because saying it would just make things worse? ... Probably the funny way.

Scene 19

10 lines

Holly Flax

Can I have everyone's attention? Excuse me, may I have everyone's attention, please. We need to finish the ethics seminar.

Andy Bernard

No way, lady.

Kevin Malone

It's a trap.

Holly Flax

Everyone, please, I just need your signatures to show corporate that I gave you the training.

Meredith Palmer

Don't sign anything.

Michael Scott

Ok, everybody listen up. If you are not in that conference room in two minutes I am going to kill you.

Stanley Hudson

It's a quarter to five and I have started to gather my things.

Michael Scott

Get in there right now or I'm gonna lose it! (everyone gets up to go in the conference room)

Meredith Palmer

Am I getting fired?

Michael Scott

Now is really not the time, Meredith.

Scene 20

1 line

Holly Flax

In this next section we examine the difference between sick days and personal days. Sick days are only to be used when an illness precludes you form doing your job or can spread to your coworkers. Personal days, on the other hand, are much more flexible.

Scene 21

8 lines

Phyllis Vance

Thank you, Meredith, this was delicious.

Meredith Palmer

Hey, where is the steak sauce?

Kevin Malone

I think we're out.

Meredith Palmer

I got some in my minivan somewhere.

Andy Bernard

Wait a second, how does the steak factor in again?

Kevin Malone

I think she got it as a tip, but I don't know why she didn't just take cash.

Phyllis Vance

I don't care what she's doing. I just hope she keeps doing it.

Stanley Hudson

Amen. Just keep the ribs coming.