To ensure Andy's attention, Erin and Dwight challenge Andy and Jessica to a series of chicken fights in the pool. The two flirt outrageously whenever Andy is close by, but Andy does not notice. Dwight initially refuses, but, after realizing that Erin's choosing him as her co-conspirator is flattering to his attractiveness, agrees to help. Erin Hannon ( Ellie Kemper), having been told by Meredith Palmer ( Kate Flannery) that Andy followed her home after the Christmas party, decides to make Andy jealous by flirting with Dwight Schrute ( Rainn Wilson). Kelly Kapoor ( Mindy Kaling) and Phyllis Vance ( Phyllis Smith) later find the ring and decide, based on the superstition of finding a lost ring, that it must be destroyed, setting it in the pool atop a tiny pyre. The ring goes missing from Andy's pants and he is horrified that he cannot find it. Andy Bernard ( Ed Helms) takes his girlfriend Jessica ( Eleanor Seigler) to the party and brings an engagement ring his Jessica-approving mother gave him, hoping to propose. SynopsisĪfter Robert California ( James Spader) is forced to sell his mansion at the behest of his ex-wife following his divorce, Kevin Malone ( Brian Baumgartner) suggests that he have an office pool party. The episode ranked third in its timeslot, and was the highest rated NBC series of the night. According to Nielsen Media Research, "Pool Party" drew 6.02 million viewers and received a 3 rating/7% share in the 18–49 demographic, marking a slight increase from the previous episode, " Trivia". "Pool Party" received mostly mixed reviews from critics, with many criticizing the episode's lack of a finite plot. Meanwhile, Robert gives everyone a tour of his massive home. There, Erin Hannon ( Ellie Kemper) tries to make Andy Bernard ( Ed Helms) jealous by flirting with Dwight Schrute ( Rainn Wilson). In this episode, Robert California ( James Spader) decides to sell his mansion following his divorce and Kevin Malone ( Brian Baumgartner) suggests that he have an office pool party. The series- presented as if it were a real documentary-depicts the everyday lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania, branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company.