Big City Dreams

The Call

"Okay honestly, I knew getting a job writing for SNL would be hard. But I was so confident in my work. Ugh." I groaned as I took a sip of my caramel frappucino. "This sucks."

"They don't know what they're missing, Gabby. You know I've read your work and I personally thought it was great." said my BFSB (best friend since birth), Julia.

Julia was stunning. Much prettier than me, always was, always has been, with her long blonde hair. She's always been much more popular, too. But we've known eachother for so long, and just understand eachother. It's nice to have a friend like her. She always thinks to invite me whenever she goes out partying or to social gatherings, even though I usually reject because I'm busy writing. 

"Thanks. Whatever, I need to get over it sometime. Maybe I just wasn't cut out to be a writer." I sulked in my seat, and looked out the window.

"Don't say that. There will be other opportunities for you to get a writing job, hun." She perked up in her seat. "Hey! I know! Let's go out tonight. Find you a cute piece of man candy, huh? huh?" She raised her eyebrows up and down. 

"Ugh. I guess." What do I have to lose at this point? I never go out, it would be nice to do something fun for a change. Maybe getting a little drunk will help ease the pain of my dreams being crushed. Who knows?

"WOW, Gabby Brooks accepting an invite to go out somewhere? That doesn't involve writing? Now, THIS is a dream come true."

Just then, my phone rang. Unknown number.

"Who is it?" Julia asked.

"I don't know. Unknown number. Should I pick up?"

"Let me do it. You know I love dealing with prank callers." Before I could speak, Julia grabbed my phone from my hand.

"Hello? Oh.. uh, yeah. Hold on, she's right here." Julia handed me the phone. "It's for you" She mouthed.

"Um, Hello? This is Gabriella Brooks." I said into the phone, confused as to who this was and why they were calling.

"Hello, Ms.Brooks. This is Lorne Michaels. How are you doing?" 

I almost jumped out of my seat. My heart was beating out of my chest. Why was Lorne Michaels calling me? A week ago, I was called to be told that I had not been accepted as a writer on SNL. Had they changed their mind? So much was happening in my head, I almost forgot to respond.

"Hello?" Lorne said again into the phone.

"Oh, Hi sir. Um I'm uh, okay, uh, good thank you. How are you?" I said frantically, unable to produce a sensible sentence.

"Excellent, thank you. Now I know what you must be thinking, I'm calling to tell you I've changed my mind and you're hired as a writer for SNL." My heart was pounding so fast, I hoped he couldn't hear it. "But, unfortunately, that is not the purpose of this call." 

I froze. Dreams crushed, again.

"Oh..alright.. well, what is the purpose of this call then?" I hoped that didn't sound rude, but I was a little fed up. He just got my hopes up... for what?

"Well, while we don't have a position available over here for you at SNL, I do think I have a spot elsewhere for you that would be very ideal."

"Okay.. the suspense is killing me, Mr. Michaels. Please cut to the chase."

"Ah, alright alright. I'm calling you because I went over your work again due to your 25 emails to our studios asking exactly why you were rejected, and begging for a second chance." I turned beat red, I didn't know those emails would actually get to him. Whatever "Now normally, I would see this as annoying, but something told me to go over your writing again. So I did. And I think, a perfect fit for you would be as a writer at The Tonight Show. We would love to have you."

I swear, I almost dropped my phone. My jaw was wide open. I froze. Lorne Michaels would LOVE to have me as a writer. On the effing Tonight Show! With Jimmy Fallon! Is this a joke?! I couldn't believe it!

"Ms. Brooks? Do you have a bad signal or something?" I couldn't help but giggle.

"No, sir, sorry, I just, uh, sorry. Yes, yes, yes, yes! I would love to take a writers position at the Tonight Show! This is an amazing opportunity! Ah!!!!" I was almost screaming into the phone, I could not contain my excitement.

Julia put her hands over her mouth, trying not to scream for me, and jumped up and down.

"Great. So we will pay for your flight over here to New York, and pay for your living expenses. Your flight will be in two days, on Friday. You can spend the weekend getting acclamated to your new home, and then on Monday you can go on down to The Tonight Show, and head writer A.D. Miles will help you get situated. I will email you your tickets, and any information you need to get started. Congratulations."

"Thank you so much,sir. I cannot thank you enough for this opportunity. It means the world."

"Anytime, keep up the amazing writing work and you will fit in just fine at the Tonight Show. We will be in touch throughout the week. Have a good day." He hung up the phone.

"Julia..." I said, "I'm going to New York!"