Song Stories (Part 1)

Chapter 3

20XX/10/03/ - Noon

Arriving on the seventh floor of the old office building Liz stealthily made her way to her desk. She wasn't a particularly organized person and keeping her workplace tidy wasn't her strong point either. Several pens were scattered on the desk, burying a dozen "Post Its" under them. Whenever Liz had an idea for an article or found out a new piece of information on the topic she was currently doing research on, she would drabble it on a piece of paper and stick it on whatever free space was left on the table. Her boss, Meredith, would often fall into despair while trying to find something in all the chaos. Liz, however, always knew exactly where everything was, much to Meredith's astonishment. Well, it clearly helped that the young woman wrote everything in different colors, assigning one color per topic. So, one could argue that there was a certain type of system in all the mess. A systemized chaos so to speak.

Barely having sat down, Liz could already hear an annoyed "Achem." behind her.
Uh, oh. Of course, she saw me sneaking in just now. Gulping, she slowly turned around on her revolving chair and was faced with her boss who had a rather sour look on her face.
"Well, hello there Meredith! What brings you to my humble working space right after lunch break?"I might as well try to play it innocently. Who knows, it might work.
"Elizabeth Glaze!" Or not. Full name means bad news.

Clearly agitated, the woman in front of her wasn't in the mood for her antics. Scowling, she started one of her lectures. Lectures which Liz had heard more often than she would've liked.
"You are late. Again! How many times did this happen this month now?"
"Uhm, I don't know. I mean, who's counting rea-"
"That was a rhetorical question!"
"...Oh."
"Don't Oh me young lady! You know I don't mind you being two or five minutes late, but fifteen?! One could write a small column in that amount of time! And if I add up the amount of time you've been late this month – you could have finished writing a whole book in that time!"
Now that is clearly an exaggeration. I haven't been late that many times.
...Have I?

Liz wanted to interrupt her boss and explain to her that it wasn't her fault this time, but she knew that interrupting a Latina when she was this angry wasn't the best idea one could have. Something she had learned by experience – an experience she'd rather forget. Normally, Meredith was a very chill boss. The Mexican woman in her late thirties gave her writers a lot of space in organizing their way of working. As long as one met the set deadline she didn't really care on how her employees organized their work time or what they did to acquire their information. But the two things that ticked her off were tardiness and being unpunctual. Two things that fit Liz's character to a T. How she was still alive and kicking at this point was a mystery to her. Maybe it helped that Meredith actually considered her her best writer.

"...you know I hold your work in high regards Liz." Ah, back to calling me Liz again. I'm safe. Sensing her boss calming down, her clenched muscles relaxed. Liz hadn't even noticed how tensed up she had been. But then again anybody would feel intimidated by the temper of a woman with as much passion as Meredith. Although having settled down a bit, she unfortunately wasn't completely done with her lecture yet.

"But you always being late, it sets a bad example for others. Especially for Violet."
"Who?" Liz perked up.
"The new girl."
"We have a new girl?" Seeing the quizzical look on her employee's face Meredith let out an exasperated sigh.
"Liz I thought as a journalist you would pay more attention to your surroundings! Violet has been with us for three weeks now! She was assigned to cover the serial murder case in our neighboring town. The one where the killer abducts his victims before murdering them by slicing their throats."

Slowly a look of realization spread on the brunette's face. "Aaah, Milton! Now I remember! There really are quite a lot of murderers out and about right now. Really dangerous times we live in right now."
Meredith blinked. "Yeah, well... Anyways, now that you remember Violet, what I was saying, you set a bad exa-"
"No."
"Wait, what?"
"I don't. Remember her, that is. I mean, I remember the case. But I still have no idea who that Violet girl is supposed to be."

Meredith couldn't believe what she just heard. "Liz! How can you not know!? Her desk is literally right behind yours!"
Woah, why is she so angry at me now??? I'm not required to be besties with everyone here. Besides I'm pretty sure I've never even seen that girl before.
... I think. Well, at least I for sure haven't talked to her.

Admittedly Liz was now a bit curious about the mystery coworker so she leaned sideways to catch a glimpse past her boss at the desk behind hers. Huh?
"Meredith..." she started in a doubtful tone.
"Yes?"
"There's nobody there."
"What?!" Surprised, the older woman turned around herself. And really, the chair where Violet was supposed to be sitting was empty. Smirking Liz asked in a teasing tone "Meredith have you pulled a few all-nighters again this week? It seems your sleep deprived self fancied itself a new employee."
By the look her boss gave the brunette after that remark it was clear that she was about done dealing with her so-called top-writer today. "Very funny, Liz. Oh, just what would I do without your comedic input?"
"Well-"
"Don't comment on that."
Damn.

"Anyways, actually it's very much possible that Violet is over in Milton right now. Apparently another woman was kidnapped yesterday night."
Oh, reaaally now. You could have said that before.
"Don't give me that look. I just happened to forget about it for a second with you stirring me up like that again." Meredith crossed her arms before deciding she'd had enough of Liz for the time being. "I guess I've wasted enough time lecturing you. For now. I'm afraid it falls on death ears anyways."
Wow, someone's being salty today!

"That said, you better start typing soon young lady. We have to cover this morning's events in tomorrow's issue. I expect your article in my office in three hours max." With that her boss turned on her black heels and strode back to her office followed by a fake enthusiasm exclaiming "Yes, Ma'am." from Liz.
Sometimes I wonder whether I'm the only person here whom she actually pays attention to. I'd be happier if she'd decide to forget about my lateness too.

A sigh escaping her lips the brunette began working on the desired article. However, doing that meant she'd have to recollect the events from this morning. Meaning she'd have to go over her interaction with him again.
Now that I think about it... I wonder if it's the same for Meredith. Is handling me equally as irritating to her as dealing with that cop is to me?
Pondering about that possibility a tiny spark of guilt rose up inside Liz as she started typing on her laptop.

Dear Whoever

Do you remember,

It's me old, Whatshername

Against The Current - Forget Me Now