Off The Record

Chapter Two - First Impressions

Was this it? Was he going to give me the chance to actually write? I'd kept my head down and worked hard, but I'd only been copy editing. I hadn't had a chance to flex my skills.

I walked to the table and sat down in the chair that Melissa had pulled out for me. Within a few minutes the room filled out with four of the other writers and Alec. Alec looked at me and smiled. Mouthing thanks before lifting the cup of coffee to his mouth.

I smiled back, just relieved that Melissa hadn't played some kind of high school level joke on me.

My heart pounded, like a freight train in the middle of the night, hard and fast. I was sure it was loud too, cos I the sound of the thud-thud was deafening in my ears.

"Team! We've got a few big ideas to work through and a high profile story that is going to require a lot of hours." Alec turned on his computer and the imaging popped up on the screen behind him.

"Jase is going to be working on the drugs bust at Gibbons High, Stacey on the homelessness debacle, while Cliff is going working on the next How To article. Finally, Jessica is taking the helm on the Ezra Stone expose. It's a big story, with a lot of potential, and Jessica will need assistance with research and collating and that's where you come in, Ivy. If you think you're up to it." Alec smiled at me, his eyebrows raised. He was offering me a branch, a chance to show my worth. I nodded before I could formulate the words, solidifying my answer with a very delayed yes.

I'm ashamed to say I zoned out for pretty much the entirety of the rest of the meeting. I couldn't stop thinking, and repeating the name in my head. Stone... stone..Ezra Stone. I turned over the paper and read the brief in front of me. Former CEO of the technology conglomerate multibusiness E-zone. He'd left in the last six months, disgraced and disowned, even though he'd built the company from the ground up. No one had all the details, the reason he'd been kicked out of his own business. But the rumors were rife.

I looked away and bit my lip. The writer in me could feel a story brewing.

Once the meeting was over Jessica pulled me aside and handed me a list.

"I told Alec I didn't have the time for an expose with everything else I'm handling. But he begged. I demanded you as my assistant. You're dedicated. Look I'm gonna be honest, I'm going to need you to take the reins on pretty much all of the research. I trust you. You've never done me wrong in the copy editing, and your notes are always on point."

I smiled, annoyed that my promotion had been because someone else had noticed my worth. At least someone had noticed my worth though.

"I can handle this." I smiled.

"I don't doubt it. Reach out if you need my help and let me know when we're ready to write."

I nodded and scooped up my papers and cup. I was walking out the door when Alec pulled me aside.

"This isn't too much too soon right?" He asked.

I held back a frown. He was kidding right? Did he consider me some delicate innocent flower? I had the same degree he did, yes I lacked the experience, but everyone had to start somewhere.

"I think I'm ready for the challenge Alec."

"That's the spirit, Ivy."

Alec walked out of the room and I let out a deep breath. This was it, the beginning of the rest of my career. I walked out of the meeting room and down to my cubicle. I placed the papers down and pulled out my chair.

I quickly finished off the rest of my work, eager to start on the research for this article. Finally, just before lunch I sent off the last edited document and looked back down at the briefing from the meeting.