You had forgotten that this parking lot was haunted.
A bit of Jim's introspection after Toby's party. Spoilers for the finale, obviously.
That was lovely. And what a great point. That parking lot truly is haunted by what ifs and could have beens. Why should this have been any different?
Author's Response: Exactly my thinking. Thank you for reading and reviewing!
I like that this retrospective is from Pam's perspective. I also like that it's Pam that gets things back to normal since so often in fic that's Jim's role instead.
Author's Response:
You make an interesting point there (that Jim's usually the one to address the awkwardness head on); I hadn't even really thought about that when I was writing this. Hmm. :o) (That's why reviews are awesome.)
Thanks for reviewing, as always!
Oh that was perfect! Absolutely right. The tears were in my eyes, too.
Author's Response:
Yay - so glad you liked it! I found it oddly difficult to write the proposal scene. I'm the queen of angst and melodrama (especially in my earlier stuff, which makes me cringe), but there was something just intrinsically corny about writing a proposal that almost skeeved me out. I have no idea why that is, either. :o)
Anyway, glad you liked it!
The Season Five Premiere in Script-Fic.
With office morale at a seemingly all-time low, Michael attempts to save the day with a new idea that is sure to bring happiness to everyone. Meanwhile, the couples of the office, and those who aren't quite there yet, react to the events of the Fourth Season Finale, "Goodbye, Toby."
Wow. I don't even know how I'm going to remember all the things I want to call genius! Michael saying "revolutionish" and calling a meeting for 40 minutes later. Oh and Michael telling everyone to strap themselves on. HEE! I love the set-up and that everything follows so smoothly from the events of the finale - from Holly's crush on Michael to the Slow Kevin bit to Phyllis seeing Angela with Dwight. Brilliant work.
Author's Response: Wow, thank you for such a nice review. I'm glad that you felt like things flowed from the finale, that was really a main goal of mine in writing this. It only takes place around a week (At the beginning) from it, and so most of the storylines are still relevant. Thank you again for the review belsum.
I love that you had the engagement be silent. What a great touch!
Author's Response: I'm glad that you liked that. I thought it was a nice compromise between actually seeing the proposal and Jim and Pam wanting some privacy for it. Thank you for taking the time to review belsum.
8 Very interesting way to get inside Pam's head. I like it! And I like how realistically you explained the way that Darryl affected her. Size and voice. Such simple things but I'm sure we can all relate.
Author's Response: Thank you!
I don't think you were too harsh on Ryan at all. It's a pretty accurate and insightful portrait of him, especially considering season 4! And a very nice contrast to Jim's first day.
Author's Response: Thanks again!
It was by far, bar none, the best moment of Jim Halpert’s life. Another proposal story.
I love how you began this story at the end. That structure really worked well. And it's somehow fitting, isn't it, that for both of them, the perfect way to celebrate their engagement was to watch Dwight be unintentionally pranked. I can picture it all so clearly!
Author's Response: Thank you! I liked the idea of the two of them hiding in the bushes; it felt like a good place to leave them while I told the story. And their love took root and blossomed over their Dwight pranks- of course this is fitting! Hee. Thank you, thank you as usual.
Aww, that was strangely, creepily, sweet actually! Michael really does care about Ryan.
Author's Response: Ha, thanks so much! That is exactly what I was going for.
"Then she frenched him." BWAHAHAHAAA!
Anyway, I'm such a sucker for Kandy and this was awesome. I love how Andy always uses food as terms of endearment - even in his own thoughts!
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Costa Rica was supposed to fix him.Ouch. Poor Toby. Although...not really. He definitely seems to bring it upon himself with, you know, everything that he chooses to be. Heh. I liked that he made out with Kelly in the closest. That seemed real. But it was also real that he'd ignore the signs that she was maybe interested in more than that.
This was an excellent piece.
Holy crap. I'm scared of what Jan would do if Michael cut her hair!
I do like the Jim/Natalie dynamic. A lot actually. But I'm terrified that now Pam's going to be all angsty that he's replacing her since she's gone! Oh and the Michael/Jan/Holly triangle (poor Kevin, doesn't even get to be included in that) is just killing me because you know the writers are going to drag that thing out for reals.
Oh my dear lord I can so picture that whole group call phone ringing gag. Perfect Michael moment.
I had all kinds of thought-provoking comments. And then this turned into engagement-fic and now I'm just too schmoopy to think. YAY!!!
I wouldn't call this "bleh" at all! I loved the Andy and Michael moment most - but I'm very excited that Pam's gonna be at the Dundies!
I love ghetto-fabulous Kelly.
I can't wait to see how Jim totally bombs this managerial assignment. Because you *know* he's gonna screw it up somehow!
I like that you made Jim's dream job teaching. For some reason that seems more likely to me than the fic cliche of sports journalism I see overused.
Also? I adore the Brave Little Toaster.
Oooh, chilling. I really like it. Very mature story, Miss Halpert.
I've heard about that site but I haven't spent any time checking it out. Maybe I'll have to now!
A bit different than my usual fluff (but, yeah, I think it will still end happy!)
I am a huge fan of postsecret, and I highly recommend it. You do sort of get drawn into these strangers lives, and then, usually at least one postcard a week, I really connect with it, like, it could be a secret of mine I have, or like Jim, it just really moved me or something.
I am just adoring this peek at how something as simple as an internet art project could truly affect someone's future. It's completely believable that seeing these secrets would be precisely what Pam needed to set her in motion down a path she had been trying to pretend she could avoid.
Author's Response:
It is amazing that something that small can really affect it. I already know I made a friend based on PostSecret, and just, it may be small, and I am sure that nothing as big this has happened to me. But small things can make big changes.
I figured Pam needed a catalyst, and PS may have just been it.
I can definitely see Pam experiencing a feeling of freedom and catharsis by sending in that secret. I eagerly await the return of Jim's POV and see where you take this!
Author's Response:
I totally relate, because I sent off a secret. And there will be more of this story (my sending secret story) if I remember when it relates to a later chapter.
Oh, and spoiler alert - Jim and Pam become face eating monsters. It happens in the next chapter. Wait and see.
"and is like whoa." Best. Previously. Ever. Hee!
That's all we get?! Gah! You're torturing me! I love this story so much. It's so gorgeous and utterly unlike any other thing you've written or any other take I've seen on getting them together pre-Karen.
Author's Response: That's all you get for today. You just have to be patient :) I am evil like that. Even so, I pretty much love this review. Like, yeah. Its great. :D Thanks!
Only one more chapter? Ah nuts. I was hoping they'd flirt via postcards for a while yet. :-)
I'm glad you didn't make Toby be a complete ass and lie about it. We didn't need any additional angst here.
Blame my beta. Because she liked the ending... but really, I think (hope) it will feel like a natural ending, and it will be happy.
I don't like mean Toby. I want to stick with the pathetic Toby I know and love, not Pervy mean Toby.
It really was a wonderful story. Absolutely your best yet.
Author's Response: Aww, thanks so much. And yeah, this story definitely holds a special place in my heart. So glad others enjoyed!