After “celebrating the finalization of his divorce”, Robert (James Spader) drunkenly shuts down the Binghamton branch of Dunder Mifflin. The resulting commotion allows the sales team in Scranton, specifically Jim (John Krasinski) and Dwight (Rainn Wilson) to begin poaching former customers of the closed branch. Harry, an angry employee from the Syracuse branch of Dunder Mifflin arrives in Scranton to berate Jim and Dwight for “stealing their clients”. The two argue, dropping the name of a particularly large client, Prestige Direct Sale Solutions, that is up for grabs. Andy (Ed Helms), who is cooking lunch for everyone in the office, overhears the argument and gets an idea: if he can win the client, he might be able to use the account as leverage to get his job back.

Andy rushes to the potential client and impresses him with his dedication—in addition to his personal phone number, he also gives the CEO of the company a copy of his house key. Meanwhile, Dwight, Jim, and the rival employee rush to the company in an attempt to win the client, only to hear that the company has gone with someone else: Andy. After Andy wins the client, he calls Robert and offers him the client if Robert will re-hire him. Robert, angry at Andy’s attempt at blackmail, demonizes him on the phone, forcing Andy to seek help from David Wallace, the former Chief Financial Officer of Dunder Mifflin. Andy tells David that, despite being in poor shape, Dunder Mifflin could be worth twice its net worth if the company’s management is restructured. This piques David’s interest, who allows Andy to come into his home and talk to him about his business proposal.

Meanwhile, after Nellie Bertram (Catherine Tate) reveals to Robert that he sent her a sexually suggestive voicemail, Robert tasks Pam Halpert (Jenna Fischer) with finding what the voicemail entailed. Initially, Pam tries to trick Nellie into divulging the contents of the message, but this plan is ruined when Angela shows up, claiming that she was Robert’s “back-up plan” in case Pam failed. Finally, Pam steals Nellie’s phone and brings it to Robert and the two listen to the various voice messages. After hearing several which paint a life for Nellie that is sad and lonely—she is unable to adopt a child and she has maxed out her credit cards—Pam relents and tells Robert that she won’t help him any more. Pam returns Nellie’s phone and the two strike up a conversation.

In the end, Nellie reveals to the camera that she is deeply moved to have a real friend at her work place.

“Turf War” is the twenty-third episode of the eighth season of the American comedy television series The Office, and the show’s 175th episode overall. The episode originally aired on NBC on May 3, 2012.

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