“It’s been a bit overwhelming, but we’re trying to make sure we do everything we can to make this pilot professional.”
“And it’s just the two of you?” asked Paul. “I would think you’d have a whole crew going along. You know, for lighting and sound and cameras. You’re just going to try and do this by yourselves?”
“No,” said Stephen and he pat Paul’s shoulder. “I’ve got you along for the ride.”
“Oh, I see how it is,” said Paul. “You’re trying to bribe me with beer and barbeque. You’re a tricky one.”
Stephen laughed as he closed the accordion, aluminum door of the storage room. “Honestly though, it’s not as hard as you might think. These days, with reality shows and everything, viewers have a really low expectation of quality. A lot of the shows on the air don’t bother hiring even half the staff that they used to. I’ve been in the news business for a while, and even the quality of our remote reports is better than most primetime shows. We actually take the time to set up lights and use proper mics. Most of the reality shows out there are a clusterfuck of amateur mistakes.”
“I hate reality shows,” said Paul.
“You’re in good company,” said Stephen. “They’re the bane of the industry at the moment. A hell of a lot of good people have lost jobs because the American public doesn’t seem to give a shit about quality anymore.” He scratched at his temple and shrugged. “I say that, but I’m just about to go out and try to film a show without a crew. I’m not usually that big of a hypocrite, I swear.”
“And you’re planning on shoving all that stuff into a single car?” Paul pointed at the storage locker as Stephen was locking it.
“I was going to rent a van. Speaking of which, I should probably call up the rental place.”
“I’ve got a buddy with a van,” said Paul. “He’s not doing shit these days. I bet he’d be willing to drive us if you paid him whatever the cost of a rental would be. Then you could use him as an extra pair of hands for filming your show.”
“You think he’d come along on such short notice?”
Paul nodded sullenly. “Yeah, he’ll be happy to get out of town. He caught his old lady cheating on him and moved out. He was going to get a new place, but then he lost his job after he blew up at work.” Paul felt like he needed to assure Stephen that he wasn’t trying to invite a mental case on the trip. “He’s the most passive guy you’ve ever met, but the dude got pushed too far. He got sick of getting shit on at work, and combined with what he was going through at home, he just reached his wit’s end. Anyhow, I’m sure he’d be happy to come along.”
Stephen seemed apprehensive at first, but then nodded. “Sure, man. If you vouch for the guy, I’d love to have someone else that could help with the show.”
“I’ll give him a ring.” Paul got his cell phone out to call Jacker.
CHAPTER TEN
Broken Codes
March 10th, 2012
Alma followed Rachel down the street in the affluent neighborhood. The sun was already setting and she was shocked at how long they’d managed to spend shopping. Alma wasn’t the type of girl that normally spent more time at a store than it took to run in, get what she needed, and get out. It was something that Paul always said he loved about her, but Alma would be lying if she said she hadn’t enjoyed the day’s decadence.
Rachel had taken her to various shops in the city that Alma had never heard of before, and they had lunch at an outdoor café that overlooked the shopping district. During their trip, three different people had approached Rachel, recognizing her from television, and told her that they loved her work. One even asked for an autograph, and Rachel complied although she looked embarrassed while doing it.
“Did you have a good time?” Rachel was headed up to the steps to her apartment when she turned and smiled at Alma.
“Are you kidding?” Alma held up two arms filled with bags. “This was amazing. I still feel guilty that you bought all of this for me.”
“Don’t mention it. I was happy to do it. I felt like a complete bitch after what happened with your dad. I swear, I never in a million years thought he’d follow us back here to find you.”
“Oh don’t worry about it,” said Alma. “He’s a nutjob.”
“Still though, buying you a few nice things is the least I can do to apologize.” She paused at the door with her keys near the lock. “What do you think Paul’s going to say? Do you think he’ll like your new look?”
“I don’t know. He’s never seen me looking like this. Heck, I’ve never seen myself looking like this.”
“Well, you look great, Alma. Absolutely gorgeous.” Rachel saw the bashful way Alma turned her head, unwilling to accept the compliment. “I’m serious. You’re a gorgeous girl, and Paul will be lucky if you decide to take him back.”
Alma and Rachel had spent a good part of the day chatting about Paul, and Alma’s history with him. Alma revealed a lot of things that she’d never told anyone, and she attributed her admissions to the fact that Rachel was a good listener. She was always quick with an opinion, but seemed genuinely interested to hear what was going on in Alma’s life. Rachel was a talented interviewer, and Alma enjoyed talking to her.
“Thanks, but I haven’t made up my mind about Paul yet.”
Rachel coyly smirked. “Yes you have. Don’t try to lie to me.”
Alma blushed.
“He’s a lucky guy,” said Rachel as she turned the key and opened the door.
“There they are.” Alma heard Stephen’s voice from inside. “Do we have any money left?”
“That depends on how much you spent on your ghost detecting crap,” said Rachel as she went in. “Where’s Paul?”
“He’s out back with his friend,” said Stephen. “They’re loading up his friend’s van with the equipment. He was able to get us someone else to come along for the trip and help out.”
“Oh,” said Rachel. “That’s helpful.” She set her bags down in the foyer and turned to present Alma. “So, what do you think?”
Stephen whistled. “Hot damn, girl! Look at you.”
Rachel spun her finger to instruct Alma to model her new look. Alma held her arms out to the side with the bags still looped around them and turned for Stephen to inspect her new black dress.
“You look beautiful, Alma. Honestly.”
“Thanks,” said Alma. “But you guys spent too much on me.”
Stephen waved away her concern. “Think of it as a down payment on what I owe you for denting your car.”
“Oh my God,” said Rachel. “I totally forgot about that. We’re paying for that,” she said as if scolding Stephen.
“I will, I will,” said Stephen in defense. “Come on in and chill out. I’ve got burgers and brats on the grill, and Paul warned me that you were a vegetarian, so we got some of those veggie burgers too. And we picked up some beer that Paul said was your favorite,” he said and looked at Alma.
“You guys are being too nice to us,” said Alma. “I feel like you’re buttering us up for something.”
Stephen smiled and laughed, but Alma detected a slight bit of reservation in his response. “Well, I still have to get you to sign the wavers and stuff. Once you do that, I promise I’ll start being mean to you.”
“Okay.” Alma put her bags down beside Rachel’s. “That sounds more like it. I’m not used to people being so nice all the time.”
“Get Rachel to play Scrabble with you and you’ll see her mean side,” said Stephen.
Alma raised her eyebrows and looked at Rachel. “Be careful, I’m a Scrabble freak.”
Rachel stopped, straightened her posture, and glared at Alma as if about to yell at her for something. “Don’t screw with my emotions, Alma. Are you serious? Because I’m the biggest Scrabble nerd, like, ever. For real.”