Pretty Ain't A Job {Ryan Ross}

Chapter 1: Ms. Mercer

A/N: This story takes place in the mid-sixties after the Civil Rights Movement and during the British Invasion.

Respect is a virtue in this world. Especially when you're a woman. Certain men think they can just walk all over you, or talk to you any way that would like. But others were kind and respectful. They treated you as equals. Much like my boss, Carson. "Mercer!" He yelled across the room before gesturing me into his office."

"Sir?" I closed the door behind me for privacy reasons.

The aging man leaned aginst his desk before sighing, "I'm old Jane. I can't do this forever. We need a fresh face.A female." he sipped his coffee before grinning,"That's where you come in. You are in the running to inherit the company."

I gasped with delight,"Sir I-I can't believe it." he beamed at me before looking on his desk and handing me a manilla folder. I opened it as I sat down. "Ryan Ross. The musician?"

Carson nodded,"Your final assignment. If it is up to par, Morning Star Monthly is yours. You will interview him tonight, then follow him on his world tour."

"What do you mean...follow him?"

"Take photos, get details, tell us about him, make him look good." I nodded before hopping up and shaking his hand from across the table.

"I will not let you down. Thank you for this opportunity, sir." I must have been acting like a little kid.

"Better not. Now run home and get ready for the show tonight." I nodded before walking out of his office and into the warm summer air. I started down the street, smiling bigger than I ever have. I have had interviewed celebrities before but never one of the biggest pop stars in this decade. I wasn't really a fan, though. Sure, I liked a few songs he wrote, but I didn't own any records or know every fact about him.

I opened the door to my apartment and quickly clamored up the stairs, running into my neighbor's daughter, Diane. She was carrying a full watering can, that happened to spill on both of us."Oh. I'm so sorry Ms.Mercer. I wasn't looking at where I was going. Please don't tell my mother."

I helped her off of the ground and gave a heavy sigh,"It's fine. I was going to change anyway. Come with me, I can clean you up." She followed behind me and was first into the warm living room. "Put your jacket on the counter in the sun and I'll blow dry your dress." The young girl nodded and followed my orders.

"Why were you rushing home?" She asked sitting on the stool in front of my vanity, holding the dryer in front of the wet spot on her dress.

"Well, if you must know, I'm interviewing a celebrity for the magazine tonight," I replied shuffling through dresses, throwing some on my bed for the tour.

"Who!"

"Ryan Ross."

"That's flipping crazy!" she jumped up, squealing like a pig, "Please take me with you! He's my favorite! Please!"

I opened the folder Carson gave me earlier, taking out the large plus one ticket. "We have to ask your mom first." She sighed as I got up and led her down the street to her mom's cafe. It was a small little coffee shop that she's owned for years.

A little bell rang as we entered the shop and a dark-skinned woman, only slightly older than me, looked up from rolling out the pale dough. "Hello, Jane! It's been a while since you've stopped by." She walked over to me, smiling brightly as she did so.

"Well, I won't be around for very much longer. I'm leaving to follow Ryan Ross on tour."

She gasped,"Lucky! Send me photos."

"I'm interviewing him tonight. I have an extra ticket to his show and I was wondering if Diane could go." The girl next to me begged her mother with her eyes as the older woman was deep in thought.

"Okay. But come straight home when it's over. Wear that dress your dad bought last month."

"Okay!" She shouted running out of the shop.