Page 11 of Tiki Hut Tragedy
“I don’t know.” Millie tossed her dinner napkin on the table, a look of aggravation on her face. “But I intend to find out.”
Chapter 5
Taking a shortcut through the center of the ship, Millie passed by Guest Services. She slowed when she noticed an unusually long line. It snaked past the columns, almost reaching the stairs on the opposite side.
She caught the eye of Nikki, her friend who was also the supervisor, a look of anxiety mingled with frustration on her face as she spoke with a passenger.
Changing directions, Millie crept alongside the counter to eavesdrop.
“…a migraine headache. I’m not sure who is in charge of the entertainment and music, but they need to be fired,” the man said in a loud voice.
Squaring her shoulders, Millie approached the counter. “Is there something I can help you with?” She introduced herself.
The man swung around. “Turn that horrible, screeching song off.” He jabbed his finger toward the speakers. “Not only does the singer not know how to sing, but he’s giving all of us a headache.”
Millie apologized, explaining she was on her way to the sound booth to find out why the song was looping, playing over and over. “I am so sorry. I don’t know if there’s a glitch in the music track, but I intend to find out. It should end shortly.”
“And not a moment too soon,” the woman behind him snapped.
After issuing another apology, Millie picked up the pace, making a quick trip to the sound booth. She knocked on the door. No one answered. She called Cameron, the sound tech supervisor’s name. Still no answer.
Using her keycard, she let herself into the small studio. “Cameron? Are you in here?”
The lights were on, but no one was around.
I’m suuuuperrrr heeeeerowwwww strong.
Millie covered her ears, struggling to concentrate while the singer screeched loudly. “How do I turn this thing off?”
Cat, the manager of Ocean Treasure’s gift shop, who was also Millie’s friend, appeared in the doorway. “Hey, Millie.”
“Hey, Cat.” Millie grimaced at the next chorus, even louder and more off-key than the previous one, if that was possible.
“Is Cameron around?”
“No.” Millie leaned in, studying the large black panel of blinking buttons. “I’m trying to figure out how to get this song to stop playing.”
“It’s horrible.” Cat wrinkled her nose. “This has to be the worst song ever recorded.”
“Let me try tracking Cameron down.” Millie unclipped her radio. “Cameron, do you copy?”
No reply.
“Crud. He’s not answering. I could wing it and start pushing buttons until the song stops.”
Cat squeezed in next to her. “Go for it. What’s the worst that could happen?”
“We’re about to find out.” Millie noticed a button labeled “ST.” Thinking this might be an abbreviation for “Stop,” she flicked the button.
The annoying song continued.
“That wasn’t it.” She tried another button. The song played on.
“I wonder if this one will do the trick.” Cat flipped the switch. The studio went pitch black. “Uh-oh.”
“Great,” Millie groaned. “I can’t see a thing.”
“Sorry.”
