RadioStation
Part 6 - And We All Know What's Next
“The time is now 8:59. Traffic is backed up on the Brooks Trail for three whole acres. Beware of the cows in the road. They find it’s a comfortable place to sleep. We’ll be back with your local weather report after this commercial.” Jen gleefully took off her headphones as she waltzed out of the booth.
Joey watched her walking away and couldn’t help but laugh. Normally, she would have yelled at Jen for patronizing the people of this town. But she couldn’t since it was that cynical absurdity that was making Jen’s morning show a hit. Jen figured out a way to present the news by having Andie interrupt with the ‘actual’ traffic and weather reports. It worked, Mitch Leery was happy, and she wasn’t in the position to tell her to stop anyway.
Andie seemed to thrive on the idea that the people in town actually recognized her from the years she lived in Capeside growing up. She never pictured herself as an on-air personality (even though the purpose of her role on the show was that she had no personality), but the experience made her reconsider law school. God help us all if Andie succeeded at broadcasting!
Jen grabbed her coffee cup from the lounge as she picked up the latest news copy from Dawson’s desk. It was amazing what three months of sessions with a shrink, coupled with the raise Mitch promised, had done to Jen’s disposition. There were even times she could detect a smile on her face.
Joey couldn’t figure out why else Jen would act so different around Dawson. He wasn’t actually that much different. Maybe it was the fact that now his work was appreciated, after the mountain of errors from the previous researcher. And…maybe…possibly…I’m glad he’s around. You know, for the bird’s sake. Of course.
She walked back into her office and settled back into her chair, hands behind her head. Joey wasn’t used to having moments to breathe in this place so she took advantage of the few seconds before someone ran into the office complaining about deadlines.
All of the paperwork regarding the marriage was settled yesterday. Today was the first full day of enjoying single life. Well, life without having someone else’s name attached to yours, anyway. It’d been months since she’d actually been in Drue’s presence.
Times have changed and times are strange
Here I come, but I ain't the same
Mama, I'm coming home
Joey smiled upon hearing that song; a snippet played every hour on the morning show. Who knew that would catch on? To think, that started because Jen was trying to…
* * * * *
Three months earlier
“I can’t believe you just left her there!” Dawson exclaimed after a half hour of silence on the road. He waited long enough that he would have to turn around in order to leave him behind.
“Don’t even think about it!” Pacey warned, his eyes focused on the long stretch of road ahead.
“Weren’t you waiting for Joey to come around? She wanted you. I don’t understand you at all.”
“That’s not a bad thing.”
“You’re blind. Either that or bull-headed.”
The same song interrupted their dispute. Pacey dug out his cell phone and handed it to Dawson. “Call Jen and tell her to stop playing that goddamn song.”
“Why should I do that?”
“Because I’m your boss and I’m ordering you to do so.”
“If you’re actually returning to New York, no, you’re not. Remember, I’m being transferred to Capeside. You can’t fire me for undermining you here.”
Damn, the good fortune of him leaving was already biting Pacey in the butt. “Fine.” He saw a rest stop so he pulled over and made the call.
“You have reached the offices of WCMX.”
“Hi, Jack. It’s Pacey Witter. Would you tell Lindley to go to commercial so I can talk to her?”
“May I ask what this is regarding?”
Pacey growled, “I’m not joking around.”
“I can’t believe you actually left.”
Jen left before what happened at the house occurred. Word couldn’t have traveled that fast. “How do you know that?”
“Joey came into work on her day off. There was only one possible reason for that. You wrecked the one day she’s off, not to mention the quietest day of my work week.”
In the background, he could hear Joey’s voice. “Who’s on the line?” she snarled.
Pacey quickly replied, “You don’t say it’s me.”
Jack answered, “Um, it’s my sister. Rubbing it in my face that she’s off today.”
“Naturally. Tell her to enjoy it while it lasts. There are only a few days in life that aren’t hell. Enjoy those days to the fullest.”
“Will do.” There was the sound of silence on the other side. After a few moments, Jack replied, “Is this what you wanted?”
“I have no idea. She completely threw me off. Before I came here, I was completely determined not to let anything get to me. I had no idea she would be available, not to mention interested.”
“Do you love her?”
“I… I haven’t seriously thought about it. I thought of her as unattainable. She should have been; she was married!”
“Do you love her?” Jack insisted.
Pacey narrowed his eyes. Dawson held back a smile as he gathered what was said on the other end. “Yeah, Witter. No way out.”
“That’s what you think,” he said to Dawson. He replied to Jack, “I have to get going.”
“Of course you do.”
* * * * *
Pacey was stuck in traffic on his way to work. It was at times like this that he wished he’d rented a place closer to work. It wasn’t the intention, despite what Mitch thought, to live by a police precinct.
JP, Pacey’s cat, had insisted to be a pain. When Dawson moved, he gave his kitten Yoda away to one of his neighbors. Ever since that day, JP has been a pain to care for. She’d scratch up anything that could possibly get damaged, whether it was the couch, a suitcase, or an expensive pair of shoes he’d intended to wear to a business conference. Today, for instance, she used his slipper as a pillow. I know it’s endearing if a dog gets your slippers, but not so much when your bare feet find a hairball first thing in the morning.
There was just something about animals lately that just got on his last nerve. Maybe he never recovered from the wake-up call Lily gave him one Sunday morning. Even if it began one weird, wild, wonderful day…
* * * * *
Pacey got off the phone with Jack and leaned back in the driver’s seat, deep in thought. Dawson watched him, not sure what to say or do.
Pacey closed his eyes, picturing happier times. Times when they would accidentally on purpose bump into each other at the movies. Times when they tried to sneak in a couple of minutes in his office, not knowing then that Andie was giving reports to the others about the status of their relationship. Times when they’d get into huge shouting matches, resulting in later make-up sessions. Good times, good times.
How come he had such trouble with her? He knew he wanted her so badly. At the same time, he was looking for something to doubt. Every other relationship had failed on him, so this shouldn’t be any different. When Joey made it “clear” that she wasn’t the marrying type, this was the opening he’d been expecting.
Maybe he didn’t want to let her in. That was possible. It was difficult to tell when they were joking around and when it wasn’t.
If the others had figured out his true feelings, maybe it wasn’t hidden as well as he suspected. Either that or the years they’d worked together made it easier to see a person for who he really was. Just as Joey had the veneer of having everything in her life in order, Pacey had a façade to seem easy-going and carefree. Neither was true, but it was simpler to believe that.
His face softened, as he knew what he had to do. He asked Dawson, “Get me the map. I think we’re lost.”
Dawson couldn’t figure out what had changed in the fifteen minutes they’d been still. Nonetheless, he willingly went along with the change in demeanor, handing him the map.
You took me in and you drove me out
Yeah, you had me hypnotized
Lost and found and turned around
By the fire in your eyes
I've seen your face a hundred times
Everyday we've been apart
I don't care about the sunshine, yeah
'Cause Mama, Mama, I'm coming home
I'm coming home
Ozzy Osbourne - "Mama, I'm Coming Home"
* * * * *
Pacey found a parking space in the lot and rushed into the building, knowing he was late. True, he was the boss, but there was still wrath to be suffered for this transgression.
He was relieved that he no longer had to worry about the rickety elevator to get to the destination. That had finally been fixed - even though he wondered about the safety since the electrician was obsessed with using duct tape on any problem.
The first person he saw was Mitch, who was sitting outside the office with a suitcase opened up and a newspaper in his lap. “Hey Mitch Leery. What brings you here?”
He glanced up from his book. “Witter. Took you long enough.”
“Three-car accident made the roads hell. What are you reading?”
“Amazing breakthrough in staying in shape.”
Knowing that he was often a couple of years behind in discoveries, Pacey asked, “Tae-Bo?”
“No, hungry pit bulls. Ten second 100-meter dash guaranteed. First-hand knowledge of that, unfortunately. This article is on breeding.”
“Oh.” Pacey nodded, then walked past him. Mitch stood up, tucked the paper under his arm and followed.
Mitch continued, “I need some advice regarding my other office. You know these people…”
“Unfortunately, I do.”
“Yeah, of course. Does the brunette always act that bossy?”
“Yeah, normally.”
“That’s what I feared. Her employees are terrified she’ll just go off on them. I’m surprised you and her never…”
“I’m not that crazy. Though a word of advice, it might be easier if you call her Lisa instead of phrases like ‘the brunette chick’ or ‘angry bitch’.”
“First hand experience?”
“Not mine this time. I learned my lesson from Joey.”
“Good boy.”
* * * * *
Dawson wasn’t paying attention to where Pacey was driving until they stopped in the parking lot. Pacey wrote something down on a scrap piece of paper and handed it to Dawson, along with his phone. “I need you to make a phone call.”
Dawson watched Pacey exit the car, then read what was scrawled. He called the station.
“You have reached the offices of WCMX.”
“I would like to speak to Joey Potter. This is Dawson Leery.”
“Sure, hold on a moment.”
A few seconds later, Joey’s voice came on. “Hi, Dawson. How did you sneak in this call?”
“He’s in the 7-11. Look, I just wanted you to know that I seriously thought he wouldn’t have run away. He’s an idiot who doesn’t deserve someone like you.”
Joey gave a small smile. “Thanks, Dawson. I’m truly surprised nothing has worked. I thought that we’d have been a little more successful.”
“I know. There’s nothing in New York for him anymore.”
She softly giggled. “Because now you’re leaving?”
Dawson noted wryly, “No, that would be his incentive.” He then resumed in a regular voice, “He knows that you’re the one he’s wanted all along. That he’s only loved you and there’s no reason he should deny that any longer.”
Joey replied. “I suppose that’s good to hear.” The next sound heard was the clang of the phone onto the ground. Pacey was standing in her doorway. “What’s going on?”
“I’ve been thinking about this little situation we have. Maybe I should try out this Capeside place after all.”
Joey raced over and wrapped her arms around him. She tried to control her enthusiasm as she asked calmly, “You’re impressed by how much Mitch has made of this little station?”
“I think I’m more impressed by how much you’ve done to keep everything running smoothly this long. But then again, I shouldn’t be that surprised. From the first day we met, you claimed that you deserved to be news director more than I did. I guess you were right.”
“I wouldn’t mind relinquishing that particular job while I deal with being editor of the newspaper.” Joey then remembered what Dawson said right before Pacey showed up and pointed back to the phone. “Was Dawson speaking on your behalf?”
“About how I was foolish enough to not tell you that you’re the only one I’ve ever truly loved? No, I had nothing to do with that.” Pacey winked at her to let her know the truth.
Joey replied to that information with a searing kiss. When he had to break away to get air, Pacey whispered, “I guess I’m home.”
* * * * *
Joey spotted Pacey talking to Mitch from the opposite end of the office and shouted out, “Witter!”
“Speak of the devil.” Mitch stepped out of the way to let Pacey handle whatever mess he caused this time.
Joey bounded for her office, expecting Pacey to follow. The door slammed shut quickly, a signal that there would be one heated discussion subsequently on the other side.
Riiing! Jack went over to the desk to answer the phone. “You have reached the offices of WCMX… Joey Potter?” He looked in the direction of her office door, where a yelling match was going on. “I’m sorry. She’s tied up at the moment…Certainly, Mr. Wilder. She’ll get back to you as soon as she’s free.”
Andie and Jen were walking past while on commercial. When Jack hung up, Jen asked slyly, “Is she tied up figuratively or literally?”
Jack shrugged, “Would you rather I interrupt and find out? I think not.”
Andie laid a ten-dollar bill on the table. “I say they’re still arguing.”
Jen laughed as she fished for some money as well. “I say they’re past the arguing and having a ‘lunch’ date.”
From outside, they could hear Joey yell out, “I’m going to kill you. I’m going to fucking kill you.”
Andie shook her head as Jen snatched the money. She sighed, “They make murder sound so sexual.”
Jen added, “They’re in her office alone. Anything can sound sexual. I wish I didn’t know that so well.”
* * * * *
Pacey approached her and replied, “You beckoned?”
“Do you seriously think we’re going to print such an ad in the newspaper? I’d like to think we’re a rather hip publication but this is pushing the boundaries.”
“First of all, promise me you’ll never, ever, ever use the word ‘hip’ again. Second of all, there’s nothing wrong with using our personnel to promote.”
“Publicizing the morning show by promising girl-on-girl action with Jen and Andie doesn’t push the boundaries of good taste?”
“First of all, I asked them and they thought it was funny. Secondly, there’s nothing to say the male mind hasn’t already been conjuring up that image. Not mine, mind you, since I actually know these people. But the demographic we’re aiming for does.”
“That’s positively disgusting. No wonder I can’t find a decent man!” Joey shouted out.
“So you’re settling for me?” Pacey strolled over to Joey’s side of the desk and sat on the table. “Hmm, you know, this is so much different when you’re the one behind the desk.”
Joey smirked, “I think I could get used to this.” She stood up so they were eye-to-eye. “You have any lunch plans?”
“It seems like I do now.” He leaned in to kiss her, then whispered in her ear, “Maybe afterwards, we could get a sandwich from the deli. You’ll need to replenish.”
The radio was playing in the background. Jen’s voice could be heard in the background. “You have been listening to WCMX on this fine day. Hopefully, there are people out there getting more action than me. Maybe even in this very building.” If Joey and Pacey weren’t so busy, Jen probably would have gotten yelled at for the remark. But since they were too wrapped up fulfilling that guess, it would probably slide.
Andie continued, “This is Jen Lindley and Andie McPhee, signing off.”
the end
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