Pop Quiz by Tom Ryan

Author:Tom Ryan
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781459812246
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Published: 2017-06-01T04:00:00+00:00

Nine

Bill is working in the editing studio, a big old converted house on a quiet tree-lined street. The entrance has been turned into a lobby with brightly painted walls and framed posters of TV shows and movies.

We tell the receptionist we’re there to see Bill, and she buzzes him. A couple of minutes later Bill comes down the stairs.

“What a surprise,” he says. “Three of my favorite people.”

“We’re sorry to bug you, Bill,” I say. “If you’re too busy we can come back.”

“Not a problem,” says Bill. “We were just about to take a break. Come on up.”

We follow him up the stairs. I glance in the open doorways as we follow him down the hallway. In the darkened rooms, editors are working in front of large monitors. I catch glimpses of clips from various commercials and cartoons on the giant screens.

“This place is cool,” Satri whispers.

At the end of the hallway Bill takes us into a big room with a table and chairs, two large TV screens mounted to the wall, and a long desk with several monitors and random technical equipment on it. A young black woman with pale-blue hair is sitting at the desk. She spins around in her chair and smiles at us.

“Guys, this is Bree,” says Bill. “Best editor in town. I doubt I have to introduce these guys, Bree.”

Bree laughs. “Nope. I’ve been staring at them all morning.” She gestures to the screen behind her, and I realize there’s a clip of Dane and Penny loaded into the editing program.

“We’ve been working on your scene all morning,” says Bill. “Bree, why don’t you take a break for a few. Stretch your legs.”

She gets up from her chair and heads for the door. “Sounds like a good idea. I’ll bring you back a coffee.”

“Have a seat,” says Bill. We slide into chairs around the table, and Bill takes Bree’s chair. “So how’s it going, guys?” he asks. He sounds exhausted, but I’m happy to hear the Chill Bill cheerfulness back in his voice.

“We’re good, Bill,” says Anais. “How are you though?”

He leans back. “I’m good,” he says. “Thanks for asking. I was pretty upset at the party the other day. Not very chill of me.”

“You were kind of an Ill Bill,’ ” says Satri.

Bill smiles. “You can all relax. I’m still Bill. I just kind of lost it when I found out about the show.”

“Do you think that’s it?” I ask. “Is the show really done?”

“It looks that way,” he says. He smiles sadly. “But at least we can be proud that we had a good run.”

I glance at Satri and Anais. Anais stares at me, then at Bill, then back at me. I get the message.

“That’s kind of why we wanted to talk to you, Bill,” I say.

“Okay,” he says. “Go on.”

“Well, it’s kind of like…” I realize I don’t know how to explain our idea.

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