Eugenia part 26

Read part 25 here!

It was Tuesday when the list was stolen and Decklan and I had our moment, giving me two days to mentally prepare for my impending interview. Julie and Emma giggled and mocked me as only little girls know how to as I practiced answering the questions Jon planned on asking.

When the boys got home, they helped me as well, and we must have gone over the plan seventeen times before it was Thursday.

“We’re smuggling you into the building as my cousin.” Andy explained. “Our hair color is close enough for that to be somewhat believable. But you’ll be wearing a hood and lots of weird makeup, and you’ll be ducking away from the security cameras-”

“There’s a camera at the front door, directly above us, then there are two more before we get up to my studio. One is to our left at the security checkpoint, where I’ll sign the three of us in, and then one to our right as we go up the stairs.”

“I’ll pull you into conversation to make it look unsuspicious.” Andy grinned.

“Then we’ll do the interview, take a few callers, and then you will hide in my personal office for an hour or two.”

“After which time, you and I will leave together and Jon will finish his shift.” I added, nodding to Andy.

“And we’ll all live happily ever after.” He finished.

“I think this is really oversimplified.” Decklan worried out loud. Everyone in the room turned to glare at him.

“Even I think it’s a good idea.” Julie informed him, looking up from Andy’s biology textbook. His bedtime science lectures were getting to her. “They even have the placement of the security cameras down. Why are you always the worrier?”

Decklan blushed, mumbled something, and went to clear the breakfast dishes. It was now Thursday morning, and we’d be leaving for the station in about a half hour. Decklan was staying behind to watch Emma and Julie, the former of which was still asleep.

Although we hadn’t got a chance to have another episode, Decklan and I couldn’t help but make longing eye contact whenever we were in view of each other. I hoped that once the interview was over, we’d have more alone time. Sometimes, I even fantasized us going to discover the secrets of the third test together. Alone, of course.

But now wasn’t the time for my imaginary romantic interludes. Jon had bought some cosmetics for me the day before, and I was attempting to apply them. “It’s ok if it’s messy.” Andy reassured me. “Honestly, that might actually help.”

Having never applied makeup before, though, was making it even more difficult. My face, previously suntanned, was now several shades lighter than the rest of my body, and I had dark, raccoon-like eyeliner smudged around my grey eyes. Jon had also got something purple and sparkling in it’s own container, but I wasn’t sure where it was supposed to go, so I gave it to Emma and Julie, who proceeded to cover their entire bodies in it. At least they were getting along.

When I was deemed unrecognizable and Decklan flinched a little, I donned an over-large hoodie and we left the apartment together. Andy and Jon flanked me closely, almost completely obscuring me from sight. We climbed into Jon’s car, slightly bigger than the smart car Andy had used to rescue me, and drove an anxious, silent ride to the station.

I noticed the security camera out front without even getting out of the car, so I put my head down and pretended to text while Jon entered in the entrance code. True to his word, Andy engaged me in conversation in the direction opposite to the next two cameras, and after what seemed like an eternity to me, we made it up to the studio.

There were only two other people in Jon’s area of the station, the tech guy who dealt with audio and sound effects and the phone guy who answered and screened calls and took care of the content-related issues. Tom and Ryan were their names, and although they greeted me politely, they looked nervous.

“You sure no one saw her?” Ryan asked, glancing towards the door to the stairs we’d come up.

“We’re sure.” Jon stressed. “Now, Meg, come here. You’ll sit there, on that stool, next to mine. Tom’s set it up so that your mic will sound crackly and occasionally far away. When I’m ready for you, he will point at you and that’s when you know you’re on air. Do you have your list?”

I took out the carefully folded sheet from my hoodie pocket, where I’d been clutching it since leaving the apartment, and nodded. My stomach was twisting uncomfortably, the same way it had been when I first realized that I was being set up to die at thirteen.

“Awesome. Ok, we go live in ten minutes. Everyone ready? Remember, Ryan, no calls until after I give you the OK. Meg needs to get everything out first. And only let through questions that will enhance the interview. It’s not a time for opinions, but facts.”

Ryan nodded. Andy gave me a small wave through the glass from where he was standing, behind Tom. I waved back anxiously and settled into my seat.

Those ten minutes lasted as long as I imagined the paleozoic era did, but eventually, Tom pointed at Jon and counted down from ten with his fingers. Jon closed the studio door and put on his headphones, motioning for me to do the same.

“Good morning, New Diego! As you know, I’m Jon Banister and today is Interview Thursday! I’ve got a real treat for you folks today, but that will have to wait until after I read you the names of the generous businesses that keep us in business…” Jon listed off several names. “And now, ladies and gentlemen, my interviewee for the day. Since Senator Zachary Bluff’s controversial legislation, the idea of Reg runaways has become a new political hot topic. I have a real treat today, a young woman who knows from firsthand experience what really goes on after Regs fail their IQ test at thirteen. I would like to introduce you all now to a certain Meg Carroway.”

Continued in part 27!