Another full office suite houses the set for Happy Time, the employment agency where reaper George (Ellen Muth) earns her undead living. So if you've ever thought that Happy Time looked like a real office, there's a reason.
Wandering through the set, there's nothing to break the illusion, with working computers, desk toys, cubicle decorations, scribbled Post-It notes and stuffed file folders.
At the same time, next door, in yet more empty offices, a defunct TV series is selling off props, costumes and office furniture. One show's misfortune is a lucky "Dead Like Me" crew member's bargain purchase.
Outside, a truck contains hot breakfasts of eggs and bacon. Inside, on a hallway table, are coffee, tea, muffins, bagels and pastries -- the proverbial craft-services fare that fuels every television and movie production.
In this very un-Hollywood atmosphere, the show has a relaxed feel, and that translates to the cast. Jasmine Guy, who plays cranky reaper Roxy, shows up with 5-year-old daughter Imani in tow.
"My kid loves the show," she says. "Some of these things will go over her head, but we have to, unfortunately, deal with all of the issues about God and death and where do we go. She loves the show, and because she sees how we do it [on set], I don't worry as much about her thinking it's real. I know I've broken that fantasy. She'll tell me, 'That's not real, Mom.'
"Then things that are real in our real lives, she questions, like God. I believe in God; I've taught her to believe in God. But she wants to know, 'Where does God live? Is he in my ear? Can I see him inside your belly?' So, we're dealing with that, which we would deal with anyway."
British actor Callum Blue, who plays often-stoned reaper Mason, rolls in, a bit the worse for wear for a night of revelry.
"I went to some amazing karaoke bar," he says, "but I can't remember what it was called."
He's come back to "Dead Like Me" after several weeks on the set of the new Walt Disney film "Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement," directed by comedy veteran Garry Marshall. It was also Blue's first foray into doing a big-budget studio feature.
"It was a bit Disney," he says. "I was getting a bit freaked out by the whole thing, because everyone was so nice. It was so clean. There were donuts. In all honesty, it freaks me out. Why is it so happy? The world isn't that happy. The world's miserable."
Last to appear is Muth, in the company of her visiting father. He reveals that his daughter -- who drives a Porsche -- has taken some race-driving courses.
"I took two of them, actually," Muth says. "I did the Formula 3, which are the real race cars, the small ones. In the beginning, we started with Dodge Vipers. That was almost like police training; in and out of swerves and cones, coming to a stop before you hit an egg. Then the Formula 3 was more about technique and taking turns at your highest speed without having to slow down."
She grins. "But I can't do it while I'm filming, even though my car is up here."
Although she has to keep her speedy impulses in check, Muth emphasizes the easygoing atmosphere of "Dead Like Me."
"This year," she says, "I've had the most fun being here. I actually go to bed and look forward to waking up in the morning and coming to work. Every job you do, there's usually at least one person that you dread seeing on the set, but with this crew -- and I'm not just saying this -- there's honestly not one person that I don't like.
"There are times everybody gets stressed out, but they seem to handle it so well. It's like they've been in therapy for 85 years. Sometimes I do that pity-party thing. 'Oh God, I've been working for 15 hours, and I have to sit here while they light the scene.' But they're still working, and I'm sitting there."
