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The Office Series 1, episode 1. First aired 09/07/01

in this episode...

David Brent is informed by Head Office that his Slough branch of Wernham Hogg paper merchants might be closed down. David’s deep rooted need to be popular triumphs over realism and he immediately promises the staff there will be no redundancies.

Ricky, a new temp fresh from university, is shown around the office by David. He is introduced to Tim and Gareth whose fractious relationship is immediately apparent by a fight over a stapler and the construction of a Berlin Wall made from cardboard box files between their desks.

Brent-ism of the episode
"I haven’t got a sign on the door that says white people only. I don’t care if you're black, brown or yellow - you know, Orientals make very good workers."

In an effort to demonstrate his keen sense of humour David informs Dawn that she has been sacked for the heinous crime of stealing Post-It notes. Dawn, predictably, does not see the funny side.

too good to miss out...

Gareth: "What if that killed someone?"
Tim: "Well then... they'll think you're the murderer, it's got your name on it."
Gareth: "Why would a murderer put his name on a murder weapon?"
Tim: "To stop people borrowing it."

David: "I’m going to have to let you go first"
Dawn: "What? Why?"
David: "Why? Stealing. Thieving."
Dawn: "Thieving? What am I meant to have stolen?"
David: "Post-It notes."