10: In Which She Closes a Chapter
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Author’s Note at the end =)
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“Where’ve you been, Jones?” Arthur Woodstock snapped, stubbing the butt of his cigarette into the ashtray somewhere in the midst of his cluttered desk.
“Lunch,” I mumbled, taking the seat he offered me opposite his. Arthur was the paper’s newest editor; a real arrogant prick no one liked. He enjoyed rejecting any story the majority of us pitched on account of them being “boredom inducing”.
Actually, I’d been visiting Erin’s grave; I’d been there every Friday afternoon for months now. It was strange how, whenever I ventured there, I found that someone had already left lilies for her. To be honest, it gave me the creeps.
“Well, I got something special for you,” Woodstock said, his eyes gleaming. They were almost black and beadier than a button.
“Yes?”
“You know that funky French restaurant everyone’s always raving about?” Woodstock unwrapped the tinfoil of his sandwich. “Pleasure, I think.”
“Plaisir,” I corrected automatically. “What about it?”
“Uh-huh. It’s closing down.”
My ears pricked. “Oh? Why?”
“Really interesting story, Jones. Who knew the restaurant world had some shady characters?” Woodstock chuckled, taking a huge bite into his sandwich. Gooey mayo now dribbled down his two chins. “Apparently, the accountant there was dipping a finger into the restaurant’s bank account. And his partner was none other than one of the waitresses!”
I stared at him blankly. “And?”
“And I want you to go the conspiracy angle, Jones! Besides, I knew Samuel Ritter. Real jackass,” he continued, licking each of his fingers and making a smacking sound. I didn’t like the way he was referring to Stephen’s father but I bit my tongue. “Pleasure’s been around for years. It’s about time the whole thing fell,” he went on to say.
“Why would you want that?” I asked through clenched teeth, surprising myself by the hate I was directing at the fat bastard sitting across me.
“Maybe they were all sleeping together!” Woodstock exclaimed, completely ignoring me. “Maybe Ritter’s restaurant’s a front for his dirty dealings. So many possibilities!”
“I’ve never heard anything more idiotic in my life,” I spat. “I think the fast food and TV have gotten to your head.”
“What did you just say?”
“I’ve been offered a job at The Morning Star,” I said quietly, “and I think I’m going to take it. If cheap sensationalism is what you’re going to turn this paper into, I’m out.”
He reddened. “It’s a big story, Janelle.” This was the first time he’d ever used my first name. “You don’t understand... There are so many rumours making the rounds and –”
“And we’re not a tabloid.”
“I think you’re overreacting.”
“I think you’re a shithead.”
“You’re fired.”
“We both know that I quit.” I got to my feet, pointing a finger at him. “You want to turn this newspaper into sensationalist garbage and I won’t be around for it.”
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The Book Club (18+ Only) [COMPLETED]
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