--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: MICHAEL (standing up and stretching)…" description: "\"“MICHAEL (standing up and stretching) Gosh, Steve. I don't know how to thank you. STEVE (also standing) Hey, don't thank me. It means you haven't got a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eee/stephen-fry-573_electric-shock_michael-standing-up-and-stretching-gosh_3107122.png" --- # MICHAEL (standing up and stretching) Gosh, Steve. I don't… ![“MICHAEL (standing up and stretching) Gosh, Steve. I don't know how to thank you. STEVE (also standing) Hey, don't thank me. It means you haven't got any excuse now not to get back to work. They are facing each other. STEVE is looking into MICHAEL's eyes. MICHAEL (embarrassed) So... STEVE (also…” quote by Stephen Fry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eee/stephen-fry-573_electric-shock_michael-standing-up-and-stretching-gosh_3107122.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eee/stephen-fry-573_electric-shock_michael-standing-up-and-stretching-gosh_3107122.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eee/stephen-fry-573_electric-shock_michael-standing-up-and-stretching-gosh_3107122.png) > ““MICHAEL (standing up and stretching) Gosh, Steve. I don't know how to thank you. STEVE (also standing) Hey, don't thank me. It means you haven't got any excuse now not to get back to work. They are facing each other. STEVE is looking into MICHAEL's eyes. MICHAEL (embarrassed) So... STEVE (also slightly awkward) Right. Well, I guess I'd better be... MICHAEL, surprising himself, silently pulls STEVE towards him. He puts a hand on his cheek. STEVE stares at MICHAEL, unable to move. The feeling of MICHAEL's hand on his cheek is like an electric shock. MICHAEL (whispering, hardly audible) I mean it, really... thanks. He leans forward and kisses STEVE on the lips. STEVE puts his arms round MICHAEL's neck and holds him tightly. MICHAEL suddenly ends the kiss and pulls away. He goes to the door, opens it and says, in a clear voice. MICHAEL Goodnight, then, Steve. STEVE (disappointed, hurt) Right... sure. G'night. MICHAEL immediately closes the door loudly, before STEVE has had a chance to leave. MICHAEL puts a finger to his lips. STEVE suddenly understands. He smiles in radiant relief, pure love and joy in his eyes. They embrace.”” [Stephen Fry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-fry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A brief, unexpected intimacy between two colleagues reveals deep affection, challenging workplace norms. **In simple terms:** Unexpected intimacy shows hidden love. Key Takeaway Acknowledge and respect genuine feelings. Themes love intimacy workplace vulnerability acceptance Mood tender conflicted Type dramatic romantic When to use this quote - office environment - conflict resolution - team building - personal boundaries Key Concepts Human connection emotional honesty Questions to Reflect On - What are the risks of mixing romance with work? - How can workplaces support authentic relationships? 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MICHAEL (whispering, hardly audible) I mean it, really... thanks. He leans forward and kisses STEVE on the lips. STEVE puts his arms round MICHAEL's neck and holds him tightly. MICHAEL suddenly ends the kiss and pulls away. He goes to the door, opens it and says, in a clear voice. MICHAEL Goodnight, then, Steve. STEVE (disappointed, hurt) Right... sure. G'night. MICHAEL immediately closes the door loudly, before STEVE has had a chance to leave. MICHAEL puts a finger to his lips. STEVE suddenly understands. He smiles in radiant relief, pure love and joy in his eyes. They embrace.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Fry" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-fry/michael-standing-up-and-stretching-gosh-steve-i-don-t-know-how-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Electric shock" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-fry/michael-standing-up-and-stretching-gosh-steve-i-don-t-know-how-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eee/stephen-fry-573_electric-shock_michael-standing-up-and-stretching-gosh_3107122.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eee/stephen-fry-573_electric-shock_michael-standing-up-and-stretching-gosh_3107122.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eee/stephen-fry-573_electric-shock_michael-standing-up-and-stretching-gosh_3107122.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“MICHAEL (standing up and stretching) Gosh, Steve. I don't know how to thank you. 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