Date: June 14, 2021 01:49 pm Title: Chapter 16
Haha, I love Pam's reaction to Izzy (I think my particular favourite is paper cuts from Michael's novelty bookmarks, because of course Michael has novelty bookmarks with no books, although being pummelled to death by sugar packets is a close second). But Jim actually answers her! I love, love that his immediate reaction to pick up on Pam's discomfort and for that to be his first concern. Also this description of Jim is so perfect: 'he’s…still, in a way that Jim is rarely still. He’s almost always moving in some way, rocking to the beat of a song only he can hear or moving fluidly between the stations behind the counter since he seems to be the only real employee here and so does all the work.'
Ok I'm also really really glad Pam did say all of that out loud (honesty is definitely a good quality Pam) - onto the next chapter!
Author's Response: Thank you! Making Pam be honest always at this stage requires it to be accidental (this ain't Beach Games Pam) but it's still really vital I think to her growth.
Date: May 22, 2021 10:34 am Title: Chapter 16
So, hints at the increasingly dark-looking nature of the Pam-Roy relationship aside, this chapter was fun. Pam in all her neurotic glory, Jim finding a way to thread the needle of expressing interest and acknowledge Pam's obvious discomfort, and Pam responding with a case of the blurts. Very much enjoying their dynamic here... and I do appreciate the detail of Isabel noticing and approving of Jim's maneuver. She does have your best interests at heart, Pam! Although no jury in the world would convict you at this moment.
Author's Response:
Pam-Roy is BAD in this fic, but also Roy isn't going to show up so...
I'm really glad you liked the chapter! Jim is also going to be uncomfortable, but I promise, they work it out.
Date: May 22, 2021 09:30 am Title: Chapter 16
I'm behind on reviewing but I'm amazed at how much emotion and forward movement happened in this tiny chapter! Can't wait for Jim's POV!
Author's Response: Thanks for reading, whether or not you review! I got further faster in this chapter than I expected, which is why it was so short--hence the new update today!
Date: May 21, 2021 10:17 pm Title: Chapter 16
No! You can’t end te chapter here. PLEASE post your next chapter soon. This is too good and the chapter is too short. Can’t wait for more!
Author's Response: Ah, but the next chapter is up only one day later! I didn't want to do a chapter with both POVs in it, so I had to break to move us into Jim's headspace.
Date: May 21, 2021 08:36 pm Title: Chapter 16
Ok, so considering how short this chapter is, there's a lot to unpack. The techincally abusive ex-fiance? Another clue to Pam's life prior to this fic that make me even more glad she is un-betrothed.
The mention of a lot of nickles, the ability of Dwight to turn anything into a weapon, Jim as a saleman in another life. All fun callbacks to canon that are also perfectly in place here as well.
Another Pam freakout to be sure, but this time at least she un-freaks herself out enough to go and face Jim. However the idea that all her internal thoughts were also external blurtings was delightful to read. Can't wait to see what Jim thinks of all this.
Also loved his reaction to Izzy. Jim the defender of Pam's feelings on full display and I love it.
Author's Response: Thanks! I did a lot more in a lot fewer words than I expected--so that's why the chapter's short. I am not going to put Roy in this fic if I can avoid it--but that means I have the chance to blacken his name without including him, so here we are...