Page 15 of Wrong Car, Wright Guy
“A hell of a lot higher than they normally are on this shift, seems a lot of your fanbase made the switch with you.”
Grinning, I clap him on the arm. “That’s what we want. How about the switchboard?”
“There was a spike during your argument with Miss Casey, then it dropped by about twenty percent and remained steady. We always had more callers than we had air time though.”
“Good, good. Where’s Gerry? Did he see those numbers?”
“Gerry?” He frowns.
“Gerald Brooks—the station boss. Does nobody call him Gerry but me?” I look around the room at a group of heads shaking in the negative.
“We wouldn’t dare,” Terry says with a gulp, his aging cheeks quivering with his movement.
“What do you call him?”
He shrugs. “Sir; Mr. Brooks.”
Fuck, this place is uptight. I’m uptight, but this place…it’sreallyuptight.
“He likes being called Gerry,” I say, trying not to smirk. “In fact, Iinsistyou all call him Gerry.”
“Ah. OK.”
“And can you get these numbers to him? He’ll want to know right away.”
“Oh, uh, he left for a…a meeting. But I’ll put them on his desk.”
“Just email them to him.”
“Oh, no. We don’t do that. Mr. Brooks likes paper.”
Sheesh.“OK. Then give him paper.” I reach out and give his arm a gentle pat, trying to encourage the guy. He nods but still seems petrified of me, or maybe of Gerry. I’m not sure who yet. “Listen, I’ve gotta run. I have a hot date with a redhead so I’ll be off the grid for a few hours. Great work today, people. I’ll see you all tomorrow.”
When I turn around, Ruby is standing there waiting for me, tea in hand and a pack of honey lozenges she must have rescued in the other. On her face, a scowl.
She hands me the tea, and I admit to being ready to dodge if it’s suddenly launched at me.
“Did you put lemon in it?” I ask, relieved when it’s safe in my grip.
“I did. Why do they get a thank you and I get nothing but instructions?” She cocks her head to the side, blocking my exit.
“Is the car here?” I’m choosing to ignore her question. This conversation needs more time than I have available. “I’m already late.”
She doesn’t move. “In my opinion, I made your show better—gave it substance, diversity. And I don’t get as much as a nod of gratitude? Do you dislike women in general, Mr. Wright? Or is it just me you have a problem with?”
“While this has been a very interesting first day for us both, I don’t have time to bolster your ego, Ruby. You seem to be forgetting that on this show, our personal opinions don’t matter. Is the car here or not?” I glance at my watch, I truly don’t have time for this argument, despite the fact she looks adorable with her chin jutting up in the air like that.
“It’s here.” She moves to the side and I step out into the hall.
“Have you finished your work, Ruby?”
She holds her hands out to the side. “There are hundreds of letters in that folder.”
“That’s a no?”
Her voice pitches. “Of course it’s a no!”
“Then what’s there to thank?”
