AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“There are none left.”
His eyes dart behind me to the Panasonic camera sitting atop its case, making me look like a lying liar. But that’s mine. The one I rented, at least. It’s surrounded by my microphones and battery packs, which I also rented.
He points. “I see one right there.”
“It’s checked out.”
“Doesn’t look like it.”
“To me.”
“Check out a Sony or something. I want the Panasonic.”
I slide my chair a little to the right, blocking his view of the camera. “It’s checked out. If you wanted a Panasonic, you should have gotten here before we ran out.Youcan use a Sony.”
We stare at each other for several seconds that could span an eternity.
He scrunches up his face. “Are you even allowed to check out equipment?”
“Yes.” I cross my arms on the desk, daring him to call me out.
“I need this for a project. And I’m an actual student. I take precedence.”
“I’m sure your professor would say the same thing as me. If you needed a specific camera, you should have gotten here—”
“Fine, I’ll take it.”
I smile at him before selecting the Sony in the computer. “Go ahead and run your ID through the card reader.”
“What do you even need the camera for?” he mumbles, putting his ID back in his wallet.
“I’m filming a documentary.” It’s been a long time since I was embarrassed to explain why I’m always filming things. Now I have an actual reason, one that’s a little sounder than: video is more reliable than memory. “I’m applying for the pilot program at Temple.”
I hand over his receipt with the camera information and the return deadline. He nods toward the camera cabinet as if he has some authority over me and I unlock it, fishing out themost banged-up-looking Sony I can find. If I didn’t know he checked his equipment before taking it—like anyone with half a brain should or else risk paying a damage fee for something they didn’t do—I’d give him the one that a group of journalism students broke last weekend when they took it to University Park for a football game.
I slide the camera and its case across the desk. “Have a great day.”
“What’s it about?” he asks, leaning on his elbows, settling in.
“What?”
“Your documentary.” He pauses for such a short amount of time that I’ve barely processed his words. “Right now, I’m working on a contemporary retelling ofThePhantom of the Opera.”
“I know it’s a waste of my energy to hope it’s less creepy than the original sinceyou’rethe one making it, but—” I cross my fingers. Then I start messing with my open Probability and Statistics textbook on the desk, giving him an opportunity to just go away, but he doesn’t take the hint. Not sure he even sees me offering it. My homework will have to wait.
“Come on. What is it,A Day in the Life of Someone Boring?”
“No,” I say, deflating, “I didn’t think you’d agree to let me film you.”
He narrows his eyes. “You’re being protective of your idea. Maybe it’s actually good.” He rushes through the rest of his words. “Or maybe it’s terrible and you’re embarrassed. Either way, good luck. You’ll need it. I heard there are only, like, twenty spots in that program.”
I know he’s trying to rile me up, but I can’t let him have the last word, even when it’s to his favor. “Fifteen, actually.” Even tougher to get into. Anxiety clenches my gut.
“Have you heard of Vice and Virtual?” I ask.
“No, is that like an online gambling thing?”
“No, it’s a virtual reality company that was founded in my hometown. It’s, like, hot up-and-coming shit.”
