Radio Show Girl | Josh Kiszka

1

"Thank you for the coffee Stella" said Rebecca Lane, Stella Barlow's manager smiled warmly, swiftly grabbing the warm cardboard to-go cup from her hands from across the desk. She held it up to her nose, closed her eyes, and took a large whiff of the fresh coffee. "I really did need this".

"No problem at all, can I get anything else for you? I know how late you stayed up trying to get those questions for today's interview in order." Stella answered, sticking her hands in her back jean pockets and shifting her weight to her right leg. Stella had been working at Lane Studios for around 4 months now as a paid intern, and though she was forever grateful for even being in the presence of Nashville's biggest music radio talk show host (Rebecca Lane herself), she had honestly hoped that she would have gotten a bit more airtime by now. For the past 4 months Stella had been delivering coffee, cleaning the show room as well as her boss's room, and organizing files. She never got to even meet the guests, which was truly a letdown for her because she had been dreaming of working at a place like this since highschool.

"Actually- there is one more thing. If you aren't comfortable with it, I completely understand since I am putting this on you without much time to prepare. But I am just so completely exhausted that...." Rebecca trailed off, not meeting Stella's eyes but instead staring out the window at a bird walking across the empty parking lot. If she asks me to clean the bathroom one more time I swear to god- Stella thought, but was quickly cut off.

"Could you host today? I've got a new band coming in, I guess they are really taking off in the rock world right now... and I know how much you love that kind of stuff. Of course if you think it is too much, I just think you could be ready now. It's been what? 4 months already?" Stella couldn't help the wide smile that appeared on her face. Before she could even get anything out, Rebecca returned her large smile.

"Oh thank God Stella, you are truly a life saver- of course if this will make a big difference in how I see you and if I hire you for real- so try hard because it will affect your job performance greatly. The questions are in a stack next to the microphone- well you know the set up already. The band arrives in 30 minutes-" 30 minutes? Stella's mind instantly flew to what she must look like standing here, her messy thick shoulder length dark brown hair, her minimal makeup and old jeans. She had to make a good impression. Whoever the band was- which reminded her to ask.

"Who's the band again? I'm not sure you mentioned their name. I should look them up before they get here so I'll at least know a bit about them." Stella answered Rebecca, overjoyed that she was letting her interview a band finally. Stella pulled down anxiously on her lace white camisole anxiously. Though she was ecstatic, she was equally as nervous. Her entire job and future depended on this interview.

"Oh of course- um", she looked down at a sheet of paper in front of her, of which Stella assumed to be a schedule. "Greta Van Fleet- yes that's their name. Have you heard of them?" She looked up at Stella with expectant eyes. As soon as she said the name, Stella felt as if she couldn't breath. Memories rushed into her head. Old memories, from years ago when she still lived in Michigan. She was all too familiar with them. Way too familiar. Stella tried to cover the pained expression on her face with a small smile, and Rebecca didn't seem to notice the change in her mood.

"Oh, I- um no I'm not familiar. I'll go read up on them now before they arrive". And with that as a sad way to excuse herself from the room, Stella turned her back to her boss and let the expression of horror slide onto her face. If Stella's entire job depended on this interview, then she would surely lose not only her job, but everything she had been working towards her entire life.