The Office episode “The Promotion”

So Jim gets promoted to be co manger along with Michael. Dumb premise to start, but this show is the best.
Jim and Michael spend the episode trying to figure out how to distribute a set amount of money each branch gets in lieu of the standard cost of living raises they get every year.

What is the big mystery here? The balance pool is taking the place of a standard yearly raise and is not replacing a merit based bonus. Just split the amount evenly and tell the truth that the company is struggling and that’s the way it goes this year. Seems easy. New co-manger Jimothy really dropped the ball here.