1

I am just really amazed that you wrote these crossword clues. I never in my life would have guessed these. Also kind of love that part of the magic is the desk-if only Ronnie and Jim had had more time over it, who knows where they’d be now?

Author's Response: One thing I discovered in the process of writing this fic: it turns out it's WAY easier to come UP with a crossword clue starting from a word you want to get to then it is to figure out the word from the clue. True story!

True. Or for that matter Jim and Ryan. Or Erin and Dwight... the possibilities are endless!

Needs more Altair

Author's Response: ...okay. That's actually going to haunt me.

1

Really enjoying your cold opens and, as ever, your skill in drawing these characters.
Love the idea of the reception desk as a kind of celestial body with pull strong enough to lift Stanley out of his chair and onto his feet.
Thanks for this - very much needed some distraction today.

Author's Response: Thank you so much! I had fun writing this one. Although I don't know how real crossword writers do it.

maybe it?s the desk, or maybe it?s each other. The miraculous human gift of making places feel like home is also about how people make us feel like home.

glad to help. And thank you for taking the time to read and review.

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YOu've got me channeling Meghan Trainor

'YOu know it's all about that desk, bout that desk -and that disclaimer.'
That was running through my head as I got to the end of this adorable cold opener. I know I'm pretty corny - can't help what my brain does sometimes.

I totally buy that he is drawn to Phyllis. They are a work couple after all- proven further by the fact she helps him with his crossword clues.

And magic desk - well even Erin found her pairing in Pete so maybe.

Pam and Jim here are drawn so well (but I will defend that their magic is a force beyond).

Oh as a crossword aficionado (Rex Parker is my Phyllis) I loved your clues - so perfectly puzzle.

And of course it was the perfect disclaimer for this one.
Loved it.

Author's Response: I will confess to a not-so-secret love of Meghan Trainor, so I appreciate this reference.

YES. The scene of him casually asking Phyllis for help on his beloved crosswords was the inspiration for this... although I suppose this doesn't necessarily line up with him not noticing that it's Kevin.

HA. Not going to lie, I was deeply proud of the trapezius one.

Thank you so much as always for taking time to read and review, my friend.

1

I loveeeee this cold open and I’m so glad you finished it for me! The title and disclaimer are clever and hilarious, as always. I really liked the phrase “Stanley equivalent of a chuckle.” That made me do the Stanley equivalent of a chuckle.

Honestly though, my favorite part was the ending when Greg Daniels admits that the desk is kind of magic. 🥺😭

Author's Response: I feel like there's a lot of good humor to be done with the fundamental dour-ness of Stanley.

Look, is it a little lame that I linked back to one of my own fics again? Yes. Is the desk, in fact, kind of magic? Absolutely.

Thanks for helping push this one into the world!