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As I lay in bed Sunday night, mentally going through the week ahead, my phone lit up.
Unknown: Josie, this is Adam. I’ve just been given word from Ben Archer’s manager that there’s a secret gig happening tonight at Hell Fire, East Village @ 11pm. You’ll need to cover this. The ticket is waiting for you at the venue. I want your review on Marlene’s desk by 9am tomorrow to make the next edition.
My jaw clenched tight as I glared down my phone. Is he fucking kidding me?!
I wrote a nasty message back, but hesitated over the send button. Instead, I grudgingly typed the singer’s familiar name into the search engine to see who he was. It seemed my week of sleep deprivation would be starting a little earlier than expected.
To my surprise, he was originally from Australia and already had a huge following in the United States. He could easily fill a stadium, so this show must’ve been super exclusive. My heart picked up when I read a description of his music. Hard rock with bluesy undertones. It was much easier to write about music I actually found enjoyment in, so I flicked back to the text message that would surely get me fired, and pressed delete.
Gazing down at the pyjamas that hadn’t left my body in two days, I groaned. I rolled out of bed and into the shower, before rummaging through my closet to find an outfit that would help me blend into the crowd. Thankfully, I still had my mum’s old leather pants. They remained in mint condition and I loved them, but there was rarely an event that warranted such an item.
With a cheesy grin, I pulled them out and rolled them up my legs. The black leather was tight and super flattering, making my legs appear much longer than they really were. Digging out my Black Sabbath t-shirt and some ankle boots, I was genuinely impressed when I reviewed myself in the mirror. After applying more makeup than usual, I released my hair from its twisted bun and the multi-coloured strands fell over my shoulders, peeking out from under the auburn waves. The hint of colour was the only accessory I needed.
Scooping up my handbag and camera, I blew Luci a kiss and flew out the door to get to the gig on time.
* * *
On a high, after an amazing show, I was desperate to write my article. With no laptop at home and a deadline of 9am, my only option was a few blocks away.
The streets were eerily quiet, and every noise made me skittish. Picking up my pace, I quickly reached the entrance to Maude and hurriedly swiped my pass. I punched in the security code, and to my relief, the door unlocked. Not all employees had 24hr access to the building, but I’d worked so many all-nighters for Marlene, she found it easier to give it to me, than constantly let me in and out at all hours.
The Maude offices ran along the top of five existing street level shops, in an old corner building that radiated character with its unique patterned brickwork. The two floors above housed the bare necessities our little publication needed to survive, and for me, it was a second home. I took the stairwell to my level, not wanting to risk the elevator at night, and flicked the switch that lit up the entire floor. My first stop was the lunchroom, where I made myself an extra-large cup of coffee before heading to my office.
Half an hour later, I was in the zone, completely entranced, when movement startled me from my office doorway. I knocked over my coffee cup as I lunged at my purse for the mace.
“Josie!” Grayson cried. “What are you doing here?!”
My eyes almost burst out of their sockets. “What are you doing here?! You frightened the absolute shit out of me!” I yelled back as my heart returned to a healthier pace.
“You set off the silent alarm.”
I lifted my eyebrows. “Oh. I didn’t know there was one.”
“I just had it installed, but we’ve had some false alarms and it’s costing a shitload to keep sending security out. Luckily for you, I decided to check this one out myself.”
I winced. “I’m sorry, I just needed to finish this…” My voice trailed off as I glanced down at my laptop, which was now covered in coffee. “Shit,” I murmured, grabbing the box of tissues from my desk and piling them over the keyboard.
Grayson exhaled and placed his hands on his hips. “Seriously, what couldn’t wait?”
“Your brother apparently,” I spat, sitting back down and tapping the keyboard, hoping like hell it still worked.
He let out a low growl. “I told him you needed a break, and this is what he does.”
I was too focused on my computer to comprehend what he was saying. “Nooo…no, no, no!” I cried as I tapped the keys even harder.
Grayson ambled around my desk and grimaced. “Did you save it?”
“No, I didn’t save it!” I tried to hold in my emotion, but it was no use. I burst into tears and dropped my face into my hands to muffle the uncontrollable sobs.
“Whoa, Josie.” Grayson’s voice softened. His warm hand slipped over my shoulder, but I shrugged it away.
“This is your fault!” I snarled.
“Just calm down.”
“Calm down? This article is due in six hours. At some point, I was hoping to get some sleep tonight! And I really need some fucking sleep.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll speak to Adam.”
