2 Years Later:

"Carlin, in my office…NOW!" I jump at the low rumble of my bosses voice, Rick Siegel the editor and chief of the Ohio Daily Press. Sighing, I push myself out of my uncomfortable chair and make my way toward the Chief’s office. I walk in seeing him sitting at his large desk with his head down reading some paper.

"You wanted to se-"

"Close the door." he says gruffly. After shutting the door he motions me to sit down. All this time my mind is racing, had I done something wrong? Did he not like my piece on using music to brainwash middle America?! He must’ve known I was worried because the next thing I know he winks at me and says, "Don’t look so tense Carlin you’re not getting fired."

Smiling I quietly say, "Yes sir." meeting his gaze.

"Alright, now that thats settled, I’ve got a job for you," I straighten up in the chair giving him my full attention. "Some big wig in the music industry is making a lot of hype about a new up and coming singer, supposedly she’s going to be huge, and I want you to interview her."

"Sounds promising, who is it?" I ask excitedly, getting out my notepad and pen ready to take notes.

"Um, Ashley something…" he said rifling through his papers trying to find the name, "Davis? No thats not it…"

"Davies?!" my breath leaves my lungs as I say her name, the pen slipping from my hand and falling to the floor.

"Thats it, Ashley Davies! You’ve heard of her?"

"Yeah…I’ve heard of her." my voice is raspy it’s been years since I’ve said her name let alone seen her. The air in the office grows muggy as I feel myself start to shake, "Chief I don’t think I’m going to be able to do this interview." my heart beats faster trying to find an excuse as to why I couldn’t do the interview, "I’m already working on a piece about the anniversary of Kurt Cobain’s death an-"

"I’m not sure if you heard me correctly. I’m not asking if you want the piece, I’m telling you. Now you can do your little Cobain article some other time this is more important."

"But what about George? I’m sure he would lov-"

"Dammit, Carlin! I didn’t assign George to this story, I assigned you!" he took a calm breath before continuing, "Now you’ve got two choices. One: you can quit arguing with me and do the interview, or Two: you can walk out of this office without a job. You decide…"Some choices, I thought to myself before mumbling a "I’ll do it".

"Good, good. You leave tomorrow for LA." he says, getting up to gaze out his large window.

"Tomorrow?!" I croak out, I couldn’t get my mind wrapped around the idea in less than twenty four hours!

"No, next year…of course tomorrow!"

I can’t say anything so I just nod, I pinch myself but I don’t wake up from this dream and I’m instead left with a newly formed red welt on my arm. The Chief turns toward me again and this time I meet his eyes with my own, "Listen, Carlin, I’ve arranged for you to tag along with this Davies character for a couple days. I want this to be a day in the life sort of thing, you got that?"

"Yes, sir." 

"Alright, here’s your ticket.  You leave tomorrow morning at 7:30 sharp.  I suggest you go home and pack." 

He handed me my ticket and I left his office walking toward my desk.  Sitting down  staring at my computer screen.  With a sigh I log out of my computer, after putting the ticket in my purse I got up and made my way to the elevator.  "Tomorrows going to be interesting."  I whispered to myself as the elevator doors opened and I walked inside the small compartment.