Is there life and love after Jam?Hey wendolf! Welcome back.
So I actually quit reading this a while ago; it just got too hard and I couldn't suspend my disbelief enough to believe Pam would change that much or that they would let their relationship just atrophy through bad communication. However! I have to say, one writer to another, your writing here is amazing. (It's the subject matter that kills.) If your reviews have fallen off, rest assured it's only because your writing is so good that this becomes a believable scenario--and nobody wants to hear it.
So don't take this the wrong way but I hate this story because I can't NOT read it. :) How far are you going to take it, I wonder? I bet I know--to the point where Jim going back to Pam would NOT constitute a happy ending?
Good work, lady. :)
Author's Response: Thanks, Callisto! I know this is a hard one for a lot of people, but I don\'t know ... Once I got over the initial trauma of breaking Jim and Pam up, I\'ve had a lot of fun thinking about the kind of girl that might be good for Jim in the long run (because, despite how much I love Jim and Pam together, they have not always been the \"healthiest\" choice for each other). Anyway, I\'m glad you can\'t resist reading and thanks so much for your honesty and your review!
9 Wendolf, this is really excellent work. Count me among those who almost coudn't read it--but only because I knew you'd do something amazing and believable that would break my heart a little. But the tone here is so optimistic and it's good to see a Jim that survived all that heartbreak and came out still willing to be happy. I love Emily. And I can see this happening, sad to say as that is.
I loved this, it's so...real:
I watch him go to the bar for a second pitcher of beer, enjoying the easy gait of his step and the way his jeans hang just so on his hips. I wonder what might be wrong with him, why he’s single at 29, why he really moved to Philly, why he seems to be starting over. But we all have our history, and I’m sure I’ll find out his eventually. Best just to wait and see.
All in all, well done. I admire your moxie in sticking your neck out there with an unpopular premise. *offers salute*
Author's Response: Thanks, callisto! I\'m so glad you gave it a shot and am flattered by your confidence in me. I do hope the story comes across as optimistic because I truly didn\'t intend for it to be super dark. I mean, the flashbacks are a little dark, but I thought they\'d be balanced out by the knowledge that both Jim (and Pam) survive (and maybe even prosper). Thanks for taking the time to read and review, and for picking out a specific that you liked -- I always love that!
Good god, woman, you break my heart. I wish I could say I am enjoying this story but it's more like...I respect what you're doing. Pam's transformation, though dramatic, is not at all implausible.
I do have to say this. Pam gets a lot of flak, not just in this fic but in others I've read as well, about her big statement on the beach still being too subtle/not grand enough. I have to disagree. Two statements: I called off my wedding because of you and there were a lot of reasons to call off my wedding, but the truth is none of those reasons mattered until I met you are pretty darn bold and straightforward, in my opinion. Especially in front of all your co-workers and the guy's new girlfriend. Not sure why, but I just feel like I have to defend her.
But, um, these are fictional characters... these are fictional characters... anyway I'm still impressed by what you're doing and see? The powers that be know good writing when they see it. :)
Author's Response: Yeah, Pam\'s beach speech seems to be a love it or hate it kind of thing (like black licorice). I personally was underwhelmed. I know she put a few brave bits out there, but then she backpedaled. I sure think she tried, but I would have much rather seen her talk to Jim honestly in private than semi-honestly in front of her co-workers (but I blame the writers for that, not Pam). Anyway, I know I give her flak a lot about that, but . . . well . . . it\'s my story. (Nice defense, huh? Very mature.) I just think that Pam shows a PATTERN of only going so far, of only giving so much when it comes to Jim. That beach speech was par for the course. But even still -- love her. I truly do (even though it might seem like I don\'t). Anyway, thanks so much for reading even though I\'m breaking your heart. Seriously.
8 I'm still in thrall, wendolf. I, too, (from personal experience) believe there's more than one person out there for everybody, and Emily is such a great example of new possibilities.
I only have one small problem with the realism of all this, which is how fast and completely one summer changed how Pam thinks about what she wants. My first thought was "but...but...Pam talked about starting a family!" However, I am perfectly willing to set that aside to see where you take this. Your voice for Jim is so perfect and believable that I just have to!
Favorite lines (in some cases, paragraphs):
He smelled good and tasted good and felt good beneath my hands.
I’m sure when it was filming, he felt like he was doing a good job at camouflaging his emotions, hiding what he felt. But onscreen his expressive face gives him away every time. The camera holds on him for a moment longer than absolutely necessary to catch him when he’s vulnerable. It is merciless during those one-on-one interviews, refusing to be fooled by his practiced attempts at indifference. What wasn’t obvious to him (or to Pam) at the time is completely obvious to anyone watching, and I’m sure he feels vulnerable and exposed and embarrassed, now, knowing that he wasn’t fooling anyone.
And this, especially:
I started to wonder if having kids was negotiable to me. Could I be happy as the childless, average husband of a driven career woman? Wasn’t that where I had been heading with Karen?
I wanted the house with the yard, the kids, the soccer practices and the summer evening trips to Dairy Queen. My career was secondary to all that.
So true to character! These things have been obvious about Jim from the beginning. Maybe I was just a different partner in the same unappealing scenario that felt like someone else’s dream and not hers.
It's times like these I have to remind myself these are all fictional characters... (right?)
Author's Response: Wow, callisto, thanks for all the specifics. What I love about people giving specifics is that what people like and what you think they\'ll like are not always the same thing. And often a line that you threw in on a whim ends up being someone\'s favorite. It\'s so cool. Anyway, thanks so much. As for your problem with Pam changing so fast and that it would cause such a deep chasm between Jim and Pam so quickly -- I agree, it\'s a stretch. I don\'t completely buy the timing of it either (and it\'s my fic!). But as you know, when you have a fic premise, you kind of have to work within the boundaries of the show a bit. Also (as I\'ve said to previous reviewers), I didn\'t want them to get engaged before Pam left for Pratt (because I knew I was going to have them break up) and I had to find a way to KEEP them from getting engaged for months (so that neither of them would have to call off a wedding). So . . . suspended reality time! But I hear what you\'re saying and I don\'t disagree. I\'m just s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g for the sake of my fic. ;-) Anyhoo, thanks SO much for the review! Glad you are enjoying it.
Jim comes back, Pam's late, and it's time to talk. Takes place in the summer between S3 and S4.I love that they have a "normal" too. Pam's voice does feel very real here. Your descriptions are great. This visual is priceless:
"Advances in stripper technology!It's like this test tube they put between their -" his cheeks color, "and kind of shove themselves in your face." He presses his upper arms into his sides and leans forward.
And I love how she knows his "tell" is avoiding eye contact and We still have to sneak up on sex about half of the time. Nice work.
Author's Response: Hey, callisto, thanks so much. I spent a little while trying to figure out how to describe Jim miming stripper cleavage. Realizatio - I have a weird hobby.
9 This was wonderful. You really nailed Jim's voice and this entire string of conversations was so believable. I love how Jim suddenly had his epiphany and that led to ten minutes of "are you sure..." That was awesome and so, so like him. And Karen's reaction of her life being 'ruined' feeling like a slap... also very true to character.
This made me all kinds of happy. :)
Author's Response: Like I said in my notes at the end of the first chapter, Jim is kind of a pain to write, but he\'s also fun, because he\'s so darn chatty. I\'m glad you liked what I did with him. Also glad I could bring some joy. :)
S3, set between Traveling Salesman and The Return.9 "Wait. Isn't he the cute blond one? .. You should introduce him to Pam." Isn't that the way of women right there!
Love your characterization of Karen's elegant grace compared with Pam's more earthy kind of beauty. But this in particular sums up Jim's entire season 3 dilemma perfectly:
But now, stripped of the armor of the office setting, he felt like he was back to square one. He had no bearings.
He just couldn’t figure out how to be around her.
Great work, as always, and I hope the gods of fanfic are with you tomorrow, for all of our sakes :)
Author's Response: Yeah, I didn't want to dis Karen...just focus on how she and Jim didn't quite fit. And your reading of the line about Jim not knowing how to be is precisely how I saw him in S3. Many thanks Callisto - love hearing from you!
10 This is so sweet and sad and just a fantastic little snapshot of why everything had to end up the way it did. I loved this description of the chipped lip of the pot, and saw it as a direct parallel to Jim himself:
so raw, so vulnerable, so unspeakably sad.
And this:
An artifact of a time and place that never really existed, but that he missed all the same.
And the symbolism of using the same towel he'd dried himself off with... well. As always, your subtlety is wonderful. This was a real treat.
Author's Response: So pleased you felt the metaphor of the chipped pot - and 'subtlety' is high praise in my book. Thanks so much, callisto! (And btw, have been crazy busy lately, but your new fic is on my 'to read' list - can't wait.)
I haven't read this since you first posted it, and now I can't believe I didn't think before how much this reminds me of one of my favorite short stories, "The Chrysanthemums." At least Pam didn't see it thrown away. :)
Author's Response: Have to admit - I had to Google to see what The Chrysanthemums was. It's been about eleventy thousand years since I've read any Steinbeck, and don't think I ever read that story...but I will definitely check it out now ;-) Anyway, thanks for the re-read (always flattering!) and the comparison (somehow, I gotta believe ol' JS did it better than I, lol!)
I really love this story,jazzfan. It's got such a quiet but intense emotion. The bit at the end where Jim just wants to hear her talk is so sweet and poignant. Looking forward to hearing them 'say a lot of things.' :)
Author's Response: Thanks so much callisto. Jim and Pam\'s relationship has always been so outwardly subdued I just thought histrionics wouldn\'t suit. Now if I can just write the \"lot of things\" right...\r\n\r\nI am very grateful for the review, better than Schrutebucks, it is.\r\n\r\n
Cinderella meets Groundhog Day meets Dr. Gregory House. Pam will never be the same. (Set during S3's Ben Franklin.)10 Moxie, this is awesome! You write House amazingly well-- I get a perfect mental picture of their entire interaction. Poor Pam... let's hope the next attempt at a 'cure' will go better!
10 Fantastically realistic reactions by both parties. Loving this story, Moxie!
When Jim can't be there when Pam needs him, he sends a little love through the mail.
My contribution to the "Pam in New York" theme
9 This was super sweet. How very Jim to make up two boxes for the possible outcomes. And the fears he confessed to her thinking maybe a 'little life in Scranton' wouldn't be enough was very poignant. Must echo the love for the 'Esteban' detail too :) Nice job!
Author's Response:
I thought the fears would be important to touch on...you can tell that's where the Jim arc was/is heading. I'm glad you're an Esteban fan...haha.
Thanks for the review! :o)
8 Nice to see a world where Pam is not a prodigy, just someone who loves art and has some talent. And I can see her feeling welcomed and 'home' back at the office. Nice!
Author's Response: Thank you! Yeah, this felt a little more realistic to me. I love Pam, but maybe she's just a big fish in the little DM pond, you know? Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. I wasn't sure how people would feel about this take on Pam's NY summer.
A golf pencil, two hot sauce packets, a Boggle timer, a mixtape, a high school yearbook photo, a card, and a teapot. Yup.9 *clap* I believe!
Count me in as one who wanted to see a golf-pencil story. This was really sweet. And this broke my heart a little:
He smiled with one side of his mouth, but there was that same sadness in his eyes. "Am I?"
Nice job, Talkative :)
Author's Response: Thank you, callisto. I actually hadn\'t written anything that takes place prior to \"The Job,\" so this was a fun little adventure for me. I\'m really enjoying \"Spectrum,\" btw, so keep at it. Start making up colors if you have to.
10 There is so much that is great about this chapter. Jim's interview...
Really?"
It was a fast, clumsy response that tried and failed miserably at sounding casual, detached.
And "medium-rare"-- nice preview of things to come. Their descriptions of each other at the end, "everyone'll love you..." Nice.
A real treat, Talkative. What else you got? :D
Author's Response: God, you\'re demanding! ;) Well, the Boggle timer is up next, things\'ll get kind of smutty when we hit the yearbook photo, and I\'ve got some plans for that teapot. Sound good?
10 Oh, this is just so many kinds of awesome. They come alive so vividly--their interactions and the banter are just so fantastic. And your imagery is palpable--that last scene in the break room, her hand in his hair--well.
Favorite lines:
"Watch out, Halpert. You're next." The end of his tie dragged on her desk. She wanted to tug on it.
She wondered when someone last kissed Jim while he was shaving, trying to picture a bare back she had never seen and the wet ends of his hair sticking to his neck. "It's just one of those boy things," she replied as he drew the knot closer to his throat.
And the whole "I'm stalking you" exchange. Brilliant.
Author's Response: Thank you, callisto. You\'re one of my favorite writers here, so your feedback means a lot. I\'m flattered and a little surprised by the positive response to this one. I\'m happy I\'ve hit on something that everyone\'s enjoying.
Poor Jim. Count me in with those who just want to give him a hug and reassure him it'll all work out okay.
Lots of excellent phrases in here!
Mark's "You are so fucked."
making and unmaking yet another decision
The very real, extremely immediate sadness that had him by the throat
He told himself that all of this was normal and okay and she didn't have to know and what else was he supposed to do
laying in the dark, jeans unbuttoned, dispassionately noting how fucking weird he had become
So sad.
Great job, again!
Author's Response: Oh, c\'mon, Callisto. That\'s not why you want to give Jim a hug... but I\'m glad you liked it. Two more chapters, coming soon.
10 I feel like I should feel cheated that we don't get to see what he wrote, but I don't--this is better. In fact, this is just...perfect. I pulled out a few of the passages that
really struck me:
He considered asking Melissa's advice and came close to doing it, but that would mean having to pick through a veritable minefield of loaded questions and knowing smiles. He was laying on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate resting on his chest, his eyes half-focused on the tree lights, and a blanket across his legs. He didn't need his own mounting certainty that he was in love with Pam to be vocalized by the well-meaning matchmaker in the easy chair, not while Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed danced into the swimming pool underneath the gymnasium floor.
--I really liked the visual there; I can see him, and smell the hot chocolate, and feel his resignation to what's happening to him.
Her inner anthropologist wonders if this box was packed and taped shut during the move he made without her, because of her.
--Okay that appeals to the anthropologist that I am. But without her, because of her is the kicker.
Of course, she opens the envelope, with one small, guilty glance in the direction of the living room. She can hear an adroit string of obscenities being directed at the most abused member of the household, the Playstation.
--Again, nice visual of home. "Of course" she opens it. Yes. :)
And then this whole exchange is wonderful, just spot-on:
"There was a lot to say."
"It's really romantic."
"Well, thank you." He smiles.
"And, uh, kind of dirty in places."
"Pam, please - the word is passionate." He doesn't seem to be able to look at her.
"Oh, really?" She reaches for the card, "Isn't there something in here about wanting -"
He is on her in an instant, pushing the card out of reach and pressing her down to the floor. "Nope." He brushes his lips against hers and she knows that he remembers every word.
Gorgeous ending to a really great story, Talkative! Thank you for it. :)
Author's Response: Thank you for your detailed review, Callisto. I know you know how much it means when a reader (esp. one as respected as you) takes the time to comment. I went back and forth wrt to the card the entire time I was working on this. In fact, I even wrote the whole thing, just in case. This might sound strange coming from someone who has written Pam and Jim into a series of compromising positions, but the card just felt too personal to share. So I didn\'t. Thank you again.
(or, Everyone Else Wrote It, Why Can't I?) If you aren't sick to death of tales about such an historic event, here's one more version - told to you by the daters themselves.9 What an awesome tone you've captured here, fun and nervous and eager. Love that Jim chickened out touching her at the end. And saved the coaster, of course....how perfect. Next chapter promises to be lots of fun!
Author's Response: Thanks Callisto! You know Jim and his souvenirs. :) Glad you\'re enjoying the story thus far and I hope you stay tuned for more!
Oh, boy! This should be quite a ride...
I really liked this line:
The look on her face that night--just before she'd gotten cold and left him out there to wallow in his cowardice--was the same as the one she wore now.
Cliffhangers are good, by the way. :)
Author's Response: Callisto! You know I\'m quite fond of your work, so it really means a lot that you\'re reading this and took the time to respond. I tend to like it when authors refer to a specific moment in the show in the description of a look on a character\'s face. I think it helps to visualize it, you know? I\'m glad you liked the cliffhanger, too. :D
Firecrackers, apple pie, peaches, and Andy: The last four Fourth of July's in Angela's life. Spoilers for the 'Summer Vacation' extras from last year found on NBC.com and some Goodbye, Toby.9 I have a soft spot for Angela and Dwight, and you captured them so well here. He responds by meeting her gaze and taking a huge bite of his sandwich. That is so perfect.
And this:
He doesn't know that she's not particularly fond of lawn chairs or that she's definitely not fond of big crowds because she's never outright told him and that's the only way he ever knows anything so she guesses he can't be blamed.
Nice work!
Author's Response: Thank you! I found Dwight kind of tricky to write for so I\'m glad you approve!
Okay, so I've never been to Disney World even though I was born in Florida. There it is. But this is really cute and makes me wonder what I've missed out on!
Your voices are all very good and that's a tall order with the full ensemble. I like your detail links, too-- that playlist? Two of Us? Seriously? I love that song. And the bingo-prize bookcover was cute too.
I will admit I don't care for the use of "jim" as a verb. But that's just me. :)
So, in short: a fun read!
Author's Response: Oh Callisto, that\'s it - let\'s go today! You are missing out on...um, everything. :) Thanks for your kind review and \"Two of Us\" is an amazing, amazing song. :) And \"jim\" as a verb...sorry you don\'t enjoy it. I just find it\'s the easiest way to describe THAT face. Hope you can look past it and stick with this! Thanks again! :)
This is a terrific glimpse into Jim's mind. I love that he thought he saw her, and Wild thoughts of her following him to New York and kissing him in Times Square dissolve and he is left with reality, with the tangible feeling of Karen’s hand in his. He gives her hand a squeeze and tells himself it’s enough.
And this:
He doesn’t want to see her in a thousand strangers’ faces. He wants to see the real her, the one that laughs in his memories, the one that’s waiting patiently like he never could, at home in Scranton.
Because after she asked him to come back, he'd always wonder what might have been. Fantastic. Nice work!
Author's Response: Wow, thanks so much Callisto. I\'m a big fan of your stuff so such lovely comments from you really made my day :)
"Of course he’d heard that the wedding was off."10 Welcome, Coffeevixen! This is absolutely fantastic. I love your style, so rich and emotional. And so many excellent lines:
But each ride home was spent rationalizing that it was too soon, that he could start tomorrow. Because while he wouldn’t let himself wish anymore, he was still okay with wallowing.
He emailed Kevin and Toby, searching for a moment of normalcy or a feeling of familiarity to distract him from just how ominous everything out his window looked, everything in his life felt.
Like he’d had too much drink, or too little air, or a reminder of why he’d been miserable for years. Or a reminder of why she’d always been worth it.
The only moment in as many as he’d known her that he wasn’t listening.
I hope we'll see more of you around here! :)