Chapter 10 - House Guests

What started out as a deus ex machina — I didn't want to have to deal with Pam and her glasses/contacts throughout her time travel so I made the rule that eyesight becomes perfect when bending time — became part of the overall symbolism throughout. Like they say, hindsight is 20/20 – so as it is for Pam.

Notice that their rental car is blue, as was the one they tried to open with the rental car keys – that problem color for Pam. (even more to the colors later)

So, Michael, he's a jackass for sure but I have always had a soft spot for him and believed deep down he was a good-natured person with a lack of common sense and any kind of filter. Throughout this story I tried to bring that out. Plus, I had to find a way they would be hugging so Angela wouldn't notice it was them.

Now I will point out something I am mortified about. Me, who is usually so detail and timeline adherent, I goofed. You might have remembered you read a section where Angela had the thought it was Kelly and Ryan going at it in the car. You did! But when I reread it later when working on these notes, I remembered that those two don't hook up until after Valentine's Day which has not happened yet. I had to go back and rework the scene – had to do some ADR if you will. So, for those who might have caught that first time around – bravo!  Those who are rereading and remember it different – no, you are not crazy or time traveling, there was a rewrite.

Anyway, in the rewrite I put in a nod to getting sick on the boat – which ironically, Angela the actress, was one of the few who didn't get seasick while filming, though she did have to film a fakey throw-up scene.

I made another small edit to fix another continuity error, this one within the story itself. Again. time travel is hard to keep track of and write. If you noticed it the first time, it's been fixed. If you didn't, well then forget I even mentioned it.

Angel clues:

(Part II is where they really start dropping in)

Randall watches old Christmas movies – like It’s a Wonderful Life –the other big story this fic is modeled after and another tale where a major event brings the character to a realization.  

His wife is named Gabrielle, a version of Gabriel. I was going to go with Angela but thought that was too much of a giveaway, not to mention the name was already taken. Next choice was Clara, but that also seems too big a clue this early in the story. Settled on Gabrielle since he/she is the more confident and competent version of a guardian angel (even though Clarence does get the job done in the movie).

He describes her as that type, always welcoming and watching out for everyone, even strays her husband might bring home.

The loud toll from the ship – indicated a big change. It was always meant to be vague to the readers but a signal that something had shifted. In this case, Randall’s marital status from single to wedded to an angel and perhaps an angel himself. I meant for own his status to be ambiguous but either way he knows Gabby is unwinged as yet and working towards them. The bells sounding too here, meant to hint at what they are. Like I said before, it's a different Randall, this one, and he's here until the timelines merge back together when he becomes his old self.

Chapter 11 - The Key:

The crack in the flower pot (where the spare key is hidden) is metaphor to the cracks in her relationship. The allusion to cracks comes back in Boxes and Cracks chapter later in Part III.

Also remember who used and misplaced the key (revealed in Espresso and Popcorn chapter to come).

As part of Michael’s plan to get her housekey, he talks about first using the front stairs and on the trip to return the key taking the back stairs – this is exactly what they do later while hiding out from cleaning ladies and all a nudge to Pam to “take a different route.”.

Angel clues:

Randall seemed out of place in his own home. Because it wasn’t his real home.

They have a white couch, like a cloud. There were other reasons for the couch too, the romantic gesture of it all, the link to Elvis but all are ‘not real’.

He introduces her as beautiful, kind, too-good-for-me, wife, Gabrielle. Again, suggesting she isn’t real.

Emma Thompson – aside from playing Trelawney in Harry Potter, the Divination professor, also played an angel in the miniseries, Angels in America.

Michael kisses her hand as if she is royalty or godly.

She believes Randall seemingly no-questions-asked about the time-travel.

Michael’s sleepwear includes a Led Zeppelin concert tee – this tour shirt featured the iconic Icarus - a winged god or angel.

Pam’s sleepwear featured butterflies – beautiful winged insects.

Pam believes in angels and spiritual beings (even if she can’t tell Roy).

The bedding seemed brand new (was any of it even real?) except for the scent of laundry.

Chapter 12 - Bruises and the Zombie Apocalypse:

Those who had read my other fic, Another First Date will recognize Christopher’s (romantic farmhouse restaurant Pam always wanted Roy to take her to).

The color blue once again is causing trouble for Pam -this time blue run of the ski resort.

The bit with the go-bag and the titular zombie apocalypse, contained a nod to fan fic Virtus by Boredhswf. That shortly after this was written and Jenna and Angela’s Office BFF book came out in which it was mentioned they like to play ‘Zombie Apocalypse’, (what/who would you bring)—well that was a bonus that made me giddy when I came upon it.

Note the contrast between Roy and Jim here as to the bag. There was Roy’s insistence they no longer need one, while it was inadvertently thanks to Jim that she has some spare cash while stuck in time.

Needless to say, the bra is also a symbol of her ill-fitting and frayed relationship with Roy.

Angel clues:

The only clue here is I make a first mention of Randall’s last name (Randall Einhorn was the fired CFO so it couldn’t be the name of the cameraman, too ) So I made it Stewart which is a reference to James Stewart who starred in It’s a Wonderful Life. However, Einhorn, which means unicorn might have been a very apt name for a character or characters that technically did not exist. Or, if you focus on just the horn of the name – as in the devil’s, it was just as well I changed it being they are the opposite. (I know. I’m slightly certifiable in some of my reasoning throughout).

Chapter 13 - Ghosts Don’t’ Have Pockets:

Lots of seed planting here of plot points that will come back around, the lost key and fantasy football stats written down, the money in Roy’s jeans, the lottery numbers, she tells Jim secrets that she doesn’t share with Roy.

So, I don’t need to tell those of you who listen to the Office Ladies podcast, but for those of you who don’t, Jenna often goes on rants about the need for pockets in women’s clothing. So of course, Pam would feel that way too, especially after she time travels with nothing more than the clothes on her back and the clip in her hair because her clothes don’t have them.

Angel clues:

It’s a Wonderful Life is mentioned twice along with Clarence and Pam making the comparison that Randall is Joseph.

Chapter 14 - Three Strikes:

Not a major plot point but someone mentioned in the reviews how the bit with Michael wanting credit the donuts reminded them of Seinfeld and George taking credit for the big salad – exactly – that combined with Michael not being able to hold in his ‘that's what she said’ in the Sexual Harassment episode. What was a hint was how Gabby made a ‘Jim’ face when he did it. Pam’s always thinking about Jim.

A little nod to Michael’s future email gaffe in the show where he sends the pic of Jan to packaging instead of Packer in addition to the mention of Movie Mondays. Sometimes my tie-ins to the show are that subtle.

I also very subtly have Gabby drops nods to Pam, not only to demonstrate how Roy should be supportive of her dreams, but also since this conversation is part of her memory (even if she comes to wonder if any of it even happened), it might impact the events (that may or may not happen now that the whole timeline of their life is different) when it comes to Jim and Athlead. Don’t come at me  - I make Gabby say “And you find the compromises so you both can be.”

Angel clues:

Mention of Mrs. Hardcastle who was mean as the devil, the opposite on an angel when Pam was thinking about where Gabby might have been a teacher.

They (Gabby and Randall) and not in their real home and in a temporary home instead where they plan to stay as long as the gig (this gig being getting Pam to see Jim was her better match) took.

Meeting people your own age is particularly hard when you are an angel.

“It’s his passion, and being part of a groundbreaking and life-altering project like this is a long-time ambition.” Really it is Gabby’s groundbreaking project that will alter Pam’s life, but Randall’s helping.

There were multiple blares and sirens ringing in Pam’s ears– first from the hatch four-minute alarm then from COPS show – a sign that there was something to notice while at the Stewart’s. 

Now you might say if Gabby was really an angel, Michael shouldn’t have made her so mad. She should have plenty of patience, and to that I say even an angel has her limits. And as you’ll find out she can do her job with Pam without having to be driven crazy having Michael there.

Chapter 15 - COPS and Conversations

The scenarios of making Jim more managerial and Dwight manager were both canon nods as they both happened in their way. Season three Jim once back in Scranton trying to use his position as an excuse to not goof off with Pam. Dwight in season seven after Jim turns it down. 

Michael likes this line about waiting for Charmin, so much so that, his other self repeats it to Pam in Boxes and Cracks chapter. No deeper meaning here, just pointing that out.

The old bra again is her like her relationship with Roy.

Gabby mentions in the time travel discussion how Harry cast the patronus and essentially saves himself, a hint to Pam she should do the same. I think it was DJC that hashtagged in a review, #JimisPamspatronus.  So very insightful and so very true! Thanks for the line, DJC.

Randall smiles as Gabby as they discuss the line from Peggy Sue—change your destiny—the secret they share is their ‘angel version’ love story where she does and marries Randall, is in preparation for the reveal in the upcoming chapter, For Love of Elvis but also for the bigger reveal at the end which brings us to this chapter’s clues.

Angel Clues:

Gabby and Randall plead with her to stay as if she were doing them a favor – how else could she work on her to make her see so she could get her wings.

The detail she’d forgotten, the wedding band the rays seemed to extend from, she forgot she’d drawn because she hadn’t in the original drawing. Let’s say they did come from the lens and not his wedding band. I was going to put in “did she even know he was married before?” but thought that might be a bit too much of a hint and take away to fun of the rest to come.

The aforementioned look indicating a secret between the married couple.

Chapter 16 – Overdue

I’ll start by pointing out this chapter was much less in my original draft, but then TD made a request for more Jim/Jam. I decided that it was needed so I expanded this chapter to include more of that and it became so much more than it originally was and I was quite pleased with what it became, so thanks TD. I’m excited to point out some of what was in my head when writing both what was part of the draft and what got layered in.

Do I need to point it out but the whole book she didn’t like, that she held onto even knowing it wasn’t her taste, was a metaphor for her relationship with Roy? Of course, that also goes for her wanting to do as expected (marry Roy) and keeping things longs past the expiration date.

But I also want to mention I felt like Pam did about The Corrections, I was not a fan - even though I did read it through to the end.

Writing this section also was sort of a personal pep talk with the idea that we all have different tastes in what we like and what we write – and that’s okay – it doesn’t mean there is something wrong with you if you don’t like what seems to be a critical darling or you don’t write something everyone loves. Around this time, I was feeling less than confident about what I was putting out and how it was being received and a few friends reminded me to write for me and not worry about everyone else, (our craft is subjective, creating to be the best is a waste of energy – borrowed words from a meme one friend sent). Thanks to those friends – you know who you are.      

The bit with the dogeared page, the number had significance (and The Corrections was long enough that 333 is somewhere in the middle). 333 is an invitation from the universe to move forward. The 333 angel number is a wake-up call from the universe. Although the meanings may vary a bit among believers, most agree that this number reveals that the time is right to move forward and achieve lifelong goals. The universe is behind you. So, in a way it is a message to herself it is okay to move on from Roy. Too bad she didn’t know what she was telling herself.

Creed- I think I replied back to TD in a review for a future chapter how, though not specifically a part of the story but that Creed knows. This ghost bit could be more evidence to that.

Those who know my other works no how much I like to use metallic, specifically gold, as symbolism. The line ‘His golden allure would lose a little of its glimmer as it often does with the passing of time’ is my homage to that. Later too the golden goose. And right before that is a mention of feeling blue. Which is the perfect segue into:

‘He knew about the ‘going green’ campaign, knew they were switching over to the Dewey Decimal after having tried the Library of Congress system, studied what their needs would be as they followed through with both changes’. -both these are meant to be nods to breaking it off with Roy for Jim…going green, Roy’s eyes are blue, Jim’s are green. Switching classification systems not quite as literal but still making a change (in real life the public library would likely have always been on the Dewey Decimal system but this worked better for my story).

‘He’d tried so many times in the past to get them to see him, he thought that was all he could do to try to win the business.’ Also meant to make you think how he’s been trying to get Pam to see him, but doesn’t want to overstep.

Did anyone notice the line “Some things are meant to happen?”

And the quick Alice in Wonderland nod with the mention of the white rabbit?

First, Break All the Rules, What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently was a real book used as a prop in the episode, The Meeting – this was pointed out as a fan catch in Office Ladies episode around the time I was writing this chapter.

You might remember Marley & Me makes a return appearance in a later chapter. As for The Time Traveler’s Wife, I’m sure there’s something in there that is relevant or symbolic here but truth is I just loved that book and wanted Pam to read it. In fact, a few months after I wrote this chapter, HBO put out a new series (and just as quickly cancelled it) based on this book and watching it I realized how much this book had been an influence on me and this story, mostly without my even being aware of it.

I found within the book, there were things like the time travel hunger and even mention of It’s a Wonderful Life and Jimmy Stewart, that I had not consciously remembered and yet subconsciously used as key plots in my own. And watching the series blew me away in the way it was a drawing that illustrated Clare’s love and with lines like,

“When you’re young you see only what you want to see. Nothing gets in the way of the fairy tale. When you grow up, your vision clears, and you see so much less.”

Sorry for the tangent – point if you enjoyed my fic and are looking for something similar (and much better written), I highly recommend the book.

Angel Clues:

The number she dogears in book is considered an angel number.

When she thinks about Michael being lonely her inner monologue includes lines like taken under the wings, godsend and spiritual guide.

The book Gabby asks her to return is called Her Guardian Angel. It’s a real book: Her Guardian Angel and one that Phyllis might read but I have not. Oh, and if you weren’t already thinking it from this line, Pam said as a warm blush rose up her face and she tried to tuck the book into her otherwise empty purse finding it a bit too thick to fit, That's What She Said.

The blurb is real too - A love so strong it will shake Heaven and Hell.

Yeah, so angels don’t have accounts at the library so there’s the reason why it wasn’t registering. But all will be as it should be in the end, with her account as well as Pam’s life.

Chapter 17 - For Love of Elvis

This musical chapter featured a few songs, the first, The Four Seasons’ Oh, What a Night, an appropriately a song from Gabby's era that would be played on the hit throwback station she listened too, but also one I think even young people today still know (you tell me?) as it is played so often. It’s one of those songs I find myself singing along to in my head when I hear it at the grocery store. But it was also the lyrics that were appropriately meaningful here.

Speaking of musical choices, but before we get to Elvis, I need to mention, the Boss, Bruce Springsteen – Yeah, Superfan Season 5 came out in the middle of writing this and shared that Pam is in fact a fan of The Boss. My apologies to those who are fans, but not my Pam. I contend that not all Superfan content is canon (unless it works with my story – as it does later with 4:00pm candy).

On to Elvis, the use of Elvis in this story is very deliberate and not just because Michael liked to impersonate him, although I was glad to have that tie-in.

Elvis changed music forever. When he showed up in the music world he "shook things up" just as when Jim starts at Dunder Mifflin, he slowly begins to do the same for Pam and her relationship with Roy. Elvis was the first to give his fans a little less conversation and a little more action (you might recall this line used by Michael later) and here Elvis in the story is meant to be metaphorical of the jolt the time travel has on traveling Pam but also on the original version of her too.  This experience changes everything for both of them.

But there is also the parallel in how Elvis himself is stuck in his own bad relationship with his lifelong manger, Colonel Tom Parker. Troubled for many reasons, including the control he had over the star and his high cut of earnings. Elvis also didn’t seem to like confrontation, perhaps why he could not get out of a relationship (fire him) than some say was in the end, detrimental to his career, parasitic and may have even had a role in his death. I knew a little of this but after seeing the Baz Luhrmann’s, Elvis biopic (much of which you could say was fan fictionalized) it felt like more validation for the tie-in with Elvis to this story.

Creating Gabby and making her a fan who was just a little off in the generation to have been such a devoted one -  "I didn’t let myself accept there were other sounds out there I might like, accept the possibility that I could like any other music as much as his. Since his was the music I first loved I thought nothing else could ever be as good or bring me as much joy.”, was the just the way to really tie him in – and give a bit of a reason for their having for the white couch (which we will get to later) and do so with a narrative I hope seemed credible and real, pertinent and parallel to Pam's own romantic dilemma and provide the opportunity for Gabby to subtly show her how she too could break away and choose what her heart wants by sharing a story that may seem familiar to Pam and even more so my reader, especially as the big confession occurs during a poker game.

But remember Gabby is an angel so there also had to be a sort of fantasticalness to her story which brings me to the clues that were very heavy in this chapter – so much so I think most of you were clued in by now. But in case not or just didn’t catch them all.

Angel Clues:

Gabby wants to see Sleeping Eros, and while technically not an angel (he's actually the Greek god of love), he does have wings. Oh, and by the way this was a real exhibit at the Met but I fudged a little since it happened in 2013 and that means they would have to have time traveled within the time travel story to see it, so for arguments sake, let's say Gabby had the power to make them do that without Pam even knowing. For fun let's say the tunnel they took to cross the Hudson was a time wormhole that brought them back to 2006 when they went came through it again to get home.

The song playing when Gabby and Randall met was called Undercover Angel – and basically that's what Gabby was, an angel who was undercover and pretending to be the cameraman's wife. Plus, it was a one-hit wonder – an anomaly on the charts…like Gabby was an anomaly in Pam's (and Randall's current) life. It also happened to be a song about finding true love so it fit there too.

During Pam’s thoughts about her relationship with Roy the line, ‘Had she said something to give away the doubts she sometimes had that she and Roy were not quite a match made in heaven’ – another little hint.

Even though she asks a lot of questions, Gabby seems to have a lot of prior knowledge about Pam and her relationships and about things that hadn't happened yet – like the line about the fight over her choices being a reference to the fight Pam and Jim will have in boys and girls, but Gabby forgets that it was still in her future thus the 'didn’t happen yet Gabrielle.'

But then she also slips in the comment about being sorry when she goes back to her own time because she means her time here will also be over. Success or not, she will go back to being the 'one that got away' and no longer part of Pam's life but Randall's either (and I really do hope you're not reading this section ahead of the final chapters but you were warned).

One of the shows they watched together was Charlie's Angels.

Chapter 18 - The Art of Love

This chapter was rife with the angel clues but before we get to that here were some other notes.

The comparison of St. James to St. Patrick's had a few reasons to be there. There was the actual location of St. James, which by the most direct route would be a location they passed on the way to their destination, and would be seen. In my city commute, I often took that route by bus and it’s hard not to notice a stately building with a large rose window and pointed spire set between the buildings and stores and how it stands out from its surroundings. When writing this, I remembered the church but never did know the name.

To be honest, it was kismet the church happened to be St. James that I could use it to bring Jim into her thoughts. Gabby's comment that while not as storied a history but still impressive and lovely, a gentle nudge that bigger and having a deeper history doesn't always make it better. Of course, there's the church and angel connection as a clue about her angelical status but we will get to that.

So, who caught the little foreshadowing to Jim's high blood pressure issues, tied in with the nod to buying Cup of Noodles for Kevin together?

Someone in their review was curious about the couple who stepped in between them in the elevator. Sorry to say, nothing much to it except keeping Pam from asking what Gabby was seeing the doctor for – but one might also say that Jim is getting in between Pam and Roy or is it Roy that is keeping Pam apart from knowing true love. So, part red herring, part subliminal messaging, part just that people can be self-absorbed and rude.

Some foreshadowing in the article (the hair tips ones) which comes to light at the end of the story (and again I really hope you are not reading the Cliff Notes first).

The mention of Angela and Pam's need for her approval comes back around (Pummeled Moles and Hissing Cats) where it almost causes her to change course and not tell Jim what she feels right away. Good thing he’s so observant when it comes to her (Wearing Blue).

SO, we all know Pam not good with change. One thing I believe held Pam back so long was the risk of what might change in the friendship with Jim if she admitted it was more…the risk of trying and it not working out. When Phyllis told Dwight Angela wasn’t much of a risk taker, she could have also been talking about Pam. At that point she was content to have the friendship, rather than risk having nothing.

The whole bit with the white couch, well it started as a reason Michael couldn’t sleep on it and morphed into so much more -little chicken or the egg thing – not sure if the couch inspired the Elvis tie in or Elvis inspired the couch. But that I could tie it to Pam’s likewise impractical dream of the terrace, make it a romantic gesture from Randall she could share with Pam, and invite the line: “But if it is no longer is what you want, why would you keep it?”

Once again, the Time Magazine is worth the look for the nostalgia of it as well as all the fun tie ins I found in it. Time Magazine December 2005

The link above opens to the Your Time section with the wedding stuff.

The cover story is The Year in Medicine, page 106 has the Manning brothers article, plus page 108 has a Harry Potter movie review, and on page 38 there's a photo of Elvis Impersonators.

Angel Clues:

Gabby drives an Elantra – car name comes from Elation – reflecting the ability to lift one's spirits (it's a bit of a stretch as an angel clue but the car choice was deliberate and I went through all the non-SUV/truck names to find the most angel-like one. (almost went with Sonata – and maybe that would have been a better choice (from the musical movement -showing how beauty could be found in contrasting elements) but I went with Elantra and I'm fine with my choices.

The above-mentioned church connections.

The doctor's office is Suite 555 – another Angel Number - The 555 angel number meaning is that significant change is imminent. Change is a part of life, and when we see the number 555, something is telling you that a transition is in play in your life and all around you. Every change brings stress; it’s part of being human. The 555 meaning is an assurance that the changes ahead are for our greater good.

The imagery inside the office is meant to evoke a serene, heaven like setting with while walls and cushiony, cloud-like chairs.

And Gabby's deficiency if you haven't guessed it is her lack of wings – that she's in the process of working on getting by helping Pam.

Her company the payment, that and the wings she would get if she could just make her see.

The talk about Entering Graceland as if it were the pearly gates- same for the Met. Of course, there's the whole exhibit with Eros, Gabby's inspection of the wings. Whether Eros is an angel or not it's the wings she admires and that is depicted here.

I think a lot of you were onto Gabby's angel status by now, which is why the clues fell off after this chapter.

Chapter 19 - Something Blue

It wasn't just Pam's hair that changed after this story, Jim's did too…appearing a little more like what she had drawn in this picture…still full and lush but slicked back with product to sit high above his forehead. Just a little nod to his future hair with the reference to it here.

Did anyone pick up on the near miss at the ice-skating rink - She almost considered it when he suggested they come again tomorrow, by my calendar, tomorrow would have coincided with the Friday that Oscar played hooky from work to go ice-skating with Gil. I know I got lazy there but it's why the line was there.

The bit with Sandals, Grenada, well let’s just say the Michael in this universe started researching a Sandal’s vacation earlier and this was a bit of a hint at his desire to learn Spanish (Body Language – season 6).

Tinks, you might remember is the nightclub where the interns spot Stanley with Cynthia (Gossip, Season 6).

The line about no table to remove from conference room is my wink to The OL who keep bringing up the question of who is responsible for taking the table in and out and where do they store it?

Because she is still in limbo – the drawing has both green and blue in it. But then we get a huge dose of blue with the whole earring scenario. Blue, that keeps her frozen still thinking things will get better with Roy, especially now with the earring back. Oh, and remember how Jim noticed that blue sweater. As you already know it won’t be the last time he notices her wearing blue.

One last note on this chapter…the book she grabbed from the bag – The Time Travelers Wife – is in reality that kind of book, that upon the second read, having the knowledge from the first go-around, offers a brand-new perspective. When I read this book, upon finishing it, I immediately began it again. I'm hoping this fic offers a little bit of that vibe, that once you know how it all comes together in the end (which hopefully if you are reading this you have), upon a second read you might notice all the little nuances that had always been there…like all the angel clues.

Angel Clues:

As for angel clues from this chapter, there's really just two

That Gabby knew about Pam's favorite meal and the pierogies her mom used to make and that Gabby’s fairy tale romance seemed too idyllic to be true. But you all knew she was an angel by now anyway.

Chapter 20 – There’s No Place like Home

The chapter title is meant to bring thoughts of the Wizard of Oz and the reminder (like Glinda says) that she needed to learn for herself what was in her all along.

This chapter is also where I lean heavy into her belief in signs. With her belief in ghosts, I could easy see her to also look to the universe for signs which is why finding the earring was such a big one for her. Up until then she seemed to be seeing her way to Jim. The earring pulled her back. Why would Gabby let this happen? (if she even had control over this...if the earring was there all along, she may not have been able to make it go away) But if she had, it was so Pam could find in herself what she knew all along. Signs would come from all over, from Jim himself even, but they were only really signs if it was what she wanted, and who she knew was meant to be. Can you buy that? If not, well losing it again was a sign too.

As for her relationship with Roy – this was a struggle. There has to be some reason why she was with him, but it was not easy to come up with. But someone like Pam, might feel good when doing things for others, even not always appreciative others and more so when they do show some bits of gratitude.

I found having them bond over taking risks made sense especially in light of the Roy we see in season 9 where the argument was presented that they were holding each other back. Now I still think Roy is and always was a class A lout but I leaned into that idea to bring them together. And much as I hate it, it seemed from show they had a decent enough sex life, and for Pam at that point it was all she knew so she was unaware of how much better it would be when she was finally with the person who would show her.

Another mention of the book, The Time Traveler’s Wife-the line about feeling listless with a story she knew where headed, a commentary on her own life. The interesting parallel that the wife in that story is also an artist, leading Pam to also pass time painting.

Another set-up with the phone call- you knew there had to be a reason for it besides showing Michael’s foolishness.

There were no intentional Angel signs to point out in this chapter. Many of you have it figured it out by now. But there the line about being baptized with her tears – baptism, a religious rite may make one think of angels but really it is to signify the new Pam starting to form through her experience. Lots more on this to come.