Mephistophelily
Crazy is...
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2006
- Posts
- 15,955
Sara had always asked "why" as a toddler. It wasn't that miraculous a thing- every child did it, and it was a favorite word for so many children for a very long time. But Sara never lost the inquisitive nature as she grew; in fact, hers developed further. It wasn't just about the Why, but What... When, Where. How come? What was the neighbor doing in his garage so loudly each afternoon? How come there was always a weird stain in the school driveway the second Wednesday of each month? Like other kids, she made the radio shows via tape recorder- but hers were with the news stories she investigated around her.
The world was fascinating and she wanted to share what she could find.
As time went on, so did Sara's curious side. The part that wanted to see what was going on. School newspaper. Yearbook staff. College radio. Intership with the Independent News Agency.
Now that one. That was the best.
That was now.
Her parents had feared Sara's move into a college dorm would deter her studious side, but visits to her college proved far from it. Notebooks of information littered her desk and shelves, more cans of energy drinks than beer bottles left in her trash can. The twenty year old's focus on her studies may have impressed her parents, but her roomies were less than enthused. "We need to get you out more! No wonder you have no boyfriend!"
Reluctant agreement to girls' nights out came from it, even a day of makeovers that left the natural brunette with reddish-blonde locks. She hadn't really wanted it, afraid the stereotype of blondes would be her undoing at the newly gained position at the station, but her friends insisted upon it. Well... Maybe it wasn't THAT bad...
It did catch the eye of one of the guys from the mailroom when she went back into work on Monday. Eric, the tall guy with a chipped tooth that drew attention to that great smile... He jokingly pointed to her ID bag as it hung from her shirt collar. "Need to get the photo reshot, hun. Doesn't even look like the same girl...."
She smiled at that, beaming still as she made her way to the newsroom. There was already a bustle going about, early morning scrambles to find the top news for the day. A few were watching the television perched on the far wall, a story on recent events in Africa involving pirates and a small yacht.
"Again?"
"They claim it's something they need to do to defend themselves..."
"Right, because there's nothing more threatening than a rich guy."
"More raids from warlords. They claim they need the money.... "
Sara glanced up at the screen herself, frowning. The passing banner at the bottom of the screen explained the blurry image of the sinking boat in flames, people on the shoreline barely visible. A terrible scene, to be sure, but it was a journalist's dream. Covering something like that was what gave credibility. It was the true mark of someone who knew their field- by being IN the field.
She perched on the edge of her desk and continued to watch for a moment, jumping slightly as a hand touched her shoulder. "Mister Hansen wants to see you."
Hansen... The Station manager. She drew a breath, slipping off her desk and heading into the man's large office. "Sara! There you are. Oh, look at you. I like it, I like it. Perfect for your next assignment. I've been considering your request for travel... To go out and get into the thick of it. Got something perfect for ya. Let me just... Now where did I-" He started pawing through papers, chuckling softly as he searched. "One moment, dear... I seem to have lost my papers for you."
Sara's heart jumped with joy. He was actually sending her out to cover a real story?! "Thank you so much, Mister Hansen..."
"Ahh, here we are." He tossed a flier before her, pamphlets on the latest fashion show in Paris. "You and Tiffany from Style Weekend. Can't be letting our intern wander Paris alone... Swept away by her own Pepe LePew or something, right?" He chuckled again, waving toward the door. "Your flight leaves Wednesday. The whole itinerary is with Claire over in requisitions. Pick up your presspasses and tickets from her. And have fun, dear!"
She stepped out of the office, that overjoyed feeling sinking away. Fashion show? That wasn't news! That wasn't what she had asked for at all! Heaving a hard sigh, she shook her head and wandered back to her own desk. At least her classes had come to an end for the year, the summer bringing more hours here- and, it seemed, the ability to go to France.
"But I don't like France..."
She stopped to see Claire at lunch, waiting for the lady to return to her own desk as she sat down. There was a full pile of agendas settled on the desk, Sara staring at them with curiosity. Who else was headed out? Peering around, she decided to just... Steal a peek. What harm would it do?
England for updates on Olympic plans...
California for latest Hollywood news..
Her own packet, along with Tiffany's...
Somalia.
She paused, staring at it. Someone- was covering the pirate story? Another quick peek around, then into the envelope. Two passes were gone... The rest of the crew had already been here. Sara licked her lips lightly.
She could trade.
She could go.
No one would realize... Not until she was gone. These passes were for tonight, not Wednesday. She could pack, leave, be there... With the crew...
They would fire her.
But the story- if she covered it incredibly. If she got an interview no one else could... If she got info no one else thought of... Maybe they'd promote her. Give her the stories she dreamed of. See her as a legitimate journalist...
She snatched the packet, quickly stuffing her own in to replace it. Let whoever-it-was handle Paris.
Claire came back moments later, smiling at her and settling into her own chair. "You look nervous, sweetie," the older woman chuckled. "Afraid of planes?"
"Y-yeah."
Claire thumbed through, the outer packet still reading as Sara heading to Paris. "Ohh, how niiice. Okay, let's get your presspass set! Over by the wall and smile pretty!"
Within minutes, she had what she needed- the thick plastic tab with her image, "Sara Mitchell" embossed beneath the INA logo.
She left early.
"Very sick. Stomach killing me. Please. Nerves? Maybe? Puking."
Last word got it.
She was packed and in a taxi by 7 pm.
Doing it... She was really doing it...
God she hoped she didn't get fired for this.
The world was fascinating and she wanted to share what she could find.
As time went on, so did Sara's curious side. The part that wanted to see what was going on. School newspaper. Yearbook staff. College radio. Intership with the Independent News Agency.
Now that one. That was the best.
That was now.
Her parents had feared Sara's move into a college dorm would deter her studious side, but visits to her college proved far from it. Notebooks of information littered her desk and shelves, more cans of energy drinks than beer bottles left in her trash can. The twenty year old's focus on her studies may have impressed her parents, but her roomies were less than enthused. "We need to get you out more! No wonder you have no boyfriend!"
Reluctant agreement to girls' nights out came from it, even a day of makeovers that left the natural brunette with reddish-blonde locks. She hadn't really wanted it, afraid the stereotype of blondes would be her undoing at the newly gained position at the station, but her friends insisted upon it. Well... Maybe it wasn't THAT bad...
It did catch the eye of one of the guys from the mailroom when she went back into work on Monday. Eric, the tall guy with a chipped tooth that drew attention to that great smile... He jokingly pointed to her ID bag as it hung from her shirt collar. "Need to get the photo reshot, hun. Doesn't even look like the same girl...."
She smiled at that, beaming still as she made her way to the newsroom. There was already a bustle going about, early morning scrambles to find the top news for the day. A few were watching the television perched on the far wall, a story on recent events in Africa involving pirates and a small yacht.
"Again?"
"They claim it's something they need to do to defend themselves..."
"Right, because there's nothing more threatening than a rich guy."
"More raids from warlords. They claim they need the money.... "
Sara glanced up at the screen herself, frowning. The passing banner at the bottom of the screen explained the blurry image of the sinking boat in flames, people on the shoreline barely visible. A terrible scene, to be sure, but it was a journalist's dream. Covering something like that was what gave credibility. It was the true mark of someone who knew their field- by being IN the field.
She perched on the edge of her desk and continued to watch for a moment, jumping slightly as a hand touched her shoulder. "Mister Hansen wants to see you."
Hansen... The Station manager. She drew a breath, slipping off her desk and heading into the man's large office. "Sara! There you are. Oh, look at you. I like it, I like it. Perfect for your next assignment. I've been considering your request for travel... To go out and get into the thick of it. Got something perfect for ya. Let me just... Now where did I-" He started pawing through papers, chuckling softly as he searched. "One moment, dear... I seem to have lost my papers for you."
Sara's heart jumped with joy. He was actually sending her out to cover a real story?! "Thank you so much, Mister Hansen..."
"Ahh, here we are." He tossed a flier before her, pamphlets on the latest fashion show in Paris. "You and Tiffany from Style Weekend. Can't be letting our intern wander Paris alone... Swept away by her own Pepe LePew or something, right?" He chuckled again, waving toward the door. "Your flight leaves Wednesday. The whole itinerary is with Claire over in requisitions. Pick up your presspasses and tickets from her. And have fun, dear!"
She stepped out of the office, that overjoyed feeling sinking away. Fashion show? That wasn't news! That wasn't what she had asked for at all! Heaving a hard sigh, she shook her head and wandered back to her own desk. At least her classes had come to an end for the year, the summer bringing more hours here- and, it seemed, the ability to go to France.
"But I don't like France..."
She stopped to see Claire at lunch, waiting for the lady to return to her own desk as she sat down. There was a full pile of agendas settled on the desk, Sara staring at them with curiosity. Who else was headed out? Peering around, she decided to just... Steal a peek. What harm would it do?
England for updates on Olympic plans...
California for latest Hollywood news..
Her own packet, along with Tiffany's...
Somalia.
She paused, staring at it. Someone- was covering the pirate story? Another quick peek around, then into the envelope. Two passes were gone... The rest of the crew had already been here. Sara licked her lips lightly.
She could trade.
She could go.
No one would realize... Not until she was gone. These passes were for tonight, not Wednesday. She could pack, leave, be there... With the crew...
They would fire her.
But the story- if she covered it incredibly. If she got an interview no one else could... If she got info no one else thought of... Maybe they'd promote her. Give her the stories she dreamed of. See her as a legitimate journalist...
She snatched the packet, quickly stuffing her own in to replace it. Let whoever-it-was handle Paris.
Claire came back moments later, smiling at her and settling into her own chair. "You look nervous, sweetie," the older woman chuckled. "Afraid of planes?"
"Y-yeah."
Claire thumbed through, the outer packet still reading as Sara heading to Paris. "Ohh, how niiice. Okay, let's get your presspass set! Over by the wall and smile pretty!"
Within minutes, she had what she needed- the thick plastic tab with her image, "Sara Mitchell" embossed beneath the INA logo.
She left early.
"Very sick. Stomach killing me. Please. Nerves? Maybe? Puking."
Last word got it.
She was packed and in a taxi by 7 pm.
Doing it... She was really doing it...
God she hoped she didn't get fired for this.
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