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As promised, the tour of the other floors is rather quick. We briefly visit the art department, the location department, the camera and lighting department, followed by the sound and post-production departments. The eleventh floor is home to the production department, which Amber is the most eager to show us.
“To your left are the executive producers’ offices,” she says, gesturing toward a row of private offices.
I put my phone on silent and follow behind Amber as she shows us around the building. I know I could simply block Michael, but I hate stooping that low.
“You’ve all been assigned to assist a creative executive until we decide on a hire, so one of these offices will be your new home for the next four months.”
I haven’t been assigned to anyone yet. But as I scan the other candidates' expressions, it seems as if they’re all in the loop.
I glance up at the office withCarter Cogswellwritten in black lettering on a gold plate. I’m still in utter disbelief that of all the jobs I could have applied to, Carter is the executive producer of the one I got hired at. Or that I happened to run into Carter Cogswell of all people that day.
Sure, the internship is only temporary—unless I actually land the job—but the pay is still too good for the work I’ll be doing, so I can’t complain. I’m not a believer in fate, but I do find big coincidences like this borderline creepy.
“Which executive are you assisting?” the college-aged girl with black hair and a flawless, heart-shaped face asks me.
She looks like a nice person but I’m committed to not getting close to anyone just yet. My natural friendliness has gotten me burned in the past. I have no intention of veering down that route ever again.
I shake my head. “I haven’t been assigned anyone. Have you?”
“Christine,” she says and points toward Christine’s name plaque. “I’m Veronica, by the way. What’s your name?”
“Amelia,” I say. “But you can call me Mia.”
Okay, I know I said I wouldn’t be getting close to anyone, but I always extend my nickname to everyone I meet. Amelia is far too formal for me.
I shake her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
We continue walking down the hallway until Amber leads us around the corner, toward the open floor plan offices where some of the writers and assistants work.
Another one of the interns turns to Veronica and me while Amber is having a one-on-one conversation with her co-worker. The intern is older than both of us, maybe in his mid-thirties. Short. Receding hairline. Black backpack paired over a denim jacket. Doesn’t seem too threatening.
“I wonder who got Carter Cogswell as their executive,” he says.Hopefully, not me. “He’s the boss. I heard he owns several other small media companies. He’s so rich. I bet this is just a passion project for him.”
I raise my brows. Should I be impressed that Carter is wealthy? Most people in positions like his have vast fortunes. Besides, the Cogswells used to be big in Hollywood.
Veronica smirks at this and crosses her arms over her chest. “A billionaire executive with multiple investments?” She scoffs sarcastically. “What’s new? I’d be more intrigued if you told me he rented a studio apartment in Greenwich.”
On second thought, I think I might like Veronica.
She turns to me. “Hey, aren’t you the candidate who graduated from NYU? I’m a fellow Violet.”
“Really?” I tuck a loose strand of my hair behind my ear, suddenly so aware of how long ago I must have graduated compared to Veronica. “I graduated years ago, though.”
She shoots me a wink. “Don’t be fooled by how recent my diploma is. I took two years off getting odd jobs, trying to decide what I wanted to do with my life.”
That’s definitely a good way to go about it. At least now she’s more certain of the choices she’s made.
“What’s your name?” I ask the guy standing next to us.
“Mason,” he says, and we both shake his hand.
“So, Mason,” Veronica starts. “I take it you made a career switch?”
He nods. “I studied computer programming in college, but I always dreamed of working in TV. It wasn’t until my mother got sick recently that I realized I only have one life. It’s time for me to start pursuing my dreams. By the way, I was moved by your speech the other day.”
Veronica nudges me gently. “Right? That was so cool.”
I huff. “Aw well, I wasn’t trying to be cool.”
