New Boss - Plot

Plot

Michael (Steve Carell) wants to throw a party to celebrate his fifteenth anniversary working at Dunder Mifflin. He becomes unnerved when Charles Miner (Idris Elba), the new company vice president, exhibits a no-nonsense attitude towards him, making Michael not feel like his own boss. Charles seems to establish a good relationship with the rest of the staff; he buys everyone lunch and reveals the truth about their 401(k) plans and the possibility of layoffs, which Michael withheld so as not to worry the staff. Taking advice from Chief Financial Officer David Wallace (Andrew Buckley), Michael tries to become better acquainted with Charles, but is unsuccessful. Michael attempts to contact Wallace on the phone, one attempt leading to getting transferred to Charles. When Charles catches the Party Planning Committee planning Michael's party during office hours, he dissolves the committee and cancels Michael's party. Michael decides to drive to New York to talk to Wallace.

Meanwhile, Jim (John Krasinski) arrives at work wearing a tuxedo in response to a memo written by Dwight (Rainn Wilson) ordering employees to follow the company dress code more strictly. This leads to an awkward first encounter with Charles as Jim has to explain why he wore a tuxedo. This does not amuse Charles, who seems to lack a sense of humor. Jim's activity throughout the day is scrutinized by Charles, more so when Charles notes Jim's idea of a "two-way petting zoo" for Michael's party. When Jim tries to smooth things over with Charles, Charles condescends to Jim, questioning the necessity of Jim's position as Assistant Regional Manager, referring to it as made-up. However, this is clearly not the case as seen in Branch Closing when Jan offers Jim the number two spot in the Scranton Branch, which he accepts. When Charles leaves, Jim tries to say goodbye, with no response. Jim jokes that his career could be over.

Angela (Angela Kinsey) and Kelly (Mindy Kaling) develop crushes on Charles. They flirt with him, leaving him uncomfortable. At the end of the day Kelly puts on more makeup to tempt Charles into asking her out, but he has already left. Kelly runs out to the parking lot where she finds Angela holding Charles's scarf and starts chasing her. Angela mentions that Charles deserves better than Kelly.

In New York, Michael manages to talk to Wallace, who has seemingly been avoiding him, and complains that it is unfair that he has to drive to New York in order to talk to him instead of on the phone, and that he deserves more respect after being at Dunder Mifflin for fifteen years. David agrees to fund an anniversary party for him and attend, but Michael abruptly announces his resignation from the company and walks out.