J. Pierrepont Finch, a young window washer in New York City with large ambitions, reads the book How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. The “Book Voice” tells him that he will be successful in the business world if he follows the book’s advice. Excited, Finch enters the World Wide Wicket Company searching for a job (“How To Succeed”). Finch bumps into J.B. Biggley, the president of the company, who sends him to the personnel manager, Mr. Bratt. Rosemary Pilkington, a pretty, young secretary working at the company, is impressed buy Finch’s boldness and helps him meet Mr. Bratt. Bratt is originally very brusque to Finch, and so Finch tells him that Biggley sent him and that they were friends. Bratt gives him a job in the mailroom, where he works with Mr. Biggley’s lazy, arrogant, and nepotistic nephew Bud Frump. Rosemary who dreams of married life and has taken a liking to Finch, fantasises about him to her friend Smitty. (“Happy To Keep His Dinner Warm”). A coffee break is called, but the machine has run out of coffee. (“Coffee Break”). Finch is frustrated about being at the company for a week and not advancing. Through Rosemary, he meets Miss Jones, Biggley’s secretary. In the mailroom, Finch earns the respect of long-time head of the mailroom, Mr. Twimble, who is moving to the shipping department and must choose his successor. He tells Finch the secret to longevity at the company (“The Company Way”).>