The central plotline involves Sabre’s (printer sales) take-over of Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton (paper sales) branch, and co-manager Michael’s difficulty adapting to Sabre’s policies. Sideplots center around the efforts of Pam (Jenna Fischer) and Jim (John Krasinski) to gain admission into a favorable local daycare center, as well as the continued miscommunication between Andy (Ed Helms) and Erin (Ellie Kemper), who both wish to date but expect the other to take the initiative by asking. Subplots involve Michael’s first interactions with emerging region representative Gabe Lewis and Sabre CEO Jo Bennett (Kathy Bates), as well as Michael’s visit to former Dunder Mifflin CFO David Wallace, who appears to have deteriorated mentally and lost his purchase on reality.

The episode begins with Michael opening a package from Sabre and distributing the contents of the package to various workers. It is revealed that the package was intended for Gabe Lewis (Zach Woods), an emerging region representative from Sabre, and the workers are forced to return the contents of the package to the box and tape it shut. When Gabe arrives, he is greeted with a standing ovation and song from Andy and Erin, who play a Scranton-themed version of “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus and mispronounce Sabre.

In a conference room meeting, Gabe shows a video of Florida-based printer sales company Sabre starring Christian Slater, which Jim refers to as “nonsensical”. Gabe then shares some of the company’s new policies, including the use of metallic drink containers and site blocking of time-wasting sites like Facebook and Twitter, which is done in the background by IT assistant Nick. Michael expresses concerns about the change in these policies and requests a meeting with Gabe’s superiors. Michael engages in a video chat with Sabre CEO Jo Bennett and expresses concerns about the new policies. Bennett replies that those policies came under a mismanaged company and that Michael would have “until the end of the day”. Frustrated, Michael leaves the office to visit David Wallace for advice, and on the way, throws a Sabre water bottle out his car, breaking another car’s windshield.

Meanwhile, Jim and Pam enter a daycare center with hopes to impress the admissions officer. Jim enters a bathroom and unexpectedly finds the officer (Joey Slotnick) in the bathroom. Jim and Pam agree not to bring up the incident during the interview, but Pam mentions it anyway, hoping that her honest comments will help them directly confront the officer about why the interview is going poorly. The officer informs them that they should have considered that the interview is going poorly simply because the questions have not been answered satisfactorily.

Back at the office, Andy and Erin conduct interviews with the film crew, and each admit interest in dating. However, Andy thinks that the “ball is in Erin’s court”, while Erin assumes that after Andy’s last spectacular display involving a band drumline that he will surely be the one to ask. Andy then awkwardly confronts Erin about her weekend plans, revealing that she has none. Andy exits with exasperation, hoping that his “hint” would be sufficient for her to ask.

Michael arrives unannounced at David Wallace’s home, and finds that he has not shaved nor done anything productive recently. David’s son plays the drums in the living room, while David’s wife provides subtle hints that David should actually do something outside the house. Later, Michael (with his shirt still on) and David go in the hot tub and discuss David’s proposed business venture “Suck It”, a vacuum that collects children’s toys. Michael leaves and expresses concerns for David’s well-being to the camera crew.

Finally, Michael returns to the office and proclaims his allegiance to Sabre and its new policies. He proposes a toast with orange juice in the metallic Sabre bottles to the new management. The episode closes with a vignette of David Wallace and his son playing a rock song dedicated to the “Suck It” toy vacuum.

“Sabre” is the 15th episode of the sixth season of the U.S. comedy series The Office and the show’s 115th episode overall. It was written by Jennifer Celotta and directed by John Krasinski, which marks his television directorial debut. Also, Ed Helms is added to the opening credits starting with this episode.

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