10:52 AM - Office (Sales Division)

Jim sighed and glanced around. Thus far this was qualifying handily as the Longest. Day. Ever. Everyone was eerily quiet, too nervous to be caught saying the wrong thing – or anything, really – on camera. The two exceptions were Michael, who every fifteen minutes or so left his office to dispense his own personal brand of wit and wisdom (directly into the camera, no less), and Dwight, whose normally irritating voice was louder than usual while making sales calls. Jim was very proud of the restraint he was showing in not harassing him, but after the eighth mention of Dwight's (fictional) status as assistant regional manager he knew he was about to break.

As his mind wandered his gaze did too, landing (as always) on the reception desk – or, more specifically, who sat behind said desk. Jim wanted desperately to head over to her but he was trying to at least give the illusion that this was a hard working office. On a normal day he would be on his fourth or fifth visit by now. He felt a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he watched Pam (pretend to?) work diligently. She was wearing a sage green cardigan that he'd complimented her on a few months ago. It set her eyes glowing and brought out the red in her hair. She looked like--

He realized with a start that Pam was looking back at him with a grin. His half smile grew (he was hoping to God he wasn't blushing); he then rolled his eyes and gestured holding a gun to his head. He saw the cameraman positioned near Accounting swivel to catch what was going on. Pam immediately turned back to her computer. Jim did the same, sighing again.

This was truly awful.

Suddenly an instant message window popped up on the screen.

pambees: i'm dying up here!! :(

He grinned. He hated emoticons. Usually.

jhalpert79: you aren't the only one

jhalpert79: my self-control is wearing thin

pambees: i'm proud of you thus far

jhalpert79: thanks

jhalpert79: he's out of control today

pambees: i know. i can hear him all the way over here

Jim glanced over at the cameraman again. He had turned completely around, apparently filming some interaction in Accounting. Jim turned to the left and saw another cameraman positioned in the break room doorway.

jhalpert79: i feel trapped

pambees: YOU?? at least you're not locked into this little corner!

jhalpert79: true

jhalpert79: all this action'll make for great tv

pambees: maybe it'll make a good sleep aid

pambees: who do you think would watch this?

jhalpert79: a masochist?

pambees: lol

He peeked at her, and was happy to see she wasn't "lol"ing gratuitously.

jhalpert79: would it be so bad if we just acted normally?

pambees: no. i'd just hate for the office to look…you know

jhalpert79: to who?

jhalpert79: seriously, aside from a few nerds in a studio somewhere no one will see this

pambees: you're probably right

jhalpert79: usually am

pambees: so modest

jhalpert79: sooo…you think i should come over?

pambees: let's try and hold out a little longer

He was disappointed. Before he could figure out a not-disappointed-sounding response-

pambees: but we'll definitely take an earlier lunch…11:30 or so

pambees: deal?

jhalpert79: deal

jhalpert79: if i don't murder dwight first

pambees: if you make it to lunch without saying anything to him, i'll give you a prize

He tried not to blush again.

jhalpert79: anything good?

pambees: a high five

Not what initially crossed his mind, but anytime he got to touch her without having to find an excuse was a winning situation.

jhalpert79: all right

jhalpert79: but i make no promises

pambees: try your best :)

After saving the conversation in "her" file, Jim opened a folder, hoping to make the next half hour pass quickly by actually doing work. Next to him, Dwight started another sales call. Jim focused intensely on the notes in his sales report. This couldn't be that hard, right? He would win. He would win. He would-

"Ma'am, that is a promise I make to you as the assistant regional manager-"

"To the." Shit. It was a reflex, or a Tourette's tick. Dwight glared at him. Jim saw another instant message appear.

pambees: loser!

11:33 AM - Break Room

Jim made it to lunch first – Pam had gotten a call just as she was standing to leave. He first went to the kitchen and retrieved the paper bag that held his sandwich and apple, then her yogurt. He headed next to the break room and set their food on the table furthest from the door. He peeled off the lid of her yogurt, then wiped it clean with a napkin (she kept them in her desk; she sometimes used them for art projects when she was bored – he kept a gold star she'd made him as a prize after a particularly good Dwight prank at home on his bulletin board). He grabbed a spoon for her and set it next to her yogurt. She still wasn't there yet so he bought her soda and chips for her. Toby Flenderson smiled his almost-smile as he watched Jim go through his routine.

"What?" he asked, smirking. Toby shook his head.

"Nothing. That's very-"

Pam walked in.

"Nice," Toby finished, turning to leave. Pam said goodbye to him and fell into the seat next to Jim.

"Who was on the phone so long?"

"Michael," she sighed. "He has his office door closed but he's worried he wasn't looking 'important enough' when the camera shot him through the blinds."

"In other words he was pretending to be on a business call to look like he was working?"

"Yup. I suggested trying actual work or returning real calls but he preferred his method."

Jim laughed and felt himself coming back to life. Even exasperated she was sunshine and he basked in her warmth. Pam looked out the door curiously.

"Where are the cameras?"

"I don't know. Not in here so I don't really care."

"What do you think people with think of everyone when they see this?"

"Hard to say for sure, but no doubt the word insane will be slung around."

"Do you think anyone will believe these people are real?"

"Maybe they'll think they're actors."

"Ooo! Maybe we can get someone a new job – an acting gig in Hollywood," Pam suggested, emphasizing her last word with a healthy dose of jazz hands.

"That's a good idea. Where would we cast everyone?"

"Hmm…well, Dwight could be on 'Lost.' He'd love it."

"Are you kidding? He wouldn't even know he was on a television show. It'd be amazing."

"Plus he'd be in Hawaii."

Jim held his hands out. "See? Everyone wins."

"How about Michael?"

"That's harder. Maybe some sort of kid's show host? He does enjoy magic." Pam nodded but didn't look committed. Jim immediately tried to think of a better idea. "Or maybe a game show host? Bob Barker has to be near retirement, right?"

"I like that better." He was overjoyed.

"So what about…Meredith?"

"'Intervention'?" Pam suggested, giggling. Jim grinned.

"Beesly! So harsh!"

"I know, I know. On to…let's do Angela."

"Angela…" Jim thought for a moment. "Angela needs her own show."

"I agree. It'd be part cooking show-"

"Part 'Church Lady' sketch-"

Pam was still giggling. "With lots of cats running around."

"Being ridden by babies." Both were laughing now.

"Dressed as cats!" Pam struggled to get out. Jim only laughed harder. To his utter delight Pam buried her face in his upper arm to muffle the sound of her laughter. He could smell her shampoo, or maybe it was her conditioner. It was clean, not some suffocating fruity smell (no doubt something that had "rain" or "mist" in its name). He took a mental snapshot and tucked it away – thankfully, because a second later she lifted her head and the moment was broken. She was wiping her eyes when she quickly ducked her head.

"Oh God," she muttered.

He was instantly concerned. "What?"

"The camera guy. He's way over there, in the corner." And sure enough Jim found him, hidden behind a plant and aiming the camera in their direction. "Do you think he's been there the whole time?"

"I don't know."

"I know they're trying to stay out of the way but they just feel…sneaky to me."

A realization hit him and he felt like an idiot. "And even if they don't see you…" he said, pointing to the tiny microphone clipped to his tie. Pam's eyes widened. She'd forgotten too. Their lunch lost its magic spark after that, but the two still milked every second of the half hour allotted, filling it with small talk. He was still with her; that was really all that mattered. A few minutes after noon Dwight barged in.

"Hey Dwight," Pam greeted amiably.

"Pam," he replied curtly, only shooting a dirty look at Jim (who gave him a wave, smiling). "I'm informing you that as your half hour of lunch has ended," he directed at Jim, "you are required to leave the break room. Pam, as you started your lunch three minutes after Jim, you still have three more minutes."

"Okay, thanks for that," Jim said. Dwight looked at him expectantly.

"Let's go. Out."

"Umm…no. But like I said, thanks for the update."

The cameraman had emerged from behind the plant and was now standing just a few feet from the break room door. Dwight smirked. "Jim, are you telling me you're going to disobey a superior?"

"Where is a superior?" Jim wondered, looking around.

"As the assistant regional manager- "

"To the, and that title said correctly means nothing."

"Jim!" Dwight looked from Jim to the camera. "Do you want me to tell Michael?"

"We're leaving," Pam said, standing and gathering her trash. Jim glanced at her and she shrugged. He looked back to Dwight. He was the epitome of smug.

"Thank you. That's what I thought." He shot one last look to the camera and headed for Michael's office. Jim picked up the soda cans and chucked them in the recycling bin.

"Why'd you give in?" he asked Pam. A devious glint sparkled in her eyes.

"Because we're going to get him."

Jim nodded towards the cameras, surprised. "Today?"

"Today." She looked up at Jim. "They want to see what our office truly is, right?"

Jim couldn't suppress his grin. "I love you, Beesly," he said, laughing. She smiled. He choked back other words that begged to follow.

"Start thinking of what you want to do. Subtle but good," she murmured as they headed back into the office. Jim only needed a second or two. He knew the perfect prank. It was already set up, it wasn't too disruptive but he knew it would drive Dwight crazy because he would never figure it out. As soon as he reached his desk he pulled up his instant messenger.

"Enjoy your lunch?" Dwight asked, returning to his desk.

"I sure did," Jim answered, giving Dwight a friendly smile. The gesture confused him. Jim sent a quick message to Pam before getting back to work.

jhalpert79: today is the day we remove the nickels