I began working there around February. Typically, my job involved me shooting stories for a few hours
and then editing video for shows on the weekend. During the week, I would edit for two shows,
shoot a story for an hour or two, and hurry and edit for the 10PM News.
This story was a Friday night in the summer of 2004. One of our anchors also produced
the 10PM news. News anchors are local
celebrities and often got called to make appearances and judge events. This night there was such an event. There was a talent show at the honky tonk
down the road and she was to judge. Since
she was making a public appearance we had to cover the event as if it were news
of course. So, I had to go shoot
it. Self-promotion masquerading as a
news story. It has always been a
thing. Always will be a thing.
The place was what you’d expect. Metal building off a spur route surrounded by
a gravel parking lot. Inside was dark,
smell of smoke, loud country music (probably Tim McGraw, Keith Urban and Kenny
Chesney). Large shiny dance floor. Stage
up front for performers. Lot of glistening wood finish. I picked a spot and set my camera up. I was gonna be there like 20 minutes and
scram. Totally not my scene. At all.
Five minutes to show time and some Merle Haggard looking
fella comes up.
“Glad you could make it.
I own this joint. I’ll buy you a
drink.”
“Thank you, sir, but I’m good. I’m working.”
“Bullshit. Let me get
you something. It’s free. Relax a
little.”
Only he said it in a forceful way and I was worried about
being rude. I told him, “I like Jager.”
A moment later he brought me the drink and stood there staring
at me. I downed the shot quickly and
pointed the camera at my anchor as the ceremony commenced. I got a couple other shots (camera shots, not
liquor) and was prepared to move to another spot. My empty shot glass was gone. It was replaced with another one filled to
the top with that delicious German liquor.
I looked around and saw the owner looking at me. He had some drink in his hand and held it
high as if to say, “Cheers!” I am so
weak. I fell to the “peer pressure” and
downed another shot. Grabbed my gear and
moved to the other side of the dance hall.
A few moments and camera shots later and bam! There was another shot of Jager waiting right
next to me. What the Hell? I looked and he gestured at me again. Didn’t this guy have other pressing
business? I know he thought he was being
a great host but gosh damn. I was on the
clock! I had to drive a station
vehicle. I had to go back into my work
building and talk to coworkers face to face.
I snapped my camera off its
tripod and grabbed my gear and rushed out of there, gave a quick head nod to
the owner leaving my 3rd shot of Jager behind. I don’t like being uncomfortable, or
conflict, confrontation, etc…I drove back to work and went to editing my 10PM
show. As far as I can tell nobody knew I
had two shots. A third shot might have
been pushing it though. I felt guilty
about drinking on the job. I was so
paranoid I’d get pulled over too.
Getting a DUI in a station vehicle would have been the end of my
career. Hell, in a personal vehicle may
have ended it too. But I made it. I swore to myself, “never again.”
Comments
Post a Comment