HANNA AND OTHER STORIES Preview Chapbook | Page 21
“ All set , Joshua ?” the director , Neil Lesser , asked from behind the camera . “ Feeling nervous ? I know it ’ s not your first time recording one of these , but … I mean , wow ! I ’ d be nervous .”
“ Cool as a cucumber ,” Blumfield lied . In truth , he was barely controlling his excitement . He ’ d only done one story prior to this that had landed him the host for Wide Eye , and that had been on fight fixing in robot battle competitions .
This story was different , however . Queen Alice was different . And he was going to be the first to report on it — right from Ohio ’ s most trusted news sources ! If this program was well-received , it could mean very big things for him . More time reporting on the network , awards , maybe even national TV .
Camera One focused on his face while Camera Two rose a few feet in the air . Neil lifted four fingers , began counting down , and , as the last finger curled , the teleprompter began to roll .
“ Good evening , and welcome to Wide Eye Investigative Reporting . I ’ m your host , Joshua Blumfield . Parents are growing concerned about an online figure reaching out to their teens . She is described as a powerfully persuasive cult leader who is treated like royalty by her followers , and who uses psychology and social media to indoctrinate , intimidate , and even assassinate anyone she sets her sights on . A sociopathic young woman to put Manson to shame . A woman who calls herself Queen Alice .
“ However , does Queen Alice — who was searched more than four hundred thousand times on major search engines last
RAMI UNGAR 21
“ All set , Joshua ?” the director , Neil Lesser , asked from behind the camera . “ Feeling nervous ? I know it ’ s not your first time recording one of these , but … I mean , wow ! I ’ d be nervous .”
“ Cool as a cucumber ,” Blumfield lied . In truth , he was barely controlling his excitement . He ’ d only done one story prior to this that had landed him the host for Wide Eye , and that had been on fight fixing in robot battle competitions .
This story was different , however . Queen Alice was different . And he was going to be the first to report on it — right from Ohio ’ s most trusted news sources ! If this program was well-received , it could mean very big things for him . More time reporting on the network , awards , maybe even national TV .
Camera One focused on his face while Camera Two rose a few feet in the air . Neil lifted four fingers , began counting down , and , as the last finger curled , the teleprompter began to roll .
“ Good evening , and welcome to Wide Eye Investigative Reporting . I ’ m your host , Joshua Blumfield . Parents are growing concerned about an online figure reaching out to their teens . She is described as a powerfully persuasive cult leader who is treated like royalty by her followers , and who uses psychology and social media to indoctrinate , intimidate , and even assassinate anyone she sets her sights on . A sociopathic young woman to put Manson to shame . A woman who calls herself Queen Alice .
“ However , does Queen Alice — who was searched more than four hundred thousand times on major search engines last