Page 70 of The Wish
‘Truth is, I love what we do there, it’s so cutting edge – well, it was – and as a team we’re the best in the business, you know that.’
‘OK, but how the hell did you afford all this? I mean, I know the cost of some of this stuff, way outside my budget.’
‘I basically live like a monk; I’ve worked since I was a kid and saved every penny. I only buy tech stuff, feed me and Max. I know everyone at TriOptics is producing cutting edge work but there’s a lot you can do with what I’ve got here, outside of the big shoots in the studio. I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but I’ve been working on software to make a version of what we do at the studio, affordable and accessible to the average fifteen-year-old. Why shouldn’t others be able to produce the experiences we do? We should share the knowledge.’
‘But you’d copyright and protect your intellectual property. Sell the product.’
‘Well, yeah, but I’d make it affordable.’
‘And then you’d walk away from TriOptics, Ian and all his bullshit?’
‘That’s a tricky one to answer. If I didn’t come into the office, the only person who would register my existence is Max. I’ve been pretty much a solo unit, until I started hanging out at the hospital with Jesse, her family and the other kids there. And Kelly.’
Steve turns back to the screens, to the different photos of Jesse, Amy, her family.
Steve pauses by one screen. ‘Who is she?’ he asks.
‘Ah, that’s Kelly, Jesse’s social worker.’
Steve studies the photo of Kelly. ‘This is the social worker you’ve been having a hard time with?’ He looks at Alex, shaking his head, a wry smile on his face. ‘You’ve got to get out more, my friend.’
‘It’s not that simple. She’s ah, complicated.’
‘Really. Huh. A complicated woman. Who would have thought?’
‘Forget her. If you’re ready to start, I’ll show you what I’ve got and where the different files are.’
Max settles into his bed as Alex and Steve dive into the job at hand.
‘Just hang on a minute while I update everything with what Sarah did today, should now make it easier for us to plan what we need to shoot at the studio.’
Videos and still photos slide between the monitors.
Throughout the night, Alex and Steve identify and compile files, at times struggling to determine timelines based on what they think Jesse’s age is in photos. Regularly they stand and stretch, go to the kitchen for water, the bathroom, to eat the remaining brownies.
As the room starts to lighten, Steve glances at his watch. ‘Oh Christ, I’ve got to go, I’ve just got time to go home, have a shower, kiss Lydia and the kids hello and goodbye and get to the office. In the mood Ian’s in right now he’s just as likely to fire me for being five minutes late. You, well as much as he’d love to get rid of you, he knows Frank would boot him out the door if he did, so I don’t think you are fired just yet. And, given what you said about not having anyone but Max to miss you, it’s just the tiniest bit possible that you need us as much as we need you.’
Max barks at this point – the man is right.
‘Sorry, mate, didn’t realise how late it was.’
‘It’s not late anymore, we’ve gone beyond late, we’re now early.’
‘OK, off you go and please, tell Lydia thanks for the dinner and brownies, and sorry for keeping you out all night. And thanks. I mean it. I think we just might do this.’
‘Are you coming into the office?’
‘Nah.’
‘OK. I’ll see myself out.’
‘Thanks, I’ll give you a call later.’
Stopping to rub Max’s belly, Steve leaves, turning back and catching Alex staring at a photo of Kelly.
Hearing the front door shut Alex stands and stretches, looking over at Max.
‘Why didn’t you tell me it was so late? Maybe we should take a break. Come on, outside.’
