Pilot (The Office)
Plot [ edit ] The episode introduces Michael Scott ( Steve Carell ), the regional manager at the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin , a distribution company dealing in paper products that is currently under threat of facing downsizing . The news is delivered to him by the Vice President of Northeast Sales, Jan Levinson-Gould ( Melora Hardin ), who, along with the other employees, can barely tolerate Michael’s foolish antics. Also introduced are a few of the other workers in the office, including Dwight Schrute ( Rainn Wilson ), a socially awkward salesman and part-time, volunteer sheriff’s deputy; Jim Halpert ( John Krasinski ), another salesman who enjoys playing pranks on Dwight; Pam Beesly ( Jenna Fischer ), the receptionist on whom Jim harbors an obvious crush; and Ryan Howard ( B. J. Novak ), a temporary worker.