For some people it’s all about the money. For others, it’s all about the money too, but at least they’ll stick around if you call their bluff. Just keep in mind, a poorly planned prank is like running into an old flame. You can play it over in your head a thousand times, but until you’re face-to-face with the business end of a industrial copier, you just don’t know how it’s going to go.

Talk about your classic Office—not the angstiest or the plot-moving-forwardest— just awesome in its own right.This was “The Injury”, but without the injury. It was “Diwali” without the festive Indian celebration. It was “Office Olympics” without the portent of a single yogurt lid. “Branch Wars” put the funny ahead of the story and I’m OK with that.

It ain’t easy replacing a middle-aged black man with sass, a big butt and a bigger heart. (It was good to see Stanley take a lead role. I can’t remember that happening before.) He got a better offer in Utica and only a raise will keep him around. The guy who didn’t know the value of a Schrute Buck sure knows his greenbacks.

As for Utica, too bad they didn’t employ the Yonkers branch of Dunder-Mifflin, not that I know why they’d have a branch office so close to their midtown headquarters. And I guess if your Stamford job was downsized and your Scranton job made you feel uncomfortably third-wheelish, a management gig in “The City of Possibilities” might be pretty appealing. Not to me, mind you, but apparently to prod- prog- progidal daughter Karen Fillipelli.

Michael is beside himself, and I don’t mean the mannequin asleep at his desk. He doesn’t want to lose the hilarious black guy, as though staffing his office were akin to casting a sit-com. OK, so it is. But Stanley’s not hilarious, not intentionally, anyway. He doesn’t even flash a smile beneath those baleful eyes.

So, like a raid on accounting, Michael and Dwight are gunning for Utica. They’ll burn it to the ground if they have to, an eventuality Dwight is apparently quite prepared for. Wouldn’t be fun without Jim, though, right? But how can you get him to face the girl he dumped by a fountain in New York just five months before? Perhaps a sense of obligation to keep Dwight out of jail?

Mustachio’d and clad in bisexual warehouse wear, the trio hit the road. And there will be no phone calls, even if it costs you the photos of your brother’s new kid. (Jim’s got a bro!)

Back at work, the Finer Things Club is in session. Pam has an unexplored affinity for fine culture, and Oscar says it fits his lifestyle. But Toby? Sporting a bow-tie for which there are no words, you know he’s just there to gawk at Pam. Andy wants in. The guy’s all about social status and exclusivity. But it seems this club’s a tad bit too exclusive.

It takes gumption to leave everyone out of your club, only to bust out the sushi and finger sandwiches right in the middle of the break room. Well the vending machine is public domain, as is the microwave. Kevin Malone is no friend to the elitist, though he should know those vending machines can come tumble right down on top of you if you shake them too hard. Ask Homer.

When it comes to a good story, showing beats telling…except when it doesn’t. Sometimes it’s best to leave a bit to the imagination. As Jim slumps down low in the bucket seat of the PT Cruiser, Michael and Dwight stage their Assault on Utica. This is easily the funniest scene of the season, a stretch of pure comic joy on par with Alec Baldwin’s one-man portrayal of Tracy Jordan’s extended family on last week’s 30 Rock.

I’ve got to figure these choice lines, uttered through a walkie talkie as Karen approached, were mostly improvised and probably the result of numerous takes.

Michael: My hip bone. We’re wedged between the copier and the railing. Ow, my left hip.
Dwight: Jim, leave us. Save yourself.
Michael: No, don’t leave us! Help us. We need help, Jim.
Jim: OK, first of all, stop using my name. And second of all-
Michael: You’ve got to move over.
Jim: Dammit guys!
Michael: Move over! I’m losing control of my bladder!
Jim: Oh my God. Oh my God. Karen’s back.
Dwight: Is that Karen?
Michael: Take her to a motel. Make love to her, Jim.
Jim: No. I’m not doing that.
Michael: Just say you want to get back together.
Jim: No. I’m not doing that.
Michael: It doesn’t have to mean anything. Just do it for Stanley. Come on Jim, just climb on top of her and think about Stanley.
Michael: Jim, if this is it for me, promise me something…
Karen: (knocking on the window) Jim?
Michael: Host the Dundies.