Annette Faces Her Editor
Originally posted on April 13, 2008
Annette: But I got that scoop for the paper in my last column! No one even knew the governor’s son was going to the party! I talked him into that on-the-spot interview…. Well, you read my piece. I thought that once I proved myself I’d be considered for news reporting.
Editor: Miss Applebaum, you’ve had exactly one “scoop” as you call it. You have also been adamant that you do not want preferential treatment just because of who your father is. Has that changed?
Annette: No, sir, it hasn’t, except…..
Editor: Sorry, Annette. No can do, not yet. Besides, you already are reporting the news.
Annette: The society news. That’s about as exciting to me as……..Oh, I apologize, sir. But you have to know how much of a disappointment this is to me.
Editor: I’m taking enough of a risk simply employing you, my dear. It never would have happened if your father and I hadn’t had that falling out a few years back.
Annette: What? You mean to tell me Daddy talked to you? Did he try to keep you from giving me a job?
Editor: You didn’t hear that from me.
Annette: *steaming mad and pacing* Ooooooo! Just wait until I speak to him!……but…. I can’t can I? I can’t even confront my father without running the risk of him making me quit!
Editor: Annette, Miss Applebaum, please, sit down.
Annette: I’m sorry sir. I’m not angry with you, but I’m so tired of my father throwing his weight around and meddling in my life. All he has to do is make one phone call and there goes my chance to do what I want. I’ll never get anywhere with him standing in the way.
Editor: Annette, you’re a staff writer on a busy city newspaper, and you’re nineteen. You’re not doing badly at all. Most kids your age are still slogging through their freshman studies. Really, you’ve got a lot of potential, but you need to slow down a little, stop pushing so hard. While you’re waiting, learn the ropes as best you can. You can learn the basics in the Living department just as easily as the city desk.
Annette: (subdued) If you say so, sir.
Editor: *smiling* I do say so. You’re a valuable asset in your department, Ms. Applebaum. Don’t minimize the importance of the connections you have, in your current position.
Annette: I know, and I’m sorry – again. Thank you for taking a chance on me, Mr. Martin.
Editor: (gruffly)You’ve got potential, young lady. I don’t like wasting potential. That’s all it is.
Annette: That’s not all there is to it. Because you’re a nice man and you care about people, so when you lecture me I’m almost convinced I deserve it.
Annette: May I….may I return to my desk now, sir? (wryly) I have a column to write - Mrs. Finley’s niece’s birthday extravaganza, you know.
Editor: *laughs* Yes, Ms. Applebaum - go write your article.
Annette: Will do, chief!
Editor: (into the intercom after she leaves) Aggie? You still need someone to cover the Sebastian piece?...................... How about sending Applebaum?……………. I realize we haven’t given her an out-of-town assignment before, but she’ll be able to handle that part of it, no problem.
Editor: What?.....Frankly, I think she stands a very good chance of succeeding. If anyone can get the truth out of our mysterious author, that little girl can. ….And if she can’t – well we’re no further behind than we are now…..…………No she probably won’t want to do it, once she finds out what kind of “literature” it is…...
Editor: Yes, excellent idea - hand her the research when you drop her off at the airport.