"Hey, Max, focus the camera on me." She shouted to the newbie assigned to her to be her new cameraman.
She realized it was the problem when you were at the bottom of the pyramid. She only got the scraps thrown by the ones on top. Now, she was stuck with this rookie who did not know what he was doing.
She could not blame her former partner, Elroy, for leaving her. He was the greatest during his time, but he was old, and retiring was his best decision. Now, she had to train this kid for the job.
"Ok. Sorry, Gav," Max started refocusing his camera on her, moving to his left to get a better angle. But his foot caught on something, almost making him stumble on the ground.
She had to rush to his side, checking if he was ok. Most importantly, the equipment did not incur any damage. Else, she could kiss her story goodbye.
"Careful, it is your first day, and it might be your last too." She did not want to shout at him or say something horrible, but he was getting through her last nerves.
The conference was about to start, and she had not prepped for it yet. It was a big story, and she seldom got a break from this job. If she failed again from getting a promotion, then maybe her brother was right.
She should reconsider her life plans. Maybe should find a better job than this. One that had better pay, too. Anyway, she still had a few minutes to get this right.
"Ok. We are taping in three, two, one." Then the red lights on the camera turned on, indicating that it was her cue to start with her spiel.
She had to do her introduction, saying her name and her news company, then some background about the conference that was about to happen. After that, they would wait for the start of the event.
Next, she would ask questions if she found an opportunity through the mayhem of other reporters. That was the life of a lowly investigative reporter. To get the information as fast as she could from the limited time given to them.
"We are here at the..." Gav blabbered on the well-scripted and routine piece she had memorized since she started reporting for this news team a year ago, freshly graduated from the university.
She never dreamed of landing a job like this, but fate brought her here, not by accident, but through perseverance. Now, she worked her ass out in this corporate news giant, wanting her day in the limelight.
For now, she only wished to be the first to report it, but hopefully not the last. Phone, mike, or whatever listening device were her weapons she usually used to get the latest scoop.
"Cut it." She mouthed to her partner, hoping he would understand her instructions, but miserably, he did not. "I said turn the camera off." Shouting to the guy who seemed to be looking anywhere else than her.
Now, she was caught in the camera bursting into flames. She would just have to edit that later. She was glad that she was not on a live telecast. Else, she would be the laughing stock of the entire media world.
She also needed to get a hold of her temper sometimes. She felt that being in this field had taken a toll on her nerves, or was it only him. But he did not want to blame the kid.
Max was new. In a few days, he would get the hang of this job. She also used to be a newbie to this, but Elroy showed her the ropes. Now, she was comfortable doing her stuff, thankfully for his help.
"I'm sorry," Max said, putting the camera down gently as he started packing up their things.
"Stop saying sorry and listen to me. If you want to stay in this job for a long time, try to follow orders and start using that brain of yours." She tapped on his temple for emphasis.
She had to appear tough, or this kid would never learn that life was hard. To get what she wanted in life, she had to be the best and work her ass hard.
She did not have to because her parents could easily afford to take care of her, but she was through being their princess. On her twenty-first birthday, she swore to change and be more responsible. She meant it.
"I'll try to do that." The boy answered her with a smile. Not at all offended by her action or afraid of her temper.
He was new in this job and was still trying to learn. He hoped to learn from Gav because he believed that she was great and kind. She was also well-recommended by Elroy.
He could see the frustration that spread across her face with him earlier, so he understood her situation. Both of them were still trying to adjust to the other. But he would try his best the next time.
"Well, you might have a chance here." She said to him, seeing the happy disposition of the boy, or Max. "You still did well today." She felt that it was only polite to compliment the boy on the job he did.
They still did manage to make a good story, and besides, it was hard to find another partner she would need to train. The next one might turn out worse than him. She would take a risk with this one.
"Are we ready to go?" She asked, carrying some of their things and helping the boy out of the building.
She already expected that her mother would surely call once she saw her face in the news, no matter how brief it was. Although she adamantly disagreed with her career choice, she still supported her afterward.
Now, she was her biggest fan. But her father and brother still insisted that she should reconsider finding another job. His brother even offered a job at his law firm, where he was now a senior partner.
"I will handle this," Max said, taking the things from her hands and placing them inside the van.
He followed her outside, glad that despite his many mistakes. They were still able to accomplish their mission today. Hopefully, the next time, he could handle it much better.
Well, he hoped there was still the next time. That after this, he still had a job. He did enjoy working with his new boss. He could already see the fun and exciting things they would do together.
He could already see their names on the top of the leader board as their news made it to the top headlines.