Story code: ST-001232
Part 2: The Live Broadcast
The red light on the main camera glowed, and Marcus took a step toward the center of the lobby, gesturing for Arthur to follow him. The news anchor began her live introduction, her voice echoing through the high marble space. Arthur hesitated, his eyes lingering on the counter, but Marcus gripped his elbow, guiding him into the bright circle of the studio lights.
‘We are here at the Grand Horizon,’ the anchor said, pointing her microphone toward Marcus, ‘where local patrons are being honored tonight for their years of dedication.’
Marcus smiled broadly, nodding to the camera. ‘That’s right, Sarah. And tonight, we have a very special guest, Mr. Arthur Pendelton. We want to show him what the Grand Horizon family is all about.’
Behind the desk, I remained behind my terminal, watching the scene unfold. A boom mic swung low over the front desk area, hovering just a few feet above where Marcus had stood moments before. Next to the press stand, the audio technician sat with his headset on, adjusting the dials on his mixing board.
Marcus turned to Arthur, his hand sweeping toward the desk where I sat. ‘Arthur, I understand there was a slight mix-up with your reservation tonight. A computer error.’
Arthur blinked under the hot lights, his hand tightening around the strap of his bag. ‘An error? But I booked it months ago. For my wife’s memory.’
‘And that is exactly why we are going to make it right,’ Marcus said, his voice ringing out clearly. He turned back toward me, gesturing with a sharp flick of his wrist. ‘Elena, please bring over the keycard for Mr. Pendelton.’
Before I could move, Marcus walked back to the desk, his back to the camera for a brief second. He leaned over the counter, his face inches from mine. ‘Bring the card and smile,’ he whispered, his voice dripping with venom. ‘If you ruin this segment, I will personally make sure you never get a reference in this state. You’re a replaceable receptionist. Remember that.’
He didn’t realize the boom microphone had drifted closer, catching his whispered threat.
Near the press stand, the audio technician suddenly stiffened. He pulled one side of his headset away from his ear, staring at his levels. He tapped the sound board, then looked directly at the producer, his mouth open. The producer glanced down at her tablet, then back up at Marcus, her brow furrowing as she listened to the live audio feed.
Marcus straightened up, his face instantly smoothing back into a warm, wide grin as he turned back to the camera. ‘Just verifying the room details,’ he said to the lens, his voice reverting to its polished, television-ready tone.
I looked down at the terminal. The log history still showed Marcus’s login ID next to the manual override that had stripped Arthur of his room. Then I looked at the gold-trimmed keycard lying on the desk, the card that officially checked Arthur into a room that had already been given away.