1

Well, this is very sweet and it's a lovely piece of writing. And also funny. And... generally great.
Thanks!

(And yes, you're right to be concerned about the preparation of the grilled cheese. I'm choosing to believe, because Jim has done this before, that they have access to something that isn't a microwave.

Author's Response: Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it.

That's possible. Jim's very ingenious, he probably has his ways, and maybe keys to one of the other offices in the building.

1

Sir? You are so good? And I just wondered how you came across the absolute audacity to be that way? The parentheticals holy crap just break my heart into a hundred little pieces why don’t you? Those were so perfectly placed and really captured the back and forth and “well does she know?” and “no, she doesn’t” in a really beautiful way. Maybe some of the best Jim train of thought/inner monologue type writing I’ve seen.

Author's Response: I found my audacity between the couch cushions, actually. It's almost always the last place you look... honestly, I had given up and was trying to get at the remote. Sorry for the heartbreak, but I'm glad you thought I captured Jim's inner turmoil well! Poor guy. Things are going to get a lot worse for him before they get better. Thanks for taking the time to review!

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Ugh, the hell with Italian Food, I'll forever wish the line was "I'm in love with grilled cheese" now!

Also, if you're not coating the outside of the bread with mayo, you're not living your best life.

Author's Response: Ah, but this way, we get TWO different references to fall back on! And more things to reference are better. You are the second person to reference slathering the outside with mayo... I did not realize that was a thing.

1

So, when do you reveal that you used to write for the show? Is there a National Stop Lying to Your Friends Day?

But for real, I always love your cold opens and "scripts" and this one definitely did not disappoint. Expect harassment if you don't update this regularly.

(And I know I will probably get flack for this, but sometimes that plastic, fake, American cheese makes the best grilled cheese, if nothing but for nostalgia's sake.)

Author's Response: Yeah, it's February 30th. (Seriously, as noted earlier... y'all realize the trick to this is Jenna and John are doing 90% of the work?) I appreciate the warning, and I'm glad you liked it. No flack from me - I'm with Jim, I think nostalgia is a big part of what makes a grilled cheese a grilled cheese. (When I was little, I used to demand my mother not make me a grilled cheese, but a 'boy cheese,' which is a fond family anecdote we tell to this day and also a stunning statement about gender roles and how young we absorb them.)

1

Awww. Grilled Cheese is Pam’s Italian food. Gave me the feels!

Well done Max and co. for getting Darjeeling to do this/these - nice work!

Author's Response: Oh, sure. Reward peer pressure. This is why our schools are such a mess. Glad you liked it!

1

This made me so happy! I honestly don’t know how you manage to write in a way that captures the feel of the show so perfectly, down to the beats and the little things like Pam realising the camera’s still on her, and Jim’s all business (I mean I’m struggling to explain it just in this review). I can 100% see Jim getting way too serious about this - the comparison to Dwight’s Mussolini impression is amazing - and then Pam making him a grilled cheese, and him putting her note in his pocket next to her heart, is just so incredibly sweet. I also loved Dwight’s intervention, hehe. And then the callback to the Italian food line at the end! I’m fully on board for one of these for every single holiday.

I think we make grilled cheeses slightly differently in the UK. We actually…grill the cheese 😏

Author's Response: It's far too many rewatches... and also, writing in script format where you all kind of just imagine how well the actual actors would've played it instead of me having to describe it for you. (#KrasinskiAndFischerAreMyCoPilots) I do really like Pam making him the sandwich though... we really deserved a role reversed Italian food moment. You GRILL the CHEESE? For a grilled cheese sandwich??? You know what? I'm *GLAD* we had a revolution. Y'all can keep your grilling and your monarchy and all your extra u's.

1

This is SO cute. I love how important grilled cheese is to the both of them (and the idea that it's the first thing a kid learns to cook is so Jim to me).

OK, my secret? Slather the outside of sourdough bread with mayo, then coat the outsides in grated parmesan cheese. You'll thank me.

Author's Response: I mean, there has to be *some* level of backstory to him choosing to make Pam a grilled cheese, right? And it is easy to make for yourself. I have to admit, I have never heard of that recipe and feel obliged to try it now.

1

I usually stick with the classic. Butter two pieces of bread. Add a slice of chedder and a slice of colby jack. Grill on a pan set on medium heat on the stove. Wait till golden brown on one side and repeat for the second side. Hope you don't set off the smoke detectors and send your two year old running away in terror...again. Dip in cream of tomato soup and call it good.

Anyway, this was a wonderful extension of that blurb you put on Discord. Great way to fill it out and who doesn't love Jim and Pam making goo-goo eyes at each other. Tons of fun with this one.

Author's Response: See, I'm with you on most of this, but I am aghast at the idea of mixing cheeses. They're different flavors for a reason, darn it. Ah, well. It's probably good that your two year old is learning to be afraid of smoke, maybe? Really glad you enjoyed it, and thanks as always for reviewing!

1

So this is going to be a daily thing, right? For every obscure holiday to ever exist? Because I need that. I also need you to make an office reboot with all of these scripts you come up with. Please and thank you. (I also did not have grilled cheese for lunch and am ashamed.)

Author's Response: Yes, eventually this will be 365 chapters, covering every day and every conceivable minor event. This is my solemn pledge. Please do not hold me to it. I cannot imagine writing something with, like, a plot.