1 [Report This]Date: October 29, 2020 04:05 pm Title: Chapter 3: Tomorrow
Pre-Merger Pam endlessly frustrates me, and you've still managed to make me feel for her - she's just so completely unshielded against what's coming here.
Author's Response:
Right? Why didn't she call him? Whyyyyy?
On the other hand, the acting in the episode when Jim returns (and the "egregious" backrub) always gets me. You can see the emotional beating it is taking on Pam and I figured it must be because she got her hopes up so high.
"Unshielded" is a great word for it, thank you for that.
10 [Report This]Date: January 24, 2008 06:31 pm Title: Chapter 3: Tomorrow
Yay! I can finish this story now. (specially since you finally replied to my review. Hehe. nah, its just cause I finally have a computer)
God the night before a big tomorrow is the worst!
God, that was so perfect. I can so imagine that was what it was like and it breaks my heart thinking it dind't go the way she planned, but this was perfect!
Author's Response: Thank you! It really was hard to watch her get so disappointed, wasn't it? I think seeing how sad she was really convinced me that she must have had her hopes up pretty high. But it gets better! Thank goodness!
9 [Report This]Date: January 14, 2008 08:34 pm Title: Chapter 3: Tomorrow
I love, love this chapter. Pam's anticipation at Jim's return is just so sweet ... and you know will be short lived. I love the vision of her preparing her apartment for the guest who won't arrive for months.
Author's Response: Thank you! As much as it set her up for a crushing disappointment, I agree that those hours of anticipation must have been very sweet and exciting for her. I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment!
Date: January 13, 2008 09:16 am Title: Chapter 3: Tomorrow
Oh, poor Pam! Full of hope, and we know what happened. She probably had cleaned up her apartment, hoping that she'd be able to show Jim everything. And clean sheets, only slept on one night? I'm sure she's thinking "just in case." ;)
It's sad that the next night wouldn't have been as she hoped, but instead was probably a disaster. That would be another night where having your own place would come in handy -- the tears would be flowing, that's for sure.
Her hope here is lovely, though.
Author's Response: Thank you so much- yes, the TH's in that episode just make me ache for Pam; you know she was just so hopeful. But fear not- canon tells us that things get better soon! Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy the final two chapters!
Date: January 13, 2008 05:35 am Title: Chapter 3: Tomorrow
I was going to wait for this to be complete before reading, but I couldn't hold out. I'm drawn to fics that use a consistent element/motif to focus on different moments in a character's development (tried it myself recently via haircuts, lol) - and I think you've chosen an especially good one to frame Pam here. That late night/early morning can't sleep zone is so often when the rest of the world fades away and our minds wander - anxieties getting bigger, anticipation more vivid, happy or sad. You've really captured that here - I could vividly feel Pam at every stage. This last one was particularly poignant - we know how disappointed she's about to be. So touching that she cleaned her apt. - bought flowers - her expectation/hope that he'll see it soon (be part of her life soon.) Broke my heart a little...but I have a feeling you're going to put it back together in the next chapter. I always love your brief, yet wonderfully detailed and so-emotional, small moments - and this is no exception. ;-)
Author's Response: I am unbearably pleased with myself that I tempted you to read my WIP, I just have to say. Hee. Thank you so much for your lovely comments. I loved your haircut fic, of course, and I agree that there is something cool about using a strong framework, like the outward structure gives you more freedom for the emotional content. And yes, "brief"- thank goodness I found fanfic, because I can't think of any other venue where such tiny vignettes would ever be read or appreciated! Thank you so much- more to come!
Date: January 12, 2008 08:11 pm Title: Chapter 3: Tomorrow
Oh man. Talk about bittersweet. I had forgotten this was your third night. I loved it. The idea that she had PREPARED. Ouch. But you're totally right. She had only the highest hopes and expectations. So joyful. And yet, knowing what actually happened...
Author's Response: I couldn't resist posting this without your mad beta skills- I wanted to surprise you! She was so excited, and then...and I imagine that she spent a long time the next night telling herself that she should have expected this. Poor Pam. Of course, we know things get better! Thanks, sweetie!
9 [Report This]Date: January 12, 2008 07:24 pm Title: Chapter 3: Tomorrow
Such a good chapter. "Finally, she had confessed to herself that she wasn't so much cleaning as she was preparing. She was getting ready for a guest who was long overdue." Sigh. Poor Pam!
Author's Response: Thank you! Yes, poor Pam. I torture her quite a bit in this one, don't I? Heh. Thanks for reading!
8 [Report This]Date: January 12, 2008 05:06 pm Title: Chapter 3: Tomorrow
This chapter is more depressing than the previous one because she's so happy and we all know that tomorrow won't be wonderful.
Author's Response: Sorry about the depression- you're absolutely right, of course! I always let myself get carried away, and often get disappointed, so I guess I channeled that into Pam's situation, here. I hope it wasn't so depressing that you stop reading- I promise it gets cheerier. Thank you for commenting!
10 [Report This]Date: January 12, 2008 02:20 pm Title: Chapter 3: Tomorrow
oh pam. this is such a heartbreaking chapter - you can just imagine how excited she must have been and we all know how that next day ends.
excellent writing, cant wait for more.
Author's Response: I'm glad you're enjoying the angst- it gets better, I promise. Thank you so much!
Date: January 12, 2008 01:42 pm Title: Chapter 3: Tomorrow
Oh, Pam. My heart is just breaking for her knowing what's coming tomorrow. I can really imagine her going through this. You're doing a great job with this. Can't wait for more. I'm sure there's at least one better night ahead for Pam.
Author's Response: Thank you so much! Yes, at least we know things didn't stay so bad for her. The problem with getting your hopes up is that they have farther to fall. Thanks for reading- I hope you enjoy the end!
10 [Report This]Date: January 12, 2008 10:09 am Title: Chapter 3: Tomorrow
This chapter is heartbreaking. I've never really thought about what the time right before the merger must have like for Pam, just how hopeful she must have been about his return. I actually teared up when I read this. Can't wait for more- something happier perhaps? lol
Author's Response: It's sad, isn't it? She was so crushed, she must have been so hopeful beforehand. Yes, happier days are coming soon.
9 [Report This]Date: January 12, 2008 09:00 am Title: Chapter 3: Tomorrow
Poor Pam... I still cringe when I watch "The Merger," because it just goes from good to awkward to painful so quickly. That look she gives in the parking lot when Karen scratches Jim's back destroys me every time.
You've done a marvelous job in conveying the sense of excitement and hope that she must have been feeling the night before.
Can't wait for more!
Author's Response: Oh, thank you! Yes, poor Pam. The crushing of her hope is just awful to watch. More coming soon.
Date: January 12, 2008 07:48 am Title: Chapter 3: Tomorrow
Awww....this chapter is good, but it makes me sad...because of what actually happens when he comes back!!
Author's Response: I'm sorry! I know I wasn't being very nice to poor Pam here, but I do appreciate that you thought it was good anyway! Thanks so much...there's more to come!
Date: January 12, 2008 07:18 am Title: Chapter 3: Tomorrow
She set him free and he has returned, which means he's hers to keep, right?
Ow. Punch me right in the grief bone, why don't you? But I like that Pam is sleepless for a different reason, even if we know the soul-crushing that awaits Pam in the PLoD.
Author's Response: Yeah, I guess it was mean for me to set her up for the soul-crushing so much here, but I think it was evident in her face in that whole ep. Sorry about your grief bone- I'll make it up to you, I promise! Thanks for reading!
Date: January 12, 2008 07:06 am Title: Chapter 3: Tomorrow
Was it just a couple hours ago I wished for another chapter? Man, I'm going to wish for a Mercedes right now!
When I thought about what nights you might tackle next, I knew this one was coming, but wow!
Finally, she had confessed to herself that she wasn't so much cleaning as she was preparing. She was getting ready for a guest who was long overdue.
Oh, this is just exactly right, both her preparing, and your description. Again, the last line...good grief, my heart is breaking for her! So well done.
Author's Response:
I sincerely wish I could be a fairy godmother for you, Sweetpea! Heh. Thank you so much for your comments. That whole episode was such an emotional roller coaster, and you just know she was so excited...just to be crushed. I'm sort of imaginging Pam as someone like me- I sleep when I'm depressed (like hiding from the world), so it would have to be something else that keeps her awake (fear, or, like here, excitement). Keep your eyes peeled for more installments!