1 [Report This]Date: January 18, 2022 03:22 am Title: Chapter 2
OMG, read this on my tea break. This was so satisfying and yet left us on a knife-edge, I hope that next chapter is coming soon!
Author's Response: I'm really glad you enjoyed it! Thanks very much for reading and taking the time to review. Next chapter hopefully next week...
1 [Report This]Date: January 18, 2022 12:40 am Title: Chapter 1
Completely missed this first time. Catching up with the first two chapters before work. This is absolutely fabulous.
My favour line: "she’s like a firework in the hand of a toddler snorting crushed m&m’s." Brilliant!
Date: January 17, 2022 07:18 pm Title: Chapter 2
Ok after all that I’m feeling a little drunk myself.
Wow a lot of stuff is going down at this crazy dinner party.
Karen cyber-study of Pam seems just about right and the bit about Jim’s brothers setting up his Facebook page is funny as is his reason for not fixing it - anyone who knows him.
Kelly’s Ryan’s is the same as mine had me chuckling too.
Who knew Roy wanted to have a litter. And good for Jim for ordering Thai after overhearing him.
But a lot of heavy emotions going around this place too and Roy not wanting to leave is going to make this a very interesting next chapter.
Author's Response:
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and review - as I'm sure you know, it really helps! Next chapter, things finally come to a head. Hopefully by the end of next week...
Thanks again!
1 [Report This]Date: January 17, 2022 03:05 pm Title: Chapter 2
Okay. This is PAINFULLY awkward in the best way possible. It's like watching a car skid off a highway in slow motion. I don't know who I feel worst for, because there are so many candidates.
As always, the details in this are just terrific. The prank with Jim's Facebook page and Jim's basic acceptance of it (and also that he can't be bothered to figure out how to undo it) is perfectly Jim. Pam's note, the Secret Santa gift for Michael... so much good stuff.
This also seems very much in tune with what you'd expect of an extended look at Season 3 Roy. The guy just doesn't learn. I'm glad Pam seems to, although obviously way too late to save this party. And you've done well capturing Jim's sheer frustration at seeing her do this to herself AGAIN. (Sorry, Roy, but when *Andy* is picking up hints and you're not, it's time to rethink what you're doing).
I love what you're doing with Andy and Kelly, by the way - capturing them both at their most sympathetic. Kelly has so much potential as this fun and basically good-hearted character who is also an oblivious agent of pure chaos.
Watching Pam and Karen become mildly mutually obsessed with each other and what they mean to Jim was a good ride. And you've again captured that Karen's problems go beyond Pam - she loves Jim, but doesn't really *get* him, and she is on every level not a good fit for Scranton in a way that's obvious to anyone who looks.
There's some interesting parallels here in Jim's internal struggle. He really wants to be good for Karen and just isn't... in his own way, he's not totally unlike Roy, who is never going to be what Pam wants and needs him to be.
Ugh. Ryan. Strongly requesting that *somebody* punches him in the face at *some* point. Jim, Karen, Pam, Kelly, Andy, maybe even Roy.
Author's Response:
Thank you very much indeed for taking the time to leave another detailed (and lovely!) review! It's very much appreciated.
(Also, glad you like the detail! I'm never sure whether or not people want to read that stuff, or if I'm just being self-indulgent because I like writing it...)
1 [Report This]Date: January 17, 2022 12:20 pm Title: Chapter 2
Wow what a chapter! So much going on here and it’s all so brilliantly written. The awkwardness is just great and you’ve got each character so spot on. I can’t wait for the next update!
Author's Response:
Thank you very much, Mrs KH! Glad it's working for you, and that you're liking the characterisation. Next chapter hopefully next week...
Much appreciated!
Date: January 17, 2022 12:07 pm Title: Chapter 2
That was an intense chapter.
It was only a matter of time before Roy started
to show his true colors again. He’s so out of touch with Pam that he can’t even see that he has no future with her. It’s good to know that Pam is planning to dump him. Ryan is an ass as usual.
I’m guessing that his snarky attitude is because Karen turned him down. I think that’s one thing Ryan & Jim have in common.When they get turned down by a girl they treat that girl like trash, and then the girl that does want them, the two guys use them to soothe their egos.
Karen definitely has a pattern when it comes to dating, which goes to show that Jim is just another link in the chain. I can’t say I’m surprised that she would want to be the center of attention, she is rather pretentious. I loved watching Jim cringe through this chapter. 😂
He really doesn’t have a right to be upset with Pam dating Roy (or anyone), because he has made his own bad choices. Poor Andy.
Kelly will be Kelly. Sometimes I think she is the female Michael. Please update soon!
Author's Response: Thank you so much for reading, and taking the time to leave a (detailed!) review. And, yup - Roy. I really couldn't buy the Roy reboot as a respectful, thoughtful, open-minded charmer and caring partner, so it's not happening here :0)
1 [Report This]Date: December 24, 2021 06:20 am Title: Chapter 1
I’m loving this so much! This party is such a brilliant recipe for disaster, and the way you’ve written the awkwardness and each of Jim, Karen and Pam’s inner monologues is hilarious. My particular favourites are Jim’s ‘see that big wooden horse our there? Let’s haul it in - level bad’, and his whole list about Karen’s motivations - but I also love the levels of denial from both Karen (ignoring her sister on Jim is just perfect and: yes, exactly, Sofia) and the sheer effort that Pam’s putting in to trying to appreciate Roy making an effort, while simultaneously resenting him…it’s all so good. And the additions of a wasted Kelly and a sulky Ryan after Karen’s turned him down (I’m so sad we never got to actually see this on the show), plus Andy and his ridiculous party games, are just the cherry on top. I can’t wait to read more!
Author's Response:
Thank you so much for reading and reviewing - I really appreciate it! Glad you're enjoying it.
And you're right: Karen would be wise to listen to her sister, who's definitely on to something...
1 [Report This]Date: December 20, 2021 06:35 pm Title: Chapter 1
First of all welcome back. Glad to see you posting something new.
This is already right smack dab in the middle of S3 feels. Especially considering where in S3 you set it. The tension is already through the roof. It really feels like Karen is testing Jim, and herself a little too. Kinda feels like there's some insecurities Karen's trying to hide behind a shell of the pulled together professional. Her sister rightly calls her out. Othewise why would she invite Pam and Roy if not to test Jim.
Pam's feeling the tension too. She's right, Roy is doing all the right things. He's paying attention to her. Doing things with her. All the things he didn't do last time. Yet I'm with Pam. It feels like Roy's doing it not really because he wants to, but because he thinks that's what will really win Pam back to him before he can head back to beer and football. No wonder she'd rather go back and clean her grout.
Loved that Karen put Ryan in his place with the don't you live with your Mom line. Kelly is wonderfully Kelly, especially since she pre-gamed before heading to Karen's place. Andy's on point too.
Really looking forward to seeing where we go with this one.
Author's Response:
Thank you, warrior - good to be back!
I really appreciate you taking the time to read and review, as ever, and I'm glad you're enjoying it so far. Everything's written but the last chapter, but it needs lots of work...
Thanks!
1 [Report This]Date: December 20, 2021 05:31 pm Title: Chapter 1
So after reading the summary my first thought was well this is going to be another interesting 'Dinner Party' and once I got to the guest list I was sure there would be many awkward and uncomfortable moments to rival the other dinner party we know.
And you did not disappoint. YOu nailed the getting into heads of Jim and Pam and Karen (and I really enjoyed the perspective of the friend and the sister - who she maybe should be listening to).
Jim's anger about her being back with Roy seems pretty spot on and Pam's seeing through Roy's act and yet ignoring that niggling sense again seems about right, just as her knowledge he's a potential time bomb with him drinking (as well as herself for different reasons).
I loved the bit with the red dress - and how she felt LOUD in it (a call back to the talking head when she said I feel like I'm talking really loud, perhaps and the only other time I feel like I saw her in red whas a the holiday party when she teamed up with Karen so it seems very fitting - but also her self consciousness about it so well expressed in the line probably because it’s burning his retinas, and how she feels self-conscious compared to Karen who she thinks is the epitome of sophistication (and maybe she is) all the while unaware of what he really prefers -her).
The huge stain on the carpet - gotta say Karen kind brought that one on herself no matter who did the actual spilling.
Always love a story that mixes symbolism and humor and great lines which this one was full of it all. Great job.
Author's Response:
Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! I'm really glad the characters are working for you; I agree- Karen needs to be listening to her friend ;0)
Also glad you liked the bit about the dress. I organised a morning of time to write, then wasted it online, looking at pictures of red dresses...
Thanks!
1 [Report This]Date: December 19, 2021 11:19 pm Title: Chapter 1
Loved this first chapter and can’t wait for more! It feels so awkward and you’ve got Jim totally right for post Phyllis’s wedding. Great work!
Author's Response:
I'm so glad you're enjoying it so far, and that Jim's working for you. Wasn't sure if I'd made him too much of an asshole... :0)
Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!
1 [Report This]Date: December 19, 2021 08:46 pm Title: Chapter 1
This is a hilarious story, full of angst, awkwardness, and misunderstanding. You write all of the characters so well, it is completely believable that this could have happened. My only issue is having to wait for the next chapter.
Author's Response: Really glad it's working for you... I can never tell if it's working when I'm writing. Thanks very much for reading and leaving a review - much appreciated!
Date: December 19, 2021 07:39 pm Title: Chapter 1
This is so cringey to read. And I love it. Fantastic inner dialogue. Can’t wait to read more.
Author's Response:
Thank you! A few more chapters to come, mostly written but needing work.
Really appreciate you taking the time to read and review.
1 [Report This]Date: December 19, 2021 06:30 pm Title: Chapter 1
This story is an example of why Jim was
such an ass in season 3. He really has no right to be upset at Pam since he’s been shoving his relationship with Karen in her face.
I also think this story shows how insecure Karen
(and Ryan) really was, but faked it by trying to
come off as,not just confident, but very arrogant, towards others. Which made her(& again Ryan)
as narcissistic.
So will we seeing another chapter to this story?
I hope so because I enjoyed it. 🙂
Author's Response:
There was a LOT of insecurity in Season 3! There's a few more chapters to go; glad you're enjoying it.
Thanks very much for reading and taking the time to review. Reviews really help!
1 [Report This]Date: December 19, 2021 06:02 pm Title: Chapter 1
Holy CRAP! It's our annual Sam masterwork! And just in time to save Christmas!
No, seriously, I'm excited and glad you're back.
I'm *really* interested in the timing of this. Not a lot of fanfic about Jim/Karen and Pam/Roy forced to interact in the Pam/Roy 2.0 era. Very tense moment to explore. And I love this idea of Jim being aware that Karen is giving him a bunch of tests, and having to admit that he's mostly failing them, acknowledging that yes, Karen's a little off the rails, but Jim's the one who put the boulder on the railroad tracks in the first place. You did well finding the balance of keeping Jim likeable and someone you want to be happy without ignoring that he's really at his absolute worst at this point in the series.
"Yeah… no. Suddenly hazard lights are flashing and horns are tooting. This promises all of the sinister chaos of a clown-car in a horror movie, but in party form. Ill-advised doesn’t cover it. It’s like… Ancient Troy—See that big wooden horse out there? Let’s haul it in —level bad." I am going to make a point of working both these lines into conversation this week. I like the party starts off bad almost entirely for non-Jam reasons that Jim *could* have told Karen about if he thought she was interested in hearing them... good illustration of why she's just not a good fit for this place.
"There’s probably a bona fide Andy in there, but he hasn’t met him yet." Sorta raises the question... who *is* the truest Andy? He's kinda all over the place all series long.
I love how much humor you brought to this deeply tense and angsty situation here. You've got a lot of really good lines - Kelly as a firework in the hand of a toddler snorting crushed M&Ms and Jim's take on scented candles stood out for me. Also the use of Kelly as a human chaos agent.
Oooof, poor Pam. You captured S3 Roy well here, a guy who is doing his absolute best, but whose best isn't sustainable and also kind of sucks. Her awkwardness is palpable.
Looking forward to seeing everyone grit their teeth through the rest of this dinner party!
Author's Response: Thank you so much - great to be back! Glad you're enjoying it. There should have been one more chapter of teeth-grittingly awkward dinner party to come before things properly come to a head. But it's humungous, so I've had to cut it in two and restructure both bits. Hopefully not too long...