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“That’s why,” Payson continued, “I’ll always lead with the most eye-catching, sensational stories we have.”
For the next hour, the frenzy of phone calls Payson juggled increased tenfold. She restructured and rewrote the rundown twice over, and the number of times she was called into Jason’s office was more than Hannah could keep track of. By the time they entered the small dark room next to the studio that was filled with television monitors and switch boards, Hannah felt exhausted.
“Welcome to master control. This is where all the magic happens. From here, we can dictate everything that goes on air. Grab a headset. You can sit next to me and listen in.” Paysonpointed as she sat and began flipping switches on a control board. Hannah took the seat next to her, slipped on the headset, and listened as random voices notified Payson that they were in position.
“Okay. people,” a male voice said. “We’re live in a minute and thirty.”
Payson wrapped her hand around the mic on her headset. “Get ready for the wonders of live TV,” she whispered.
Hannah nodded as the wall of monitors came alive with an assortment of images and video, all waiting for their turn to be aired.
“And five, four, three, two…cue, Madison,” the same male voice said as an explosion of frantic pacing unfolded. The tank was a stunt that an elderly eccentric millionaire had pulled to propose to his twenty-something girlfriend. He’d rented it from a Hollywood prop house, shipped it out, and hoped driving it down the strip would get her attention. The tiger that had escaped was eventually found lounging in someone’s backyard, the tourist who’d decided to do laps in the lagoon did it on a dare from his bachelor buddies in town for a wedding, and on and on it went. The monitors switched back and forth between anchors, reporters, and videos at a dizzying pace. By the time Payson pitched to the national news package—riddled with killings, destruction, and overall unrest—she felt nauseated. What happened to all of the love she and her fellow archers had spent centuries delivering?
“Well,” Payson said as the credits rolled, and she removed her headset. “What’d ya think?”
“I think…” Hannah trailed off, her mind numb from trying to digest the bombardment of rapid-fire information. “I think I’m glad I work in the business that I do instead of this one.” Her days consisted of encouraging the expression of love between two souls and enjoying a way of life that was calm andpeaceful. She had seen enough from her travels with Piper to understand that they lived in an isolated bubble that was void of such unrest. It wasn’t in her face on a daily basis like it was for Payson, and she couldn’t imagine what that must be like. “Doesn’t any of this haunt you?”
“Yeah,” Payson said in a nonchalant tone as she motioned for Hannah to follow her. “It can be a bit daunting.”
Hannah fell in line as everyone shuffled out of the master control room and into the studio. “I would say, nice show, people, but yet again it wasn’t clean…” Jason trailed off as he stood at the anchor desk and read from a piece of paper. He called out those who missed their cues, the graphics that had been misspelled, and how each of them needed to “up their game.” He didn’t offer praise or thanks, just criticisms and complaints.
Hannah found his mannerisms rough and his appreciation for what everyone did nonexistent. She quickly concluded that if ever his name appeared in the night sky, she would be tempted to break the companion arrow because pairing anyone up with him would weigh heavy on her conscience.
“So,” Payson said as they returned to their cubicles. “You going to join us for drinks?”
“Of course.”
“Great.” Payson gathered her purse and led the way out to the parking lot. “We meet over at Gimbauld’s, the casino just up the street.” She pointed as she unlocked her car. “Meet us in the back lounge just past the keno room. You can’t miss it.”
Hannah nodded as she began walking out of the parking lot and up the road. The temperature was a little warm but pleasant. She took a moment to gaze at the stars, but unlike the sky that greeted her every night on the island, the stars here were hidden behind a layer of light pollution. How sad, she thought, to live a life without the brilliant display of the universe’s art twinklingoverhead. She thought about all the times she’d lain in the hammock on her front porch, swaying as she tried to read the night sky. She was not looking for the names of future lovers, like Danika was, but she sought the names of past ones. And wondered what their stories were and how each came together in love.
“What are you doing?” Payson’s voice snapped her back to reality.
“Heading to the casino.” She addressed Payson, who was leaning out of her open window. “Why, is something wrong?”
“Yes, you’re walking. Something that isn’t advisable around here at this hour. Where’s your car?”
“I don’t have a car,” Hannah said nonchalantly. “Besides, it’s a beautiful night, and it feels good to walk off all the sitting we did today.” In fact, she had never sat so much in all her life, and her muscles ached from nonmovement.
“Didn’t corporate provide you with a car?”
“No, I…uh, a friend made sure I got here.”
“Ah…well, hop on in and ride over with me.” Payson moved the papers and items off the front seat and tossed them in the back. “Sorry about the mess.”
“No worries,” Hannah said as she folded into the car seat.
“Okay, tell me the truth…what’d ya really think about the show?”
Hannah thought about her life. All she had to do was shoot an arrow into the heart of someone. She didn’t set it up, make the arrows, or in any way coordinate the encounter. She just showed up and did her thing. Granted, she was the best when it came to archery, but it was only one task. She was awestruck by Payson’s diverse talents. “I thought you were amazing. I don’t know how you juggle it all without faltering.”
“When I first started, there were four of us who divided the roles that now fall under my job description. Like everyone elseat the station, I’ve learned to do more with less and figure it out as I go along. I’m not really sure how corporate expects us to wear so many hats and be good at them all. It’s no wonder we make mistakes, and the burnout rate is so high.”
Again, Hannah just nodded. What could she possibly contribute to this conversation? The burnout Payson alluded to was foreign to her. It was no wonder her arrows seemed to be less effective in binding some souls in long-lasting love if ancient spells had to compete with this type of modern stress.
“And now the question I’ve been dying to ask all day,” Payson said, “is corporate’s experimental program of rotating temps really just a ruse to spy on us?”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
