While delaying choosing a new healthcare plan for the office Michael wants to "give the troops around here a little bit of a boost". and tells the gang he has a "big surprise" waiting for them at the end of the day. Having nothing planned, he embarks on a search for a surprise activity. After striking out at the travel agency Michael returns to his car where he makes a phone call to Lakawana Coal Mine, a location he is considering taking the gang. The man on the other end of the line is voiced by Creed (Creed Bratton).
While on the phone with Pam just after the work day ends, Jim asks her how many words per minute the average person types. Pam replies that she types 90 WPM, and guesses the average person types 70 WPM. Jim replies that he types 65 WPM, which Pam calls "respectable". The average person types between 38 and 40 WPM, what translates into between 190 and 200 characters per minute (CPM).