Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019
Midday
Jay's Residence
Almost a month had passed since the dinner with Uncle Ray and not a lot had changed in Jay's life. Meg was mysteriously absent. At first, she was not home and wasn't answering her phone, but as the days turned into weeks and Jay did more digging, he learned she was out of town for an unspecified period of time and the reasons were unclear. The cryptic response from her parents and friends ranged from "she needed to find herself" to "she's in a program to help her get her life together" implying some sort of psychiatric intervention or rehab program, but as far as Jay knew, Meg didn't have a drinking or drug problem.
He continued working at his job for the next several weeks while the mystery project came together. To Jay's surprise, Uncle Ray had already talked to them about an out-of-state contract opportunity working directly for him as a consultant on a top-secret project when he showed up to work the following Monday. Sure enough, a non-disclosure agreement had shown up via certified courier bright and early the next morning. Uncle Ray had included instructions to fill the forms out and take them to a notary public. He even included some money to cover the fees, which were not much.
Little was said by Jay's brothers and dad other than they wished him luck on this new opportunity and hoped it worked out for him. Finally, as September approached, Jay was told to expect things to get started soon and he was not to report to work with his dad's company beginning in September. He got a call that someone from the new show was going to meet with him about lunchtime the first Tuesday of the month, but not much of an explanation was provided on exactly what was to be discussed and who the person or persons were.
It was just after 12 PM when Jay heard a knock at the door. When he opened the door, he found a young black man with a light beard carrying a sports bag. He was wearing an LA Lakers jacket and matching ball cap. Under the jacket was what looked to be a superhero t-shirt of some sort and a pair of tattered green Chuck Taylor high tops with purple laces that were both untied. He looked up from a note he was carrying in his hand as the door opened.
"Jordan McBride? Jay? I'm Marcus Little, you can call me Marc, though," the man began somewhat awkwardly. "I'm your cameraman. I'm gonna be documenting your adventure. Uh, you mind if I come in? I gotta shoot your bio..."
Midday
Jay's Residence
Almost a month had passed since the dinner with Uncle Ray and not a lot had changed in Jay's life. Meg was mysteriously absent. At first, she was not home and wasn't answering her phone, but as the days turned into weeks and Jay did more digging, he learned she was out of town for an unspecified period of time and the reasons were unclear. The cryptic response from her parents and friends ranged from "she needed to find herself" to "she's in a program to help her get her life together" implying some sort of psychiatric intervention or rehab program, but as far as Jay knew, Meg didn't have a drinking or drug problem.
He continued working at his job for the next several weeks while the mystery project came together. To Jay's surprise, Uncle Ray had already talked to them about an out-of-state contract opportunity working directly for him as a consultant on a top-secret project when he showed up to work the following Monday. Sure enough, a non-disclosure agreement had shown up via certified courier bright and early the next morning. Uncle Ray had included instructions to fill the forms out and take them to a notary public. He even included some money to cover the fees, which were not much.
Little was said by Jay's brothers and dad other than they wished him luck on this new opportunity and hoped it worked out for him. Finally, as September approached, Jay was told to expect things to get started soon and he was not to report to work with his dad's company beginning in September. He got a call that someone from the new show was going to meet with him about lunchtime the first Tuesday of the month, but not much of an explanation was provided on exactly what was to be discussed and who the person or persons were.
It was just after 12 PM when Jay heard a knock at the door. When he opened the door, he found a young black man with a light beard carrying a sports bag. He was wearing an LA Lakers jacket and matching ball cap. Under the jacket was what looked to be a superhero t-shirt of some sort and a pair of tattered green Chuck Taylor high tops with purple laces that were both untied. He looked up from a note he was carrying in his hand as the door opened.
"Jordan McBride? Jay? I'm Marcus Little, you can call me Marc, though," the man began somewhat awkwardly. "I'm your cameraman. I'm gonna be documenting your adventure. Uh, you mind if I come in? I gotta shoot your bio..."
A little taken aback, Jay nonetheless moved out of his way and gestured for the man to come in. "You want something to drink?" he asked. He was always a friendly person, and if this guy Marcus was going to be his cameraman then it would be better if they were friends. The thought of having a cameraman was a little surreal. The fact this whole thing was now moving out of the realm of theoretical to actual was a little surreal as well.
He better start getting use to it. It's what he signed up for...
"So, what happens now?" he asked. "Does this have to be... like... a hundred percent authentic staring this sec? Or can I go and change?" he had on a t-shirt, sweatpants and now shoes. When he rubbed is chin he was reminded that it had about three days worth of stubble on it. He'd rather make a better, more pulled together impression on TV, if he could.
He better start getting use to it. It's what he signed up for...
"So, what happens now?" he asked. "Does this have to be... like... a hundred percent authentic staring this sec? Or can I go and change?" he had on a t-shirt, sweatpants and now shoes. When he rubbed is chin he was reminded that it had about three days worth of stubble on it. He'd rather make a better, more pulled together impression on TV, if he could.
"You want something to drink?" he asked.
"Oh yeah, that would uh, be great," Marc replied.
"So, what happens now?" he asked. "Does this have to be... like... a hundred percent authentic staring this sec? Or can I go and change?"
"Huh, oh you can change," Marc laughed. "It's all good, bro. We're kinda starting, but ninjas aren't going to go crashing through the front windows or anything. This part we can do a few takes. We aren't broadcasting in real-time or anything. I need to get some stuff out of my car anyway."
"Oh yeah, that would uh, be great," Marc replied.
"So, what happens now?" he asked. "Does this have to be... like... a hundred percent authentic staring this sec? Or can I go and change?"
"Huh, oh you can change," Marc laughed. "It's all good, bro. We're kinda starting, but ninjas aren't going to go crashing through the front windows or anything. This part we can do a few takes. We aren't broadcasting in real-time or anything. I need to get some stuff out of my car anyway."
"Beer? Coffee?" Jay asked, heading for the kitchen. He found the other man words reassuring. Just knowing there could be more than one take if he messes up helped him relax considerably.
"Have you met any of the other contestants?" he asked curiously as he gave the other man his beverage. "You probably can't tell me anything about them, right?" He'd already given some though of adopting a persona for the game and rejected it. He was too genuine a person to be able to fake things for any length of time.
"I'll change, make yourself at home" he said. He came back out a few minutes later, with a more snugly fitting t-shirt that had a Metallica logo on it and a pair of jeans. He'd brushed his hair too, and for not reason he could explain to himself - his teeth.
"Have you met any of the other contestants?" he asked curiously as he gave the other man his beverage. "You probably can't tell me anything about them, right?" He'd already given some though of adopting a persona for the game and rejected it. He was too genuine a person to be able to fake things for any length of time.
"I'll change, make yourself at home" he said. He came back out a few minutes later, with a more snugly fitting t-shirt that had a Metallica logo on it and a pair of jeans. He'd brushed his hair too, and for not reason he could explain to himself - his teeth.
"Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... beer... I guess," Marc replied.
"Have you met any of the other contestants?" he asked curiously as he gave the other man his beverage. "You probably can't tell me anything about them, right?" He'd already given some though of adopting a persona for the game and rejected it. He was too genuine a person to be able to fake things for any length of time.
"Nope and nope," Marc confirmed.
"I'll change, make yourself at home" he said. He came back out a few minutes later, with a more snugly fitting t-shirt that had a Metallica logo on it and a pair of jeans. He'd brushed his hair too, and for not reason he could explain to himself - his teeth.
"I gotta grab some stuff," Marc replied and slammed the front door behind him as Jay went to change. Jay heard the door open and slam a few more times while he got dressed. When Jay emerged again. There were some lights on stands with what looked like umbrellas behind them. Marc was fiddling with them.
"Have you met any of the other contestants?" he asked curiously as he gave the other man his beverage. "You probably can't tell me anything about them, right?" He'd already given some though of adopting a persona for the game and rejected it. He was too genuine a person to be able to fake things for any length of time.
"Nope and nope," Marc confirmed.
"I'll change, make yourself at home" he said. He came back out a few minutes later, with a more snugly fitting t-shirt that had a Metallica logo on it and a pair of jeans. He'd brushed his hair too, and for not reason he could explain to himself - his teeth.
"I gotta grab some stuff," Marc replied and slammed the front door behind him as Jay went to change. Jay heard the door open and slam a few more times while he got dressed. When Jay emerged again. There were some lights on stands with what looked like umbrellas behind them. Marc was fiddling with them.
This was the real deal. Jay was starting to feel that nervous tightness like he would before big games. And just like before those games, he knew how to calm himself down. It's not about you, it's about the game. You do what you know. You've trained for this...
Only, it didn't really apply here, did it?
Damn, he thought as he looked at the equipment. I hope I don't screw this up.
"Where do you want me?"
Only, it didn't really apply here, did it?
Damn, he thought as he looked at the equipment. I hope I don't screw this up.
"Where do you want me?"
"On the couch will work," Marc replied not turning to look at Jay. He was busy fiddling with the barn doors on one of the lights. "Just hang out there, I'm gonna need to adjust these so we don't get any shadows. After that's good, then I'll have to balance the light contrast on the camera. So, uh... you ready for this?"
"Well... no" Jay said honestly as he headed toward the couch. He plopped on it and tried to make himself comfortable. He as suddenly very conscious of every little thing about himself. Was sitting down giving him a pouch? Was one arm bigger than the other? Did he shave properly? "Is anyone ever ready for this?" his heart lurched suddenly, as he thought of Meg. She'd be ready. That's what she always wanted. Fame, recognition. She'd know how to sit, too, he was sure.
"Eh, it is what it is man. I can't really give too much advice because I've never been where you been and two, I can't really say too much. I only have limited information. As for being on camera," Marc paused and turned to look towards Jay for the first time in the conversation. "Just be natural and you know, conversational. Just make eye contact with the camera the way you would a person."
Marc fiddled with the lighting for a few more minutes. Then he got what looked to be a plan square of white cardboard. "I'm gonna have to hold this right in front of your face to adjust the white balance on the camera. Just ignore me," he explained. Marc held it a few inches from Jay's nose for about a minute. "Okay, we good."
Marc gave Jay a thumbs up. "So I'm gonna let the camera role and we're just gonna talk. This will all be edited later. I just need you to get comfortable talking to the camera. I want you to ignore it. I'm going to stand just behind it, so forget it is there and talk to me. Cool?"
Marc fiddled with the lighting for a few more minutes. Then he got what looked to be a plan square of white cardboard. "I'm gonna have to hold this right in front of your face to adjust the white balance on the camera. Just ignore me," he explained. Marc held it a few inches from Jay's nose for about a minute. "Okay, we good."
Marc gave Jay a thumbs up. "So I'm gonna let the camera role and we're just gonna talk. This will all be edited later. I just need you to get comfortable talking to the camera. I want you to ignore it. I'm going to stand just behind it, so forget it is there and talk to me. Cool?"
"Ok, I can do that" Jay nodded. He looked at Marcus, then the camera, then Marcus again. Yep, he understood now why they needed him to practice. The most natural thing for him would be to look at the person asking him the questions. "Shoot. What do you want to talk about? Sports? TV? Who makes the best pizza in Las Vegas, because the answer to that is Naked City and anyone who tells you otherwise is strait up lying to you".
"Yeah, let's just talk about stuff. Whatever you want to get started so we can get a sss... shit! I forgot your mic," Marc grumbled. He dug through a bag and pulled out a lapel mic connected to a black box. It took him a few minutes to get it set up. "Here clip this to your shirt, he finally instructed. "Okay, man, just keep talking.... tell me all about that great pizza!"
Marc put on some headphones and fiddled with some knobs. "Okay, perfect," he finally said. "I mean your levels are right, but keep talking to me about whatever. There may be what we call 'ambient noises' that you and I don't notice because we are used to them, but things that may pick up on camera and cause a buzz or hum... the refrigerator, the air conditioning, you know, stuff like that. Besides, it's good practice."
Marc had Jay talk for a few more minutes. Then, he played some of the conversation back through his headphones. "Okay, sounds good. Now I'm just gonna let the tape roll. Who knows what we will use. I'm going to ask you the same questions multiple times and I want you to be natural. Think of this as talking to the camera. You don't even have to answer stuff the same way, but tell the truth.... well, I guess you can embellish a bit, but ya know, this is so the audience can get to know you," Marc explained. "So, what does the world need to know about you? Are you from here? Where did you grow up, go to school, you married? Have a girlfriend, you know, that kind of stuff... let's begin with general biographical stuff..."
Marc put on some headphones and fiddled with some knobs. "Okay, perfect," he finally said. "I mean your levels are right, but keep talking to me about whatever. There may be what we call 'ambient noises' that you and I don't notice because we are used to them, but things that may pick up on camera and cause a buzz or hum... the refrigerator, the air conditioning, you know, stuff like that. Besides, it's good practice."
Marc had Jay talk for a few more minutes. Then, he played some of the conversation back through his headphones. "Okay, sounds good. Now I'm just gonna let the tape roll. Who knows what we will use. I'm going to ask you the same questions multiple times and I want you to be natural. Think of this as talking to the camera. You don't even have to answer stuff the same way, but tell the truth.... well, I guess you can embellish a bit, but ya know, this is so the audience can get to know you," Marc explained. "So, what does the world need to know about you? Are you from here? Where did you grow up, go to school, you married? Have a girlfriend, you know, that kind of stuff... let's begin with general biographical stuff..."
Jay talked about nothing and everything, and it got a little easier. Marcus was pretty good company and Jay felt himself start to loosen up. Then... the questions...
It started out easy enough. "Well... I'm almost twenty three. Vegas born and bred, go Raiders! I used to play too, in high school. I went to Spring Valley High, then I married the prettiest girl in school..." he stopped. He hadn't excepted this part to be hard, but it was. "She's... her name is Meg. She's smart and pretty and... can we stop? I want to rethink this a bit".
It started out easy enough. "Well... I'm almost twenty three. Vegas born and bred, go Raiders! I used to play too, in high school. I went to Spring Valley High, then I married the prettiest girl in school..." he stopped. He hadn't excepted this part to be hard, but it was. "She's... her name is Meg. She's smart and pretty and... can we stop? I want to rethink this a bit".
"Yeah, sure," Marc said shrugging, unaware of Jay's situation. "We can start over. If you need a break or whatever, let me know. I just don't want you to be too scripted. It's okay if you botch one like that, we can just keep going and I'll edit it all like I said earlier."
"Yeah, one sec" Jay said and got up. He went to the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Instead of using the toilet though, he stared into the mirror.
"Get it together" told told himself quietly. "Meg's gone someplace. She clearly needs time apart. You can't let that ruin this opportunity".
He washed his face, and just in case Marcus would be paying attention, his hands. Took a deep breath and rejoined the other man in the living room. "All good," he said. "Lets start over".
"Hi, I'm Jordan McBride. People usually call me Jay. I'm twenty two years old. Works construction so I'm a prety handy guy to have around. I'm a Sagittarius, though I'm not really sure I buy into that stuff." He looked straight at the camera and smiled. "What else?"
"Get it together" told told himself quietly. "Meg's gone someplace. She clearly needs time apart. You can't let that ruin this opportunity".
He washed his face, and just in case Marcus would be paying attention, his hands. Took a deep breath and rejoined the other man in the living room. "All good," he said. "Lets start over".
"Hi, I'm Jordan McBride. People usually call me Jay. I'm twenty two years old. Works construction so I'm a prety handy guy to have around. I'm a Sagittarius, though I'm not really sure I buy into that stuff." He looked straight at the camera and smiled. "What else?"
"Okay, so that's good," Marc said encouragingly. "What do you do for fun?"
"What are your life goals?"
"If you had a magic wish, what would you use it for?"
Marc kept throwing random questions at Jay to get him talking. He started to throw in some more abstract ones for flavor and to get Jay thinking.
"If you were a superhero, what would you want your power to be and why?"
"What animal do you think you're most like and why do you think so?"
"Would you rather live on a space station or an underwater city?"
Marc just let the camera roll until he felt like he had well more footage than he needed. "Okay, anything else you want people to know or anything you'd like to add or say before we wrap it up for the day," Marc asked. By that point, it was pushing evening and dinner was long overdue.
"What are your life goals?"
"If you had a magic wish, what would you use it for?"
Marc kept throwing random questions at Jay to get him talking. He started to throw in some more abstract ones for flavor and to get Jay thinking.
"If you were a superhero, what would you want your power to be and why?"
"What animal do you think you're most like and why do you think so?"
"Would you rather live on a space station or an underwater city?"
Marc just let the camera roll until he felt like he had well more footage than he needed. "Okay, anything else you want people to know or anything you'd like to add or say before we wrap it up for the day," Marc asked. By that point, it was pushing evening and dinner was long overdue.
This was kind of fun, Jordan thought as he answered Marcus's array of bizarre questions. Some of them were fun, some reminded him of games they used to play in middle school when a substitute teacher wanted to pass the time without the kids giving her any trouble. But they achived their intended goal and soon enough he was comfortable in front of the camera, joking and smiling. His body langue returned to its usual easy going manner. He was coming across as he was - a young, likeable, approachable guy.
"No, nothing else. They already know more about me than I did at the start of this" he said with a smile. He got up, feeling the need to move around a bit after for sitting down for a couple of hours. "Where are you staying?" he asked the cameraman? "Do you want to go get a pizza or something? That's probably what I'm going to do for dinner". He needed to go grocery shopping. His fridge had a cucuber and some left over chicken. And beer, of course. He always had beer.
"No, nothing else. They already know more about me than I did at the start of this" he said with a smile. He got up, feeling the need to move around a bit after for sitting down for a couple of hours. "Where are you staying?" he asked the cameraman? "Do you want to go get a pizza or something? That's probably what I'm going to do for dinner". He needed to go grocery shopping. His fridge had a cucuber and some left over chicken. And beer, of course. He always had beer.
"Oh, uh Best Western off Sahara Avenue," Marc replied. "Yeah, I guess I'd be down for that. Pizza sounds pretty good to me. What do you like on it?"
Marc began slowly disconnecting cords and carefully rolled them up. He placed them one by one into a black bag with multiple compartments. It was obvious that all of the equipment had very specific places it went. The cameraman took his time dismantling everything, being slow and methodical as the pair spoke.
Marc began slowly disconnecting cords and carefully rolled them up. He placed them one by one into a black bag with multiple compartments. It was obvious that all of the equipment had very specific places it went. The cameraman took his time dismantling everything, being slow and methodical as the pair spoke.
"First and foremost, if it's a pizza - I like it" Jay said, grabbing his jacket and wallet. He didn't have much, but he was a hospitable guy and Marcus was visiting his neck of the woods. He'll buy the guy a pizza. "And if there's meat on the pizza I'm happy. What about you? What's your favorite?" He looked down at the cables and equipment. "You need a hand with those?" he asked.
"Yeah, I hear you," Marc said in response to the offer of the pizza. "I like lots of cheese and meat- just as along as it isn't fish. No shrimp or anchovies... and definitely not pineapple. That's gross! Or mushroom. Actually, I'm not much for veggies on pizza in general. I supposed I can tolerate onion and olives if I have to..."
Marc trailed off as he finished breaking down the lighting rigs and rolled up the cables. Once everything was in its respective bag, Marc nodded to the offer of help in loading the equipment up. None of it was heavy, but there were several bags that had to be carried out.
"Thanks," Marc responded. "So you want me to follow you somewhere or we gonna order and have it delivered?"
Marc trailed off as he finished breaking down the lighting rigs and rolled up the cables. Once everything was in its respective bag, Marc nodded to the offer of help in loading the equipment up. None of it was heavy, but there were several bags that had to be carried out.
"Thanks," Marc responded. "So you want me to follow you somewhere or we gonna order and have it delivered?"
"Double cheese and pepperoni it is" Jay nodded. He reached to grab his phone, which he had left on the kitchen table on silent while they were filming. "It'll be faster if we order here. I have their app". He was silent for a minute or two as he clicked through the options, ordering their meal.
"It'll be here in twenty minutes" he said, holding the phone so Marc can see the ticker. "Less, probably. Meanwhile, make yourself comfortable." He kicked off his own shoes, which he only had on in case the camera caught sight of them. He thought his plain grey socks would not make the right impression.
"Do you like working as a cameraman?" he asked, truly curious. He's never even considered another job but working for the family business. Well, other than the pie in the sky dream of becoming a big football star.
"It'll be here in twenty minutes" he said, holding the phone so Marc can see the ticker. "Less, probably. Meanwhile, make yourself comfortable." He kicked off his own shoes, which he only had on in case the camera caught sight of them. He thought his plain grey socks would not make the right impression.
"Do you like working as a cameraman?" he asked, truly curious. He's never even considered another job but working for the family business. Well, other than the pie in the sky dream of becoming a big football star.
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