Page 15 of Hockey 101

He takes advantage of my stunned silence to end the initial meeting and welcome in the new recruits, who have been waiting outside.

I slide into the seat next to Travis. Did you know about this?

He nods. I thought you guys had discussed it, ’cause Bryce said you were all good. At first, I was kinda nervous, because the only editorial I’ve ever written was that one about Title IX sports last year. But he says he’s going to help me with topics. And it’ll be better for my résumé, right?

Travis’s one editorial was briefly famous for the number of factual errors he included in it. And this is the guy Bryce wants to put in charge of the opinions desk? Then I get back to my main concern. What about the fact that I know nothing about sports?

Oh, c’mon, Andy. You’re from Minnesota, right? You must know something about hockey. He lowers his voice. I’ll let you in on a secret. The only sport anyone cares about is men’s hockey. Cross country, women’s hockey, whatever, they submit their own summaries and we run those. Nobody but those guys read that stuff anyway.

So, you use reporters for the games? I ask.

Well, most of the previous sports editors covered hockey personally. It’s kind of a perk to get to go to the games, he says. I frown as he continues. If you really don’t want to do it, your deputy editor can go. It’s Joey Vincent. I nod distractedly as Travis stands to leave.

Editors are usually seniors, and deputy editors are juniors who learn the ropes to take over the job the next year. That’s why switching an editor’s position in September is so unusual and, frankly, stupid—they need time to train for the position.

Once everyone has left, I confront Bryce. I lean over his desk and demand, Why would you make me the sports editor?

He leans back in his chair, crosses his unseasonably tweedy arms, and looks up at the ceiling. He pauses for so long that I begin to wonder if the latest Jonathan Franzen opus is printed up there.

Finally, Bryce sits forward and looks at me. I think it will be a good challenge for you. You’ve been doing editing and general reporting for so long, you could do the work in your sleep. This will give you a chance to push your boundaries.

His spiel sounds too rehearsed, like he’s setting a trap for me to step into. So, I take a moment to ensure I sound calm and reasonable, instead of like someone who’s ready to strangle him.

Thank you for your consideration. But if I wanted a change, I would have lobbied for it last year. Instead of going for the position I did want, you enormous jerk.

Bryce continues as if I haven’t even spoken. Besides, this is an innovation. Did you know you’ll be the first female sports editor in the history of the Messenger?

What an honour. I can’t contain my sarcasm. Seriously, Bryce. You know I don’t know anything about sports. What about the quality of the stories?

I seem to remember you disparaging that entire branch of reporting. Didn’t you once say, ‘Sports journalism is an oxymoron?’ A quality editor like you will be able to rectify that. He smiles like he’s saved the best news for last. Sports pieces are the most popular articles on our site. You’ll be getting in front of a whole new audience.

Then, he goes in for the kill. All you have to do is line up reporters to write the stories. We have a crop of new reporters who would love to get the experience. Then, you polish them with your magic touch.

My magic touch used to be a strategically inserted finger while going down on him, but that’s not what he means. But how can I edit topics I know nothing about?

When our eyes meet, I realize that Bryce is aware of all this. He’s very smart, and more vengeful than I expected. He’s set me up to fail at something I’m completely unqualified for.

I send up one last rescue flare. Are you sure this is what you want for your year as EIC? What if you get complaints about the sports reporting?

Well, if you can’t do the job, we’ll have to get someone who can. He can’t stop himself from smiling broadly at that notion.

I return his smirk. Fine. Get ready for some excellence in sportsball reporting.

You do know that ‘sportsball’ isn’t actually a term, right?

Puck off, Bryce. Which is doubly good, since he hates puns.

I make my way down the hall in a bit of a daze, so it takes me a moment to realize that someone is calling my name.

Yes? I turn around to see Joey Vincent, my new deputy editor. I’ve barely spoken to him, but he’s large and hairy, and I suspect he’s a bro.

Oh, Joey. Perfect. You’re just the person I wanted to see.

He scowls down at me. Yeah, ditto. So, word is that you know fuck-all about sports.

Um, yes. But my writing and editing skills are very strong. A thousand-fold stronger than Travis’s, I think bitterly, but I’m not going to start out bragging.

So, how are you going to teach me anything about being a sports editor? he asks dismissively.

---