1 [Report This]Date: May 10, 2021 05:55 am Title: Epilogue: The Lunch Party
Okay that's adorable. Loved seeing how everyone turned out. Jim being a successful author. Pam a successful artist. Their last photobooth session of this story is the cherry on top of everything. Seems like in the last two years Pam's really figured out how to get past those halfway points that were never really obstacles in the first place. That she is the one to propose is such a great way to show that and just wonderful to read as well.
Great job with this one. Even though I wasn't familiar with the musical the setting when applied to these characters really fit well. Very easy to see our normal cast of characters in this setting and a lot of fun too.
Fortes Fortuan Adiuvat
(Fortune Favors the Bold)
Date: May 09, 2021 06:00 pm Title: Epilogue: The Lunch Party
"Michael attends over a remote connection on Pam’s laptop. A party poses too much of a risk to his brittle bones, but he loathes to be left out of the celebrations. He is painting the scene from the webcam, just another of his hundreds of original paintings, which he now blogs about. The comments are his favourite part – lots of people to give advice to, whether it was requested or not." I love a lot of the wrap-ups, but this one seems especially on point for both canon Michael and for Pamelie-era Michael.
I love that Kelly is still carrying the gnome around... and that Ryan and Stanley are publishing Toby and Jim!
And that proposal was PERFECT.
I really enjoyed this one! Fun style, fun experience. Thank you for sharing it with us!
1 [Report This]Date: May 09, 2021 04:23 pm Title: Epilogue: The Lunch Party
What a lovely ending. I’m sorry to see this story end. It was so much fun. Many jellybeans
Date: May 09, 2021 01:28 pm Title: Chapter 15: Mystery Solved
You did really well making the domesticity and intimacy of their relationship seem real and lived in... very strong and well-written details.
And the reveal about the repairman! Perfectly plausible and completely sensible. But I like that Pam is still looking for magic in the mundane...
Author's Response:
Thank you so much! I'm a sucker for anything remotely domestic aha.
I figured that if the show can paint Jim as a telekinetic vampire, then Pam can paint the repairman as a time-travelling ghost! Life can be very dull if we just accept every explanation at face value! :)
~ Saturn
1 [Report This]Date: May 09, 2021 12:36 pm Title: Chapter 15: Mystery Solved
Oh this is wonderful. Really glad to see their relationship has blossomed. They're bringout out the best in each other and it's a joy to read. The mystery of the repairman was delightfully them. Jim and Pam always seems to have an element of silly fun about them, and this fits that perfectly. Really liked the image of their own photo booth session. Great job.
Author's Response:
Thank you so much! I feel like the explanation of the repairman was such a mundane solution that it wouldn't have even crossed their minds - they have too much fun to have considered something so reasonable!
~ Saturn
1 [Report This]Date: May 09, 2021 12:31 pm Title: Chapter 14: Solve the Paradox
Oh this is delightful. I just love how patient Jim is with her. How he just sits down on the other side of the door and waits. Good job Jim. Him saying he solved the paradox I think was the big turning point here. It's been this BIG THING with her. So for him to say he has a solution proves to be that faintest hint of rescue for her tossed out on the waves. Clearly I also really liked the lifeboat out at sea metaphor. Jim's right. Her being the only one moving means she'll never get to shore. However he meets her halfway and they fall into each others arms.
The cautious kisses to reassure her that he's not going to run, him returning the gesture was just lovely. Then a full on kiss to cement it all in place. Now onto the date. Always fun to see those lines pop up too. Beautiful this time around.
Author's Response:
Thank you so much!
He really threw her a life jacket, I think. It's such a simple and reasonable solution, and it proved to be completely do-able for her! There are two people in this relationship, so there needs to be action from both sides, and he helped her to see it.
We know canonically that Jim is a pretty patient guy, so I thought that scene suited them. He's willing to just let her do what she needs, but of course he's delighted that this is what she needs to do!
~ Saturn
Date: May 09, 2021 07:05 am Title: Chapter 14: Solve the Paradox
It's striking here that part of the reason the paradox is so hard to solve is because Pam refuses to go the rest of the distance, and what Jim does is give her a reason to do so.
"As she saw his stance, Pam felt like a wild animal, her rescuer trying to reassure her (‘See, I’m not going to hurt you’)." This is great and creative description, really captures the vibe well.
Jim's solution is adorable to the paradox is adorable, and this is all quite lovely. The kiss is VERY well described, and the solution to the mystery of Jim's book comes across as a good balance of quirky and realistic.
Author's Response:
100%. It's all been in her head all along, just a paradox like any other but she's let it dominate her life up to now. Jim can't force her to let it go, but he can challenge her thinking (and we all know he would!).
Thank you, I hoped that would come across how I wanted it to.
Thank you so much. The solution is pinched from the musical (the song 'Halfway Reprise' if you want to listen), and it was so sweet and genuinely romantic that it's what inspired me to write this in the first place! Thank you, I love writing kisses. It intimidated me at first but it's one of my favourite things to write now so I'm glad you liked it! :)
~ Saturn
Date: May 08, 2021 10:37 pm Title: Chapter 13: Tuesday, 2pm
Lot of very sweet moments in this - I love the folks in the cafe rallying around Pam, and Michael hearing the good advice behind Pam's sharp tongue and actually using it to make a change.
This is also a lovely paragraph: "Pam grabbed her sketchbook and turned to the window. Raising the copper spyglass to her eye, she began to sketch the landscape. She didn’t turn the skyscrapers into castles. She didn’t drew ten-foot waves of purple water cascading down the streets. She didn’t draw flying cars, or men with two heads, or a child using a balloon to float their way to school. Instead, she drew New York City exactly as she saw it: dirty, smelly, crowded, and filled with heartbreak."
Author's Response:
Thank you - she's been a bit too private to form close friendships, but people still want to help her where they can. And Michael needed to hear it... maybe in a kinder way than that, but still!
Thank you so much!
~ Saturn
Date: May 08, 2021 07:28 pm Title: Chapter 12: The Trail
I do like seeing Jim putting a firm stop to the games here... enough is enough. And still doing it in a way that's sensitive to her damage, and recognizing that she's going to need someone to speak her language.
Author's Response:
He's ready to move forward, and he's making that clear. Proactive Jim is a top-tier Jim! :)
~ Saturn
Date: May 07, 2021 05:40 pm Title: Chapter 13: Tuesday, 2pm
Oof, they have such hard times getting the timing right don't they. Just a couple more mintues Pam. Still the rush home and the emotional outburst is also something. Better to feel anger and hurt than completely check out and not feel anything. Really like the advice Micheal gives him there.
And a knock on the door? Wonder who it could be? Can't wait to find out.
Author's Response:
They always have been bad with timing, haven't they?
Thank you for reading!
~ Saturn
Date: May 07, 2021 05:35 pm Title: Chapter 12: The Trail
Oh Pam, that halfway point is only in your head. And more than that there's someone there ready and willing to help you past it.
While it's cute that Jim is willing to play along with her, I also really like that he calls her and tells her no more games. He's honest in refreshing way and I'm here for that. I get she's scared and has a ton of emotional baggage, but maybe this is the start of something big.
Onto the next chapter.
Author's Response:
Thank you for your kind review. I feel like he's enjoyed her playful antics up to now, but he's ready for a more serious connection. And so is she, if she can get past that halfway point!
~ Saturn
Date: May 06, 2021 05:22 pm Title: Chapter 11: Blue Arrows
I will grant you, Pam is very lucky she found someone who finds these games charming, and I'm glad Jim is continuing to play along. It seems like she has a lot of damage she's struggling with still, and maybe she needs to feel in control like this to get beyond it. Still, I hope the example of her father and Phyllis will inspire her to make a a few changes...
Author's Response:
The joy of JAM; can you imagine if she tried this with Roy? No way would he play along. Jim probably loves the game though!
She's definitely clinging onto the pain of her past, which is something that I hope love (and therapy!) can help her to solve. :)
~ Saturn
Date: May 06, 2021 05:17 pm Title: Chapter 10: If Gods Were Trees
Awwww. Phyllis and Bill Beesly! Combo I don't think I've read before. But it does make sense in the context of this story - two people who have spent a lot of time stuck in their past romantic partners who need to move forward.
Still enjoying Pam as prankster and doer of good deeds... and I like Jim playing her game right back.
Author's Response:
It's only one step from a Bobby to a Billy! Hey, if Michael can canonically date Helene, Phyllis can AU-ily date William haha!
Thank you for reading!
~ Saturn
Date: May 05, 2021 09:53 am Title: Chapter 11: Blue Arrows
While I appreciate the fact all the cloak and dagger stuff is fun, and it's also in keeping with how this Pam view the world, there's also a big part of me that's screaming at this Pam. Enough with the games! You've proven already you have the courage for big moves, just meet him face to face!
Makes for a very entertaining read though. As always looking forward to more.
Author's Response:
Oh honestly same. I spent a lot of time going "GIRL, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" and I wrote the thing, so I totally get your frustration haha!
Thank you so much!
~ Saturn
Date: May 05, 2021 09:49 am Title: Chapter 10: If Gods Were Trees
More evidence that Pam is always putting other's needs before her own. Clearly she has the ability to do some wonderful things to people. Help them get past their own halfway points. So the fact she can't seem to see she can do that for herself, or at least thinks she can't, is a real driver in this story.
However now there's movement from Jim. Really looking forward to seeing where we go from here.
Author's Response:
She's a good one for helping out others, but she's not the best at helping out herself. Not yet, anyway.
And yes, we love a proactive Jim here!
~ Saturn
Date: May 05, 2021 09:43 am Title: Chapter 9: The Letter
I love how even in this AU, Pam's caring soul comes through. She's always been one to try and help others, even at her own expense some times. I see that here. The forged letter is her doing that. Also it's in keeping with her as a planner and prankster. Not that the forged letter is a prank mind you, but this is a creative way to address this issue.
William is out of the house? This should prove interesting.
Author's Response:
Thank you! I always thought she was one to help people out, and also the quiet 'observer' type that suits this kind of story.
~ Saturn
Date: May 05, 2021 09:38 am Title: Chapter 8: Another Scheme
Kind of going for a more subtle approach to meeting Jim. Looks like she's staring to take some of the advice Micheal gave her to heart. Very cute image of Pam with that mask on.
Aww look at Pam playing matchmaker. Pretty good way to do it too. A bit of subtlty while at the same time being direct enough to get Angela and Dwight moving. Ah Toby, longing after Pam like that. The line that he had to keep raising his voice because of the sounds from the bathroom was a hoot.
Author's Response:
Small steps, eh?
Honestly, that last line was completely inspired by my time in university halls. I had some rather - ahem - noisy neighbours who I often had to talk over haha!
Thank you so much for reading!
~ Saturn
Date: May 04, 2021 06:14 pm Title: Chapter 9: The Letter
Much as I hate to think of Bob Vance (of Vance Refrigeration) leaving Phyllis in the first place, I'm glad she got this closure. It's not real, but sometimes real is overrated... and it's the sort of not real that might allow Phyllis to find real happiness again. You're a good (if very devious) egg, Pamelie.
Author's Response:
After seeing him spend $1000 just to hug Phyllis, I think we can all agree that Bob Vance (of Vance Refrigeration) would NEVER. I'm afraid I had to take him completely OOC for the sake of this AU. Hey, maybe he did write a very similar letter that just never got delivered?! His trip could have been a mid-life crisis... We can hope that Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration, is still the Ultimate Romantic haha.
~ Saturn
Date: May 04, 2021 06:06 pm Title: Chapter 8: Another Scheme
I like the cat and mouse game from Pam here... feels very much in their character. And it looks like she's not giving up her mission to do good. To the extent that one can call uniting Angela and Dwight good...
Author's Response:
Thank you - it's one of the things from Amelie that I thought would really suit these two for just that reason. They spent three seasons chasing each other, after all!
And yes, it's one small good deed for Pam, one giant catastrophe for mankind...
~ Saturn
Date: May 04, 2021 05:52 pm Title: Chapter 7: Zeno's Paradox
This is a very comical use of Michael's infamous bubble wrap and a fun remix of the Pam-Michael connection. (Which I have... issues with, but it's definitely a sweet one, and here he's not sexually harassing all the time.) I like that he's still playing the role of (badly) encouraging Jim and Pam to live out their dreams and take risks.
You can really see the damage Pam's upbringing has done clearly here... and the way it's starting to be undone. I love this scene with the painting... very Michael, in both good and bad ways.
Author's Response:
Thank you!
I have issues with it too on the show, but I needed to lean quite heavily on his sweeter character traits for the plot of this story. No way could I write his more sexual harass-y moments - YEESH. :D
Thank you very much for your feedback!
~ Saturn
Date: May 04, 2021 05:36 am Title: Chapter 7: Zeno's Paradox
I like this chapter. A nice combonation of Micheal's craziness along with one of his more sweet moments.
Pam's perspective that "we're all alone," and we can only ever get halfway somewhere is a bit heartbreaking. It's like she wants to move forward, but it's her own perspective that seems to be holding her back. However th encouragement she gets from Micheal may be a way to change that kind of thinking. Also she's shown growth on her own before this. Returning Kevin's things, going out looking for Jim, swiping the gnome. Things like that.
Nice job.
Author's Response:
Thank you!
It's an underlying theme throughout the musical in particular that just hit really close to home. I'm glad you can see and appreciate it in this AU! It's a sad way of thinking, but there are certainly ways to overcome it. :)
~ Saturn
Date: May 03, 2021 03:23 pm Title: Chapter 6: The Gnome
This scene in the sex shop is both funny and poignant... knowing the genre I'm sure he WILL know what it means, but she's taking a heck of a risk here for a woman who has lived a long time without risk.
I also love this gnome "prank" - harsh, maybe, but also maybe exactly what her father needed to start living his life again, and very creative. Some really fun images in this as always.
Author's Response:
Thank you very much! Jim's worth taking a risk for, am I right?!
It's tough love that leans reeeeeaaaaaally far into the 'tough' bit - but sometimes people need a really firm push to get themselves going again.
Thank you for reading and for your kind reviews!
~ Saturn
Date: May 02, 2021 06:22 pm Title: Chapter 6: The Gnome
Jim worked in a sex shop? Ok, that's interesting. Hopefully he gets her message.
Very interesting to get that insight into her Dad. How's he's projected his feelings onto the gnome. Pam swiping it to turn it into a travelling gnome sounds like fun. Nice job.
Author's Response:
Yup, our beloved Jim had rent to pay and vibrators to sell!
Thank you so much for reading and for your kind reviews!
~ Saturn
1 [Report This]Date: May 02, 2021 01:13 pm Title: Chapter 6: The Gnome
OKAY So the visual of Pam dressed as a nun walking into a sex store and saying she was "Just browsing" is absolutely hilarious.
Excited for your next update :)
Author's Response:
Thank you! I won't lie, that was ripped straight from the musical - it was just too perfect to exclude! I'm glad someone else enjoyed that bit as much as I do!
~ Saturn
Date: May 01, 2021 11:28 am Title: Chapter 5: The Book
So that's interesting. Jim's notebook is full of pictures he gives backstories to. There's got to be a reason for that. Looking forward to finding out what it is.
Pam's new mission in life is quite fun. Same with the references to cannon with her costumes. Lovely way to add in some of those details.
However going into a sex shop dressed as a nun? Okay, this should be good.
Author's Response:
Stay tuned for an explanation ;)
Thank you, I'm glad someone noticed that. I wanted to pop in some more specific Office references to keep the universe more alive, even though it's an AU.
She probably wishes she went with that cat costume after all - she would probably stand out a little bit less!
~ Saturn