Jacki wrinkled her face and turned.

“Now pull that dress in a little at the waist.”

She frowned and complied. The belly was obvious.

“I will have enough time to go off, have my baby and get back before she goes. I expect the show to be as good as it would be with me because this woman is one of the brightest people I have worked with. When she applied for it I nearly turned her down. Overnight I thought about it. I admitted I was afraid of her and I hired her the next day. That was one of the best moves I have made. The crew of this show is like that. We have people with ones below them who are nearly as good or better. We have had some move on when someone else paid more than we could, most are in higher positions in other shows. Can someone hit Bob on camera two with a camera?”

She looked down at the monitor. “Go to camera two.” The shot was of a guy operating a camera. “This is Bob, that is my husband and father of this baby. And Bob, can you get the guy on camera 4? Split five and four.” A smile crossed her face. “This is Jacki’s husband, Bob. There is a lot of nepotism here.”

Now I want to show you something else. Camera two, can you get to the control room, get Jennifer. She is the one who cuts us from one camera to another. Her husband is in the back office, he does our computer graphics and there is a rumor he does some night work too.” Jennifer came on the screen. She smiled weakly and waved. “I understand they just announced they will be having a family addition, a grandchild. See if you can get the cameras all back on the guests but the one that is on me.” The picture changed to Heather who was looking down at her monitor and saw the change. She turned sideways. “I was embarrassed when you went to me but I want everyone out there to see this. This is what having a baby is about. Your body changes. If does things you can’t control. You feel less than beautiful. But under it there is something so beautiful happening. I want to do one more thing and then I will get back to the guests. I want to mention Helen. She was on camera one time with a guest. She does makeup and does it so well. There are people who do Patti and Karen, they do the same things day in and out and do it well. Helen mostly does guests. Every day is a new thing. She is awesome. Her husband came on staff about a year ago briefing people before the show. It is one of those jobs like Helen’s that none of you see but you would quickly see the result if they were not to do it well. Our staff is like that.”

She smiled impishly. “Patti, Karen. Watch your back. Some day I will get you two for this. I just wish you had told me so I didn’t get caught chewing a bagel. But thanks for caring. I know it was about that. Cut to camera three and take off my mic.”

The scene went to the set.

Patti closed the segment.

Karen: Chapter One – The Attack

Karen Chapter 38 – the Challenge Bears Fruit

Karen Chapter 40 – Two Years Later Diane