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“What time are they supposed to be here?”
“Any minute. They said they’re sending a satellite truck and an operator, whatever that means.”
Robert surveyed the store showroom. “And you think this will make a good backdrop for the segment?”
I shrugged. “I guess. I mean, it’s what we have to work with.”
He studied it for another beat. “Looks homey and cozy.”
“What if we set up two stools from the back over here?” I crossed to the large display of young adult fiction, which was bolstered by our manga and fantasy areas. The covers were colorful and detailed. “The lighting is probably the best over here, and I think the background will make the store look larger.”
“Agreed.”
The rumble of a truck engine made us both turn to the front door where we saw a white, nondescript van parked in the metered spot closest to The Green Frog entrance. A large man in tan coveralls hopped out and ascended the steps. Robert rushed to the door and invited him inside.
“I’m Frank, the operator for today,” the man said after we shook hands.
“We’re happy to have you,” I said, then felt stupid because I’d forgotten to get donuts like I had planned. “Would you like some coffee?”
“Sure, with cream and sugar.”
“Do you need some help?” Robert asked.
“No. This looks standard, so I think we should do the hit from here.” He motioned toward the space we’d been discussing.
I glanced at Robert, biting back a smile. “We were just talking about that before you drove up.”
“I like to keep things simple. The easier, the better for the folks in New York City.”
“I’ll get you that coffee,” I said.
Even though Frank said he didn’t need help, Robert insisted on doing so, and it didn’t take long for them to string cable up the steps and into the building. When I arrived back in the main showroom with coffees, the place was flooded with light and equipment. It almost looked like a miniature Hollywood set.
“Are you nervous?” Frank asked as he fiddled with the camera, which was smaller and sleeker than I expected.
“A little.” I took a couple of deep breaths and squared my shoulders. “I’m usually behind the scenes, not in front. Or at least I was when I worked in theater.”
“I saw the video of you all. It was quite the show.”
“Theremixwas quite a show.” I placed the coffee close to him on a nearby table. “Thanks to TikTok.”
“TikTok runs our lives these days,” he mused. “Or at least my daughter’s life. She’s addicted to it, and there’s nothing like that algorithm.”
“We’re all subject to those.” Robert picked up his coffee and took a long sip. “Pretty soon, this whole world will run on AI.”
“Remind me to check out before it does,” Frank said. “You know the cameras in the studio for the show are all robotic now. They got rid of the crew five years ago. Now, someone just runs them from the production room.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Wish I was.” He let out a puff of air. “Guess that’s why I like doing assignments like these. Reminds me there’s life out there, away from tech.”
Robert nodded. “That’s what attracted me to New Burlington too. Just quieter here. Slower.”
“And you like it?” Frank crossed the chairs and made some adjustments to the area where we’d be sitting.
“Um... yeah... I do.”
Something in Robert’s reply, something I heard made it ring false. I wasn’t expecting to hear that, and I turned in his direction, whirling on my foot. “Everything okay?”
