“Mark my words, you just greenlit a trainwreck.”
His voice slides into my headset.
I peek around my screen. He’s fifteen feet from the stage, already framing the Blaze quartet.
“You sound jealous.”
“Jealous? Of you, Stopwatch? I’m enjoying the show. You stepping out of line for once, how’s that feel?”
“Like winning. I went with my instincts. Try not to choke on your shock.”
“Instinct? You flinched and saidyes. Big difference.”
“Funny. That’s your entire career model. Smile big and pray no one notices your lack of preparation.”
“Ouch. And here I thought I was earning some respect.”
“I respect results, Hartwell. You simply agree to every insane thing Blaze says and call it ‘vision.’”
“I go with what works. You go with whatever makes you feel in control.”
Onstage, Blaze demonstrates how to wiggle, which is basically more aggressive hip thrusting.
The ladies in bikinis laugh.
Orson becomes very still.
“Whatever,” I scoff. “Better get used to calling me boss.”
Cole sighs. “I’ll call you lucky if this video doesn’t get flagged for inappropriate content.”
I glance at the group getting roped together. “It’s only two extra people,” I say.
“Plus a shirtless Blaze slathered in baby oil, and a marine biologist who looks like he’s never been hugged.”
“He’s probably shy. He studies animals, Cole.”
“Yeah, no. This is reading more like ‘blink twice if you need help.’”
“We don’t have time for this. We’re going live in ten, nine—”
“Ivy, you’re going to regret this.”
“Seven—Cole, I need Blaze center frame.”
“You say that like I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“Then stop shooting like a teenage boy, and get the camera off the girls’ bikini bottoms.”
“That was contextual framing, Stopwatch. Art.”
“Ugh—two, one. Go live.”
Blaze explodes into performance mode. “SEA LEGENDS!” He flaps his taped hands, and the donation counter starts climbing.
The lawn erupts in cheers.
“YO, flipper fam! Those sea lions are out there getting JACKED UP by our trash—fishing lines, plastic junk, random crap—and today, y'all are gonna feel that struggle. WHOOP WHOOP!”
