AN: Hey guys, thanks for reviewing/favoriting/etc. It makes me happy. I wrote almost all of this story in one sitting this time, instead of bit by bit, so a lot of it is already done, but needs some fine tuning. And I know most of the office staff seem extra angry in this chapter, but it will be explained greater (it's touched on in this chapter) later. Also Meredith is still out because of her accident and Creed is on vacation (mentioned in my last story).
Receptionist Day
Chapter 2
Surprise Party
"May I have your attention ladies and gentlemen," Michael announced as he exited his office, a goofy smile on his face, "I would like to announce to you, if you didn't already know," he pointed to where a makeshift banner hung loosely above Pam's head. It read, 'Receptionist Day' and was made with computer paper that resembled an accordion. There was a small arrow pointing directly below, to where Pam sat, less than happy, "That it is Receptionist Day, and Pam being our resident pro in the area, she is to be celebrated."
Angela rolled her eyes and sat back down at her desk after she realized the announcement was a dud. Oscar completely ignored Michael all together as Kevin stood shaking his head in an unexpressed emotion.
"Michael, really," Pam spoke softly from her seat, "I don't want any recognition, really."
"Yeah right," Kelly huffed as she finished copying phantom papers.
Smiling weakly, Pam continued, "Really, I tell you this every year."
"Well, I've finally listened Pam, and we're going to throw you a huge surprise party," Michael threw up his hands with the announcement.
"Oh Lord," Stanley grumbled from where he shuffled the papers on his desk.
"I work five days a week, for nine hours a day at a job I hate," Stanley was clearly far from amused, "It's boring and unfulfilling and the fact that a girl who barely gets paid more than minimum wage is getting a day dedicated to her does not bode well with me."
"It's going to be appreciative, mandatory and freaking awesome." No one showed any emotion but hatred and jealousy after Michael announced the party. It was clear he was more excited about it than everyone in the office including, Pam.
Pam sent a side glance to Jim, who seemed thoroughly entertained by the whole ordeal, "Michael, I know about the party, it's not going to be a surprise."
"Oh, yes it is," Michael replied with a few curt nods, "The party planning committee is going to get together and plan this party with everything you like. And then we'll bring you in and surprise you."
"That makes no sense," Phyllis informed as she refused to look at Pam.
The room was filled with harsh feelings, and as Pam sensed it, she dropped her head towards her desk a little. Jim pursed his lips together, looking pensive as Michael finally caught on to the situation in the room, "Wait, what is going on here. Is there something I don't know about?"
No one denied or offered an explanation to Michael, and the awkwardness in the room grew until Kelly broke the silence, "How come Pam gets a day to herself and I don't get anything. I work really hard."
"That's what she said," Michael laughed, and when noticing no one was amused added, "Is that what everyone is so upset about." Again no one said anything.
"I mean, it's only me today. Toby is off because his stupid kid is sick, so I have to handle everything. My job is not easy. Sometimes people swear at me," Kelly added in dismay.
"Really Kelly, you think you deserve a day? You don't make half as much difference as Pam does. She greets everyone in person or on the phone. Writes all the memos, faxes everyone's stuff, and she makes half as much as you do," Michael walked around the front of the room with his hands on his hips as he continued his rant. "The sales department gets perks, awards and commission, they don't need to be recognized, they already are. And whatever job Creed and Meredith do doesn't need recognition because neither of them are here today and we seem to be doing fine."
"What about accounting?" Angela questioned as she moved from her seat.
"You know what Angela," Michael pursed his lips and pointed a finger at the accounting team, "Everyday is Accountant Day."
All three personnel scoffed as Michael turned his back on the office to return to his. Stopping, and hanging in the doorway for a second he demanded, "I want you all to do one nice thing for Pam today, also think of some life changing ideas to run passed Ryan by noon," then he slammed the door to his office and was gone.
The rest of the office was left seething at Pam.
"I don't want any recognition, honestly," Pam glanced nervously to her side, "I just want to be left alone."
"Pam gets everything," Kevin pouted as he leaned back against the wall in the break room and crossed his arms over his chest, "She gets all the fun jobs and now an entire day dedicated to her with a party with everything she likes. And I bet she doesn't like M&Ms."
"The nice thing I'm going to do today for Pam, is to pretend I don't care about her," Angela, who was obviously disgruntled and almost shouting into the camera, "Instead of hating her."
"Can you believe it?" Kelly leaned across the table to Oscar who was reading the Business section of the paper, "I mean we have to celebrate Pam, like she's ever done anything for us."
"I know," Oscar agreed as he folded the paper, "We're probably going to have to decorate the conference room with her art."
"The whole office is basically based around her anyways," Phyllis added as she poured milk into her coffee, "it's like celebrating something that's there every day."
"And her job isn't even that hard," Oscar added, his voice starting to hold a low level of anger.
"I know!" Kelly exclaimed, "I mean my job is harder than hers and all I have to do is answer phones and fill out forms."
Phyllis approached the table, stirring her coffee, "and do you see the way she brags about it, pretending she doesn't want attention."
Oscar nodded, "it's like she rubbing it in our faces."
The conversation was stopped as the break room door opened, "Hey guys," Pam greeted with a warm smile, moving to the vending machines.
"I'd better get back to work, I have to stop after lunch to plan a party," Phyllis informed sourly as she left the room, Oscar trailing shortly behind her without uttering a word to Pam.
Kelly packed up the rest of her salad and glared at Pam, "I hate you," then she brushed passed Pam and out of the room.
With a sure nod, Pam spoke to herself, "of course," and put her money into the vending machine, making her selection.
"Grape?" Jim asked as he moved into the room next to her.
"Nope, orange, I need to increase my vitamin C intake," Pam answered, brandishing the vibrantly colored tin can.
Jim smiled as he pushed his money into the slot, "Good thinking, Pam, avoiding scurvy has always been one of your strong suits," he grabbed his can of grape pop and glanced around the empty room, "Where did everyone go?"
She shrugged, biting her bottom lip, "I know how to clear a room."
"Hey," Jim shook his head and placed his pop down on one of the tables, "Don't let them get to you."
She played nervously with the tab on her can, "I know, it's just hard."
Taking the can from her, Jim set it beside his and hugged Pam tightly to his chest, "I know," he told her as he placed a kiss on the top of her head, "If it makes you feel any better, I have a fantastic night planned for us, that starts out with some burgers ends with a no longer leaky tap underneath someone's sink."
"My goal as a boss is to bring people together," Michael explained, he looked content with himself, "I will bring the office together by singling out one person and making them better than everyone else for the day," he told his game plan to the camera, "Oh and by getting them to work on inspirational ideas for Ryan."
Next Chapter - Enter Andy and Dwight and the party planning begins
