Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
It is the politest possible expression of a man who has been pushed too far, and the quiet delivery is what makes it funny. The stapler is Milton's last shred of dignity, which is why fans repeat the line about any stolen desk object. The prop even became real: the film's red Swingline did not exist in that colour, and the company began making red staplers after the movie.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Office SpaceShow the scene
Milton Waddams, a meek, mumbling Initech employee, is being quietly squeezed out of the company: management keeps moving his desk and finally banishes him to the basement, and his boss Lumbergh confiscates his beloved red Swingline stapler. In Office Space (1999) Milton murmurs this line when he wants it back. His grumbled fear that they will take his stapler and he will burn the building down pays off at the end, when he does exactly that. The character began in Mike Judge's animated shorts.
Sources (2)
- Wikiquote: Office SpaceMilton sectionReference checked
- Wikipedia: Office SpacePlot and infoboxReference checked
Context reviewed
