Beyond the Headlines

CHAPTER 2

The Interview

I-Times Studio - Morning

The studio is sleek, modern, and impeccably lit. The soft hum of cameras and the quiet shuffle of crew members preparing in the background create a buzz of anticipation. A large glass table sits center stage, and the backdrop is the I-Times logo, brightly illuminated against a polished black wall. The atmosphere is charged, a mixture of excitement and professionalism.

Millie sits in front of the camera, her posture straight, exuding confidence as she checks her notes one last time. Her hair is neatly styled, and she’s dressed in a sharp blazer, the image of a determined, intelligent journalist. The crew around her whispers quietly, making last-minute adjustments, but Millie remains laser-focused.

The door opens, and the politician walks in—a man in his mid-40s, well-dressed in a suit, exuding authority and power. His steps are steady, his expression calm yet slightly guarded, a practiced smile on his lips. The camera zooms in on Millie’s face as she looks up, her expression changing from concentration to a welcoming smile.

Millie (standing up to greet him):
“Good morning, Mr. R. It’s a pleasure to have you here.”

Politician (smiling, shaking her hand):
“The pleasure is mine, Millie. I’ve heard a lot about your work. Excited to be here.”

Millie gestures for him to take a seat across from her. The cameras begin rolling.

Millie (smiling confidently):
“Let’s get started, shall we?”

She picks up her note cards, her voice calm and steady as she begins the first question, projecting authority and curiosity.

Millie (looking directly at him):
“Mr. R, you’ve recently proposed a new economic initiative aimed at reducing unemployment. Can you walk us through the core principles of this plan and what it means for the average citizen?”

The politician leans forward slightly, his expression shifting to one of passion as he begins to explain the details. Millie listens attentively, nodding every so often, her eyes locked on his, absorbing the information.

Politician:
“Well, the core of this plan is job creation and providing access to training for young people, which has been a major issue in our economy. We're focusing on new industries like tech and green energy, and the idea is to create sustainable growth...”

Millie nods, expertly guiding the conversation, asking the follow-up questions that keep the audience engaged. Her tone is polite but firm, unafraid to press him when necessary, but always with respect. The back-and-forth between them flows naturally, the dynamic of a seasoned journalist and a well-prepared politician making for an engaging interview.

Millie (asking with curiosity):
“While that sounds promising, many people are concerned about the feasibility of these programs, especially with the economic challenges we’re facing. How do you address those concerns?”

The politician smiles, impressed by her sharpness.

Politician (leaning back, clearly enjoying the conversation):
“You’re absolutely right to ask that, Millie. We’ve accounted for those concerns in our strategy, which is why we’re targeting sectors that show long-term promise...”

The interview continues, Millie staying in control, effortlessly steering the conversation and keeping the questions engaging and to the point. As the interview wraps up, she flashes a polite, confident smile.

Millie:
“Thank you, Mr. R, for taking the time to discuss this important initiative with us. We appreciate your insights.”

Politician (nodding, with genuine appreciation):
“The pleasure was mine, Millie. You’ve done your homework. I can see why I-Times brought you on for this. Excellent work.”