4:42 PM - Reception

"So…?" Jim prompted Pam moments after she returned from doing her interview. She cocked her head.

"It was okay. Kinda strange."

"What'd they ask you?" He could see the cameraman attempting to shoot them conspicuously from a good distance away, but Jim found Randall was right – it almost seemed normal already.

"The basics – how long I've worked here, what my job entails, that kind of thing. After that it was a bunch of questions about the people that work here." She smiled. "Mostly about Michael and Dwight."

"Not at all surprising."

"When do you go?"

"I'm assuming as soon as Kev finishes because there's no one else left."

"Saved the best for last," she said, her smile widening. Jim felt that rush of heat to his face, but was saved from trying to answer by Kevin exiting the conference room.

"They're ready for you, Jim," he said.

"Thanks, man." Jim glanced at the clock. "Think you'll still be here when I get out?" he asked Pam hopefully.

"Yeah…actually I think I might go to Poor Richard's with you guys tonight."

"Oh really? Cool," he replied, trying not to sound too excited. "I'll see you in awhile then."

"Good luck!"

4:46 PM - Conference Room

"Okay, Jim, we're ready to start. I'm going to ask you questions from off-camera; all you need to do is answer them. For a talking head we actually want you to look into the camera," Randall explained. Jim nodded.

"That seems easy enough," he replied.

"The only thing we ask is that you answer honestly and in complete sentences. Attempt to restate part of the question in your answer. Make sense?"

"Yes, I understand answering honestly in complete sentences." He grinned. Randall did too. Despite sounding confident Jim felt a little unnerved. He was seated against the wall, between the door and the window that looked out on the office. A huge light was shining on him, and one of the crew held the boom mike right over his head. Randall sat directly to the left of the cameraman, holding a clipboard full of notes. It was like a friendly interrogation.

He spent the next half hour talking. Randall started with the basics Pam had described, and Jim tried to answer as interestingly as possible. He soon learned it was tough to make what he had been doing here the past five years sound remotely interesting. Randall moved on to asking about his coworkers, and he tried to have a joking but light-hearted response about each one, usually sharing jokes he and Pam had. He was even nicer than he probably should have been when describing Michael as a boss, although he was pretty sure "childlike enthusiasm" wasn't a flattering attribute of a regional manager.

"Now you're deskmates, of sorts, with Dwight Shrute," Randall said.

Jim nodded. "Yes, unfortunately."

"How long have you two sat together?"

"Dwight and I have sat together since the day I got here, so five years. Some days it feels like fifty."

"And when did the pranking begin?"

"The pranks? Those started…oh, four years and 364 days ago." Randall laughed. "I tolerated Dwight as much as possible, but I'd say by the end of the second month I had already started finding little ways to mess with him. I'd stop, but it's just so satisfying. The pranks got a lot better once Pam started here. After a few weeks she actually approached me and asked to be in on something." Jim couldn't help smiling as he thought of it.

"She's definitely your partner in crime, huh?"

"Pam? Absolutely. She never fails to surprise me, and she's usually the one with the best ideas. She's amazing." He knew he was blushing.

"How long have you two been together?"

Jim's eyes widened. "What?"

"How long have you and Pam been together?"

"Oh, no, no…uh, Pam and I aren't together," he corrected, getting flustered. "She's actually engaged. To...y'know. Someone else."

"Really?" Randall couldn't hide his surprise.

"Yeah. Her fiance's name is Roy, Roy Anderson. He works in the warehouse here. They met back in high school. They've been together…forever, really." Jim looked away from the camera for just a moment. He couldn't help it.

There was a pause. "Okay…well." Randall looked at his watch, then at Jim. "I think that about covers it."

"Oh, all right." Jim stood. "Should I take my mike off here or…?"

"Sure. Charles already took care of everyone else's while we shot this." Jim unclipped and untangled the tiny microphone, handing it to Randall. After taking it the producer held his hand out. "It was great meeting you, Jim. Great meeting all of you."

"Same here," Jim replied, shaking his hand. "Do you mind if I ask you a question?"

"Not at all."

"How is that we, of all places, were actually picked as finalists?"

Randall laughed. "Well, it was one hell of an interesting video submission. We were intrigued, really. Your office seems…a little odd sometimes, but it's obvious you're all good people with a lot of heart. We thought an audience wouldn't have to try very hard to identify with you or your experiences."

"That is kind of a frightening thought," Jim said honestly. Randall laughed again and started gathering his things. Jim grabbed the doorknob, but turned to Randall again. "Can I ask one other thing?"

"Sure."

"Why did you think Pam and I were together?" he asked quietly.

"After watching you two all day? It seemed obvious. Plus she never mentioned a fiancé in her interview." Randall gave Jim a long look. "She did talk a lot about you though. We just figured you two must be a couple."

Jim shook his head slowly. "No. We're, uh…we're friends. Best friends," he tried to say lightly, as if that fact didn't bother him in the least. Randall said nothing for a moment, still watching Jim intently. Finally he smiled.

"I see."

Jim gave him a nod as he opened the door. "Nice meeting you," he said again.

"You too. And who knows? Maybe we'll meet again," Randall said. Jim chuckled as he walked back into the near empty office. Pam was still sitting behind her desk and looked up as he approached.

"How was it?" she asked.

"Pretty painless. I tried to be as nice as possible." He leaned in as casually as he could. "So…are we still on for Poor Richard's?"

"Yep." She hopped up, grabbing her coat. "I was hoping I could get a ride from you."

"Oh, yeah, absolutely. Where's Roy?"

Pam waved her hand. "Something with Darryl. A game, poker night, I don't know." Jim looked down, trying his hardest not to smile. "You ready?" she asked. He nodded and followed her out. "I know it was weird, but I actually had a really good day after all," she said as they waited at the elevator, gracing him with a smile.

"You know what? Me too."