Author's Note: All the legal-y mumbo jumbo from the first chapter.
As this story progresses I've decided to add what I think is a cool extra, multimedia-esque element - if you head on over to my profile, you'll find some links to all sorts of things I've "created" that relate to this story, and as this goes on I'll add more and more. It's a truly sad sign of how nerdy I've become. Please let me know if you like it. For now check out Michael's gift shirts and two other surprises...
Also, I've once again followed in the unfillable footsteps of the great HalloweenJack138 and am trying to help him secure what he feels is his legacy - that is, the creative usage of Jim as a verb, common noun, adjective...maybe even a dangling participle. Who knows.
The next morning was a sunny one, and the Scranton branch – for once – looked relatively happy as they stood in the parking lot, all in their surprise shirts and surrounded by luggage. True to what she'd mentioned the day before, Kelly was wearing a much-altered bubble gum pink version of the shirt; shortened (both in the sleeves and the torso) and with a deep V cut into its neckline. It was also bejeweled to the point that the bright sunshine put one's future vision in serious jeopardy if he happened to look her way. The only face missing among the crowd was the one belonging to their boss.
"When do you think Michael will get here?" Pam asked as she tucked a curl behind her ear. Jim shrugged.
"No idea. Do you think we're taking another 'party bus' to the airport?"
"We're taking a party bus?" Meredith asked, hurrying over. Jim's eyes widened.
"No. I mean, maybe. I was just…hey! Dwight!" he interrupted himself, calling out to his deskmate who was strolling by. Dwight stopped and looked up from his clipboard.
"What?"
"Do you know when Michael's gonna get here?"
"No. Why?"
"Well, I think everyone's getting a little sick of standing out here and we'd like to know what the plan is."
"You mean you don't know what the plan is?"
"Why would I?"
Dwight arched an eyebrow and started to grin. "As Michael's number two you should be privy to that sort of information, shouldn't you?" he goaded.
"As Michael's best friend you should know where he is."
Dwight's glib smile turned slightly worried. "That's true."
"So where is he?"
A long pause. "I don't know."
Jim gave the camera a happy jim, but he and Dwight both learned Michael's location together, because at that moment he came tearing into the parking lot. He stepped out of his car and smiled.
"You guys all waited out here for me?" he asked. He received several nods and grinned at the camera. "What a warm welcome! Gotta love being loved. Well," he started, clapping his hands, "are we ready for vacation or what?" A semi-enthusiastic cheer answered him. "Me too! I can't wait to leave - only…five hours to go!" he said, checking his new watch, then displaying it for the camera. "Mickey, of course. Only appropriate."
There was a long silence. "What do you mean, 'only five hours'?" Oscar finally asked.
"The bus'll be here at two. Our flight leaves at four."
"Why did you tell us to come at the regular time?" Phyllis wondered.
"Yeah, what are we supposed to do til two?" Kevin asked. Dwight glared at him.
"Work, of course."
"Oh hell no," Stanley muttered. Michael chuckled and pointed.
"Will Smith! Good one, Stanley the Manly," he congratulated him. Stanley gave him a look and headed toward his car. "Wait, where are you-"
"I'll be back at two."
"But until then-"
"Two."
Michael looked flustered for a moment then forced another smile. "No biggie. I think he requested this morning off anyway. See ya, buddy!" he called, and was answered by Stanley's car door slamming. Michael pointed toward the door. "All right, party people, let's go!" He headed inside.
"You heard Michael: inside, now," Dwight added unnecessarily, waving his clipboard in a herding fashion.
Dwight: (in the hallway, in front of the elevator) Although I hear they have an entertaining Star Wars ride, Disney World wouldn't be my first choice of vacation destinations. First would obviously be Deutschland – that's Germany to you – followed very closely by New Zealand, where I would take the Lord of the Rings tour. If I had to pick somewhere in Florida, it would be Universal Studios. But not until the Harry Potter attractions open next year. (Dwight leans in, holding up his clipboard.) I'm not going on this trip for fun, anyway. Michael will need someone to keep track of important details and ride herd on these…people. Sure, Jim should be doing it, but everyone knows how well he handles responsibility. (He pauses, then shakes his head.) Not well at all.
Jim, Pam, Darryl and Kelly were the only ones left in the parking lot. All four stared at the luggage the rest of their coworkers had left behind. Jim looked to Darryl.
"Is it okay if we put this stuff in the warehouse for now?"
Darryl nodded. "That's cool." He grabbed the two closest suitcases. Kelly kissed Darryl's cheek.
"Awesome! Bye honey!" she chirped, then bounced off. She spun at the door. "Just be careful with the smallish one," she instructed, pointing. "That one has all, like, my most important stuff in it."
"What the hell's in the other six, then?" Darryl muttered. Jim bent to pick up a camouflage bag and nearly fell over. He frowned at the offending duffel.
Jim: (in the parking lot) I've never been totally sure what the TSA people may or may not find suspicious when they check your bags. (He raises his eyebrows.) But I'm pretty sure if they opened Dwight's duffel bag they'd be more than suspicious about all of it. As I'd like to actually be allowed to get on the plane, I hid that bag in the warehouse.
Five hours passed less quickly than usual – in other words, agonizingly slowly. The long wait was ended by an excited cry from Michael.
"The bus is here!"
Just then Stanley entered, carrying a McDonald's cup. "Just in time," greeted Jim from his usual stance at Reception.
"Oh good," Stanley replied drily.
Stanley: It's a free vacation, and I'm gettin' paid. You don't pass on that. Even if Michael is going, too.
"To the bus!" Michael directed, then jogged out the door. Everyone began heading the same way. Andy had his arm tightly around Angela, which she appeared none too happy about. Jim caught Dwight watching them.
"Nice shorts, Andy," he said, nodding toward the bright, plaid bottoms his coworker wore. The tiniest of smiles snuck onto Dwight's face.
"Thanks Tuna. Had to run out and buy a few new pairs to match the shirts but, you know, gotta be stylin'. Make the little lady proud." He smiled and squeezed Angela even tighter. She, in turn, scowled harder. He tried not to notice as he tipped his sunglasses off his head and over his eyes.
"Nice shades too," Jim added. Andy nodded.
"Thank you again, sir."
"Big Top Gun fan?"
"Abso-fuuu…riggin-lutely," Andy corrected himself mid-word, glancing at Angela nervously. Her scowl stayed firmly in place.
Andy: Yes, I have been to Disney World before. My acapella group, Here Comes Treble, went to the national finals there my sophomore year at Cornell. It was fun - and we took ninth place, by the way. (He looks impressed with himself.) I think this trip'll be great too – kind of like a pre-honeymoon for Angela and I. (His jaw clenches slightly.) Granted we're not rooming together…
Angela: No, I am not sharing a room with Andy, and yes, that is by choice. (She sits up a little straighter.) I don't care what Jim and Pam do. It's inappropriate. (Angela fiddles with the end of her ponytail.)
"Let's go, ladies! Move it!" Dwight was instructing at the front of the bus, while Darryl, Kevin, Jim and the bus driver finished loading the luggage into the storage area. Michael stood off to the side with Holly.
"I hope you guys have a great time," she said.
"Oh we will." Michael took a step closer. "Look, I'm really sorry I gave away your trip to Darryl. I tried to get one more package for you but they were like Nazis about it."
"Oh it's fine, don't worry about it." Holly attempted a smile.
"Why don't you just take the rest of the week off and come down anyway?" he suggested.
"Um, that probably wouldn't be a good idea – I mean, I just started here a couple weeks ago."
Michael sighed. "Yeah, I guess you're right." He looked at her for a moment. "Well, you'll be missed. By me- and, y'know, everyone. All of us."
Holly smiled again, this time genuinely. "Thanks. I'll miss you too." A pause. "All of you."
"I'll bring you back a souvenir – maybe some Mickey ears?"
Holly nodded. "That'd be great."
"Okay."
"We're all set, Michael," Jim called from the bus door.
"You'd better go," Holly said, folding her arms. Michael nodded.
"Yep." He walked to the bus, but turned to her again when he reached the door. "And hey, if you change your mind, you know where we'll be."
"I do. Have a safe trip."
Michael gave her one last smile and boarded the bus. Moments later the door shut and the engine rumbled to life. Holly waved as the bus slowly pulled out of the parking lot. She sighed, flashed a quick look at the camera, then headed back into the office.
A/N II: Yes, I promise they will eventually go on the trip.
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