“It was a look she knew was familiar, a facial quality she’d seen on someone else, somewhere else, quite recently in fact, only she couldn’t place whose face it was that she’d seen that same glow of love, probably on television, the character or show, she couldn’t think of in the moment, especially with her time jump still messing with her memories.”

Love this!

I really appreciate this pattern developing of hints and things to notice later that will pay off: book/library, song/music, etc. I can also tell you have done some research with this one.

Great job!

Author's Response:

Lots of pay-offs to come here - circularity is one of the devices (not sure if it is a device or structure or what) I love to utilize, and as you know, read in other fics - so I'm tickled you are noticing. 

Also yes, this one took some googling. And I listened to a lot of Elvis during this time. 

Thanks as always. 

Ok so there are so many things to think about here. More and more I'm getting the sense that Gabby is something like Pam's guardian angel. It seems to all be lining up perfectly. A motherly kind of tone that's easy to talk to. Being able to talk right to the heart of some of Pam's internal struggles. And that whispered line of "it didn't happen yet." Clearly there's something more than meets the eye.

This felt like a bit more of a push in how Pam's thoughts are going. The choice of song lyrics there at the start, Gabby quoting Pam's lines of beauty in ordinary things. Also interesting to see how Pam remembers meeting Roy vs. Jim. It seemed like with Roy she just kind of agreed to go out with him because he asked, not because there was any real attraction to him. High school Roy may have been nice, but I don't get the sense high school Pam was crushing on him, hoping he would notice her and ask her out or anything like that. With Jim though, it's clear she felt the instant spark she's so often heard about. Likewise in her reflections about what she and Roy have in common she has to stretch for something and when she does verbalize it, it's still spun a bit. Pam, think about that! The guy you're about to marry and you don't even really do anything together. Also it's usually stuff he likes. Not anything you like.

In the meantime there's Jim who does share common interest, takes the time to notice you, makes you smile and laugh and be seen.

Then of course the way Gabby describes her break-up with Charlie and getting together with Randall. How many more signs do you really need Pam? Like I said, it felt like a bigger push in this chapter and it should be really interesting to see where it goes.

Also I think there may also be something with Future Pam grabbing those pencils. Remains to be seen for sure. It feels like things are starting to ramp up a bit too. Can't wait to see where we go.

Author's Response:

Thank you for your review. It was fun to go back in the decades for the songs - the 70s are rich with Jam tunes.

Without saying too much (I know I will read other reviews others might too and want to keep things under wraps for them and keep you on your toes slightly also) bigger pushes now and ahead, lots of symbolism, double-meaning lines, shifted events and also red herrings. But with over a week to go before the reunification date I've got to fill it with something.

Many thanks again friend!  

I’m not very knowledgeable about Elvis (although I do enjoy him) but the Frankie Valli reference made me squeal. I always loved The Four Seasons so much. Appreciated all the effort you put into researching all the music.

*She herself, felt more confident using richer colors and bolder strokes and often leaned towards the post-impressionistic when she took brush to the canvas. Maybe it was because in her own life she felt so muted, her art was her chance to be a little daring.*

Oh, I love this. Pam as an artist always gets me and you did a great job of painting that picture (pun intended) of her dreams and frustrations with Roy in that regard.

“beauty in ordinary things” YES YOU DID

*She imagined it would be something a lot like what she felt when she first met Jim–that little dance of delight that she experienced in her belly as he laughed wholeheartedly when she warned him about Dwight.*

oh my god, CONNECT THE DOTS, PAMALAMADINGDONG

*“I told you it’s no trouble. It’s nice to have a new friend. I’ll be sorry when you go back to your time.”
Pam had to wonder why that should make a difference. Now that they’d met, they could remain friends even after next week when she was back to herself. *

Okay, granted, I’m crap with the rules of time travel so forgive me if I’m just confused, but is Pam just assuming this will work exactly like the Time Turner did? IIRC, Hermione used the time turned to go to more classes which would mean she has to retain all those memories, right? Meaning anything that happens in this alternate timeline will carry over into the real timeline (at least in Pam’s head,) right? I get that Gabby doesn’t know this, but I imagine Gabby won’t have any memory of any of this… or will she?? My head hurts 😂

*It was a tough thing to do, breakup with someone you liked a lot, even if you thought maybe there was someone else who could make you happier.*

I know this is about Pam and Roy, and maybe it’s just because I’ve been neck deep in s3 for months, but this oddly made me think of late Jim/ Karen. This has nothing to do with your story but I love the way these seasons parallel each other and just wanted to point it out.

Now on to the Met… eeeee!

Author's Response:

I knew you would be one to enjoy the references back to Pam as an artist.

I did, hope it worked for you.

So even as I was writing this I was like PAM WAKE THE HELL UP, (but I promise this is not a dream) and 9.5 years is a long time to rewire - and she's only been back for 6 days.

You have stumbled on one of the big questions she has, remember up until it happened to her, she was never believed time travel was possible so she has no clue how it is happening or how it works. Too bad she didn't go back with Dwight instead of Michael because he would. 

And if your head hurts you can just imagine mine having to keep it all straight for the chapters to come.

Oh yeah, some big parallels there.  

Thanks as always for your review. As you know, it makes all the difference to hear from readers so I'm so grateful for your faithful comments.

Onto the Met....