Three little facts about me:
1) I'm a work-from-home mom from Kyiv, Ukraine.
2) I'm super late to the party, but I do my best to turn my excitement with the show into the content (hopefully, qualitative).
3) I care about Pam Beesly more than about any other fictional character in all the existent fandoms.
An exploration of what might have happened if our favorite couple lived in the age of the dating app.
Set in early Season 3, if Season 3 happened to take place in 2017.
1 Awww, that was lovely! I really wish they had followed your scenario instead of the whole season of angst!
(but maybe I go ahead of myself, and you prepare the most heartwrenching stuff for the final... can't wait to find out!)
And thank you :)
A Coffeeshop AU.
Pamela Beesly, recently unbetrothed graphic designer, stumbles into The Comedy Roasters, a new coffeeshop with a manic owner and an intriguingly attractive barista.
1 I'm so glad that you're back!
I still haven't formed my opinion about Coffeeshop AUs, but I'm 100% here for AUs with Pam swooning over Jim, so...
(I doubt that Pam can have her work done adequately with such a distraction around, but I guess we'll find it out in the following chapters...)
Author's Response: Thank you! I expect you're right about Pam's work ethic ;). And coffeeshop AUs are not entirely my thing, but I wanted to try so here we are....
1 I really like that Pam wanted to have some solid ground under her feet before allowing herself to think about new relationships (and I think I have a thing for Rational Pam in general).
And her finding the beet farm (for rent?)... I'm not sure I'm more thrilled or terrified by this idea. Maybe, the former, because it has to be hilarious!
Author's Response: Thank you! I also have a thing for rational Pam, so I'm glad we agree on that (for all that this might challenge her willingness to stay rational).
1 Before reading this chapter, I have no idea what Zillow is. Now I know more!
(okay, technically speaking, it was mentioned before too, but I didn't pay attention then).
And oh, I love this version of 'your desk mate Dwight'! As well as I love Pam's reaction and thoughts (and 'even if she hasn't known him very long, she can read that loud and clear' - just awwwww!).
I'm curious, are you planning to include Jim's POWs too? I wonder what his thoughts were about their lovely visitor...
Author's Response: Ah! I always wonder how widely known my references will be, but since this is easily googled I figured it was fair play ;). Thank you! I will probably be bringing Jim POV in at some point, but we'll get a lot of Pam to set it up first.
1 Oh, I adore the font joke! I don't even try to guess what font Pam is so firmly repulsed by (but in my head, Jim's nametag looked much like a ransom note with letters cut from different magazines).
And I hope that butterflies will survive the steaming milk shover :)
Author's Response: Thank you! There are fonts like that, though I was thinking more of a handwriting-style one. Thanks for reading :)
1 Well, I like this sort of angst - and I like that even with her new independence and bravery (I guess it took a lot of it to end things with Roy for good), she's still the Pam we (or is it me?) love, tentative and full of doubts.
Also, Michael's comparison to a hedgehog is hilarious!
Thank you!
Author's Response: Thank you! It did take some bravery from her--we'll hear more about that later, at least I currently plan that we will.
Awww. I like this inside. Also, I like the acknowledgment that Jim lacks courage — I don't read a lot about that (I don't exclude the possibility that I'm just a terrible reader, though).
Thank you, I'm watching their dance with great interest!
Author's Response: I think it's known but rarely pointed out? I see it more in early-season fics, for obvious reasons. Thanks for reading!
Finally catching up with your story, yay! I genuinely enjoy the routine Pam established and the acquaintances she made (the books' discussion! there definitely should've been more stories about The Finer Things Club!). It's nice to see that after break up (and all the troubles it caused), she has something she can get out of her bed so early for (and someone, though she denied that).
I'd like to read about her routine all the time, but, of course, I'm not the opposite of its disruption :) Thank you for your writing and sharing!
P. S. Oh, poor Toby...
Author's Response: Thank you for reading! I think the FTC should have had a lot more (and I'm still annoyed Jim didn't get along with the program).
Oh, I adore their banter! And the choice of Jim's major is curious (also, I love Pam's train of thoughts that led her to the right answer).
I can't wait to see where the story goes next!
Author's Response: Thanks very much! I hope that "philosophy major" makes sense for him...
Izzy! I like her, but she radiates so much chaotic energy that... yeah, I bet that Pam's routine will change incredibly... but, I hope in the best of directions :)
Thank you!
Author's Response: I mean, eventually this has a happy ending, and YES, Izzy will be important to that. Thanks for reading!
It's sad a little that Pam't bubble's about to break, but I enjoyed immensely Pam and Izzy's interaction (even if one of Izzy's remarks made me want to wash my brain — I still can't get her attraction to Dwight, sorry...). And it's curious to watch where everything goes!
(I nearly wrote a pun containing the words 'Jim' and 'thirsty,' but then I thought that it might be too much, so I just say thank you for writing and express my hope that you'll update this lovely story soon!)
Author's Response: Thank you! Izzy + Dwight doesn't make sense to me either, but I am enjoying the concept of playing with that idea even so. And I would welcome your Jim/thirsty pun!
Oh, Pam's embarrassment in this chapter is so palpable and so contagious that... ugh. But! I love the realization she made during her "seven minutes in hell" :) And I feel like Jim tried to help her to get out of this situation (which is just 'awww!'), and I'd like to find out what's in his mind VERY MUCH.
Thank you once more for your story!
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm really glad you're enjoying it! Sorry to say I pushed back the Jim POV by a chapter to get a little more Dwight/Izzy into it, but it is coming, I promise!
I just want to stop and say that Pam falling asleep on her watercolor of sunset is sooo adorable, and I need this picture in my life! Thank you for bringing it :)
Author's Response: Aww, thanks! I really enjoy putting in throwaway references to young artist Pam, thanks for catching it.
Oh, Jim... I both like to see him so hopelessly in love and hate to see him so insecure. But, even then, I like that he remains rational (or, at least, I took his reflections for rational thinking)... and Pam's joke wasn't completely unfunny.
And I do hope that they'll have some tea in the end ;)
Thank you for writing and sharing!
Author's Response: He's really trying to think about it reasonably--and yes, there will definitely be tea at some point in this fic.
Wonderful chapter! And it left me craving for more and more!!
Also, I want to point at three moments that made me especially excited:
- 'You can do this, Pamela,' — that's so cute and sweet and innocent;
- the whole rock-God-Dwight joke (!!!)
- aaaaand this line 'if you were a creative writer you'd spend more time beating your head against a wall,' — I have no idea about this major, but I feel this so very much.
Thank you for this chapter, and looking forward to the next one :)
Author's Response: Thanks so much! I really appreciate detailed reviews that point out good bits like this one does, because it lets me know what to include more of going forward ;).
Okay, so I'm VERY glad I read both your updates at once. I was slightly confused at first because I didn't immediately get who was talking to Jim (my brain... ugh...), but the rest is perfection!
Here's the list of things that made me giggle/extremely happy:
1) Pam thinking over the ways of murdering Izzy;
2) References to the canon events (oh, Jim...);
3) Dwight got two numbers!!!
4) 'Nice guys.' They're ruined for me forever, but that's perfectly fine;
5) 'Abort/Retry/Fail' and generally the way Jim thinking;
6) 'Would some tea help?'
Dear author, please, let them have some tea!
Author's Response:
Awwww...I'm so glad you liked it! I realize the formatting was not completely clear that I just copypasted (and swapped into first person) from the last chapter of what Pam didn't realize she was blurting out...glad it became clear as it went.
And yes! Tea appears next chapter!
Firstly, awwww!
Secondly, — and I used Google to study the assortment! — Earl Grey.
But that's up to Pam, of course :)
Author's Response: Thank you! And good Googling :) She will drink the Earl Grey--among others ;)
What a fantastic chapter! And with so much tea in it!!!
But! The tea didn't distract me from noticing things I'd like to comment on with excessive use of exclamation marks too. Like, this quote:
'watching him do things was more interesting than just watching him be pretty,' - I can't stress enough how much I love this line!!!!
Or her desire to paint him — oh, I hope so much she'll have an opportunity to do that!
Also, green tea. I can relate here to her willingness to like something (even if this something doesn't want to cooperate). Also, ouch. I like this little touch with her burnt — sometimes something very desirable might be a little too soon ;)
Thank you so much!! I hope to see soon how she tries other blends too :)
Author's Response:
Thanks so much! We're really leaning into the Bigelow teas right now for some reason I can't really explain, but I'm not going to stop ;)
And I'm really glad you're noticing these little bits! She will probably end up painting him--this story may end up pretty long though, so not sure when!
I have a very stressful day, but your story made me laugh, so thank you!
Also, I hope there will be more shirtless episodes in the future... without Dwight around ;)
Author's Response: Glad to be of service! Hope the stress gets better. And Pam will definitely be thinking about this--and possibly reenacting it--in the future (though not the chapter I just posted, don't get your expectations up for that).
Aww, such a lovely chapter! I might be a prude because I found that... um... isn't it a bit too early for supply closet's thought? but leaving a number on the inside of the cup's sleeve is the cutest thing, and I'm here for all the cute and touching!
Also, it's awesome that Pam decided to change her place into... her place? and I'm very curious about what she is going to do about it.
Thank you!
Author's Response: Having the thoughts and acting on them are quite different! She's definitely nowhere near acting on them. We'll spend some time with redecorator Pam soon :)
I can't help but admire how meticulously Pam is redecorating her room.
And yes, texting is the worst (this whole line is lovely, btw!)
Very curious to see Jim's reaction... I have a vague suspicion that he might be a little freaked out with Pam's absence... and maybe a little relieved with her message... but I can't say for sure, of course :)
Thank you!
Author's Response: Thank you! I like a meticulous Pam--it fits nicely with overthinking-but-impulsive Jim, which I also like.
Poor Jim... but it was adorable that Dwight brightened Jim's day before Pam's message.
Also, aww!
And immediately to the next chapter :)
Author's Response: Thank you! I find Jim's fond annoyance with Dwight from early seasons fun to play with.
I truly wanted to write a more detailed review, but everything I can do now is smiling (and making more awww noises). There's a lack of fluff in my life recently, so thank you for filling this void with your chapters!
Author's Response: Thank you! I try to be as fluffy as possible so that's very high praise!
Yay for Pam! It's so lovely to see her sorting out things and leaving only those valuable for her (even if they kept some memory of Roy, they don't belong to him).
And also delightful to witness her going for inspiration! I bet the coffee shop can provide enough of that :)
Thank you!
Author's Response: Thank you! She's going to enjoy the coffeeshop, yes :)
You weren't kidding for sure :)
This chapter is adorable! And he grabbed her hands (I found this moment especially sweet)!
Thank you!