As Episode 5 of "The Consultant" unfolds, Craig artfully contrives a flimsy excuse to evade work, dialing Regus's line with a tale of a sudden illness. Yet, Regus remains unimpressed by Craig's blasé fabrication, promptly broadcasting to the entire office that Craig's tenure with the company has abruptly ended, a proclamation that stuns Elaine, who knows full well the truth. In a bizarre twist, Regus paints Craig's departure as if he had passed away, prompting an eerie moment of silence and reverence from the staff. Elaine, and even we, find ourselves caught in this surreal spectacle.
Subsequently, an office becomes vacant after an employee's relocation, and Regus presents it as a prize to be claimed among them. A frenetic scramble ensues, with colleagues jostling and elbowing each other aside in a desperate bid to secure the coveted space.
Meanwhile, Craig's voice drifts in through Elaine's phone line, revealing his whereabouts in Pomona. However, the meeting with Florez takes a sinister turn when Craig utters the name Patoff, eliciting a sharp response from Florez, who dismisses it as the fabled "Registered office of the US Patent Office," a non-existent entity. Florez probes Craig's encounter with Patoff, and upon confirming Craig's firsthand experience, invites him to a more secluded corner of the store.
There, Florez reveals a tie pin he crafted for Regus, the very item that first introduced him to the enigmatic figure. Since then, Florez has crafted a staggering 205 more pieces for Regus, each piece a testament to the insatiable demand that once consumed him.
As Patti arrives at work, Elaine frantically attempts to shield Craig's absence, but Regus's cunning manipulation ensnares her as well. Patti's car refuses to cooperate, stranding her inside at Patoff's behest.
Florez's narrative deepens, painting a picture of a time when the demands were so overwhelming that he resorted to liquidating gold from even his wife Betty's ring to fulfill them. Though the profits were lucrative, Florez struggled to keep pace with the relentless tide. The most intriguing revelation: the items he crafted, when combined, formed a solid gold skeleton, a haunting testament to the lengths he went to satisfy an otherworldly clientele.
Patti dined on sushi with Patoff, who exuded an undeniable charm, leaving a lasting impression. Without hesitation, Patoff offered to replace Patti's car battery, gratis, prompting her to reciprocate by assisting him up the stairs. Meanwhile, Florez's world turned upside down after crafting that skull; he secluded himself for a year, Regus's image haunting him everywhere. The aftermath saw a string of losses, culminating in Betty's disappearance.
Frank posed an intriguing query, casting doubts on Patoff's corporeal form: "Could he be the very embodiment of solid gold, beneath that skin?" The thought was almost absurd. As Patti assisted Patoff up the stairs, he rewarded her with a fleeting peck on the lips, catching her off guard with its unexpectedness.
Frank Florez and Craig, united in fear, vowed not to let Patti slip away into Patoff's orbit. However, as Patoff stepped out of the store, a trio of masked assailants descended upon him, shattering the tranquility. They rampaged through the shop, shattering glass cases with reckless abandon. Frank, swift in action, drew his gun and retaliated, while Craig narrowly escaped the chaos.
Elaine, witnessing employees forcibly evict Trisha from her office and replace her with Eric, felt compelled to intervene but was held back by Janelle's firm hand. Her concern deepened as she encountered Iain, terror-stricken at the prospect of the mob's next target being him. Elaine vowed to shield him from harm.
Returning home, Patti found Craig ailing in bed, his words of reassurance mere shadows of the terror he still grappled with. Regus, ever vigilant, sent Patti a chilling reminder of Craig's recent journey to Pomona. Elaine, determined to protect Iain, claimed his office as her own, earning a wry smile from Patoff, who noted her swift yet unorthodox ascension.
As the night deepened, Regus's text message arrived, igniting a peculiar smile on Patti's lips, hinting at a mystery yet to unfold.
