You must login (register) to review or leave jellybeans
Reviewer: tinydundie Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: April 26, 2021 07:26 pm Title: National Jelly Bean Day (April 22, 2006)

“But Jim’s life is not a romantic comedy. He is not Hugh Grant or Colin Firth or whatever stammering, awkward English dude women find charming these days. There is no music swelling to tell him the moment is right. The lighting is the same harsh fluorescent it always is. There’s not even the camera crew there, trying so desperately to not attract attention to themselves he can tell they think something big is happening.

And perhaps most importantly, if he’s wrong, there will be no cut to black. Jim will have to live with the fallout.”

Wow, wow, wow. I loved all of this.

I really like your insights into Jim during this timeframe. Acknowledging complaining to Toby was actually mean (it was!) but he understands he’s running out of time.

Love the use of holidays in this story!

Author's Response: I'm glad you liked it! I'm always a little bit leery of fictional characters talking about how they're not fictional characters, but I think with them it kind of works because they are very much supposed to be real people living a small, real sort of life.

I think Jim is in a genuine tailspin in the late stages of Season 2, torn between taking a risk and accepting that everything is already over, and I'm glad you feel like I captured that.

Thank you! And thank you for reviewing!

Reviewer: Maxine Abbott Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: April 26, 2021 03:33 pm Title: Pretzel Day (April 26, 2005)

You came through!!!
I wasn't sure if Pretzel day was going to rank but you pulled it off and in some a clever way.

You know how I love when stories get twisted together (pun intended) and this was the perfect way to touch back on the prank that had Stanley all knotted up and still mad at Pam and Jim ( Although maybe he's not - It’s hard to tell when Stanley’s stopped being mad.) But if he is this will certainly get Snoopy and Co. out of the doghouse.

So I got that one - hard not to when you wrote it but I'm not sure which is the other - did it have to do with the sketch at end - if not and even if it did - brilliant but a little heartbreaking.

Fun stuff-

This is Sam, This is Pete - is it variations on using her letters?
Jim can't handle the phones - sounds about right.
I see Phyllis perfectly both in her baleful look and then in her atta boy look.
I also see Michael speed racing out of the office - you don't need to do much but you always seem to nail Michael.
Jim spinning in Pam's chair and using up the pad to throw stuff at Dwight.

Sad stuff-
Pam is back where she always is… and maybe always will be.
The sketch that he sees. (insert sad face here)

I guess by now Pam and Jim are forgiven! After if a hot, chewy roll of buttered dough isn't woryhy his forgiveness than what is?

I really hope I'm not missy the obvious with the other story/author. You will have to clue me in. But I love Easter eggs in stories - they are always such fun (especially when you are in on them).

As for writing continuously about the same thing - NOTHING WRONG with that. I'm going for a fourth story that touches on same thing.

Thank you for another wonderful holiday story. You really have a gift for this and like WW says when are you going to admit which one of the writers you are.

Bravo!

Author's Response: Are you kidding? Pretzel Day's one of the biggest holidays there is. Ask Stanley.

It's actually my considered opinion that Stanley was back down to normal grumpiness before this day, but we'll never really know for sure now, because I'm positive they're free and clear after this.

It did NOT have to do with the sketch. It DID have to do with the names Sam and Pete.

Phyllis and Michael are both a lot of fun to play with in small doses. And yeah, Jim was definitely enjoying his time in Pam's space.

I mean... important to remember, this is back in time. She'll get out from behind that desk, and one day she won't have to draw their hands together from memory, either.

Nah, it's maybe too subtle, but we'll wait to see if the author catches them.

That's true.!

Thank you for taking the time to review! Really glad you enjoyed it.

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: April 26, 2021 09:36 am Title: Pretzel Day (April 26, 2005)

So this one was fun. Jim not really being able to do Pam's job does seem to track. I get the feeling that everyone at DM has at least been training on how to answer the phone and transfer calls, but it's been a while for Jim so he's kinda stuck.

I'm thinking that where Pam calls Jim Snoopy is a refernce to another fic. Maybe one from Max? Couldn't tell you the other one.

Nice way for them to make nice with Stanley. Yes, that would be the way to get back onto his good side.

Jim finding that sketch of the hands holding was sweet and little bitter at the same time. Cleary he'd reconginize their hands together, but Pam's drawn hand still has her engagment ring on. So yes she likes him, but she's still got that ring on. It tracks for where they are at this point of their relationship though so well done in that regard.

Nice job.

Author's Response: I read... somewhere in a fic once a line about the Dunder Mifflin phone system being absurdly complicated, which has always stuck in my head. (And now I have to go look it up... it's BigTunette's On Hiatus). So that was more the inspiration to that. Although this version makes sense too. And I'm sure Jim wouldn't have been too eager to pay attention to the training, since after all, he can ask Pam follow up questions.

You got one of them! New Year's in New Jersey... of course it's Pam that's Snoopy, but you can't have everything. The other one maaaaaay be too subtle.

It's my personal opinion that Stanley had actually forgiven them and was back to his usual level of grumpiness... but don't tell Jim and Pam that.

Here's something that I definitely didn't intend but HAD thought of after I wrote it... it's probably not clear to Jim WHAT he saw. He just got a glimpse of clutching hands. Did he notice one of them was clearly not Roy's? Or is he going home tonight wondering what he saw, if he saw what he thinks he saw, or if it's just a sign that it's never going to happen? I do think you hit the nail on the head with Pam... who's clearly thinking about their hands together more, but is nowhere close to imagining that ring off.

Thank you, and thank you for taking the time to review!

Reviewer: Dernhelm Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: April 26, 2021 07:25 am Title: Pretzel Day (April 26, 2005)

Oh, this is so lovely, and it made me so emotional. I mean, your writing is wonderful as always, and it amazes me how you transfer the story from silly to serious to romantic to heartbreaking and back again to silly so seamlessly and naturally. I have to confess I didn't find the references you've mentioned :( But! The picture of Jim spinning around in Pam's chair is adorable, and the hands' sketch... did I mentioned that your story was heartbreaking?
Anyway, thank you so much for these little gems!
P.S. With deep regret, I discovered that the National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day was celebrated on April 2... oh well, it's just 341 days until this holiday.

Author's Response: I'm really glad you liked it, my friend, and again, I point to canon - the way Jim and Pam go back and forth between silly and serious is very much what drives this.

At least one of the references is very subtle, but the author should notice it at the very least... let's see if they weigh in.

I was happy with the chair spinning especially, it just feels like SUCH a Jim thing to do.

I'm sorry it was heartbreaking... just remember it's out of order, and the sweetness of National Grilled Cheese Day is what's coming for them!

I will make a note of National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day, but there should be... a few between now and then, if I keep this up. I'm not quite sure how you pulled off this posting every day thing.

Reviewer: WanderingWatchtower Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: April 23, 2021 02:14 pm Title: National Jelly Bean Day (April 22, 2006)

"He’d hurt her a little on Valentine’s Day, and while it hadn’t been the point, he’d kind of liked knowing he could. He wishes he doesn’t know that he’d liked that." Ooooooof.

This encapsulated the feeling of season 2 so well it hurt. Especially Jim slowly realizing it's all slipping through his fingers and something is going to change in their relationship whether he likes it or not. Well done, friend! Loved this one.

Author's Response: Being in love, especially unrequited love, and especially unrequited love with a friend, does not always bring out the best in us. I've always taken Valentine's Day more or less as what the show implies, that this is Jim post-Boys and Girls making an attempt to accept his fate and set up boundaries... but I imagine he would have kind of liked knowing that she cares enough about him that he has the capacity to hurt her. Glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to review.

Reviewer: nicemorningtoo Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: April 23, 2021 01:41 pm Title: National Jelly Bean Day (April 22, 2006)

This broke me, so thanks for that. You have a gift, my friend, to make something like National Jellybean Day into a piece of art. Also, I would also like the backstory on why Penny knew Pam would care about Jellybean Day please and thank you.

Author's Response: You're very welcome. What I'm here for. I'm glad you liked it! And maybe we'll find out how Penny knows Pam would care about this one day, but I think we know Pam talks a little more about Jim than is strictly appropriate for an engaged woman about a man not her fiancée to her mom and sister.

Reviewer: Maxine Abbott Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: April 23, 2021 04:33 am Title: National Jelly Bean Day (April 22, 2006)

How you can turn this colorful, happy, sugary day into this story is just brilliant. From the beginning, with the note and disclaimer - I thought we were in for a happy little tale of colorful fun- once into the first few paragraphs I knew it would be more than that and knew exactly where in the timeline we were (yeah, I didn't notice the date was right there in the chapter title).

 

Love the peek of what's on the monitor - great way to make us feel the excitement (as if the dialogue that comes next wasn't enough). Great way to bring out his being put on the spot to always be clever - but well - I like like even when he is stressing about it he always comes through (reminds me of someone I know who came through on some very important holidays).

 

Have to mention your portrayal of Michael here while not a big part is spot on.

The next bit was so wonderfully written - comparing to movie scenes and bringing in the instances of why she knew (ice skating, big trips) but his doubt of how it all would go down holding him back - the line no cut to black may have been one of my favorite.

The nod to Larissa - check. The nods to Valentines' day episode - check. The nod to conflict resolution - check.

The whole idea of being worried that it might ruin the friendship but could friendship be enough (braid bracelets -check) really does resonate with me.

Ugh and how does the colorful, sugary holiday fic end with such an angsty good line? However, like jelly beans -too much sugar can make you feel sick - so this was the perfect ending. 



Author's Response: Well, I don't want to be too predictable. Into every fluff, a bit of angst must fall. Props to you for finding the website in the first place, that's come in real handy. I do think being around Pam must be deeply stressful for Jim in some ways we don't explore much, one of which is that he's basically constantly in first date, pulling out the stops to impress her mode for like three years. Not so easy. I'm glad you liked this Michael, because this may be about as much of him as I'm capable of handling writing. I'm glad you enjoyed some of those lines! I go back and forth on whether fictional characters pointing out that their lives aren't fictional is lame or not, I'm glad it worked here. I do think fear of losing the very good relationship they have plays a big role of both of them. And I'm REALLY glad you liked the ending, which I kind of thought I whiffed on.

Reviewer: Dernhelm Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: April 23, 2021 12:02 am Title: National Jelly Bean Day (April 22, 2006)

Ah! What a wonderful way to start my daily routine — with deliciously sweet angst. I love it, love every single bit, the way you paint Jim's thoughts about everything and their games — silly, but fit so very much to the canon. And the moments when they so suddenly become them... goosebumps.
Thank you so much for writing this!
By the way, the National Paper Airplane Day is celebrated on May 26... just saying...
P. S. Martin Freeman. I'd say Domhnall Gleeson, but he's Irish, so... Martin Freeman.

Author's Response: Better than caffeine to get you going in the morning! I'm really glad you enjoyed this. I'm never sure if I get the swirl of Jim's thoughts right, or if it just seems like his confusion is bad writing. The fun-moment-that-suddenly-gets-serious VERY much inspired by Drug Testing, which will take place just a days down the line. Rough month for Jim. Thank you for reading and reviewing, and giving me another chapter idea. Martin Freeman's solid, but would he already have been well known by 2006? *checks IMDB* Yes, yes he would have, from a little show called "The Office." Ugh. Missed joke opportunity.

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: April 22, 2021 10:45 pm Title: National Jelly Bean Day (April 22, 2006)

So this was great. The addition of the graphic from the first time this was posted to the re-post was a welcome addition. Really leaning into S2 JAM bittersweetness with this one. I mean it's all there. It's fun, funny, sweet, JAMMY, angsty. Pam pretty much knowing what she's doing to both of them by denying her feelings. Jim hoping for any and every shred of attention he can get from her. How it seems he wants to turn away, but there's no way he can.

But they still have so much fun together and it's both slowly killing them even if they can't say it. Great job bringing all that out.

Author's Response: Glad you liked it! (And sorry about your first review disappearing. I have technical issues, and NLM had to teach me how to tie my shoes to make this work.) Yeah, I really wanted to capture that late-Season 2 vibe where they're really doing a fair amount of damage to each other and can't quite figure out how to stop here, I'm glad that came through, and that the sweetness and fun of it didn't get overwhelmed by the angst. Thank you so much for taking the time to review (twice)!

Reviewer: BigTuna Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: April 14, 2021 10:27 am Title: National Grilled Cheese Day (April 12, 2008)

Excellent, as always! A very fitting tribute to the holiday. I read it while enjoying some coffee in a certain mug of mine...

Author's Response: I'm glad you liked it! Especially since it definitely pushed the mug fic back like another three months.

Reviewer: Ava Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: April 14, 2021 05:16 am Title: National Grilled Cheese Day (April 12, 2008)

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.

Reviewer: SprinklesTheCat Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: April 13, 2021 04:14 pm Title: National Grilled Cheese Day (April 12, 2008)

Liked it in discord, like it even more here in the extended mix. Great story!

Author's Response: Thank you very much!

Reviewer: WanderingWatchtower Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: April 13, 2021 07:35 am Title: National Grilled Cheese Day (April 12, 2008)

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.)

Reviewer: grc73 Signed [Report This]
Date: April 13, 2021 06:44 am Title: National Grilled Cheese Day (April 12, 2008)

I should also mention less of a grilled cheese recipe (although I love a good bacon, Brie and cranberry combo myself) and more a sweet anecdote about my late Grandma and (sadly also now late) Dad.

Grandma made my dad (her son-in-law, they got on very well though) an open-faced grilled (broiled for you US folks) cheese on toast. When my dad went to eat it, he realised the bread was only toasted on one side.

“Why is the bread only toasted on one side?” he asked my Grandma in confusion.

“Don’t be silly,” she said, “If I’d have turned the bread over the cheese would have fallen off.”

True story.

Author's Response: Okay, that story is lovely, and thank you for sharing it with me.

Reviewer: grc73 Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: April 13, 2021 06:40 am Title: National Grilled Cheese Day (April 12, 2008)

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!

Reviewer: boredhswf Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: April 13, 2021 12:30 am Title: National Grilled Cheese Day (April 12, 2008)

This is super cute DJC. You know, National Jellybean Day is coming up on the 22nd. I’m just saying...

Author's Response: Thank you!!! Also, *gif of Dwight smirking at the camera from Gay Witch Hunt*

Reviewer: Basscop69 Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: April 12, 2021 11:03 pm Title: National Grilled Cheese Day (April 12, 2008)

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.

Reviewer: Dernhelm Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: April 12, 2021 11:01 pm Title: National Grilled Cheese Day (April 12, 2008)

Ohhh, that's so sweet and cute and just perfect! And I NEED your short holiday stories for the rest of the days in the year :)
P.S. We took two slices of bread, a little ketchup or other sauce, sliced sausage and cheese, and then put everything into a grill. But since we sent the device to my parent, no grilled cheese sandwiches for me now :(

Author's Response: Let's see how long I can actually commit to this. I'm not on your level. Glad you liked it, though! The addition of sausage sounds CRUCIAL. But clearly you need a replacement device now...

Reviewer: tinydundie Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: April 12, 2021 09:52 pm Title: National Grilled Cheese Day (April 12, 2008)

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.

Reviewer: Merria Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: April 12, 2021 09:27 pm Title: National Grilled Cheese Day (April 12, 2008)

Now I have a craving for grilled cheese.

Author's Response: I know exactly what you mean.

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: April 12, 2021 09:20 pm Title: National Grilled Cheese Day (April 12, 2008)

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!

Reviewer: Merria Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: April 12, 2021 06:53 pm Title: National Grilled Cheese Day (April 12, 2008)

Now I have a craving for grilled cheese.

Author's Response: I was very glad to not write this until right after dinner, let me tell you.

Reviewer: nicemorningtoo Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: April 12, 2021 06:49 pm Title: National Grilled Cheese Day (April 12, 2008)

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.

Reviewer: Maxine Abbott Signed [Report This]
Date: April 12, 2021 06:47 pm Title: National Grilled Cheese Day (April 12, 2008)

OH I am so thrilled we were able to strong arm you into this. Your fic voice has been missed around these parts and it is so nice have it back again.


And somehow you made it better. I can so hear Jim in his talking head and so picture the cameras on Pam reminding her to the day.

So sweet Pam leaving him a note and sandwich - and my heart with how Pam reallly loves grilled cheese.

This is perfect! You made Grilled Cheese day even better!

Author's Response: You know, I remembered thinking it was a good idea when I first read the end of New Year's in New Jersey, so... kudos to you for suggesting it in the first place! Yeah, building around this one was fun. And really, there should have been a role reversed version of the Italian food moment at some point. I'm really glad you liked it! Especially since you're responsible for it!

You must login (register) to review or leave jellybeans