The next morning I wipe the sleep from my eyes and refocus on the camera monitor as Jessie Fig’s full lips curve into a wistful smile. She finishes retelling the story of the dreamiest first date as she swoons to the camera, gripping the arm of her beanie-clad boyfriend, Ezra.
He laughs sheepishly. “I never wanted that date to end. I knew she was The One when the waiters had to tell us they wanted to go home, we were the last ones there!”
“I guess it was... Fate.” Jessie beams.
I internally fist pump as she finishes off the line with a coquettish, yet natural shrug. They look right at home in front of the hot lights. After the panel talk, I pitched her the idea of her and Ezra hosting a new Fate-sponsored dating-advice podcast designed to destigmatize the idea of finding love on dating apps. The set is simple but beautiful, a hyper-styled dusty-pink living room with sage-green accents. These video spots are for a social media ad campaign that will run in the next few weeks to promote the podcast. Compared to when I’ve dealt with other projects like this, I feel strangely calm. Both Jessieand Ezra have strong, loyal followings; the advice podcast is a clean, easy listen that’s tried and tested; it has a clear pipeline to retaining users. Practically foolproof.
As Jessie and Ezra redo the last few takes, performing their lines with a slightly different tone and delivery each time, my attention is taken up by the rest of today’s work schedule. I list each point in my head:
- Brainstorming ideas with the wider team for Fate’s Christmas campaign
- Summer influencer campaign reporting
- Finalizing contracts for pop-up date spot in West London
- And... eventually, working on the Ditto project.
I have a few initial ideas I need to get down on paper, but Bancroft is probably much further along than me. His upper hand is so high it’s punching through the roof of his fancy high-rise apartment. He had prior knowledge of the project and a boss that gives him control of his own schedule. I’m reeling from the news and I have... Susie.
Right on cue, her name fills my phone screen and it vibrates violently. Sucking in a deep, deep breath, I place the receiver next to my ear.
“Hi, Susie. How are you?” The fake smile plastered across my face seems to make the words sound cheery. “Is everything OK at the office?”
“Darling, I’m not in today. I have a lunch.”
I furrow my brow and turn to the clock on the white-painted brick wall; it’s 12:30 p.m. “Is everything OK?” I repeat.
“I need you to run the acquisition numbers for last month’s UK and Europe events by end of the day.”
I hesitate. “All of them?”
There are close to thirty across the country alone and will take hours to put together. Fuck. My palms start to sweat as dread fills my chest.
“I... I don’t think I’ll be able to finish that tonight. I’m on a shoot all day today and have to work on the Ditto project tonight.”
She sends a loud sigh down the line, and we stay in silence for a few moments.
“Darling, it’s been a week since you agreed to this overzealous project and it’s already stopping you from doing youractualjob. I’m not impressed.” My heart begins to pound in my temples. “I need those numbers by tomorrow morning! Who is going to do the report?”
I creep into the corner of the room before I respond. I don’t need an audience for what I’m about to say, or the reaction I’m sure to get.
“Ummm, maybe... you could do it? After your lunch.”
The silence this suggestion receives is deafening. I hold my breath to try and stop words from tumbling out. A long, annoyed sigh blasts through the phone.
“Or... if you gave me more time...” I offer, wincing at my own inadequacy.
“Fine. I’ll give you an extension just this once, but you can’t keep shirking your responsibilities like this.”
I purse my lips and nod instinctively to no one. “Wow, thank you so much, Susie. That’s so kind of you.” The sarcasm in my voice is lost, replaced with the gratitude sweeping through me at such a quick resolution.
“You’re welcome. I’m sure you’ll make it up to me soon.”
She hangs up before I can reply.
An hour later, as we finalize one of the last interview shots and wait for Jessie to touch up her makeup, Ezra pulls me aside, his forehead slick with sweat under his beanie hat.
“I was wondering if we could do one last video after we’ve finished everything you wanted?”
