Paper Airplane - The Office (Season 9, Episode 20)

A paper airplane contest is being hosted at Dunder Mifflin by a new paper supplier. All of the office workers compete against each other for a $2,000 prize. Erin in particular is fiercely competitive, and even as she realizes that she is showing an ugly side of herself to her boyfriend Pete, she cannot hold back from smashing a box of packing peanuts when she loses in the semi-finals. After several intense rounds, it comes down to Dwight and Angela. Dwight, who is dating Esther, tries to throw the contest. Angela is flattered by the gesture. However, when Esther expresses her condolences to Angela about her financial situation since her husband separated from her, she realizes that Dwight is letting her win out of pity, not love. Angered, she rebuffs Dwight's pity and lets him win the contest.

Andy prepares for an acting job in a laboratory safety video that was arranged by his talent agent, Carla Fern. The directors continuously have to talk him out of overacting, and he backs down from shooting a scene using an eye wash, since he has an aversion towards anything being shot into his eye. However, Carla threatens to have him blacklisted if he does not go through with the scene. Darryl Philbin (Craig Robinson), who came along as friendly support, gives Andy the confidence to shoot the scene, and in the end Andy even insists on doing two takes, impressing Carla.

In couples' counseling, Jim and Pam have been told to express appreciation for the things their spouse does for them, be frank about things that make them unhappy, and refer to anything they do not want to do but must as “an opportunity”. Their exercising of these three habits is stiff and formal to begin with, and becomes increasingly snarky as the day goes on. Despite this, as Jim leaves the office to return to his business, he confesses to Pam that he thinks the three habits are helping and that they should keep them up. After he leaves, Pam runs after him to give him an umbrella. Jim takes the umbrella, and then embraces his wife, who finds that she lacks the emotional conviction to hug him back. It then flashbacks to their wedding with their co-workers present, she remembers that by marrying Jim she promised to love him in spite of any hardships, and she lovingly embraces him and kisses him.

Best Funny Quotes From The Office - Paper Airplane

Photo of Erin
Oh. Hey, champions.
Good morning.
Photo of Toby Flenderson
Photo of Clark
Quater finals in an hour. Hope you got some sleep cause I am going to be haunting your nightmares tonight.
I did. I got some really good sleep.
Photo of Erin
Photo of Clark
Did you? pushes pencil cup at Erin
grabs pencils out of cup quickly as cup falls Bzzz.
Photo of Erin

Photo of Dwight Schrute
Yesterday was the first round of a branch wide paper airplane contest. It was being sponsored by Weyer-Hammer Paper in an effort to get us to sell more of their new product Airstream Deluxe A4, the Cadillac of paper. It’s not so easy on the environment, if you know what I mean. whispers Practically made of plastic.

We started with sixteen brave aviators. Some use skill cut to Kevin flying paper airplane, others relied on showmanship cut to Dwight throwing airplane at Nate with an apple on his head others seem not to comprehend what a paper airplane is. cut to Creed throwing a melon And of course, there was the odd moment of heartbreak and disaster.
Photo of Nellie

Photo of Toby Flenderson
Hey I left my glasses down here somewhere. Crossing through, beep beep. Pam’s plane hit Toby in the eye
Ow! Ow!
Photo of Toby Flenderson
Photo of Pam Beesley
I didn’t see you! You should have yelled "Crossing!"
crying I’m sorry!
Photo of Toby Flenderson
Photo of Pam Beesley
Ok, so is that my spot?

We are now down to an elite eight. Well, seven and Toby.
Photo of Nellie

Photo of Andy Bernard
Reading from script Be careful of that beaker, it contains dangerous acid!
It does not say dangerous. And there’s no exclamation point.
Photo of Darryl Phylbin
Photo of Andy Bernard
Well I’m just trying to bring some life to it.

Last week I got an agent and uh, this week I got a movie. HRPDC chemical handling protocols. It’s gonna be seen by tons of workers in the industrial chemical community. One of whom could have a cousin whose brother’s Brad Pitt. And boom, next thing you know, I’m in Moneyballs Two.
Photo of Andy Bernard

Photo of Toby Flenderson
Andy?
Go away, we’re running lines.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Toby Flenderson
You wanted to see the gooey eye.
Oh yeah. Alright, get over here. I am so freaked out by things going into eyes. I just- wow. moves to lift Toby’s eye patch Uggggh! I can’t even, I’m so freaked out by that, just go. Go go go go go.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Toby Flenderson
Alright, it’s getting gooier so we’ll just do it later.
Yeah, Ok. Closes door Alright. Where were we?
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Darryl Phylbin
Something full of acid.
And remember: Do not attempt to extinguish a chemical fire with water. You will only exacerbate the flame. The dangerous flame.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Darryl Phylbin
claps That was great man. Alright, I’m out of here.
W-w-w-wait. Stop stop stop. Don’t go anywhere. I just need to find more colors. Let’s do it six more times.
Photo of Andy Bernard

Photo of Jim Halpert
Hey. I just wanted to say that you woke up early with the kids and let me sleep and I really appreciate that.
Thank you. I appreciate that you appreciate that.
Photo of Pam Beesley

Photo of Pam Beesley
So, we had couple’s therapy.
No shame in that. Get it all out in the open.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Pam Beesley
And we have homework.
Yes, we are supposed to look for every chance to acknowledge and appreciate each other’s sacrifices. Because I need to appreciate what Pam’s been doing to run the house while I’m in Philly.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Pam Beesley
And we’re also supposed to speak our truths.
Mmhm.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Pam Beesley
Because if I had spoken my truth sooner about not wanting to move to Philly, then maybe we wouldn’t have had this opportunity for couple’s therapy.
Oh, we’re supposed to call everything we don’t want to do "opportunities."
Photo of Jim Halpert

Photo of Andy Bernard
Heads up everyone. If you really need something from me today, let’s get it done tomorrow. Carla Fern got me a gig.
Hey!
Photo of Pam Beesley
Photo of Andy Bernard
Yeah.
Who’s Carla Fern?
Photo of Stanley Hudson
Photo of Andy Bernard
Who is Carla Fern? Well, wow. Uh, she’s my agent and my drill sargent. And one of my best friends. Oh, and Oscar, I already figured it out. If I have to get emotional in the film, I’m just going to think about you getting dumped by the Senator.
Why wouldn’t you use your own life? Erin just dumped you.
Photo of Oscar Martinez
Photo of Andy Bernard
Little raw. Not cool Oscar.
But you just!
Photo of Oscar Martinez
Photo of Andy Bernard
Not cool.
Hey. Day two. Drama in the warehouse skies. This is Robert from Weyer-Hammer Paper, who will be joining us to judge the final rounds.
Photo of Nellie
Photo of Robert California
Who’s pumped for the quarter finals, huh?
I’m pumped!
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Erin
Clark’s a dead man.
Alright. Sounds like somebody wants to walk away with this. holds up large check for $2,000
Photo of Robert California
Photo of Angela Martin
Oh my god!
Whoa.
Photo of Group
Photo of Angela Martin
Nellie you didn’t tell us we could win money.
Oh yes I did, I told you all. It was..um, cause that’s an awful lot of money for me to forget.
Photo of Nellie
Photo of Stanley Hudson
Not one of us remembers you saying anything about two thousand dollars.

I forgot. I completely forgot. But at least now that large piece of cardboard that man was carrying around makes sense.
Photo of Nellie

Photo of Erin
Nellie, this is a competition. Please take it seriously.
Oh please. Dwight watches Angela folding paper airplane
Photo of Nellie

Photo of Angela Martin
Me? Oh, I’m fine. I mean, sure, times are leaner now that I’m separated from the Senator. But my new studio apartment is just fine camera shows small cluttered space with excessive cats and Phillip crying for me.. and Phillip… and Tinky… and Crinklepuss, and Bandit 2, and Pawlick Baggins, and Lady Aragorn and their 10 kittens.

cries
Phillip
Photo of Angela Martin
Come here, come here. Let’s go.

I had a chance with Dwight, but I didn’t take it. And if I went back now, when I’m broke and he just inherited a farm, I’d be one of those gold-digging tramps you read about that try to bag a farmer.
Photo of Angela Martin

Photo of Dwight Schrute
I offered myself to Angela and she turned me down. If she changes her mind, the next move is hers. I’m with Esther now. She’s younger than Angela, sturdier, more comfortable with the scent of a manured field. Let’s be honest. When it came to manured fields, Angela was at best indifferent.

Oh, wide wings, interesting.
Photo of Clark
Photo of Erin
Hey. Why don’t you back off?looks at Pete…I mean best of luck to you in the competition.

Growing up in an orphanage, you have to fight other kids. For everything. Snacks, pillows, parents. I’m kinda worried about Pete seeing that side of me. I once ripped greedy Susan’s pigtail right off her head. Just for a handful of Crispix.
Photo of Erin

Carla Fern
Are you in that paper documentary too?
Yep.
Photo of Darryl Phylbin
Carla Fern
Do you need an agent?
No. He’s- I mean, you’ve never acted in anything before. He’s just my entourage.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Darryl Phylbin
I was in The Whiz in high school.

That’s the cleaky clacker! He clicks that and then the guy says "action."
Photo of Andy Bernard
Carla Fern
Hey, I made them get you a chair. All my clients sit.

Can I take your picture?
Woman
Photo of Andy Bernard
I guess it’s starting. Um, yeah. Of course. Yeah sure. Tell you what. I’ll put my arm around you and then I can take it-
We just need a picture of the top of your head in case we burn some of your hair off.
Woman
Photo of Andy Bernard
Got it. lowers head to show hair, but keeps looking up just as she tries to take the picture
No, if you could just keep it down until..
Woman
Photo of Andy Bernard
Sorry.

OK, next up we have two creatures great and small. Kevin versus Angela.
Photo of Nellie
Photo of Kevin Malone
Yes!
Hey, that is a really nice plane. You make that yourself?
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Kevin Malone
Uh huh.
Well, what am I thinking? Of course you made that yourself. Cause it’s in the rules that you have to fold your own plane.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Kevin Malone
Of course.
Kevin, did you make that yourself?
Photo of Nellie
Photo of Kevin Malone
Yes. In a way. From one that I bought on Craigslist.
Oh man.
Photo of Nellie
Photo of Dwight Schrute
I call for a refold!
No.
Photo of Kevin Malone
Photo of Angela Martin
Really? to Dwight Thank you.
This is flatter.
Photo of Kevin Malone
Photo of Dwight Schrute
It’s a piece of paper. You fold it into an airplane.

Ok, that’s enough. This is the end of the ring now. You have to pick one.
Photo of Nellie
Photo of Kevin Malone
I can’t. I love them all too much. And, none of them fly. So that makes it harder.
You have to choose one now.
Photo of Nellie
Photo of Kevin Malone
Fine. throws plane, doesn’t fly
Angela advances.
Photo of Nellie
Photo of Erin
Nice.
clapping Whoo!
Photo of Dwight Schrute

Photo of Angela Martin
Was Dwight rooting for me? Hmm. I hadn’t noticed.

I’m not giving up. I’m going to keep making planes until one of them flies. Like Wilbur and Orville Redenbacher.
Photo of Kevin Malone

Photo of Jim Halpert
An Earl Grey tea for the lady.
Oh, thank you. I acknowledge and appreciate that you went out of your way to get me tea.
Photo of Pam Beesley
Photo of Jim Halpert
Thank you. I like being appreciated. But, to speak my truth, it wasn’t out of the way because I felt like a tea anyway. So, one trip.
Well, to speak my truth, I switched to coffee in March. There’s a new espresso machine. But I still acknowledge and appreciate the gesture.
Photo of Pam Beesley

Director
We are rolling and…action!
Happily This video is to demonstrate the HPRDC chemical handling protocols. These protocols could save you from severe injury, even death.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Producer
Ok, um, stop. Um, why are you smiling so much?
Just made a character choice to be a scientist who really likes what he does and enjoys his job.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Director
Ok, well maybe no smiling on this one.
So how do you want, how should I do it?
Photo of Andy Bernard
Director
I don’t know, just like you’re reporting the news or something. Ok?
ridiculous news voice This video is to demonstrate the HPRDC chemical handling protocols.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Director
Ok.
It’s Tom Brokaw, it’s a newscaster.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Director
Who was that?
Tom Brokaw!
Photo of Andy Bernard

Photo of Dwight Schrute
Come on Clark!
Come on Clark. Clark throws plane, Erin throws plane it goes much farther
Photo of Angela Martin
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Whoa!
Yeah! Oh! Eat it piggy! Eat it! Oink oink oink oink!
Photo of Erin
Photo of Clark
We’ve still gotta work together, so we should keep it civil.
Snorts and grunts I can’t hear what you said. snorting, grunting You got your slop? Squeals
Photo of Erin
Photo of Clark
You know what, this is completely unnecessary. You already won…
Erin! Erin! Just stop.
Photo of Pete
Photo of Erin
What?
Relax.
Photo of Pete

Photo of Nellie
Next up we have Dwight and Phyllis.
You can do it baby!
Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration
Photo of Angela Martin
No you can’t baby! to Dwight, whispers Good luck.
Watch and learn.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Erin
Wow.
Oh!
Photo of Group
Photo of Nellie
Dwight defeats Phyllis, Dwight you are through to the semi-finals.
Yes!
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Angela Martin
Whoo!
Oh, Esther.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Esther
Hey.
What are you- Esther kisses him You’re here early.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Esther
Yeah, I plucked the chickens extra fast cause I knew I was seeing you tonight. There might just be a little feather in your nuggets or a little bit of meat inside of your pillow.
I like a little feather in my nuggets. both laugh
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Nellie
Alright ladies and gentlemen, we are down to the final four. Dwight, Erin, Angela and god only knows how, but Toby. One of you will walk away with two thousand dollars.
Yeah!
Photo of Erin

Director
Ok here you have just knocked over the beaker, the chemicals splashed in your eye.
Which is insanely painful.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Director
Yeah.
And I’ve already picked a few childhood memories to tap in to, to really express that pain.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Director
That’s great. So what you’re gonna do then is come over here to the eye washing station and then just kinda flush out your eyes. You know, get the chemicals out. Alright?
So I just lean over this thing and then you’ll add the water special effect later?
Photo of Andy Bernard
Director
What water special effect?
Yeah, yeah just hold your lids open with one hand and let the stream bathe your eyeballs.
Producer
Photo of Andy Bernard
I’m not comfortable doing my own stunts. I’ll get nude if you want me to, I’ll go full Lena Dunham but I-
Dude, we don’t need you to go nude, OK? So just do the eyewash, Ok? That’s all we’re asking.
Director

Photo of Andy Bernard
Darryl, what do I do?
Hold up, I’m looking at my spit with a microscope.
Photo of Darryl Phylbin
Photo of Andy Bernard
They want me to use real water in the eye wash scene.
So?
Photo of Darryl Phylbin
Photo of Andy Bernard
I can’t squirt stuff in my eyeball. I’ve never even used an eye dropper.
So Andy, so you know how to use this. You step on the pedal, water squirts in your eyes.
Production Assistant
Photo of Andy Bernard
Carla! Carla!

It is time for a little T & A. I give you: Toby and Angela.
Photo of Nellie
Photo of Angela Martin
throws plane far Oh my god! Oh my god. Ok it’s your turn. Toby crumples plane and steps aside.
Well, Angela is the winner.
Photo of Nellie
Photo of Angela Martin
Yes!
to Dwight Is there a reason that we’re excited for that little woman?
Photo of Esther
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Yes. I pity her. She was recently in a situation where she could have had it all, and instead she lost everything.
Oh. Is she a gambler?
Photo of Esther
Photo of Dwight Schrute
In a way. But not in a stand up and cheer kind of way, like the song.
Hmm. That is sad.
Photo of Esther

Carla Fern
grabs Andy by the cheeks Andy! If you don’t stick your eyes in that machine, I’m going to call every production in North Eastern Pennsylvania. You won’t even make an appearance on a security camera! Andy starts to cry
What’s the hold up here?
Producer
Director
The actor’s crying.
Oh god.
Producer

Photo of Andy Bernard
She yelled at me. I can’t wash my eyeball. I can’t do that. I can’t.
Andy Bernard can’t squirt water in his eye and act like it doesn’t freak him out. But you know who can? Older Male Lab Assistant Number One.
Photo of Darryl Phylbin
Photo of Andy Bernard
Do you believe in me?
I believe I want to go home.
Photo of Darryl Phylbin

Photo of Dwight Schrute
throws plane far Yeah! Ok! Beat that! Erin throws plane, loses, Dwight laughs Whoo! Ok.
Dammit! Dammit, god. To Pete Sorry. Yeah I’m fine. I’m fine. I got mad. Cause I don’t like losing. I’m just gonna- Sorry I’m mad! I’m mad, I’m really mad. I wanted to win. We were gonna win a lot of money, I was gonna buy you a sweater. It’s stupid. Just the whole contest is stupid. That’s how it feels.
Photo of Erin
Photo of Pete
Yeah. Erin kicks box Whoa!
Sorry I’m mad! I don’t like losing! I thought I was going to win!
Photo of Erin
Photo of Pete
Ok tries to help her Hey hey hey, whoa.
Sorry. Sorry. I’m going to go upstairs and just…
Photo of Erin

Photo of Pam Beesley
Oh, I made us a date to take my mom out to dinner to thank her for all that extra babysitting.
Well, you know how much I appreciate the opportunity to hang out with your mom more. So let me just put this in my calendar.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Pam Beesley
I acknowledge with gratitude that you are being kind and responsible enough to include it in your calendar.
Thank you. Your mom is a treasure.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Pam Beesley
Well, I appreciate that some opportunities can be unpleasant- Jim’s phone rings, he answers
Hey that’s work, hold on. Hey Wade, did Cole Hamels call back or what? Great. Good.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Pam Beesley
Uh, to speak my truth, I’d appreciate if you hung that up cause we were in the middle of a conversation. Jim hangs up phone I appreciate the sacrifice.
Ok to speak my truth, that was a little sarcastic. I think that’s a little unfair.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Pam Beesley
Really? I’ve been putting the kids to bed by myself every night for a months. And you had to miss one phone call. Is that your truth, Jim? That’s really your truth?
I guess I will swallow my truth.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Clark
Are you guys high? Because if so, to speak my truth, I would appreciate the sacrifice of including me in some hits off your kind buds.
We’re not high.
Photo of Pam Beesley

Photo of Pam Beesley
I wish we’d started this exercise six months ago. My heart just feels so… blocked up.

The Mark 47 is ready for launch. throws plane but it sticks to his hand Less paste.
Photo of Kevin Malone

Director
Here we go. Rolling and… action!
doing eyewash AHHH! AHHH! AHHH! AHHH!!
Photo of Andy Bernard
Director
And cut. We can fix the sound in post.
Yeah.
Producer
Photo of Andy Bernard
I can do a better one.
That’s fine, we’ll move on.
Producer
Photo of Andy Bernard
I said I can do a better one. Darryl…
Action!
Photo of Darryl Phylbin
Photo of Andy Bernard
eyewashes again AHH! AHH! AHH!
Kid can act!
Carla Fern
Photo of Andy Bernard
Yeah! Yeah.

Each contestant will throw two aeroplanes.
Photo of Nellie
Photo of Dwight Schrute
After you.
Thank you. plane loops up and falls at her feet Oh god!
Photo of Angela Martin
Photo of Nellie
Angela’s first throw, terrible. Dwight.
fake throws and drops plane Oh! Oh man! It slipped out of my hand, what a whiff. Ah, how’d that happen? God. Angela smiles
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Esther
We want you to win. Dwight told me about your situation. It’s such a pity. Use the money wisely. Angela looks disgusted
Alright.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Angela Martin
Don’t you dare tank this. Dwight throws plane far, Angela fake throws and drops her plane
And we have a winner. And it’s Dwight. And it is everyone because this is over.
Photo of Nellie
Photo of Creed Bratton
Two grand huh? I know a guy who can turn that into eight hundred dollars. And it’s me.
To Esther Well, I guess you needed the money more than me huh? Use it wisely.
Photo of Angela Martin

Photo of Angela Martin
I was disappointed in Dwight today. He showed a weakness that was unbecoming. Even if he did do it for me. I don’t need pity and I don’t need charity. I have my dignity and that’s enough. And as long as I have that, I’ll be ok.

I know this was really weird, and it was really hard. But I think we’re making progress. So I’m really sorry that I have to go but let’s keep at this. Ok?
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Pam Beesley
Ok. intense moment where Jim leaves and Pam seems conflicted. She notices his umbrella and runs out to follow him

Jim! hands him umbrella
Photo of Pam Beesley
Photo of Jim Halpert
Thanks.
Alright, have a good trip.
Photo of Pam Beesley
Photo of Jim Halpert
Bye.
Bye. walks away
Photo of Pam Beesley
Photo of Jim Halpert
Hey! Runs after her and looks into her eyes I… hugs her tightly, Pam doesn’t hug back

Flashback to Jim & Pam’s wedding Love suffers long and is kind. It is not proud. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Pam hugs Jim back finally And now these three remain: Faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. Pam kisses Jim
Pastor

Photo of Pam Beesley
I love you.
I love you.
Photo of Jim Halpert

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