I’m not very knowledgeable about Elvis (although I do enjoy him) but the Frankie Valli reference made me squeal. I always loved The Four Seasons so much. Appreciated all the effort you put into researching all the music.

*She herself, felt more confident using richer colors and bolder strokes and often leaned towards the post-impressionistic when she took brush to the canvas. Maybe it was because in her own life she felt so muted, her art was her chance to be a little daring.*

Oh, I love this. Pam as an artist always gets me and you did a great job of painting that picture (pun intended) of her dreams and frustrations with Roy in that regard.

“beauty in ordinary things” YES YOU DID

*She imagined it would be something a lot like what she felt when she first met Jim–that little dance of delight that she experienced in her belly as he laughed wholeheartedly when she warned him about Dwight.*

oh my god, CONNECT THE DOTS, PAMALAMADINGDONG

*“I told you it’s no trouble. It’s nice to have a new friend. I’ll be sorry when you go back to your time.”
Pam had to wonder why that should make a difference. Now that they’d met, they could remain friends even after next week when she was back to herself. *

Okay, granted, I’m crap with the rules of time travel so forgive me if I’m just confused, but is Pam just assuming this will work exactly like the Time Turner did? IIRC, Hermione used the time turned to go to more classes which would mean she has to retain all those memories, right? Meaning anything that happens in this alternate timeline will carry over into the real timeline (at least in Pam’s head,) right? I get that Gabby doesn’t know this, but I imagine Gabby won’t have any memory of any of this… or will she?? My head hurts 😂

*It was a tough thing to do, breakup with someone you liked a lot, even if you thought maybe there was someone else who could make you happier.*

I know this is about Pam and Roy, and maybe it’s just because I’ve been neck deep in s3 for months, but this oddly made me think of late Jim/ Karen. This has nothing to do with your story but I love the way these seasons parallel each other and just wanted to point it out.

Now on to the Met… eeeee!

Author's Response:

I knew you would be one to enjoy the references back to Pam as an artist.

I did, hope it worked for you.

So even as I was writing this I was like PAM WAKE THE HELL UP, (but I promise this is not a dream) and 9.5 years is a long time to rewire - and she's only been back for 6 days.

You have stumbled on one of the big questions she has, remember up until it happened to her, she was never believed time travel was possible so she has no clue how it is happening or how it works. Too bad she didn't go back with Dwight instead of Michael because he would. 

And if your head hurts you can just imagine mine having to keep it all straight for the chapters to come.

Oh yeah, some big parallels there.  

Thanks as always for your review. As you know, it makes all the difference to hear from readers so I'm so grateful for your faithful comments.

Onto the Met.... 

Yay! Jam!

I really liked this chapter, Pam having some great introspection here now without Michael to distract her so much.

I loved Michael's list of library books, amazing. And the way you interweaved Jim into this segment and thinking he sees Pam was really well done.

*It wasn’t unusual for her belly to protest its emptiness with boisterous gurgling. In fact, Jim liked to tease her he knew it was time to take a lunch break when the noises floating over from reception began to sound like a Mack truck driving through the office.

“Wow, Pam. What is happening in there? I mean, that one noisy stomach. I heard of your gut telling you something but does is have to yell like that. What could it possibly be saying?”*

This was so good. Favorite part.

And oh, Stanley. Really cool way to introduce his affair, and give him a great excuse not to see his co-workers.

Great chapter!

Author's Response:

I made some changes to this chapter to address a particular request so I'm thrilled you liked it.

I'm also glad you liked that part and line - in that I noticed the typo and could go back and fix it. Especially since...no never mind.

Now you (my timeline/canon guru) might have picked up this couldn't be Cynthia since she was his nurse after stress relief. My personal head-canon is she was not his first affair - he had this brief dalliance first and it didn't last but kind of opened the door. 

Thanks as always for the review and support and keeping me on my timeline toes. 

YAY for some Jam time! Glad to see Pam is working some stuff through here. I am 100% on board with the idea that some of these things would have been how Pam rationalized their relationship - the comparison to Stanley and Phyllis seems apt. Feels like maybe she can really use this period to get her head on straight and think about WHY she's feeling what she's feeling, even after Roy picked the date. Before it's too late...

Honestly, that's my new time travel plan. Just go back two weeks and spend them at the library. Easy enough to avoid getting caught (present characters excluded), plenty to do, probably all the facilities you might need. On the other hand, returning an overdue library book on time is also exactly how I'd catch myself having gone back into the past. So this might need some more thought.

"It was more that Pam hated to be that person who didn’t do what was expected of her and kept something long past the due date." Yep. That's Pam to a T right there.

"But knowing Roy wouldn’t even know where the local library was, she knew it was best she leave it behind." There are like three different reasons to dump him in this paragraph alone. Just let Pam read, man! I'm glad he got pepper sprayed for a whole new reason. And then Jim took the book back! Heart eyes.

"“Count the hours until it’s time to go back in and see everyone again.”" Oh. Michael. Please come here and let me give you a hug. Him wanting to attend story hour was great.

LOVE Pam saving herself from being caught by Jim here. The two Beeslys working together! And Stanley, as always, just not caring enough about his surroundings to know what's going on.

Liked this chapter a lot!

Author's Response:

I read this review twice just so I could chuckle a the line -Just let Pam read, man!

I love the library -in case you can't tell. Haven't done much visiting lately (reading and writing too much fan fic).

I do appreciate your hug for Michael - it is sad right - like until Jan I'm pretty sure that is what he did every weekend (maybe sometimes after Jan too). Oh and did you catch the TWSS (it wasn't written in but you should have been thinking it after one line).

Glad you liked it - it got a little long but there was a lot to pack in.

TY for the read and review. 

"without Pam to keep an eye on him the likelihood he might get caught or do something that could wreak havoc on the future was as high as the probability of him kicking Toby out of any given meeting." Lol. Also, that's high. I share her concern. Randall's got his work cut out for him here.

Oh, Pam. Have you noticed that every time you consider a potential change in your life, you go *directly* to how it will impact your time with Jim? Or how as soon as Gabby suggests you're missing someone, you assume it *must* be Jim? Or how you literally have nothing nice to say about Roy? No, of course you don't. Because you're Season 2 Pam, and this has to be difficult for everyone. *grumbles at Season 2 Pam*

The near miss with concussed Dwight is a nice touch. Makes you wonder what else just got by him that day. And of course the no toilet paper issue ended up coming back to haunt Michael. Lol.

Delight with just a touch of sinister is a good way to describe Jim's messing with Dwight face.

"That got her thinking, she’d taken this challenge before so shouldn’t she have been able to get a better time this go around and now she wondered why she hadn’t. Weren’t you supposed to learn from your earlier mistakes?" Hmmmmmm. Interesting, Pam. Maybe something to ruminate on.

Mildly alarmed to see that Pam is now actively changing the past, even as she and Michael fail to change the things that they'd *like* to change. I guess Matt going to the hospital instead of Randall still falls within a relatively immutable timeline, but it's something to keep an eye on.

(Not going to lie, I was expecting Pitbull and not Huey Lewis in that link, in spite of the fact that it was clearly set up to be Huey Lewis.)

Author's Response:

You and Pam aren't wrong about Michael's impact but it also really all depends which time travel model we are in - right? Randall can only do so much - get him out of the office on time and hope he can stay out of trouble the rest - remember there's only one Randall running around.

Yes, season 2 Pam is, well we want to shake her a lot of the time - and this is season 2 Pam on steroids (is that okay to say Ryan?). She seems to be having trouble adjusting to her new vision.

Glad you enjoyed the Dwight stuff and hope it wasn't too much to read as much as Pam heard about his BMs.

Thanks - and how'd you like the prank? Always a challenge to come up with something we haven't seen before (or maybe we saw that and I forgot). 

The more things change, the more things stay the same - or maybe not. Once more, time will tell.

Ha- I used the Pitbull version in my son's Bar Mitzvah Montage. But remember 1) Pitbull version is from Men in Black not BTTF and 2) Randall's age makes him more Huey Lewis than Pitbull (in fact more a fan of even older musical artists) - stay tuned.

Thanks as always for the review. 

“Not just that”, she refuted. “I thought it sounded so romantic and indicated you could change your destiny. In fact, he even says this to her, the science guy. Change your destiny and marry me."

That along with the "Weren't you supposed to learn from your earlier mistakes?" seem to be some of the key lines in this chapter. Along with some more things that are telling. Pam has a sketch of Jim that she treasures. Not one of Roy, the man she supposedly wants to spend the rest of her life with. She admits to missing spending time with Jim, not with Roy. When she gets a high score in Sudoku she wants to go and talk to Jim. What's more is she seems to be becoming more and more aware of these tendencies (feelings?) she has for Jim.

The times she does focus on Roy it's annoyance because he's left their room a mess. No wondering about how he's doing. No wondering about how he would react to her time travel adventure. Just annoyed he can't get his clothes in the hamper. Jim is life, color, and something new and exciting all the time. Roy is dull routine. Feels more and more like she's tired of dull routine that doesn't go anywhere.

Dwight trying to figure out why there were two Michael's while concussed was great fun as well to be sure.

Author's Response:

Yup, yup and there may be a few others but you caught 2 important lines. One with a little more to it than just what you may think now...

lot of satisfaction in writing this in the way I am in that I can really heighten the foreshadowing and round out the circularity since I've already drafted the story almost up to the end, in fact just starting 1 of 2 of the climax chapters TWSS (but really I mean literary climax - you know I don't write steam)

Now, let's not forget Jim is a slob too. Chances are that would be the same but certain things are more forgivable when like you said the rest is new and exciting - a colorful mess, let's say.

But also could it be fear that she's been down the road where new and exciting turns to routine - that's holding her back or just that she'd still adjusting to not wearing contacts.

Glad you enjoyed the Dwight part. I'm having fun with all the near misses. 

Thanks friend for the review. 

Michael is such an overgrown little kid, isn’t he! That OC stuff was fine, enough to break things up a bit without getting boring. Nice work as always.

Author's Response:

Why thank you - and yes, yes he is. But a loveable kid. Just don't want him in your house too long. ANd when he erases Lost he's gotta go - except maybe he knew something....that show's finale was no Office finale.

Anyway, thanks for the review. 

Michael needing to take credit for the donuts reminded me of George Costanza and the big salad hahaha

* Pam didn’t exactly think of what they were filming as groundbreaking or life-altering. It was a documentary about a paper company. Pretty basic stuff if you asked her, but then again, she wasn’t a television exec or documentarian, so what did she know.*

Really like this take on how Pam feels about the documentary. I always imagine they (except Jim, and Michael obviously) sort of forget about the cameras sometimes.

Always enjoy Pam interacting with female characters, she needs more friends.

Ooh, a Brian mention!

I can’t blame Gabby for kicking Michael out. I’d be pissed too if I missed Lost. Although what did Pam do??? She could have stayed at least!

Author's Response:

in my head that scene was a mix of him holding in the TWSS in sexual harassment and the Seinfeld scene - so you are right on there.

This was pretty early on with the film crew there and it must have been a bit weird still.

I'm glad you liked that - agreed - kind of why I created her, an older, wiser friend (that's not her mother).

Yeah, not a show to miss back then.

Thanks as always for reviewing. 

1

I’m really enjoying the growing complications with the time travel and Pam’s attempts to make sense of it all (her reading Harry Potter for help is a brilliant touch, hehe). I also love Pam pocketing Roy’s change - I’m 100% with her there. Oof, all the warning signs with Roy. His road rage, past Pam (can we call her that?) not questioning him when he’s telling her stuff that doesn’t make sense, and all the guys celebrating even though they’ve been engaged for 3 years (I loved that little side note so much) - come on, Pam! I like the slow build though, it does feel v realistic. And then Pam and Michael with the wine (“Chee-antie”) is just amazing, hee. Also lol’ing at the Meredith dig with the giant cheap bottle of Sauvignon. Great chapter!

Author's Response:

I'm so glad you are enjoying and picking up on the subtleties, not so subtle hints and complications that I'm sprinkling in throughout this story. 

I do worry a bit about the slow build, so it's nice to hear that since we have a ways to go yet. Hopefully, some interesting events and more funny moments with Michael will keep you entertained. If you liked the wine store got a few more Michael tricks to come. A few more near misses. A bit more eye openers for Pam - some a bit out there but all play a part in her journey. So glad YOU are reading since you have a great eye for the fun stuff.

Thanks again so much. 

The scene with Roy's road rage was intense. Ugh. Get a clue, Pam.

*The next place she searched, deep in the various pockets of pants Roy had thrown in the hamper to be washed, still didn’t produce the item in question, however between the three pairs she collected another 23 dollars. She felt a twinge of guilt pocketing his cash, but since she’d been telling him forever to empty his jeans before leaving them for her to wash, she felt somewhat justified in taking it. And now more than even before it was technically their money. *

This is such a Roy thing to do and I love it.

I love all the Fantasy Football references on the show and in fic. Like, were Jim and Kevin and whoever else in the league with Roy and Darryl? I always wonder this. That would make for some interesting situations. Hmmm.

*Plus, Michael in stereo, yikes, she didn't think she could handle that. *

Hee!

*He was oblivious sometimes but not stupid.*

I DISAGREE

*The more she thought about it, the more she realized the whole idea of their second selves going further back in time was not just chancy but downright dangerous, especially since it meant there would be three Michael Scotts running around instead of just two and she was pretty sure no amount of money was worth that risk. *

Double hee!

Now every time I come across a credit card charge I don't recognize I will assume my time traveling self did it. Thanks again!

Author's Response:

Like DJC says, Season 2 Pam is frustrating. And road rage - I'm sure it isn't the first time Pam's seen it on Roy.

And he doesn't listen, no matter how many times she says empty your pockets. oh and do your own damn laundry Roy - right?

Never thought about that - but it seemed the warehouse guys (Darryl) and the upstairs guys didn't really become more friendly until after Roy was out. I imagine right now there are two separate pools. Maybe they join up later. And I've got more thoughts on Darryl - but that's for later.

Michael was no rocket scientist - but sometimes he had some insightful thoughts. Like he was no Kevin. But stupid or not  - Pam knows two of him is not a good idea and three, she couldn't do that to the world.

Ok - this I had not thought of - but Michael doesn't check his bills and even if he did, the charges from his alternate self wouldn't come in until he was back.

Thanks for this and all your insightful reviews.

Your description of the opening notes of Sing is so evocative that I could hear it in my head. Your comparison of Jim/Roy as a gazelle/linebacker on the basketball court was spot on.

The prior chapter and this one have really brought out your descriptive writing chops. Good onya

Author's Response:

Oh wow thanks again. That song (which I also play often) does have a very unique opening. 

Did you also happen to catch Pam thinking of the song in both timelines.

I'm  humbled and thankful for the kind words. Thanks again.

So as much as I would love to see this plot hurry on up, the fact that you're keeping it more subtle seems to be working. Yes, it's a lot of introspection on Pam's part. However considering where she is in life, I would think that if there are going to be any big changes it's going to take a lot of time and thought to come to those conclusions. Fortunatly she has that right now. The thoughful careful route down the hill rather than being shoved down it like what happened on Casino Night.

Also once more thought's of Roy bring dullness, while thoughts of Jim bring bright feelings. Though now they're also tinged with uncertaintly with her knowledge that he has more than friendship feelings for her. Still, Pam is pretty bright. With everything bouncing around in her head I'm sure it's only a matter of time before pieces really start falling in place. At least I hope so.

Past Pam's thoughts also seem to be interesting as well. Same with some of the effects of Future Pam. Past Pam has been with Roy for a while now and surely has seen his temper. In fact we know she has and has stood her ground in the face of it before, see the night of the Dundies. Yet, it feels like she's really seeing Roy's tendancy to blow up a bit more clearly here. A bit more for her to ponder too. Really think about that hard Pam. What does Roy having that kind of temper bring to a life-long marriage?

Author's Response:

So I do worry about the slow burn a bit here - but there's a lot Pam has to see in her past and about her future. I'm hoping you are truly enjoying it -and hoping the bits with Michael being Michael help to entertain while Pam has her life to think about. 

Now you know I can't tell you what will happen but I think you kinda know - but maybe not everything to come - at least I hope I still have a lot of surprises and new twists in store for you.

 Thanks so much for your reviews always - reading them I always nod along and smile -you get it and I love it and them.

Thanks for the shoutout ;)

"It had to be coincidence the time of day was almost exact to the moment as the call that had come from Aunt Janet in her other reality, the one she no longer would get at Dunder Mifflin because Pam showed up at her door instead." Interesting to see these little ripples and how they might affect things.

I love that you have highlighted subtly that Pam is very much in love with the *idea* of getting married and not really the man and she just projects that excitement on him even though he fails her spectacularly time and time again.

"There was room only for one cloud that night, the one she’d been floating on since Roy proposed the date." Great visual!

Ah, Roy. Being as Roy as ever. The bruise metaphor was perfect.

“Just wait, you’ll be sorry when I’m the only one in town prepared for Armageddon. I promise you Schrute Farm will be the only safe haven and you two will not be invited.” Exactly, Dwight. Exactly. :)

Great chapter!

Author's Response:

Lots of ripples to come - it's what makes writing time travel challenging but fun.

Yeah, got to imagine its like that...she invested the time, she's finally getting her wedding and at this point she's more about that than the groom.

Yeah, I had a little aha moment with the bruise -worked well as a time travel thing (in that it confused her where she was in time) but the symbolism for her relationship.

Oh as this bit with the go-bags came to life - my mind went immediately to you and the story!!! See that's the impact or your story - it's like Armageddon canon. You nailed it with Dwight originally, and I just borrowed it here so thanks!

And love how you wrote directly to him in this review!!!!!!

Thanks for making my smile even wider on reading this!