Oscar was very uneasy. Michael was holding another ridiculous meeting in an attempt to raise staff awareness and morale.
This time, everyone was made to sit in a circle holding hands. Holding Oscar's left hand was Pam and holding Oscar's right was Andy. And it wasn't a handshake kind of hold, it was a fingers interlocked kind, the kind that made Oscar want to stroke Andy's hand with his thumb. But he couldn't. Obviously.
"All right, everyone, now look to the person to your left."
Everyone turned to their left, making everyone looking at the back of someone's head.
Michael held the bridge of his nose. "No, I mean...here" and he began pairing people off so they would be facing
someone else. Oscar faced Pam.
"Now, why don't you, tell the person you're looking at, one thing you like about them. Okay? And nothing retarded, like, 'Oh, you're nice, you're going to have lots of babies someday, blah!' okay?!"
"Okay, Oscar, I have always thought you were really good at keeping out of me and Jim's business over the years, and I really appreciate it." Pam smiled kindly.
"Thank you. All right, Pam...I have always been impressed by how well you have put up with Angela. Really, I've
been sitting by her for years, and it's not easy to show the patience that you have."
"Well thank you, Oscar!" Pam seemed genuinely pleased with his response. She must not have been expecting
much, Oscar thought.
"All right!! Time's up! Turn the other way! And Phyllis, your last answer sucked, make it count this time!"
Oscar turned towards Andy and instantly remembered the hand he was holding.
"Oscarino, mein bromigo! I think, that you are the coolest wingman on Earth! And, honestly?" Andy looked close
to tears. "You accepted me for who I am right away, way more than anyone else in this office. And for that, I
thank you."
Like Pam, Andy felt the need to squeeze Oscar's hand. Fuck. Oscar felt his face flush and he quickly pictured
Angela naked. He had to stop himself from shuddering.
"Well, Andy...I think your heart has always been in the right place and I (love, Oscar thought) admire your honesty." God, that was lame, he thought. But Andy smiled and squeezed his hand even tighter.
"Thanks, bro."
Michael told everyone the meeting was over, and everyone quickly released their hands from each other (with the
exceptions of Jim and Pam, Kelly, and to a lesser extent, Ryan) but Andy gave Oscar a brief but close hug before bouncing off to talk to Erin.