Pop: Chapter 2a

     "Sorry.  I guess I've got a lot on my mind."  I click the app again just as we pass the station.  I really should have paid for the monthly pass.  Too late now.  

    "What's gotten into you this morning?  You're usually up on these things, even when you're working.  Is it your interview?  Something that big has to be weighing on you."  Cheri asks.

    "No.  I stopped prepping for that days ago.  Don't want to come off as wooden, you know?  As prepared with set answers.  I did to be at least a little spontaneous.  This is too important to make the wrong impression."

    "Would you like to talk about something else?  We still have one last station just as we enter downtown."

    "Go ahead.  I need to concentrate for a few more minutes."  Cheri knows that I usually don't like having a conversation most of our drives, but I do need a distraction from staying inside my head so much.

    "Okay.  How was the party this weekend?  I saw Sam drive by I as was driving in.  He must have had a great time finally graduating."

    She saw Sam drive by?  He said he was going to Mark's place.  It's in the other direction from her usual way in.  Maybe he was getting ready to pick up some more of his friends.  Although, I can't remember if any actually live down that way or not.

    "Actually, it wasn't that big of a deal.  Without the pool, most of the celebrating was kept indoors, and the manor is really just too big for the type of party we were throwing.  Many of the guests left after an hour or so.  I heard a few got drunk at their one of their parents' houses." I make a show of clicking the app as we press into Manhattan.  Not yet eight.  Great time.

    "What happened to the kids?  Did anyone get hurt or anything?"  Cheri continues on as we start to get into heavier traffic.

    "Fortunately no.  They never left the house, so no one was driving.  They were making a lot of noise, though, and the police got called in.  They were taken in, but I don't think any charges were filed."  The police came to see me just to confirm that I wasn't the one dishing out the alcohol.  I wasn't, but I'm positive that one of the parents tried to push some of the blame on me to protect their child.  Probably the Murphys, they always had a problem with me and Sam.  At least Sam wasn't that close with their daughter.  Obviously.

    The traffic keeps picking up.  It's a little heavy for a Tuesday, but it was just Memorial Day.  That would make today almost a Monday, business-wise.  Still, Cheri will keep me on schedule.

    We stop taking these last few blocks so that she can concentrate on the traffic flow.  I still don't see how she can makes the right moves to keep us steadily progressing to midtown.  By ten after, we're in front of the midtown building where my interview will take place.

    "Here we are, Mr. Burton.  When should I be back to pick you up?" she asks.

    I climb out of the back seat, making sure I have left nothing behind.

    "The interview is at 8:45, so I should be out about ten minutes or so after nine.  So, nine fifteen at the latest."

    "I hope so.  I'm on JFK airport duty at ten, so you might have to get another driver.  Good luck, Chris." she replies, waving at me as she starts to pull out into traffic.  I swear she winks at me, just before she starts to go.  Not like her at all.

    I walk quickly through the doors to the reception desk to sign.  Just as I finish, a short, balding man in a navy suit rushes towards me from a side door.

    "Chris!  I knew you would be here a little early.  I was just about to call you, but I thought it would be better if I checked down here first."

    "What's up Thad?  Has something bad happened?"  If something really bad had happened, Thad would have called immediately, no matter what.

    "Maybe.  There was a cancellation, so they are moving your interview up to the 8:30 spot.  You should have enough time to finish getting ready before you go on," Thad breathlessly responds. He must be worried if he ran that fast to catch me.  Or at least excited.  Well, that's another work opportunity I'll be missing out on.  Should have tried working in the ride over.

    "Well, I better get back there to get ready.  It's not everyday that one has their first nationwide television interview. Lead the way."      

    Thad leads the way to the makeup room.  I hope I'm ready for this.