“I thought truth telling was my business,” Natalie said, eyes locked onto Bibb, determined to shake her boss’s veneer of righteousness. “I bet you also know about Hal. About the way he stalks the girls on the news desk. Harasses them.” This felt good. “He’s tried it with me. So did the Chief, he made a pass at me last night. Isn’t it your job as management to stop that? Surely you feel some kind of responsibility as a woman in news—”
Like a coiled snake, Bibb hissed, “Don’t you dare call me that. I’m not a woman. I’m a journalist.”
The words hung in the air as Natalie sat frozen in surprise. Bibb’s phone rang and she lunged for it.
“Yes, she’s here. I’m putting you on speakerphone now.” Bibb hit a button and the sound of breathing came across the phone.
“Good evening, ladies. My wife has a no-calls policy on Saturday evening. Only emergencies, so let’s make this quick.” It was the Chief, sounding surprisingly calm and cheerful. “So, we had quite a little mistake on air. That was an unfortunate development.”
And that’s an understatement.
“Chief, I’m sorry.” Natalie said, knowing what she had to do: own her part of this, stay in the Chief’s good graces. “I always get a second source, but under pressure to break the news first, I ignored my better judgment.”
“I understand, Natalie.” The Chief sounded untroubled, sympathetic. “The truth is, it was very good TV. Highly dramatic. And it showed that at ATN we are dedicated to getting it right, eventually. In fact, I’ve asked PR to encourage key media reporters to watch your segment at the White House, and highlight how quickly and transparently we corrected your error. I wouldn’t be surprised if we get a good bit of positive press out of this, actually.”
Natalie was gripped with a new anxiety. The network was encouraging coverage of her moment of ignominy?
“Now, Natalie, I know you’re a competitor and you usually don’t disappoint,” the Chief continued. “That’s why I’d like to get you back out there ASAP, to ensure you aren’t tainted by your mistake today. Bibb?”
Bibb pushed her fingers to the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. When she opened them, they were cold hard stones. “We have a story for you about Sonia Barbaro,” Bibb said through gritted teeth. “It’s no secret that Barbaro is well on her way to sleeping with every actor in Hollywood. Now a source tells us that as a teenager, Sonia had a child out of wedlock, which she apparently gave up for adoption. Venezuela is a Catholic country. That she was sexually active as a teenager is going to be frowned upon. All this should shade the perception of her rape accusation.”
“Great angle,” the Chief said. “Sex, lies, Hollywood, international intrigue, and a secret child. It’s just the kind of narrative that could extend watch time, maybe even expand the Demo.”
“We’d like you to dig into Sonia’s past and tell us what we need to know about her. Who is the real Sonia Barbaro?” Bibb said.
Natalie felt the blood rush to her face. They want me to be their news beard. ATN wants to use me, a “credible” woman, to attack Sonia Barbaro. Why? Because it excites the boss? Because he thinks his excitement is transferable and it’ll rate well with male viewers ages eighteen to thirty-five? Let’s use smart Natalie, the stairs person, to give this celebrity sex scandal an air of respectability.
“You want me to slut shame Sonia Barbaro,” Natalie said flatly.
“I want you to report on her. It’s an assignment, not a choice,” Bibb spat, looking at her with what Natalie sensed was restrained fury.
Natalie understood that the Chief had the power. And she knew that he liked her moxie, the way a murderer likes a victim who fights back. So she would fight.
Natalie walked toward the phone and leaned close to it.
“Chief, I think there is a story we are missing. Instead of chasing Sonia Barbaro, what if we look at the bigger picture?”
She thought of all the money they’d spent hyping side-stories, chasing bad leads, missing news that really mattered.
“Why is the president giving sanctuary to Lystra’s son? The Venezuelans keep saying it’s a distraction. What if they’re right? What if this is about something else?” The Chief wasn’t dumb. He had to see her point. “Sir, if there’s something behind the White House’s protection of Rigo Lystra and if we break that story, it’ll be a major scoop. That would help the brand and the ratings, right? All I need is a little time to do some digging.”
“Do you see what I’m dealing with?” Bibb said despairingly to the Chief. “I’ve tried to be patient but I don’t think this is working.”
There was a muffled sound over the phone and then a child’s voice. “Daddy, you’re not supposed to be on the phone!”
“Natalie, Bibb says Sonia Barbaro is the big story.” The Chief sounded a little world-weary. “And Bibb is my girl. You must understand that. I need to see loyalty from you. To Bibb, to me, to ATN, and to ASI.”
Stung, it occurred to Natalie that maybe there was no path out of this. If Bibb was always going to be right, that meant she, Natalie, was always going to lose.
There was rustling and then the Chief, sounding like a different person: “Honey, don’t tell Mommy, okay, and I’ll give you a twenty-dollar bill? I’ll be down in a minute.” There was more rustling and then, “Honey, I only have this fifty, so as soon as I break it... What? Okay. Yes, here it is. That’s our little deal. Hurry downstairs. I’ll be there soon.” There was the sound of footsteps and a door closing and the Chief was back on the line. “She’s only seven and already a fierce negotiator.”
After a pause, the Chief continued in a cheerful tone, “Natalie, let’s look at the larger picture. In the future I see you covering the big stories, with the big anchors. Maybe even anchoring on your own someday!” He sounded like a friendly dad. “We’re rebranding. And the new ATN is all about attitude, outrage, and drama. I want you to be a huge part of this. I want to put you in a promo, make you a star.” He paused, and his voice changed again, now almost wheedling. “But I need you to be on the team. And that means playing nicely with Bibb and taking her assignments.”
Friendly dad with a loaded shotgun next to the front door.
His words felt like a cell door slamming shut, leaving Natalie trapped and hopeless. She shuddered as the memory of his finger tracing down her spine came back to her.
At that moment something released in Natalie.
Her qualms and confusion, her frustration at trying to win at a game she didn’t believe in, suddenly vanished. Worry and concern gave way to clarity. It wasn’t her they wanted, it was a Natalie Savage blow-up doll.
Dress her up, pull the cord, check out that smile, watch her do it again. She’s the lass that won’t sass. (As seen on TV.) (Soul not included.)
She looked at Bibb and at the wall of TVs playing the five networks on mute.
All this time she’d convinced herself that becoming a TV personality was the ticket to doing real news. She thought if she became the Chief’s big star, she could do investigations. On-the-ground reporting.
Rate now, report later. Candy now, protein later.
But suddenly she saw that with Bibb and the Chief in charge, there was never going to be a chance to do that. Under the Chief, ATN was a candy division always in need of more refined sugar and trans fats. The irony was, he’d been honest about that from the very beginning. He’d said it plainly. She’d just refused to hear it.
No one had lied to her. She’d lied to herself. She’d let herself become numb, obedient, unquestioning. All things a reporter should never be. ATN didn’t want her to follow the truth wherever it might lead. ATN wanted her to get the network ratings without questioning their choices.
Suddenly the way forward became clear. She would repay the Chief’s candor with her own. “Chief, I appreciate the opportunities you’ve given me.” She inhaled, already feeling more herself. “But I’m not a goo
d fit for your rebranding. It’s not me. To be honest, I don’t think I belong at ATN, at least not this version of ATN.”
He chortled, apparently tickled by her reply. “My girl, I understand, you’re feeling gun-shy before your big breakout.” He was back to friendly, coercive dad. “So go ahead and take the weekend. Let’s talk Monday.” The sound of footsteps came across the speaker and a woman’s voice demanding, “Are you on the phone?” broke through his words.
“Ladies, sounds like it’s time to go. Natalie, think it over. You’ll get used to this in no time. Bibb, let’s speak later.”
And he was gone.
Natalie found herself staring into space doing a recap in her mind. She had said no. She’d quit...hadn’t she? Was it so inconceivable a reporter would pass on the opportunity to become a TV star, that the Chief was unable to hear it?
“I’m quitting. I quit,” she said to the empty air. When she turned her head, she almost jumped at the sight of Bibb’s enraged face.
“You just got an opportunity any reporter would die for, and you can’t even show gratitude?” Bibb replied in a Mommy’s-not-coming-back-you’re-stuck-with-me-now tone. “If this is some kind of negotiating strategy, if you think that just because the Chief likes you, that you can manipulate me and get the White House job, you’ve got a surprise in store.” Bibb’s face was a hard, mean mask. “Childish, selfish tactics like that will not work in my bureau. And threatening me with stories of Hal and the Chief won’t get you anywhere. I’m in charge here. Don’t even try to outsmart me because one day you’re going to find us taking what you say seriously.”
When Natalie had first refused the Chief’s offer, it was involuntary, a survival instinct. But now, aware that no matter how much she spoke and no matter what she did she couldn’t be heard, the decision settled in her. Turned to resolve. When she spoke, her voice sounded clear, steady. “Really, Bibb, you’re not hearing me. I’m not suited to ATN. Not the way you guys want it run. You need someone who—”
“Not possible!” Bibb snapped, and Natalie refocused to see Bibb was speaking into her phone.
Did it ring? Had she just lost track of time?
Bibb was pacing as she barked into the mouthpiece, “Hal, you’ve got to be kidding. How have you not handled this? Hold on a moment.” She covered the mouthpiece of the phone with her hand, looked at Natalie, and said, “Don’t think this meeting is going to be forgotten. I will see you back here on Monday. From this day forward, you do as I say.”
Like a defiant five-year-old, Natalie looked at Bibb and said, “I quit. I’m quitting.” But before the words were out, Bibb was back on her call, pacing the room.
“I quit,” Natalie repeated as she walked out of Bibb’s office and down the stairs. People nodded or walked past without appearing to hear her. “I quit,” she repeated as she went into the makeup room and grabbed a handful of cloths to get the thick foundation off her face. “I quit,” she said to her reflection in the mirror.
“I’m so happy for you,” her reflection said back.
But Natalie wasn’t sure she believed it.
THE EARLYBIRD™/ SUNDAY / 8:27 A.M.
THE E-NEWSLETTER TRUSTED BY WASHINGTON'S POLITICAL ELITE
Good morning, EarlyBirders™. Here are the morning’s need-to-know stories:
BAMBAM LYSTRA TO 60 MINUTES: “THIS IS A FABRICATED ATTACK.” In an interview with CBS’s Norah O’Donnell, the Colombian president alleges Barbaro’s rape accusation was “manufactured by the Venezuelan government.” Lystra: “THIS IS AN ATTACK ON THE COLOMBIAN PEOPLE. WE ARE ALL RIGO.” Watch 7 p.m. EST, @CBS.
We wouldn’t mind being Rigo Lystra for a day! Word is he’s hosting the cast of The Bachelorette at the embassy tonight. Fun, fun, fun.
EarlyPoll™: America Loves the First Lady, Less
FLOTUS’s absence is taking a toll. Her approval falling twelve points in a week, POTUS’s falling with her. Another week of this and she could be underwater.
Viewer Alert: ATN’s Ryan McGreavy to guest host The View (in a shirt). Go Ryan!
**EarlySponsor™: GlobalCom™ Is Proud to Support Old Dominion Recovery. Their Equine Therapy Programs Help Fight Addiction Naturally. Find a Center Near You.**
28
This Clown
Natalie was lying on the couch at the UnComfort Inn, blinking at the TV. Ryan was live from the White House, astride ATN’s North Lawn live-shot position in his best Conquering Hero pose, chest puffed out, head up high. For what seemed like the five hundredth time, he’d just been introduced as “ATN’s new White House correspondent.”
“How does it feel, Ryan?” Heath asked from his state-of-the-art hologram set, a “replica” of Rigo Lystra’s living space inside the Colombian embassy complete with pool table and a magisterial portrait of BamBam.
“It feels great, man,” Ryan said, eyes glinting in the sun, his voice in the deep octave of a Newly Minted White House Reporter. “I worked really hard for this.”
Natalie was too numb to yell, scream, or throw objects at the TV. In the six hours since she’d left Bibb’s office, she’d gone through the five of the stages of I Cant Believe This Is Happening—fury, loud groaning, slightly manic laughter, depression, and eating three large bags of drugstore popcorn.
She’d been online enough of the night to know that her debacle was the talk of the media world. ATN’s PR shop had issued a statement saying, “What matters is that we get it right, eventually.” On TVBuzzster, speculation swirled that Natalie had been fired. Matt had gone radio silent. Dasha had emailed offering to help her “handle things,” which inspired a quick fantasy involving Bibb’s hunting spear and Ryan’s midsection. And Jazzmyn had disappeared.
Natalie had sent her an email asking if everything was okay, but it’d bounced back from ATN’s server with the message [email protected] is not a working email.
As it had been doing all night, her mind flashed to the bottle of Xanax in her toiletries case. She resisted the urge to grab it. She thought of the look in Sarah’s eyes at her mom’s wedding and the disaster on the White House North Lawn. Taking those pills hadn’t exactly worked out well.
To distract herself, she started scrolling through the pictures that her sister had posted on Facebook and stopped on an image of Lulu and Sarah spinning together on the dance floor. They looked really happy. Natalie felt her eyes start to water. Why couldn’t she have stayed at the wedding? Stayed and been a good daughter and none of this would have happened. The First Lady. Her credibility. Her career. Her family.
There was nothing she could do about ATN, but at least she could fix things with Sarah.
She dialed her sister, half expecting her to send it to voice mail.
“Nice of you to check in.” At least she’d answered.
“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry,” Natalie said, quietly. “I’ve been a total jerk. I know it and I’m sorry.”
There was silence followed by an exhale. “I think it’s Mom you should be apologizing to.”
“I will,” Natalie said and added, “You know she wants to kill Cronkite? She said she’s going to have him put to sleep.”
“Oh please, even Mom wouldn’t do that.”
“Her guru wants her to have more flexibility to spend time with Gerald.”
There was a pause. “Jesus. I can actually hear her saying that.”
“I had to get out of there to save Cronkite.”
“Who are you kidding? You left because you wanted to leave.”
She said nothing. It was true.
“Well, I’m glad you rescued Cronkite from Mom’s murderous clutches.”
Natalie laughed. Thank god she hadn’t lost Sarah. “I’ll call Mom and work it out. I promise. I’ll make it up to her.”
“To be honest you’re lucky you left when you did,” Sarah said. “Their first dance was to humpback whale musi
c. Gerald read a poem dedicated to Mom’s precious pink petal.” There was a pause. “So what’s going on? You don’t sound like yourself.”
“I don’t?” Natalie dodged. Sarah knew all the sacrifices she’d made to get here, everything she’d given up, everyone she’d let down along the way—her father, herself—to land a chance at the White House. How could she explain that she’d blown it all up? By being sloppy.
“I quit my job,” Natalie said finally.
“Are you kid—?” Sarah started and then stopped herself. “You’re not kidding. I’m not shocked. I know you want to be at the White House, but not this way.”
“What does that mean?” Natalie asked, unable to hide her surprise.
“You always said you wanted to get to the White House to do real journalism. Help speak up for people who couldn’t speak for themselves. Dad did it with the law, and you were going to do it as a reporter, you know? I don’t mean this as criticism, but I haven’t seen you do a whole lot of that...” Sarah let her voice trail off.
It stung, but Sarah was right.
“Be noisy,” Natalie said, remembering the words their dad used to say. “I guess I thought that if I was quiet now, I could speak up later when I get some power at the network. But I don’t think it works that way.”
“Can I say something and promise you won’t get mad?” Sarah asked.
“Sure,” Natalie said warily.
“Mom’s the one who used to say that. Be noisy. When we were little, that was her line.”
Natalie blinked. “No, Dad always used to say—”
“He was quoting Mom. Think about it. That’s Mom’s whole thing. I know she is a total pain in the ass,” Sarah continued. “But she also doesn’t take any bullshit. For her, saying what is true and right—or at least what she thinks is right—is more important than conforming and being well liked.” She laughed. “Her attitude gave me the courage to come out of the closet and raise a kid on my own, even though everyone else thinks it’s insane. And it should give you the courage to do what’s true for you. Forget about ATN. You were never going to win playing by rules you don’t believe in.”
Savage News Page 27