Joe Mazzello Imagines

The Interview

"Y/N. Thank God someone is actually here" My boss, the head of our film magazine, comes up to me, slightly panicked but primarily mad. "Shane hasn't turned up yet and the interview with the Bohemian Rhapsody cast starts in just over a minute. I need you to cover him." Anxiety and shock runs through my body as a question quickly claws its way out of my constricted throat.

"But sit, I'm not experienced with interviewing. I'm just an assistant who makes sure that everything is set up for the guests."

"But you stay for the interviews, which means you know what questions to ask, which means you are the most experienced person in this whole building. I know this is what you are striving to do, career wise. Please, Y/N, I know you've got this." It's his pleading look that makes me nod my head. He's right, its's what I've always wanted to do. Only a complete fool would decline this opportunity. "Thank you. Now, I've got to get back to the office, but let me know how it turns out. Good luck." He gives me a tight lipped smile, showing how angry he really is about all of this, and he walks away quickly. I only have time to take a deep breath before I am ushered into the room where the gentlemen are waiting. 

When I walk into the room, they're all laughing together, and it relieves me to see that when they see me, their smiles don't fade. That's always a good sign that they'll be great interviewee's.

"Hello. I'm Y/N. I'll be interviewing you for our magazine." I say and shake their hands as they all greet me. 

"I'm sorry," The guy named Joe starts, "I hope you don't mind me asking, but what happened to the other guy we were told would be interviewing us?"

"He couldn't make it, so I have stepped in last minute. I hope that's alright with you guys?" I might have thought too soon. I better not be dealing with some sexist assholes.

"Of course," he smiles, making me relax, and he looks down at my hands. It's in that moment that I realize just how unprepared I am. No pre-written questions, no pen and paper, nothing but a camera already there and set up by me earlier in the day. They know how unprepared I am for this, I can see it in their eyes, but I have no choice but to wing the hell out of this.

"So, I just saw the film yesterday, and can I just say that you guys did an amazing job with it. It's such a great film." They all smile and say thank you but don't say anymore, so I continue. "Bohemian Rhapsody is about how the band Queen formed and rose to fame. It focuses on Freddie and shows the struggles he faced in his lifestyle, but it's primary focus is on the themes of friendship and family with the band and Mary

. What was your experiences filming these scenes? Were there any challenges?" So far, so good. Maybe I have got this after all.

"Well, we started off filming the live aid scene on day one, so that in itself was definitely a challenge." Rami starts by saying, his voice smooth, kicking off the interview. One question flowed easily to another. Joe talked about how him and Rami worked together before on a show called The Pacific, but it's like they've all known each other for a lifetime with how close they are. Gwilym talked about how starstruck he was when he met his doppelganger, Brian May for the first time and Ben talks about how he lied about being able to play the drums in order to get the part. He had to quickly learn, though.

But, throughout the whole time, my eyes kept drifting back to Joe, or more Joe's facial expressions which have changed so many times in such a short amount of time. How he does this, I have no clue, but it's so bloody entertaining to watch. He really does throw himself into his interviews.

But right when I'm about to wrap up the interview, someone comes barging into the room, making me jump in my seat. "I'm sorry I'm late," Shane says insincerely. "I was just - Y/N, what are you doing here?" He asks when he finally saw me sitting there. "Were you just entertaining them until I came? Good girl." I flinch slightly at his wording. Girl? Oh hell no.

"Actually we were just wrapping up the interview." I say, my voice even and not letting slip the anger I held deep within.  Shane, however, is not holding back his look of anger.

"No you're not, I'm supposed to be interviewing them." I can tell by the lipstick grazed on his collar and the hickey forming on his neck that he was a little tied up. So, why was he angry? He obviously thought getting laid took more urgency over his job. He faces the guests who all give him different levels of shock. Except Joe,  he looks straight up angry. "I'm sorry about all of this confusion. If you still have time, why don't we do a proper interview?" That cocky bastard just belittled me in front of everyone. There's no way he's getting away with that.

"Shane." I say in a forceful voice, standing up so I'm on the same level as him. "We have done the proper interview. Maybe if you bothered to show up on time, you could have interviewed these gentlemen. But you didn't, so I did." I take a step closer to him, danger reflecting in my eyes and I drop my voice. "Don't you dare belittle me in front of everyone like that again, do you hear me?" I break eye contact with Shane and look at the men, all looking at me with a mixture of awe and shock. "It was nice meeting you, and I look forward to the award season, because no doubt you guy will be taking them all home." 

With that, the boys are ushered out of the room by their PA, no doubt needing to get to another interview, but Joe keeps looking back at me as I am left alone in the room with Shane. And once they leave, Shane turns on me.

"Just you wait until I tell our boss about this. About how you stole my interview and then proceed to talk to me like you just did in front of that cast. You're going to be out on your ass before your stupid little dreams of becoming a film critic have a chance of coming true." He may have a point about what I said in front of the cast. There is a time and place for everything  and that wasn't it. It wasn't professional of me. But hell, I'm not backing down now. A little humiliation is exactly what he needs.

"Sure, go ahead. Tell him. It won't be my ass on the street. Who do you think told me to cover your ass for the interview? Next time, if there is a next time, do your job and don't be late." With that, I turn on my heel and walk out of the room and out of the room and out of the building. I need some air after that.

I don't know how long I'm standing outside when I hear a familiar voice shout out; "Y/N!" I turn my head to see Joe running away from his mates, coming towards me with a smile. "I just wanted to say that it was awesome what you said back there. We all thought it was great. I just hope he didn't give you a hard time afterwards." His sincerity warms me, making me relax and smile at him. 

"Thank you. And nothing I couldn't handle.:

"Good. That's good." He starts shifting his weight from one foot to another, the look on his face showed that he wanted to say something. I wanted to say something, too. But then he finally speaks; "I better get going. But I hope to see you around some time soon." He says awkwardly before he quickly walks away. I can see him looking down and shaking his head as he gets closer to the guys. I hope I see him around, too.