michael scott was very angry that he was not able to celebrate his 15th work anniversary at the office. his boss, david wallace, said that there were budget cuts and that all parties were cancelled. michael couldn't take his frustrations out on his boss, so he yelled and screamed at his coworker and friend, dwight. when the ego shifts feelings that you have concerning an unacceptable object to another more acceptable object (you are mad at your boss, so you yell at your best friend), this defense mechanism is used