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Stephanie was behind in the edit room on a story about one-hundred-and-two year old Alma Mae, the oldest woman alive in Sweet Falls. It was a sentimental piece and went just as most people expected. There was a cake, a short interview, and the answer to longevity. Alma said it was due to avoiding men and smoking cigars—plus eating a lot of white potatoes. Stephanie didn’t put much stock in stories such as hers.
It was luck. Or genetics.
But a few months ago, Stephanie would’ve agreed with the lack of men. Now, her life was lifted up by Bret and whatever it was they were building together. Stephanie didn’t know if it would stand the test of time but she wanted to give it a shot. She wanted to go all in. Which was why if Bret asked her to go to the rehab clinic with him, she would.
But he seemed resolute in is decision not to do that to her. Stephanie assumed it was because of his experience with Jaime. It was still so raw for him, but she wanted to express her desire. She just needed a little more time.
Stephanie leaned forward and hit a button to copy the segment over to her SD card when there was a light knock on the door. “Come in,” Stephanie said, wheeling backward on her stool. When she saw Gary with his red cheeks and big eyes, she worried. The worry grew when she noticed the camera he was holding in his hand.
The camera Vivi had dropped off to Stephanie a few days ago.
“You said a few days ago the data was corrupted. You lied! You lied to me! I’ve accepted a lot from you over the years, but this... this I cannot forgive.”
“Gary, let me explain.” Stephanie rose up from her seat but Gary was having none of it. He shook his head and shoved the camera into her hand.
“You edit the piece and you have it to me by tomorrow morning or you’re fired. You’re fired and I’ll do it for you.”
Stephanie couldn’t do that. She couldn’t betray Bret and she couldn’t let Gary do it, either. “Wait, can we talk about this? What if—”
“No,” Gary said pointedly and waved his finger in her face. “No more talking.”
“Gary, please. I can get you a one of a kind piece. And use some of this footage. But this isn’t the real story.”
His eyes narrowed. “No, huh? You want to tell me what the story is then? Pray tell, what do you think the real story is?”
“The real story...” Stephanie searched for an answer. “Is what makes the Wilderness Billionaire tick. Why he does what he does. What broke him that sent him into the woods in the first place. And his struggle with this now as he heads into rehab.”
Gary was quiet, rubbing his chin and his eyes ticking back and forth. “You think you can do that? Get him to talk about this stuff on camera with you?”
Stephanie didn’t know but she thought it might be worth a shot. “I can. I just have to set something up.”
“The deadline is the same. No exceptions.”
Exasperated, Stephanie sighed. “Gary...”
“No, don’t Gary me. You made this mess, now you fix it!” Gary slammed the door on his way out and Stephanie knew she was out of chances. Her job and Bret’s story were on the line.