chapter 11
Dana got to the station at four and went straight into Jonny’s office.
“Jonny, tell me again about this Scully’s gig tonight and this whole Bahamas contest. I have no idea what the hell I’m doing.”
“Sure.” He glanced up, stunned at her words. Dana was always on top of everything. “Are you okay? You don’t look so good.”
“Thanks a lot,” she said, even though she knew it was true. She spent the night crying and her eyes showed it. They were red, swollen and puffy. She didn’t have the energy to put herself together this morning, so she just pulled her black hair back in a ponytail and dressed casually in faded jeans and a slate gray t-shirt. It echoed her mood.
“Seriously Dana, do you need to talk? I’ll listen.”
Jonny was ultimately a prick, but Dana had come up with him through the ranks. They'd known each other for years and he was like a brother to her. She really needed a friend.
“You got a couple minutes?”
“Shoot.”
“Sam left me.”
A flash of surprise came across Jonny’s face. “I thought this was it.”
“Well obviously I was wrong...again.” Dana sank into the chair across from Jonny.
“I guess now I can tell you I always thought he was a jerk.”
“What? I thought you liked him.”
“Nah, he was boring Dana.”
“I like boring.”
“That’s your problem, you think you like boring, but you don’t. He wasn’t the right guy for you. He didn’t get your lifestyle and he never would.”
Dana had never told Jonny about her secret desire to be married with kids. “I guess,” she said dejectedly. “It still hurts.”
“Sure it does. You were together...you were living together. Anytime someone leaves it’s lonely.” He looked at her with genuine concern. “I feel bad for you.”
“I don’t need your pity.”
“It’s not pity Dana, it’s sympathy. Take it.”
She smiled wanly. “Okay.” She looked down at her hands, a little embarrassed at her openness, then looked up. “Let’s talk business.”
“What do you want to know?”
“All I’ve been told about this appearance at Scully’s tonight is that it ties in with some Bahamas thing, but that’s all I know.”
“Yeah, sorry about the vague details, it all just came together. It’s a two-part promotion. The Paradise Island Resort and Casino is giving away a trip for two to their resort. It’s a huge promotion so we’re going to run with it through winter and spring. Tonight, at Scully’s, we kickoff the promotion and people can start registering to win the trip. Part two happens at the start of summer when you travel with the lucky winner to Nassau and broadcast live from the resort. You’ll say what a great time you’re having, yadda, yadda, yadda... basically it’ll be a nice vacation for you.”
“It’s work,” Dana cut in.
“Yeah, but work with cabana boys,” he smiled. “You’ll have a great time. I would have gone myself, but Jill can’t get away from work then and it’s hard for me to go without her.”
“Because she doesn’t trust you?”
“No...well, yeah.” Dana knew him too well. He continued on, not wanting to linger on his last statement. “It’ll be nice Dana. And things’ll get better.” Jonny walked around his desk and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Sam doesn’t know what he lost,” he said, “but trust me, you’re better off without him.”
Dana wished she could believe him. “Well, thanks for the pep talk,” she said, getting up. “I’m gonna go record the first part of my show before I get to Scully’s.”
“Good plan,” Jonny said.
“Who’s running the board while I’m at the remote?”
“Tony.”
“Cool, he knows what he’s doing.”
“Yeah, he’s a good kid.” Jonny looked directly at Dana. “Hang in there, okay?”
“Yeah, sure,” she said and left.
Jonny looked down at his cluttered desk and sat back down. Heather’s unlistened to tape caught his eye. He popped it in and heard her tentative voice come through the speakers. She didn’t sound horrible, but she needed some polish. And confidence. And maybe a few more years in the business.
“Jonny, you’re listening to me again!” Heather entered on cue, dressed in a red leather skirt and off the shoulder white t-shirt.
“Can’t get enough,” he lied.
“That’s nice to hear.” Heather slinked around his desk and sat down on it in front of Jonny, giving him a full view of her red thong underwear.
What was with this girl? What was with him?
Jonny cleared his throat. “Heather, you’re making it difficult for me to listen objectively.”
“Am I?” she whispered coyly.
“Uh, yeah, you are.” Jonny stood up while he still could. “I’ll be right back.” He headed for the bathroom to splash some cold water on his face. He didn’t see Heather trailing him. She slipped into the bathroom right behind him, closed and locked the door.
“Heather, what are you...”
Before he could get the sentence out she was on her knees. His pants fell to the floor. Heather did what she was best at and when she finished, asked Jonny the question that was on her mind from the moment she entered his office.
“So, are you going to put me on the air?”
Jonny, consumed with pleasure, responded.
“Yes.”