A colorful look at the evolution of Pam and Jim's relationship.Oh, Jim. Oh, Pam. So deluded. I had a feeling this part was going to be a wee bit frustrating (in terms of the characters, not the writing) when I read the title of this chapter. But it ends at a very promising place. I can't wait until they start talking either!
Author's Response: I hope I did justice to their motivations, and I hope it came across as realistic and true to how they were behaving. Ah, but happier times are on the way, full of conversation and witty banter. Yay! Thanks for reading :)
Callisto, that was fantastic. I'm sorry to see this end, but what a ride. You basically covered the entire span of the Jim/Pam relationship, both the highs and lows, with beautiful clarity. I think I need to go back and read the whole thing again from the beginning now.
I really liked the ending with them settling into "home" together. So sweet. And the whispered poetry? In that voice? Swoon. I am totally with Pam on that one.
Good luck in grad school, and thanks so much for sharing your writing with us.
Author's Response: Thanks, Blanca. It was surprisingly hard to condense all that history into only seven vignettes. But I knew right from the start I wanted to end it with the homecoming. (The poetry idea came later. I looked up a lot of stuff about violets, let\'s just say.) Thanks so much for all your support throughout this story. It really makes the writing experience wonderful. And don\'t worry, I\'m much too obsessed to stay away for long!
Yes! That was beautiful. It's really interesting to see how these two fight. Not really fight, exactly, but just fail to communicate on an epic scale. I do think they really need to forgive each other before they can move on. This was very realistic, and I like all the details you put in, like the shop and the basket and the way that Jim wants to take care of her and buy things for her. And Pam's slight discomfort with that as well. Really nice job.
Author's Response: Hi Blanca! Glad to see someone had a few free minutes on the holiday weekend :) I agree that they had a lot to own up to and forgive each other for, and I imagine there were a few conversations along these lines (um...if they were real people that is). Anyway, thanks for the support! I love your reviews. Incidentally, Indigo is a real shop in Philadelphia. indigoarts.com. Maybe I should add that to the end notes...
Aw. Yay for talking! This was so romanic and sweet. They've come so far from the beginning of this story. I really like the journey you're taking them (and us) on. I'm kind of sad that there's only two more parts to this.
Author's Response: Thanks Blanca. Glad you\'re enjoying the ride! And yes, yay for talking! So far it\'s all been either fun or silence...but I think an argument is brewing.
Wonderful yet again. I followed the link to the print and oh, wow, the symbolism. The two matching, bright flowers squished together, completely open, yet not facing each other. I love that. And the delicious S2 angst. You've captured it so well.
Author's Response: Thanks Blanca! And thanks for the rec on the boards. It is a beautiful print, isn\'t it? I\'m glad you\'re enjoying this. Thanks for reading :)
This was really sweet! I love their interaction here. You have their hesitant yet flirty vibe down. Makes me nostalgic for S2. I can't wait to see what you do with the other days of the week/colors. Sounds like it's going to be quite a ride.
Author's Response: I\'ve been missing season two awkwardness, for some reason. The always leaving things unsaid. Thanks for reading! I hope you like the rest of it. :)
I was so excited to see a new part of this and you did not disappoint!
That was heartbreaking, Callisto. And very lovely. It was nice getting both of their viewpoints in this part. I see that we're now deep into the S3 angst. You've still got the tone just right.
I'm not generally a big fan of songfic, but you used the lyrics just right. I can really see how they fit with the story. I loved that they're both listening to the same song, and that they both dreamed of the other. It shows that they're still connected, though they're miles apart. Beautiful.
Author's Response: Thanks Blanca! I\'m happy you think I\'ve got the tone right. I\'ll be glad to move on to happier times, I\'ll admit. But first they both have to act like idiots who won\'t communicate for a while longer. And I\'m glad the song didn\'t turn you off. I\'m hoping it doesn\'t come off as overly melodramatic. Thanks so much for reading and for the review!
Cinderella meets Groundhog Day meets Dr. Gregory House. Pam will never be the same. (Set during S3's Ben Franklin.)Wow. I'm not usually a fan of crossover stories, but this was really fun to read. House is the perfect guy to point out the ridiculousness of the situation between Jim and Pam. I would diagnose them both with a broken heart at this point. I'm now very interested to see where this goes. Continue.
Ooh, you left us hanging there, didn't you? You evil woman. But we have progress! So that's a good thing. Is it weird that I look forward to the Pam/House interactions (although not in that way) as much as I look forward to the Pam/Jim interactions? Still loving this.
Cool! A story that combines my two current obsessions--The Office and The Olympics. Nice callback to "Office Olympics" with Pam's artwork. What an inspired idea! I enjoyed this little piece very much. :D
Besides your description of the artwork, this little bit stood out for me and made me smile:
Jim laughed and called her “cute,” because it would sound silly to call her “enchanting,” or “effulgent,” or “vitally necessary for every breath I take.”
Nice job! Gold medal for you.
Author's Response: Thank you! A gold medal is almost as good as a Dundie! :) I'm loving the Olympics these days, too. Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment.
Wow, this is such a sad yet realistic look at what might happen to Pam in the big city. Dreams don't always work out how we expect. Pam's journey to discover who she is has always been an interesting one for me, and you've taken it in a really thoughtful direction here. Nice job.
Author's Response: Thank you! I really appreciate that you think this is realistic; I thought so too. It's not entirely sad, though- she may have a bad summer, but we know how strong she is (and so does she, now) and she has a lot of love to come home to. Thank you so much for taking the time to check out my story and letting me know what you thought!
That was amazing. So realistic and so truthful. You somehow manage to create this picture that's both unromantic and yet completely romantic at the same time. Just like life. So, bravo.
Author's Response: Thank you so much Blanca! I am really glad people have enjoyed this. It is true, that anyone can get under your skin, but then you remember that they are also the most amazing person in your life and you just don\'t care about the other stuff as much. Jim and Pam knowing each other so well no doubt have all kinds of things that bug them about the other but really, when your boyfriend is Jim Halpert how can you stay mad?
A golf pencil, two hot sauce packets, a Boggle timer, a mixtape, a high school yearbook photo, a card, and a teapot. Yup.Aw, Flonkerton stole my favorite line:
"Pam told herself the whole story for the first time."
But really, all of this is wonderful. I must admit, I didn't pick up on all of the lyrics, but I'm terribly impressed at what you accomplished here. I do hope you come out and list them at some point for those of us who are lyrically challenged.
I also like that this moves forward in time a bit and shows how the mix tape continues to be a part of Pam's life as she begins to change it. It was so moving and sad to see her dealing with the aftermath of calling off the wedding.
Talkative, your writing continues to amaze me and you are still one of my favorite authors on this site. I always know when I see an update from you that I'm in for a treat and you haven't let me down yet. I look forward to the final chapter of this (as well as that post-premiere barn dance that you hinted at earlier - or is that being greedy?).
Author's Response: Now, now, now... we can share favorite lines. :) Thank you for the kind words, Blanca. I\'ll be posting the track listing when I post the final chapter in this story. I\'ve been listening to Jim\'s mixtape on my iPod for a couple of weeks now, and, I must say, it\'s a good one. Thanks for noting the time jump - we\'re going to move back for the last chapter. And, as for the post-premiere barn dance, I\'m actually more excited about that than I am the last chapter of this. You\'ll see why. Until next time, dear.
Oh, wow. Just wow. I loved every single word of this, from "it" to "really." The call from the mall, the "Snoopy dance" (Buffy fan?), the Hanukkah gelt, the mistletoe moment, buying the teapot, writing the card, finding the card. Gah. I'm definitely going to go back and read this over again. And probably again.
I have to admit I was really hoping you would fast-forward in time for this chapter, and you did it in spectacular fashion. What a fantastic way to wrap up this wonderful story.
Oh, and I lovelovelove the fact that you didn't write what was in the card itself. Because that's been done so many times before, and this way we can imagine it ourselves (dirty in places - ha!). And embarrassed Jim in PJ's is officially the cutest thing ever. (Okay, this is getting shallow, so I'd better finish here.)
Author's Response: Blanca! Thank you! I love hearing that people re-read my fic - tickles me pink. And I\'m glad you liked the fast-forward. I knew from \"Sales Call\" that I was going to end this one in the present with Pam finding the card. And, while I did write the card, I decided not to include it for the very reason that you suggest (though I couldn\'t resist making allusions to the content - just a bit dirty
I was wondering when this would earn its rating. You've really outdone yourself here, Talkative. Really, just amazing. I love your phrasing in this part:
"Nope," which was a lie, because he was almost certain that she, but it was a far easier thing to stop that thought and all of its obnoxious, circular friends before they could start.
But then, the fantasies are superb as well. This was hot, hot, hot. And if I wasn't already in love with this story, I would most certainly be devoted to it now.
And as for that post-premiere fic you're working on (yay!), I hope that barn dance scenario is looking less and less likely.
Author's Response: This was the only chapter other than \"Sales Call\" that I had a definite idea for at the start. I wanted to address Jim\'s response to having Pam in his house and play with what Mark would have said about it (because, surely, Mark said something). Thank you for your review, Blanca. And I hate to disappoint, but that barn dance scenario is looking more and more likely.
Oh, something I forgot to mention before. When the interviewers ask Pam if she likes being a receptionist, that story reminded me of the one Jenna tells about her audition for the show. Was that intentional? If so, bravo for the meta.
Author's Response: Completely intentional. Give that woman a cigar!
Ooh, how lovely to come back from a business trip today and find this waiting! My brain is a bit fried from traveling, but I had to leave you a review anyway, no matter how incoherent it is, because you should know how great this is. I really love the way you artfully weave the poker metaphor throughout. Poor Jim. He can't help himself and he's so transparent. To everyone but Pam, of course.
Also, one detail that I adore is when he is talking about how Pam is a "criminal mastermind" and yet Dwight never sees her coming. I've noticed that too, and have always thought it says a lot about the Dwight and Pam dynamic.
There's so much more, but see above re: brain fry-age. Just know that I really enjoyed this.
Author's Response: It\'s okay. My brain is fried from teaching today, so we\'ll match. That aspect of Pam and Dwight\'s dynamic has always amused me, so I wanted to reference it in one of my stories. Thank you so much for your review. Get some rest.
Hey, can I talk to you about something? I'm in love with your writing.
Seriously, you hit it out of the park every time. How do you do that? All those lovely little details add so much to the story. I didn't want it to end.
I especially liked the beginning, when Pam walks into Michael's office and just instantly knows Jim is up to something and goes right along with it. It's one of the things I love about their dynamic, the way they play and improvise off each other so well.
Oh, and this line was genius:
"Lesson two - It's all about timing."
So, so true.
As far as I'm concerned, this is the official story of the golf pencil. Thanks for explaining it.
Author's Response: Blanca, thanks so much for all of your kind words. I think my favorite part of the story to write was the bit in the office. I\'m glad my story could make it into your private canon. :)
I'm so glad you decided to take on the whole teapot (it's something like the whole enchilada, but more romantic). It takes a special talent to turn a simple prompt like a Boggle timer and turn into a lovely portrait of a relationship between two people who feel so much but say so little. My favorite part is the end, when Pam instinctively cheers Jim up without fully realizing how she's doing it (at least, not consciously). Their pre-Casino Night interactions break my heart sometimes. Especially when they're written as well as this.
Author's Response: You\'re right - despite their awesomeness, there is nothing romantic about enchiladas. Thanks for your review, Blanca. There is something very delicate and sweet about Pam and Jim in seasons one and two. It makes them both difficult and rewarding to write. I\'m glad my version of them works for you. I hope you enjoy the subsequent chapters.
(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.Sigh. I can never get enough of first-date fics. Especially if they're as well-written as this one. I really like the use of first person. It's fun being in their heads. I'm looking forward to reading more!
Author's Response: Thanks Blanca! So happy you\'re digging the first person; it\'s nt always popular but I thought it worked here. Look forward to an update soon!
What a lovely and sweet glimpse at their first date. I really liked the way you brought it full circle with the call at the end.
And as much as I love me some first-date smut, I think the way you wrote it here is much more realistic and true to the characters. This explanation really says it all:
"I also know that it just isn’t a great idea to start a relationship on that foot. It’s not a question of morals, it’s definitely not some religious issue, it’s just that…well, if what we have is real – and I believe with all my heart it is – there’ll be plenty of time for that in the days to come. I don’t want it to be a snap decision. I feel like we owe it to…us, I guess."
Would definitely love to hear more from you. Give the people what they want.
Author's Response: Oh Blanca...you don\'t want a sex scene from me. I PROMISE. I\'ve been married four years and I still get embarrassed writing a make-out scene! I promise we\'re all better off! :) Thanks for taking the time to read and review!
Ooh, I like this. Short and sweet, but obviously well thought out. The structure of it is clever, too, with each description first and then the parenthetical idea contradicting it. I hope this has inspired you to jump back into writing fics.
Author's Response: Thank you so much for your review!\r\n\r\nI\'m glad you reviewed, because I linked to your stuff and I really enjoy your work.
It took me a while to get caught up with this, but I read through every part today in one sitting. I couldn't stop!
I haven't been to DisneyWorld since 1995, but I have an Annual Pass for Disneyland, so yeah, big fan (they have the Jedi show there too - so cool). And this is bringing back all sorts of memories of our Florida trip, so that's fun too.
I know it was a few parts back, but I have to mention that I love that Jim is a Star Wars dork. So cute.
Author's Response: Thanks so much Blanca! I\'m so happy you\'re digging it...we live closer to the World (but not by a whole lot), so I\'ve been there much more. And yes, Jim is a total dork in my Office-verse...I can\'t help it! :)
Oh, that was cruel of you. And kind of cruel of Pam too, actually. I mean, poor Jim is in PAIN, in more ways than one. And she's just going to leave him there like that? Ouch.
But that said, I'm really looking forward to your next chapter and the resolution of this little Disney adventure. It's been a really fun ride seeing the parks through all of their eyes. And Magic Kingdom has most of my favorites - Pirates, Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion. Classics all.
Oh, you're good. "Homer's Barbershop Quartet" is indeed a staple in our home. I had the same thought when you mentioned "Coney Island Baby." (Oh, and the Dapper Dans appear at Disneyland too - would it be too dorky to say that I kind of love them? Yes? Then I won't.). Oh, and then the House reference too? Gold!
If you need inspiration, I for one am looking forward to the next chapter. Here's hoping the proposal torture is almost over!
Author's Response: High five, Blanca - I adore the Dapper Dans too, and this seemed such a good set-up to reference that Simspons episode...who am I to argue with that? ;) And glad you liked the House bit too...\'cause c\'mon, it\'s NEVER LUPUS! :) Thanks again!
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