I know nothing about this man’s career, what he’s capable of, and what he’s done so far. Yet here I am, spinning a web of lies. I hope it comes across as me being a biased girlfriend who is proud of her partner, rather than somebody who has no idea what she’s talking about.
I fully intended on doing my research last night, but we all know how that turned out.
"That’s all we have time for today, folks. Here is Olive’s brand new song, ‘Toxic Water’." The sound of a G chord strums through the headphones as I place them down onto the desk in front of me, with Josie first out the gate.
"What the hell was that?" She calls out to Arj, who hasn’t even looked back in my direction. He pushes his chair in and walks toward the door. His black, greasy hair slicked over without a care in the world.
"Ratings, Josie. Ratings. And I’m sorry to tell you, but bringing up the boy-toy will drive our ratings through the roof. I did what I had to do, as did your money maker over there." He nods in my direction, his lips forming a straight line. "Till next time." Arj collects a mini stack of paper before he and his crew head for the door.
"That can’t happen again," Josie seethes the moment we’re back inside my hotel room, the door firmly closed behind us.
"I’m sorry," I admit with a shrug. "I wasn’t prepared for a question like that. He caught me off guard. I’ll do better nexttime." I chug back whatever is left in my water bottle before refilling it from the tap.
"You’re right, you will. While you may not have said anything factually incorrect, those are things you cannot guess, and hope you got right. You could’ve messed with his career, Olive." She shakes her head.
"I hear you loud and clear, boss." I salute her, and she storms out, phone glued to her ear as I hear her asking to speak to Mr. Davis.
Maybe they shouldn’t have sprung this on us. Maybe, justmaybe,they should’ve actually sat the two of us down and told us ahead of time, so we could be prepared.
But no.
They saw him ‘protectme’, and decided to throw us a stupidly extravagant date that each of us was completely unaware of.
So now, we’re winging it, being asked questions about each other that I have no idea how to answer.
But he can’t really blamemefor that, can he?
Note to self: Hound Avery with questions about himself the first chance you get, but make it subtle.
It’ll annoy him.
Also, Google the shit out of him, and find out whatever he doesn’t tell you.
***
From:[email protected]
Hi, Dr. Minton,
I hope this email finds you well.
I’m just wanting to check in. I administered my first dose of medication this morning, and ever since I’ve been feeling a little…off. I don’t know how else to explain it, but my nerves feellike they’re in overdrive today. I’m wondering if it’s a reaction to my medication or if I’m potentially relapsing.
Thanks,
Olive
I had to send that email.
Sure, it was out of the blue for him, but it weighed heavily on me all morning.
I tried to rest once Josie had left to give myself a little more energy before the show tonight, but my mind wouldn’t shut off.
I’ve been freaking out since I got home from my string of interviews this morning, feeling an overwhelming sense of adrenaline coursing through my veins.
It’s like…if I look to the ground and my neck bends ever so slightly, I feel a rush from head to toe, and my legs want to stop working and collapse underneath me.
