Shooting Star

Chapter 3: First Assignment

"Ripley.... can I call you casually with your name?" Editor-in-chief Luther aka Lex asked, his face suddenly serious that made her stopped from saying anything.

"Err... sure..." Ripley said.

"Well, Ripley, I'm going to be honest with you.We're really desperate of good writers and photographer to take photos of celebrities that we need to write articles for. Glazed magazine only started for a few years, so it's not yet popular unlike the other celebrity magazines out there. If we want to get more sales and readership and followers on our social medias and web sites, then we need to also do our very best!" Editor-in-chief Lex said with a sigh. Ripley had a thought that the editor-in-chief in chief was a bit dramatic. "Listen, I already heard from my girlfriend that you're actually looking for a more respectable and high-end publications or news stations to work for. But we all know those types of publications and news stations hired experienced employees who already knew what to do once they were hired. So, my suggestion, why not work for our publication for a year or so, we need a good writer and photographer and you also need a work experience, it's a great deal for the both of us. You'll actually be surprised at what kind of training you can get while working with us here, regardless of what sort of journalism career you'd like to pursue next. I know our publication isn't as high-end or much impressive like those you applied to, but if you decide to work here, I also have some good connections. If you work for our publication for at least a year and do a good job, I can help with your recommendations much easier since I can also boast how great you are with your work. So, how about it?" he asked Ripley.

Ripley felt overwhelmed but also appreciated what editor-in-chief Lex told her. She was happy that he seemed to value her talent with writing and being able to take great photos. "Wow, thank you for the compliments.... I'm a bit happy and embarrassed with such praises..."

"You're welcome, and I'm serious with what I said to you. So, what do you say?" editor-in-chief Lex said with a little bit of cheer in his voice, all traces of seriousness suddenly gone again.

Ripley bit her lip and looking thoughtful. She recalled all the emails that hadn't replied to her or contact her back, and those who called and emailed her back always said that they were looking for someone who has experienced with work. It was really frustrating for her. And now here, editor-in-chief Lex told her they desperately needed her talent with writing and photography and promised her with recommendations with his connections. It sounds tempting despite working at a celebrity magazine that mostly write about celebrities scandals and rumors.

So, should she accept? How reliable was the editor-in-chief's connections? What if he's bluffing only? But there was no harm in trying to work here for a year, after all, no one else was clamoring to hire her to work for them.

".... I'm still a bit...." Ripley hesitated. She was indecisive. What if she accepted this job and suddenly got an email or call back later? But what if she didn't get any call or email back?

"This is not a terrible place to work and I'm not a mean boss. You'll make good friends here. Like I said, we're mostly like family here. And... we really need more writers here. So, don't make me beg, because I will. I'm not above it. That's how desperate we are!" editor-in-chief Lex said the last sentence in a joking manner. But Ripley could believed and even picture it that he would do it as well.

Ripley pursed her lips. "Just a question, if you're desperate for writers, why not hire others?" she asked.

Editor-in-chief Lex shrugged. "There are others who tried to apply online mostly, they have the enthusiasm but not that talented with writing. Most of them didn't even bother to edit or proofread their sample articles. We might only be a celebrity magazine, but how could we keep up with the other popular celebrity magazines if our articles were written so poorly?" he said with a sigh. "That's why after seeing your sample articles and photos, I know that we really need to hire you to work for us."

Ripley deliberated for a moment, and after a few moment, she sighed. What was the used of thinking too much about it? If she turned this down, she might regret it later when she ended up not getting any job offers from the stations and publications she applied to. "Fine, then. I'll try working here for a year and see what happens next." She finally said.

"Excellent!" editor-in-chief Lex said with a grin. "Welcome to the family."

Ripley laughed nervously, not really show how to respond.

"Anyway, we still only have a few staff here, so it's like we're family here. So, if you have any questions or concern, don't be shy to ask for help." editor-in-chief Lex told Ripley as he pulled a drawer and rummage something there.

"Okay." Ripley agreed with a nod. It was good if the environment was friendly.

"Now, here you go," Editor-in-chief Lex said, taking out a manila envelope from the drawer and giving it to Ripley. "Here's the form you need to sign. Be sure to read everything first and see if you have any other questions about it. Also..." He once again rummaged through his file and pulled a folder and also handed it to Ripley. "...once you're done signing, here's your first assignment. Look at that carefully as well and see if you have any more questions. Once everything's fine on your side and after you sign the contract, then you can start next Monday.

"Okay." Ripley said while still sounding doubtful but despite that, she still signed the forms and contract given to her after reading what was written on it.

"That's good." Editor-in-chief Lex said enthusiastically. "Although I want to tell you something, since you're also good at photography, and we only have a small staff here for now, so I hope that besides writing an article, you can also take photos of your subjects. Of course, we will pay you seperately for the photos you took. It's just more cost-effective if you took the photo yourself instead of buying it to paparazzi."

Ripley blinked. "So, you want me to also run after celebrities and take photos of them?"

"Only as a side job, but not all articles you write needs photos you took. Just for some more sensational articles." editor-in-chief Lex said almost pleadingly.

Ripley was a bit reluctant, "Isn't it going to be difficult to run after celebrities? I don't want to be a stalker."

Editor-in-chief Lex shook his head. "Of course you don't have to stalk them. What I was thinking was if I got a tip that a certain celebrity we're after are somewhere like in a restaurant or mall, you can go there as well like a regular customer or guest and then you can take photos of them like a sleuth private detective. You don't need to run around or chase after them or wait outside their house. Just go to places they frequent and act like you're there because you really want to go there and not because you're following a celebrity." He advised her.

"Is the pay hiring than writing the article?" Ripley asked, just wanting to make sure, since running after celebrities was more work and riskier than writing in front of a computer without getting out of her desk.

Editor-in-chief Lex nodded.

Ripley squinted her eyes, making sure he was not kidding her before she thought about it and nodded. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to try, but don't blame me if I fail." She also added.

Editor-in-chief Lex nodded with a smile. "That's great. Then if you have any other questions or concern, you can call me. Welcome to our publication!"

Ripley accepted the calling card Editor-in-chief Lex handed to her before they finally ended the interview and she left the office. While Editor-in-chief Lex grinned happily since they finally hired a new article writer and photographer.

Editor-in-chief Lex had a big smile on his face after Ripley left. So, maybe he lied a little bit, since everyone knew it wasn't easy to take good quality photographs of celebrities, speiallifnit was done covertly, but Ripley was a good writer and photographer and looks like a hard worker, and his publication needed a talented staff like her, so he'd made it sound all so easy. Well, he'd made sure she would get the salary she deserve for her excellent work, and he was not kidding on him having such good connections in the industry and giving her reommention if she decided to leave the publication. So, it wasn't that bad of a deal for both of them.

-

On the other hand, after Ripley left the publication company, she called her best friend.

"Sidney, I got the job." Ripley told her best friend.

"That's great. I knew you could do it. Congratulations!" Sidney said happily from the other end of the line.

"Yeah, but I can't believe you refer me to an entertainment gossip magazine, though." Sideney complained.

"But you still decided to work there. Besides this would give you your much needed work experience to get a better job in the future!" Sidney pointed out to her.

"Yeah, whatever. At least the environment seems okay."

"Well, are you assigned to write gossip news all the time? Did they give you your first assignment?"

Ripley looked at the files in her arms as she walked ans talked to Sidney. "Well, the editor-in-chief gave me an overview of my first assignment, but I haven't look at it yet."

"Well, don't keep me in suspense, open it!" Sidney said eagerly and curiously.

Ripley sighed, opened the envelope and pulled the files inside with a photo included. She firat read the notes included for her. "Attend regular habg out location that was listed, follow on regular basis, try to get an inclusive interview and take some good quality photos. Carry a camera or much better if it was a video, and also a reorder for interviews all the time. Write articles based on information gathered. Errr.... this more sounds like I'll be acting like a stalker. What if the guy decided to call the cops?" she asked in a complaining voice.

Sideny giggled and then reassured her, "I'm sure it's not that bad. Anyway, who is your first celebrity that you need to get an interview and photos?" she asked curiosly.

"Hmm...." Ripley studied the photos well, even if it was a little blurry since it was a stolen shot and the guy on the photo was on disguise and obviously evading the paparazzi. "The photo was not very clear, he's tall with dark hair, and good looking, I think he looks a bit familiar.... wait, I can't really clearly tell because of the disguise." She described.

"Any other details? Well, who's current actor who has dark hair and popular enough to get chased by paparazzi?" Sidney said while thinking.

"Well, you're the one who's most familiar with celebrities than me. So, who is a dark haired male celebrity whose popular and currently sensational enough that paparazzi follows him around?" Ripley asked her best friend back.

Sidney snapped her fingers. "Well, it could be Shinichi Matsunaga! I can't be sure though, with so little details you gave me, but he sure is currently very sensationaly after his scandalous break up with his celebrity girlfriend. If he is really the one, then you're one lucky girl. He's so gorgeous! And so popular, too! Well, I'm sure you can see his name or details somewhere in the files your editor gave you. Look for it. Or you can do a reverse image search on Google." Sidney told her and also gave he a suggestion.

Ripley flipped through the files and she saw the person's information on the next page after the lists of what she needed to do clipped with the photo. "Well, you deduction is right. It says here he is Shinichi Matsunaga."

"Oh my gosh, you're so lucky!" Sidney cheered like a fan girl. "And he's recently single as well! Ripley....." her friend sounded so excited Ripley wouldn't be surprised if she'd jumped our of her phone any time now.

Ripey rolled her eyes at her friend. "Sidney, he's a celebrity, remember? So, if he's that popular and sensational, then that means it'll be hard for me to even get a photo, much more an interview. That's just great." Ripley said sarcastically. Her first assignment would definitely give her a hard time. And with how this guy Dodge away from paparazzi, it was obvious he was really not fond of them.

"Relax. I'm sure you'll do great. If ever I'm free I don't mind going with you to go look for him. Anyway, let's continue later since my supervisor is calling me" Sidney told her.

"Yeah, I'll talk to you soon."

After Ripley ended the call, she looked and studied the photo of Shinichi Matsunaga once more.

'I guess I really need to experience hardship before I can reach my gol!' she thought as she cheered herself up.