Chapter Text
"Hello, Mr Donaldson. We're very glad to have you on. This way, please." Jennifer glances at her stopwatch as she ushers in the guest of the evening.
"Mr Donaldson, a pleasure." Adrien stands to greet him.
"Dr Atkinson-Blimey. Likewise." Mr Donaldson meets him halfway with a firm handshake.
Two juggernauts of journalism. Jennifer isn't oblivious to how important tonight will be, and neither is the rest of the crew. Adrien is a bit neurotic about running a tight ship, so the studio is still quiet and orderly. But the atmosphere is nothing short of electric. The Incisors crew had been preparing for months. Brainstorming lists of questions, planning for every eventuality. Tonight had to go smoothly.
Jennifer double-checks the call sheet. Mr Donaldson was here (early!), the other guests were ready to be shown to the waiting rooms, the camera operators were all present. Makeup, sound and lights were standing by. Even Kenneth was sure to be paying attention tonight.
In the absence of any immediate problems to solve, Jennifer's gaze drifts to Mr Donaldson. He's not much, as far as first impressions go. A scruffy sort of man, fiddling with the cufflinks of his ill-fitting suit. He would be unremarkable if not for the sharpness of his gaze. She can see him scrutinizing the set and crew, taking stock of every detail.
He seems awfully forthright, for a reporter. His mouth twists with sardonic amusement as he eyes the set. Jennifer had to admit, it was a bit self-aggrandizing to have a massive portrait of yourself as the studio backdrop. Mr Donaldson clearly agrees. Finding nothing else worth noticing, his focus turns to Jennifer.
Jennifer freezes. A flush creeps up her face at being caught staring. She hurriedly looks away to check her stopwatch.
"Thirty seconds, everyone!"
She could swear there was a hint of a smile on his face.
"Thank you, Jennifer." Adrien calls. "If I could borrow you for a moment?"
Adrien is nervous. He's hiding it well, but the way he holds himself still is too still. Too calm and collected. Jennifer wishes could borrow some of that composure right now.
"We are expecting Ms Hammerman shortly before the second segment. Could you please direct her to the fourth floor when she arrives."
"Of course, sir. Ten seconds."
The certainty in Adrien's voice caused pride to swell in her chest. There was no doubt about it; she would run this show and run it well. It was exhilirating to be good at something for once. To finally find your calling. A sense of purpose and accomplishment was exactly what she needed after the accident. Accepting this job was one of the best decisions she'd ever made.
"And we're going in five, four, three…"