Pam struggles with doubt and suspicion when Jim's behavior over the summer doesn't make sense.This is so beautiful! Frustrating and worrisome but I love, love, love that she will not be the one to break it off. I was really thinking some of his behavior was OOC--hanging up on her? really? but that proposal, so simple and earnest... yeah. Very nice. And in the end, everything he was doing was so very Jim. Nice job!
Author's Response:
I took out the hanging-up-on-Pam scene, and then put it back. I think Jim might get angry at Pam now and then, but would not know how to express it, and might resort to just hanging up rather than saying something he would regret. In this case, he's angry at her jealousy but can't handle lying to her, so he takes the Michael Scott way out. :)
Thanks for reading!
Pam, Jim, a first date and lots of alcohol.Aw, that's so sweet. I love first date fics. Everyone here should have to write one. I loved this:
Somewhere in her mind she's aware that in coming up with this grand plan, she'd forgotten to take into account how emotional she gets when she drinks. It's a pattern with her. First, the liberating, giddy highs, and then the dark, shameful lows. At the Dundies he only saw the happy phase. He wasn't around later when she stumbled home, crawled into bed and silently cried herself to sleep, trying desperately to keep her trembling under control so she wouldn't wake up Roy.
I can so relate to that.
Nice job, Blanca! :)
Author's Response: Oh, I relate to that a little too much. :X Heh. And I never get tired of first-date fics. I think it\'s because of that gap between TJ and FR on the show. So much happened in those months, but we didn\'t get to see any of it. That leaves a lot to the imagination. Just add one more possibility to the lexicon.
8 This is so... like something Michael would do. How sad for Toby to be so looking forward to seeing Pam again only to have that familiar stab of emotion as he heard Pam giggle at something Jim said. And that last line... Nice job!
Author's Response: You know, I didn't really realize how melancholy this piece is until I looked at some of the reviews, including yours. I was pretty mean to Toby, wasn't I? Ah, well, I think the show is at its best when it mixes the funny and the cringe-worthy, so maybe I hit it pretty close to the mark? Hee. Thanks for writing and commenting!
Did not see the 'jinx' coming! I love this idea... so many ways they could've just passed through all the silliness! What's next? :)
Author's Response: Yeah, I get that they need to go through the silliness, that she needed time to live her life on her own a bit, that he needed to grow up a bit too... but I still say S3 makes me crazy! Not sure what\'s next, gotta keep plowing through the DVDs!
Jim Halpert is a high school English teacher starting a new life at a new school in a new town.
What a beautiful, heartbreaking beginning. I just love your writing style, so evocative and emotional. I've always seen Jim as a teacher, too; it'll be great to see where you go with this!
Author's Response:
callisto, at some point, I turned into the laziest reviewer in the history of the written word or at least the Internet. I love your style, too, but I'm guilty of not saying so. Thank you so much for your review and I promise to be better about sharing some of my own.
10 This is such a gorgeous story. There's too much to even quote for you, but I'll say this: as if any girl would do. As if you could forget. really hit home. And that's just one tidbit of the many in this piece.
The last paragraph is perfect, also.
I guess now I need to read me some DFW. I haven't gotten on that train yet. Anyway, this is original and heartfelt and so well-written! I can't wait to see how you wrap it all up. :)
Author's Response:
Thank you so much for this, callisto! I should apologize to everyone for digging into their book budgets, but it will be money well spent if it's for DFW and/or Neruda!
It was a thin line to walk to bring Jim out of his grief - a real challenge not to undercut the intense feelings from the first couple chapters but to give him some hope and happiness without it tying it up too neatly - the lines you quoted, I liked those a lot and I think they helped to bridge that gap between grief-stricken and moving on. I suppose it might have been a little easier if I'd stretched this out for a few more chapters, but I liked the challenge of telling a complete and deeply emotional story in just a few chapters. Now just for the epilogue and I truly hope you enjoy it. Thank you so much for such a great review!
8 The weird Pam/Angela 'friendship' is one of the best underused relationships on the show. I love how Andy now 'annoys her less.' Nice :)
Author's Response: Amen. I was loving the deleted scene on the S4 dvd where Angela is a asking Pam's advice about her and Dwight. I love that, as different as they are, they've managed to forge a little friendship together. I am really hoping that Angela does ask Pam advice about what to do this time around - it's too good to pass up. Thanks for reading and reviewing, callisto!
This story is just delicious. Aggressive!Jim... yum. :)
9 This is such a beautiful, succinct, expressive condensation of everything Jim saw and wanted and knew he had to have... wonderful!
Author's Response: Thank you so very much. I enjoyed digging around in his head a bit- his head and his heart, when it comes to Pam. I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment!
Pam tells Jim something really important.
Also, in case you've yet to see it, slight spoilers for Weight Loss.
Cute! I liked this:
"I'm still more upset about the shirt."
Such a Jim thing to say.
I share your love of Greek things! (Obviously, given my penname.) But, um, Athena was a virgin goddess y'know. :D
Author's Response: Hee, thank you Callisto! And yeah, the Athena thing dawned on me later but uh, fitting no? ;) Thanks again for taking the time to review and I trust (hope) that you're writing more of Exit 17 as we speak. Err, type. Whatever.
Oh kells, this is really sweet. I liked this:
He made sure that she would come back to something that felt like hers, and his, and theirs, and the love that he put into that gesture makes her heart feel full and peaceful.
And this just gave me a nice mental picture:
“It was a nice surprise to come home to you today. I could get used to that.”
Yay indeed for a new ep tomorrow! Thanks for this :)
Author's Response: Thank you so much, callisto! Yeah...the mental picture I get of Jim coming home to Pam makes me all kinds of happy inside :) Thanks again for the kind words!
"I know that everyone needs to be alone in a foreign place, at least for a little bit. That’s how you explore yourself." Pam goes to Tokyo.10 There is so much that is terrific about this, aloneinthetown! Here are just a few of the many, many bits that captured me:
He’s been smiling at me since I got in yesterday, a smile that reaches his eyes and his cheeks and his chin.
“Just, okay. What else can I say? I can’t tell you what to do, or what’s best for you and it’s only five weeks.” -- Oh, my God, that is so Jim, absolutely perfect; his regret and sadness but he will never do anything but support her.
It’s like Vegas had a child with Times Square.-- Okay now that's just funny. :)
And I could quote the whole section where Jim is alone during the day while she's at her classes. It's great to see him described like that--doing his own exploring, finding himself too, with her but not with her.
So, in short, this was a terrific piece, thank you for sharing it, and I hope we see more of you around here!
Author's Response: Thank you very much! I really appreciate the feedback and I\'m glad you liked it.
9 Ah, this is great! You wove all those little details together so nicely. Jim's reaction to the crazy guy and his concern about her safety ring very true. Love how he moves her to stand behind him. And the banter... love the banter. This in particular:
Jim tapped his fingers against his lips. "Besides dinner at Michael and Jan's or Creed's bottom desk drawer?"
"We said we'd never talk about that again and eww."
Nice! :)
Author's Response:
You can thank Morning Angel for me being a tad more subtle about all that. I had it a little more "Knight in Shining Armor" in first draft. ;)
So glad you enjoyed it.
I know that we’re solid and happy and it’s just the situation that makes things difficult once in a while. But sometimes you just need something tangible.
Pam takes a drive, set post-Baby Shower, so spoilers through that.
Ah, kells, this is made of lovely. I am so in love with this season so far and this bit of filling in a gap was just wonderful. You just made my lunch break better :) Thanks!
Author's Response: Hi Callisto! Yes, I am loving the feel and pace of S5 so far. Good stuff. I'm sorry you're working today, but I'm glad this cheered you up a bit. Thanks for reading and reviewing :)
9 Oh Azlin, I love this. I agree with Sweetpea about the 1950's feel. It must be that pink sweater...I keep picturing Jim like Tobey Maguire working the counter in Pleasantville and that pink sweater is the only dot of color in the place. Anyway, this is just great, still captures their essence as characters even in these different settings. Nice! Yeah, I should've made it a pink hoodie or something. ;) Looking back, I think there are several things that make it feel 50s-ish. To me, it's the sweater (like you mentioned), the fact that Jim says something about her sitting at the counter (like the restaurant is a diner), and the word "sweethearts" in the summary. At any rate, I'm glad it still felt in character for you, regardless of the decade.
Author's Response:
77 The title says it all.This is terrific. The emotions, the characterizations, the dialogue are all amazingly realistic and vivid. All the things that had to be said to go forward. I particularly like all the small details of interaction, like this: You get up too and walk with him to the couch. You take opposite sides, because this is still going on and you still need a little space.
Well done.
Author's Response: Thank you so much - from a talent like you, this is extra-flattering! :D I\'m glad you appreciated that detail - I was so conscious of easing them into, then out of the fight...not just a kiss and a cute joke and that\'s that. Thanks again!
One part for each season. Pam's p.o.v. Nothing could be more innocent than a freckle, right?10 How much do I love that you're the one to tackle The Freckle? :) I love how she's justifying noticing things about him. Her art teacher told her to notice things, indeed. How aware she is that she's notwatching him. How firmly she really doesn't think about his love life. Oh, boy.
Glad to see you back, Colette--I can't wait for the rest of them! :)
Author's Response: Nope, she barely noticed him. Not at all ;-) Good to be back - and thanks for the encouragement, callisto! (And how funny is it that The Freckle is capitalized, lol?)
10 Ah, this is so wonderful.
Bits that struck me:
"...maybe just bite him to make sure he’s real." Yum.
He looks hazily back up at her like a very content cat that woke up hungry for another helping of canary.
-- I predict you'll get a lot of comments about this line, because it is just so awesome.
And I love your callback to the first chapter, and how she feels "not a faint pulse, but his whole heart beating fast and heavy where her palm is pressed flat on his back." Gorgeous.
I also just love the whole concept of constellations and drawing patterns. As always, this is a pleasure to read, Colette. Thanks. :)
Author's Response: Glad you picked up that callback - I hoped it would sort of subtly describe the arc of their progression since S1. Also that you liked those particular lines - they were fun ones to write. Anyway, as always, a pleasure to read your comments - thanks so much, callisto!
You left this HERE?? Come on, you just got to the good stuff! Finish it up. :)
A response to Grape Soda's mistletoe challenge. Set during S2.10 Oh, Talkative, this is so gorgeous. So wistful and sad and sweet and exactly in character--I am so glad you were able to get it straight how you wanted to play it, because it turned out so wonderful. I'm happy that our little conversation was worthwhile, and very honored that you should mention me. ::bear hug::
Now for the parts that stood out (many, but here are a few):
They're frozen like that for a moment, before the serious expression on her face melts into a small smile that doesn't match the inexplicable things happening in her eyes.
He has momentarily decided that he is done with things like being careful. --Oh, if that doesn't define a moment like this so perfectly.
And the whole cab ride home, and that last line... well. You're so awesome. :)
Author's Response: callisto, my little nymph... again, thanks so much for taking the time to hear me out. After struggling with this, I\'m even more impressed that you\'re attempting Pam\'s voice in Give Me a Sign - being confronted with the way Jim feels about her seems to make her clam up for me. And thank you for noting the cab scene. It was a last-minute addition, about the fifth or sixth possibility that I came up with for how this story could have ended. I think it\'s my personal favorite.
"It takes eight hours to escape her, seven hours to come back, and two steps to reach her."This is just wonderful, both in concept and execution. It's so rare to see a unique take on the CN aftermath. The emotions are so close to the surface but in such a simple, understated way. I particularly liked the parts about the folding of the paper and his save-the-date masochism, and how he's hiding behind his sunglasses--oh, ouch. Lovely. And I loved the ending. It doesn't need more; it leaves the reader on just the right note.
Welcome to MTT!
Author's Response: Thank you so much for the review! And ooh, good catch on the sunglasses - I wasn\'t sure if anyone got that one :) I\'m so glad that you enjoyed the story, and thank you for the welcome!
10 Blanca! How remiss am I never to have reviewed this, because it's gorgeous and heartfelt and hurts a little to read. I love the parallels with classic movies and this part in particular:
At least Rick and Ilsa had Paris. What do they have? Pretendonitis? Office Olympics? A non-date on the roof? Swaying? Sure, there was that one kiss at the Dundies, but she was drunk and "We'll always have Chili's" doesn't quite have the same poetic ring to it.
And this:
As he watches Pam and Roy drive away, waving as enthusiastically as he can manage, he thinks about the end of the movie and wonders if he'd have the strength to let her get on that plane. He honestly doesn't know what he'd do, and the thought terrifies him.
Beautiful. :)
Author's Response: It\'s callisto! You know I\'m a fan of your work, so your kind comments really mean a lot to me. My heart hurts for S2 Jim too, but it\'s a beautiful kind of pain, isn\'t it? And knowing that it gets better helps a little. I really wanted the parallels to seem natural and not too forced, so it\'s great to hear you say that. Thanks for taking the time to review.
10 Steph, you always make me love Toby and feel for his poor tortured soul. As always, your characterizations are spot-on. I loved Karen apologizing for asking about Jim and saying that was "beneath her"--that's perfect Karen. Loved how she called him out on his mumbling and slouching and how Kelly has was so prepared that part of him wondered if, from the moment she first met him, she had been eagerly anticipating the day he would finally come to his senses and ask her for much-needed advice. Fantastic.
And I love how he tries to do right with Holly and Michael, because he really is a good person who'd just been so beaten down by life. And this whole paragraph about Jim and Pam was so perfect:
They were engaged and adorable and madly in love and walking on air and every possible cliche you could think of. They were wonderful and glowing and you could almost hate them for their happiness and yeah you were ashamed of your bitterness and envy and everything else so you just stood clear of them even as part of you wanted to be around them to study them and take notes to learn their secrets in the hopes that someday you’d get to feel a fraction of their happiness.
As always, a great read. :)
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I\'m glad you enjoyed it. I think Toby\'s a good person too who\'s just having a really hard time and does truly want to help people. I just love writing him.
A saga post-season two.10 How did I never read this? It's great. Really lovely and sad and sweet and just... great. :)
10 Talkative! What a pleasure to find this mere minutes before I head off to my first class of the quarter. I love this take on the 'impulse' wedding-- still quiet and private, but all the family is there; I like that better than an elopement, because they seem like two people who would definitely want their parents there.
This bit was beautiful:
Like everything else about them, the timing made a sort of irresistible sense. She thought of the breathless kiss that he gave her nearly three years ago; the way it pulled at something very basic and obvious in her that she wanted nothing more than to ignore.
As always, your writing intimidates... um, I mean, inspires me. :) Beautiful job, as always!
Author's Response: Hello, callisto & a happy start to your new term in school! Thanks for your kind review. I agree - Jim and Pam are not Las Vegas/Atlantic City people, but I can very easily see them sidestepping all of the trappings of a traditional wedding, esp. given Pam\'s past. Though I know it\'s frustrating some people, I\'m kind of in love with how shut down and closed off Pam and Jim are this season. It\'s an unusual way to portray happiness, but it makes perfect sense given the \"rules\" of the show. I wanted to play with that sense of isolation and privacy. I know it\'s a hair sappier than I usually go, but it made me very happy to write this story. Thanks again.