Yet Baldwin's character is so over the top and so inventive in the way that he crushes their self-esteem that it becomes comedy of a sort. The way Shelley, Moss, and George react so seriously to it raises this level of tragic comedy. It is one heck of a seven minutes and a top-notch performance by Baldwin. There is not a wrinkle in his suit or a hair out of place. He tells them they are all fired and have one week to regain their jobs.
Second prize is a set of steak knives.
Third prize is you're fired. Blake tells them Mitch and Murray paid good money for leads they should be able to close. Shelley tells him the leads are weak. Alan Arkin with an excellent portrayal of the befuddled and perseverative George Aaronow. Moss nervously asks him what his name is and gets slammed with one of the best ever put-downs.