Mr. Sunshine Episode 1.04 Hostile Workplace

The Sunshine Center is the hottest place in town. That's because the air conditioning system is on the fritz. Ben asks the maintenance team to fix it. It would have been better if he had asked them by name. But he doesn't know anybody's name. Ben just calls everyone Steve. Tired of the boss man's insensitivity, the Steves refuse to go back to work. Crystal wants Ben to apologize and, yes, get to know their names.

Ben decides to fix the air conditioning unit himself. That's not gonna happen. He needs to learn everyone's name. Roman has the bright idea of making up flash cards featuring pictures of the staff. All Ben has to do is come up with little descriptions that match their initials. Unfortunately, the reminders Ben writes on the cards are pretty darn offensive. For instance, Fred Patterson reminds him of a "Fat Pumpkin." Doug Miller has "Disgusting Moles." You get the idea.

As tactless as it may seem, the flash card exercise does the trick. Ben chats with all his workers addressing them by both first and last name. It's a highly productive meeting that ends with the workers springing back into action. Cool air is soon wafting through the Sunshine Center.

Ben is enjoying all the smiles his staff is sending his way. The good times don't last for long. Roman accidentally launches Ben's insulting flash cards onto the arena floor where the workers see all the nasty things Ben penned. Suddenly, the air conditioner goes south again. The staff manages to keep cool by fanning themselves with their own personal flash cards.

Crystal wants to throw the staff an ice cream party, but Ben opts for a little Lord of the Flies exercise. He wants everyone to pass around a conch shell to express their true feelings about him. Crystal steps up to the plate. She says, "Benjamin, you're a preening, self-centered narcissist and your socks are too designy. What's with all the stripes? You're not Beetlejuice, you're a human man." Everyone follows her lead whether they're holding the conch or not. Looks like Ben will be throwing that ice cream party after all.

Ben doesn't think he can be friends with the people who work for him. Roman begs to differ. After all, they became friends. Ben just needs to get to know these folks. He asks Robert (the maintenance man formerly known as Bobert) about his plans for the weekend. Ben wonders if they could maybe do something together. It won't be this weekend, but Robert lets Ben know that maybe sometime soon. That'll work.

Crystal wants to go on a double date with Alonzo and Alice. Sounds like fun! Crystal's a little surprised Alonzo doesn't know her new fella. After all, the guy's a brother. Alice is offended by Crystal's racist remark, but Alonzo takes it all in stride. He says, "Look, it's no surprise that Crystal is insensitive. This is the woman who handed Yo-Yo Ma her dry cleaning."

Alonzo convinces Alice to go through with the double date, but Crystal continues to spew forth questionable comments. It gets to a point where both Alice and Alonzo have had enough. They call out their boss about her petty views. All this goes down just as Crystal's new boyfriend arrives. Turns out he is a brother-a white fraternity brother Alonzo knows from college. Ahh.