14. Criminal / Truth

14. Criminal / Truth

Producer shouted, “Show minus five! Where's James?”

Camera man yelled back, “In make-up, they're almost done!”

Producer turned to whoever was closest, “Is he miked?”

The Sound technicians replied, “Yes!”

The seven o'clock news was the one with the widest audience, at least on their channel.

Lighting discussed final settings, “To the left.”

Assistants bustled left and right looking harried as James came out of make-up.

“Show minus two!”

The live shows were always stressful, the pressure seemed to come down on you harshly, even if filming the news was as old as television itself. Luckily, he had the nice make-up lady to take care of outwards signs of stress.

He sat down in his seat, as designated Lighting and Sound people made sure he was in the right place and could be heard, and the Producer made the final adjustments to whatever he needed to check..

The weatherman was practising his movements in front of the green screen.

The producer settled himself in his right place, next to Camera One, nodding at the cameraman.

“Show minus one!”

James shuffled his papers, putting them in order. Tonight was his big night.

People practically ran away from the set, apart from the nice make-up lady who came to make sure everything was alright.

Camera Three was in position to zoom in.

“And live in five, four...”

The producer went silent, counting the last three on hands.

The news jingle came on.

James gave his news anchor smile, the one showing the teeth and the handsome part of his jaw.

“Good evening. My name is James Andrews and this is the seven o'clock news.”

He shuffled his papers again. Here we go.

“Headlines tonight...”

The guy in Tech gave a thumbs up to the producer, they were ready to go with the segments. The producer nodded and turned back to James.

The news went without a hitch, until the end.

“And finally, I have news from the desk.”

The cameramen all turned to look at the producer, who was frowning. This was not in the script.

He muttered into his headset, “What is doing? We're live!”

Tech replied, “We don't know sir.”

“Robbo, the main company behind this television channel, famous for their range of clothes and their practically continuous charity drives, is corrupt and criminal, and here is why.”

The producer was shaking his head vigorously, making 'stop' motions with his hands.

The assistants and the Sound and Lights people were all standing about, looking awkwardly at one another.

“A team of people of various levels has been investigating Robbo for some time, but recently some information surfaced that may be hidden away by the company lawyers if handled improperly. As a reporter, it is my duty to communicate this to you, the public.”

The producer was furious, alternately staring at James, bringing his hand across his neck in a cutting motion and yelling at the Sound people, “Cut his mike. Cut his microphone!”

“All the clothes that Robbo produces are made in some of the poorest parts of India and Bangladesh, by children in terrifying work conditions. They make less than three pounds per week. That is inhumane.”

The cameramen kept filming.

“Go to commercial! Go!”

The producer was shouting at the people in Tech, who ignored him.

“The staff in the company – both on this channel and in the corporation – are overworked and underpaid, but so scared of losing their jobs that they don't dare say anything or ask for a raise. When they do, they are threatened with unemployment and no severance pay. That is illegal.”

The producer had lost all power over his employees and was uselessly knocking on the door to the Tech room.

The cameramen were nodding and filming, the sound people still refusing to cut off him microphone.

“Those plentiful donations that come in to, quote, help those who need it the most, generally don't reach their destination unless there is an official ceremony and the company uses that money to fund a sex trafficking ring from African and South American countries into the UK and US.”

Gasps from the room, including the producer.

“Robbo is a company with no morals and no values. It is evil. Its only aim is to make money and gain power, no matter how they do it. And that is the truth.”

He stacked his papers in order and smiled at the camera again.

“I have been James Andrews, and I will probably not be seeing you again on this channel. Have a good night.”

He stood up, took his microphone off, handed it to the producer and left, the news team cheering him as we walked out to the car park.