3:00 pm

Oscar is standing next to reception to talking to Pam, "He won't come out of his office. You have to talk to him."

Pam looks on disgusted, "Why do I have to talk to him?"

"He won't listen to anyone else. C'mon, Pam. You know as well as anybody that he only listens to you. If he doesn't get this done, he won't be the only one suffering. This affects the entire office as well. Talk to him." Oscar folds his arms and nods his way towards Michael's office.

Jim smiles at Pam and gives a approving nod.

Pam, after a moment's consideration, stands up and walks towards Michael's office. She knocks on his door, "Michael, It's Pam. Could I talk you for a minute?"

Michael stares at the phone, considering on calling James P.L. Beany hears Pam. (Very softy) "Come in."

Pam not being able to hear Michael, "What?"

(Louder) "Come in. (beat) You may enter." Michael straightens his tie.

Pam comes in and sits across from Michael. "Michael –

Interrupting Pam, "I can't go back out there." (Sighs loudly) "They hate me, and I just don't understand (starts to cry) why? I have to work just as hard as everybody and I just (cries harder) wish they could understand that I have a lot on my plate. A lot on my plate, Pam.

Pam looking concerned and confused, "Sure."

Michael incredulously, "Yeah right, like you have stuff to deal with. Give me a break, Pam."

Pam stands up from her chair and puts her hands on her hips speaking in a more authoritative tone, "Michael, we all have our own problems to deal with. I get that you have responsibilities, we all do. But, you can't expect us to have to deal with your problems as well as our own. That's not fair, Michael. (Trying to sound sincere) You're a good person, Michael. You are. And they don't hate you. They just need your help, like you need theirs. Now, go out there and get it over and done with." Satisfied with her speech, Pam gets up and walks towards the door.

Michael walks towards Pam quickly and gives her a hug, (speaking into her hair) "Thank you."

Pam, taken aback gives Michael a pat on the back, "Oh, you're welcome. (getting annoyed by the length of the hug) Michael!"

Michael realizing it too, let go. "Sorry."

Pam opens the door and gestures to the office, "Go do it"

Michael stifles a giggle, under his breath, "That's what she said."

Pam rolling her eyes walks back to reception. Jim looks over and gives her another approving nod. Pam mouths, "Shut up." The both begin to laugh.

Oscar was still standing at reception, "You know you didn't need a lawyer." Oscar turning toward his desk, exasperated.

As Michael follows Oscar to his desk says, "You never know, Oscar. You never know."

"Oh God. (sighs) Come on." Oscar proceeds to sit down in front of the high mountain of papers that Michael had put there.

Michael pulls up a chair and sits between Oscar and Angela. Angela begins to go through several receipts, trying to make out what each one says.

"This is ridiculous! How could someone function like this?" Looking more disgusted with every piece of paper she picks up.

Michael attempting to give a comeback, "How can someone function that short?"

Angela gives a mean snare and leaves her desk in a huff, making her way towards the kitchen. "I need some tea."

Dwight seeing Angela walk past him decides to follow her into the kitchen. Dwight enters the kitchen, facing the sink while Angela faces the coffee cart. Knowing that he shouldn't try to talk to her, can't resist. "Hey."

"Hello. How are you?" Angela trying her best to be civil. "Have you sold paper today?"

Dwight trying to get closer to her, "Yeah. Loads. How's your day?"

Angela enjoying their small chitchat, but trying not show it, "It's OK." Thinking more about the question. "Not so much with Michael not doing his taxes and putting it on us."

Wanting to comfort her, Dwight gets even closer whispering, "I can talk to Michael and tell him to be a little easier on you." With his close distance, he could smell the light trace of coconut.

"Thank you, Dwight. That would be very nice." Angela smiles slightly, not trying to let it show.

Satisfied by his attempt to help his old flame, he leaves the kitchen, not before saying, "Glad I could help."

Angela stays in the kitchen a little longer before leaving saying under her breath, "Me too."

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More to come. In the next chapter, can you say, 'Hooters'? Ryan and Michael have a little chat. And Kelly expresses her feelings about Ryan, with Pam's assistance.

Thanks for all the reviews, and hope you enjoyed this chapter. I know I did.

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