Interrupted

"This is ridiculous," said Stanley when Michael caught his eye. Phylis and Kelly stopped working and looked up.

"Do you have any idea what time we'll get out of here," asked Phylis wanting to go home.

"Nobody likes to work late," replied Michael dodging the question and averting Phylis's eyes. "Least of all me."

The answer seemed to suffice and Kelly and Phylis went back to their sorting.

Michael walked away from them towards Jim in his white shirt and black tie combo. Jim had rolled his sleeves up earlier to annoy Dwight by saying he was doing this to work harder than him.

"Any plans tonight?" Michael asked Jim nonchalantly trying to make small talk.

"Nope," replied Jim immediately not looking at Michael. "Remember you told us not to make any plans tonight because we are working."

"Yes, I remember," said Michael biting his lower lip and walking away.

Michael paused for a moment before saying to no one inparticular, but loud enough for the office to hear, "This is BS. This is BS! I'm gonna call corporate. Enough is enough! I'm so mad."

With everyone's attention on him, Michael went into his office and grabbed the phone.

"This is Michael Scott, Scranton branch. We don't wanna work!" Yelled Michael into the phone while everyone watched him intently. "No, we don't! It's not fair to these people. This people are my friends and I care about them! We're NOT gonna do it!"

The last outburst even drew the attention of the accounting department who sat the furthest from his desk. Michael hung up the phone and stepped back out to everyone.

"Everybody," called Michael. "I just got off the horn with corporate. And, uh, I basically told them where they could stick their little overtime assignment. Go enjoy your Friday!"

This news brought smiles to everyone's faces. For the moment, Michael became the hero of the office.

"Thank you, Michael," cried Dwight being the first to praise him. Everyone else gave their thanks and some even clapped, but Michael turned his attention to Jim ignoring the rest.

"Well, I think we dodged a bullet there," said Michael with a sigh of relief.

"I think you did," Jim chimed in as he began to gather his things to leave.

"I think we should celebrate," said Michael. "How about you, Pam, mi casa, a little dinner, dancing, and drinks?"

"Oh, I..." Began Jim trying to think of an excuse.

"You said you didn't have plans. That's what you said," said Michael. Jim looked to Pam for help, but found only a look of panic on her face.

(Jim: Michael has asked Pam and me to dinner at least 9 times. And every time we've been able to get out of it. But I've got to give him credit, he got me. Because I'm starting to suspect that there was no assignment from corporate.)

"Michael, what time should I be arriving?" Asked Dwight as he approached Jim and Michael.

"Dwight, it's couples only," answered Michael. "And besides, I only have six wine glasses, so it will be me and Jan, and Pam and Jim, and Angela and Andy."

"Hey-o!" Responded Andy swiveling in his chair to look at them. Andy Bernard was the only person left when the Utica branch merged with the Scranton branch. He graduated from Cornell, a fact he let everyone know. Andy was currently dating Angela who worked in the accounting department.

(Dwight: Does it bother me that I wasn't invited to Michael's dinner party? [breaks down crying])

"I guess I can't say no," said Jim relenting. "We'll see you later."

Everyone packed up their things for the evening and left the office. Most going home for the night, but some going to home to get ready for Michael's party.