Two hours later and I am considering asking Jake Forester from Status Hotels & Venues for his phone number. Not because I want to ask him out (although I’m fairly certain he’sveryqueer) but because I’d really like us to be friends. He’s chatty, receptive, and witty. Laughing at all the right places during my presentation, and indeed smiling at many other unexpected moments. His assistant Sharon also listens attentively, and I don’t miss how she nudges Jake at certain moments, especially the sketch Mina drew of a femme-butch couple getting married in one of Status’ venues.
Every single time I note a positive response from Jake or Sharon, I want to share it with Mina. My head jolts to the side the first few times it happens, looking for her, as if she’s sitting in the chair next to me. It makes my heart sink when I’m reminded that she’s not here and instead I have to make do with a subtle smile at Garrett who is saving all his grins for the client so doesn’t bother to return it.
“And that concludes the pitch,” I say as I click to the final slide on the PowerPoint I watch as Jake and Sharon share a knowing look between them. “Any questions?”
Jake leans forward in his chair. “Well, of course, I should ask all the boring questions about the copyright for using the song, the turnaround time you expect to deliver on the final product, how many shooting days you think we’d need and at how many of our locations and of course, whether this all falls into our budget, but what I really want to know is… Can you put me in the advert?”
I blink, taken aback. “I’m sorry?”
“Can I replace the semi-attractive blond who so obviously wants to snuggle up with the tall, dark and handsome man in the third drawing? You know the not too queer but, to the trained eye, plenty queer enough couple in robes in the hotel spa.”
“Oh, you… you want to be in the advert?” I stutter.
“And I’ll get married to that cute curly-haired brunette at the end,” Sharon says with a smug smile.
“Well.” I clear my throat. “It’s not really customary to have the client in the ad but we haven’t done casting yet so—”
Garrett sighs before speaking. “You’ll have to forgive Charlie and his gullibility.” He forces a smile at Jake and Sharon before turning to me. “They’re being sarcastic, Charlie.”
“Oh!” I say, catching on.
“Sadly yes, we are. No tall, dark and handsome robed lover for me.” Jake sighs.
“And my wife would probably kill me for marrying someone else,” Sharon adds.
“No, she wouldn’t. She’d be glad for a few nights off.” Jake fires back very quickly.
“Watch your—” Sharon begins.
“Anyway,” Jake cuts in. “The point is we really like what we’ve seen. There are a few possible changes I think I’d like to make in order to showcase the best of our properties and services, but I can easily list them by email if you’re able to send me a digital copy of the presentation so I can run it all by my bosses?”
I nod enthusiastically, feeling the excitement bubbling inside me. Again, I turn to the chair next to me, but it’s empty. Mina isn’t here. Mina missed it all, including how they’re possibly going to hire us on the spot.
“I will do that as soon as our meeting is over,” I say.
“Great, and I suppose I should ask about turnaround as my bosses will be keen to get this out into the world as soon as possible. It’s too late for the Christmas market, of course, but we’d certainly like it done in time to capitalise on summer events and staycations.”
I’m still nodding. “I think our estimations were for a four- or five-month turnaround.” I glance at Garrett who looks like he’s woken up a little.
“As the campaign lead, that’s all up to you,” he says to me before turning his attention back to Jake and Sharon. “Charlie is our most experienced copywriter and department head so you can expect an on-time delivery and excellent communication throughout.”
Campaign lead. My heart should be skipping. My stomach should be flipping. My blood should be pumping a little louder and faster through my veins. But none of that is happening. Instead, my heart slows, my stomach swirls on itself slowly making me nauseous, and my mind is full of questions.Where is Mina? How is Mina? How am I now going to tell her I got the campaign lead and she didn’t?
Weighed down by these unanswered questions and an undeniable heavy feeling of guilt, I’m the last to stand as our clients and Garrett prepare to say goodbye and leave the room. I quickly step forward and offer Sharon and then Jake my hand and what I hope is one of my most convincing smiles.
“You know, I’m very impressed with all your work so far,” Jake says as he shakes my hand. “I didn’t think you’d be able to put together something so quickly, let alone something that immediately speaks to our target market.”
I sigh inwardly and it pulls on my shoulders a little as I release his hand. “Well, I have to be honest. It wasn’t all me. In fact, it was mostly my colleague, Mina, who came up with most of the artwork, and she did most of the groundwork for the concept too… Although the song choice was something we came up with together.”
After we danced to Lenny Kravitz one night…I want to add, but don’t.
“Oh, and where is Mina today?” Jake looks confused.
Garrett clears his throat and I rush to answer before he can.
“She’s ill,” I say. “She’s really unwell, otherwise she’d absolutely be here. I’m sure you’ll meet her at our next meeting.”
“Hope so,” Jake says with a brief smile before he slides on his coat and gestures to his colleague. “Ready to go back to the office for our meeting from hell?”
