Litigation Value: $75,000
No new episode this week (darned ER series finale), but that doesn’t mean there isn’t activity in Scranton. Shortly after Michael’s departure from Dunder Mifflin last week, Michael sent out an email to job seekers about the Michael Scott Paper Company. It read:
Dear whom it may concern,
Bored? Poor? Lonely? Not if you take up this opportunity to join a company on the verge of the cutting edge of paper! Hi, I’m Michael Gary Scott. I’ve been working in paper for the last fifteen years and with paper since I was eight. As the manager of Dunder Mifflin, Scranton I learned two things: everything about the paper business and that Dunder Mifflin is a suckee company. I’m taking that expertness and creating The Michael Scott Paper Company.
This is your chance to join the ranks of people that have made millions selling paper: Robert Dunder, the Hearst family, those people that make counterfeit money, future me… I cannot promise success, but I will promise you the best effing time of your life!!! Because at the Michael Scott Paper Company we’re not just a company or a family, we’re a family company made up of people that aren’t related.
The choice is clear: choose life. Choose the Michael Scott Paper Company.
I hope Michael hired a lawyer for his new company, because he’s about to get sued for libel and tortious interference. Even though I have to give credit to Michael for his creativity, he clearly went over the line and is an easy target for Dunder Mifflin. If I’ve seen it once, I’ve seen it a hundred times –- you will be liable for a big money judgment if you call a competing company, or your former employer, suckee.
On the bright side, at least Michael went out of his way to say that he couldn’t promise applicants success at his company. Frankly, I expect Michael to make false promises, so when he doesn’t, it’s a pleasant surprise.
There are two new episodes next week, so check back then for double the analysis, and presumably, double the damages.
How Michael Scott has made it through the life of this show without getting fired or sued (or both!) I will never know. I still think it’s awesomely bad that in the end, Michael quit.