After Sam and Joe had sat regarding each other in awkward silence  for fifteen minutes, with Dan in turns a) ignoring the awkwardness and being his usual bubbly self, and b) holding out the awkward balloon in the hopes of raising the cubicle's spirits, the office door squeaking open and subsequently slamming shut signaled the return of JP and Maria. Joe breathed a sigh of relief, Dan pumped his fists, Sam stood silent.

"We're baaack," called Maria.

"Welcome baaack," responded Dan, imitating Maria's intonation.

Maria walked into the cubicle carrying two bags of drinks and snack food.

"We got ingredients for a fresh salad, which JP is making right now. We also have... lemonade, Dr. Pepper, some potato chips, and... here's your Japanese shit," she laughed, fishing a plastic package of spherical dumplings out of one bag and handing them to Dan.

"Sweeeeet," grinned the redhead, opening the package and popping a bite-sized green ball into his mouth. "Chou wan one, Djoe?"

Joe shook his head. He was more interested in the chips and soda.

Maria ran out of the cubicle quickly, returning moments later with a stack of plastic cups. She poured five cups of lemonade and five cups of soda and smiled.

"We'll have a toast once JP finishes with the salad."

Dan cheered, spraying dumpling halfway across the cubicle.

"Oh, and I guess, since it hasn't been said yet--It's nice to meet you, Joe." Maria extended her hand. Joe took it and shook it meekly. "Was it a funny one?"

"Was what a funny what?"

"The crazy e-mail you got, was it funny?"

"I... guess," shrugged Joe. He was fairly weary from all the insanity happening around him. Too weary to be amused by more of it.

"It was hilarious," chirped Dan. "Remember 'Time Machine?'"

Maria spun and punched the cubicle wall.

"FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF"

"What's wrong, honey?" asked JP, walking into the cubicle holding a large bowl full of greenery.

"Oh, nothing," sighed Maria. "Just some customers getting smart with us and talking about the tastes of certain things."

"Again? We get one of those at least once a month," JP said, putting the salad down on Joe's desk and scratching his head expressively.

"What's in that?" Joe asked of JP's bowl, looking down his nose at it.

"I made a salad with arugula because I'm a pinko liberal commie faggot," explained JP.

"He's joking," whispered Dan.

Joe was at a loss for words. He wrinkled his brow and sighed, "oookay."

"Well, shall we celebrate?" asked JP, chuckling. Maria passed out drinks, and the cubicle held a toast of initiation for Joe. Maria and Dan engaged in cheerful banter about the TV shows they were watching. JP went around the room, doing his best to force the arugula salad upon his coworkers. Dr. Pepper after Dr. Pepper seemed to disappear into the void of Sam's hood. Joe wasn't sure whether he should laugh at the silliness of his colleagues or despair at their kookiness.

In any event, he admitted internally, it sure felt like a party.