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As I continued on my way, she hollered after me. “Hey, I told you, go to the back of the line. No cutting.”
At that, I drew a number of angry stares from other characters waiting in line. To dissipate the attention, I turned away, walked a block in another direction, then continued toward my destination.
The side entrance appeared to be the head of the snaking line, so I avoided the area. No need to attract attention. Security waited at the front of the building, on higher than typical alert by the look of things, likely due to the wild crowd auditioning for “Stardom.”
Since this was my first visit, and I’d successfully kept my existence quiet from the tabloids, the chances of someone recognizing me were slim. Still, if anything about me was particularly recognizable, it was my mismatched eyes. So, as I approached the receiving dock, I mussed up my hair so it hung down over my face and covered my right eye.
I waited for the security guard to stroll pass, then I slipped up through the open dock door.
Pre-built set pieces and massive wooden crates crowded the space. I squeezed between a sixties-inspired green toilet and a panoramic backdrop of a space jungle, and headed toward a propped-open door that led deeper into the building.
Voices carried through the air, growing louder with two matching pairs of footsteps headed in my direction. It was for the best not to be seen so close to an entrance point, or risk someone asking questions. I hid behind the toilet.
“Well yeah, ratings are tanking. What did they think would happen?There’s No Place Like Gnomeis a gimmick. You can’t make that into an entire show.”
“People like garden gnomes.”
From behind the green tank, I spotted two men in long sleeved t-shirts, jeans, and work gloves. They paused by one of the smaller boxes across the room.
I ducked down lower, so there was no chance for them to see me. TNPLG—that was the code for the show that they were talking about. I’d seen it in the paperwork, but I had not seen any indication of lowering watch hours.
“How many people like those creepy little ceramic goblins? Like ten? The only reason anyone other than that handful of wackadoos started watching was morbid fascination. That’s enough motivation for the masses to watch one episode. Maybe two.”
“I thought it was cute. Did you see the one where they turned them into little knights and carved that hedge into a dragon for them to fight?”
“No. I didn’t. I can’t believeyou’reactually wasting your time on that garbage.”
“I like gnomes.”
“Of course you do, Tommy. Of course you do.”
While possible, it was unlikely workmen would have an inside scoop on show performance. This information was based on rumors at best.
The pair lifted a smaller box together and carted it back through the door I intended to enter.
“I know it’s a moonshot, but I hope it gets another season,” Tommy said.
“You’re dead to me. Never speak to me again.”
Their footsteps faded. Once I could no longer hear the pair, I brushed myself off and headed toward the open door, then inside and down the hall. My Oxfords clacked against the tile, the sound reverberating with the acoustics of the tall ceilings. Framed commercial posters of shows from my father’s era lined the walls, testament to his victories. The eyes of the stars seemed to follow me, the weight of their gaze judging what kind of leader I would be, how I would measure up to my father who was no longer here to judge me himself.
I reached an elevator and pressed the up arrow.
The best place to start would be with the employees who knew the higher level’s dirty laundry, but weren’t paid enough to keep their mouths shut.
The doors opened. I stepped inside, turned around, and debated which floor to try first. Mid-level employees likely worked on the middle floors, so I took a stab at it and picked seventeen.
Espionage was easier than the media made it appear.
“Freeze,you poor excuse for a soggy sock.” A bald man in a cheap suit slid out in front of me, his pointer finger wagging in my direction.
I glanced around to see who he was addressing, because certainly this man wasn’t speaking to me. Yet no one else was here.
What an interesting turn of events.
“You stay right where you are and hold that door or I will use your face as a mop,” he said.
I flashed him a grin and pressed the door close button. His jowls took on a rosy glow as he briskly stalked toward me.
