Remembering WENN #3: For You, Graduate
by Rita Widmer
Disclaimer is on the Introduction Page.
Italics indicates thoughts.
######################################################################
"Work, work, work! Only one more month until graduation, and then I can rest awhile," Betty said aloud to herself.
"Hey, Betty, are you heading to class yet?" asked April as she walked by her dorm room.
"I'll be leaving in a minute. I need to finish up this story."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
After class was over, the teacher stopped Betty. "May I talk to you for a second?" he asked.
"Yes, sir?" answered Betty.
"I'd like to talk to you about your last story."
"Did I do something wrong?"
"No, it was a wonderful romance story."
"Thank you, but why do you want to talk to me?"
"There is a contest for the best screenplay for radio, and the winner gets to have an internship at a radio station in New York City."
"What does that have to do with me?"
"I'd like to send yours into the contest. I have faith that your work could be good enough to win."
"Thank you for your confidence, but I think I'll decline, sir. There are plenty of good writers in this class. Why don't you ask one of them? May I be excused?"
"You are excused," he said in surprise. What was he to do now? He already sent in the script, thinking she would like the chance and opportunity to work in the biggest town in the United States.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Betty sat in her room. The conversation with the teacher left her contemplating her future. She knew her father needed her to work on the local newspaper that he ran. His time was split between the farm and the newspaper. He needed her to come back and work for him. Even if he could find someone to work for him, that would leave him without a family.
The last month of college flew by for Betty. On finals day the teacher told her about how he had entered into the contest, but she'd lost. Betty was unsure on how to feel about the news. She wanted to tell him to enter her, but the problems back home stopped her. It didn't matter anymore.
Betty sat at her desk at the newspaper office working on the latest story. She wanted more out of her life, but her father needed her there.
Mike Roberts walked in and saw his daughter looking sad and worried. He had some news to tell her that he knew could make her happy. "How's the story coming?" he asked.
"It's coming. Dad, can I ask you a favor?"
"Of course, but let me tell you my news first. It might answer your favor. I'm closing down the newspaper and renting the farm out to the neighbors. I've been called away again."
"Dad, not again! One day, I'm going to get a telegram saying you're dead."
"Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself. Just make sure your sisters and brothers are okay." He handed her an envelope.
"What's this?" asked Betty.
"Open it."
Betty opened it nervously. It was a letter. Her anxiousness built as she unfolded it read it aloud.
"Dear Ms. Roberts, we have analyzed your story and compared it with many others. A ticket will be sent to you to work at WENN in Pittsburgh if you confirm this letter and accept the posistion. Congratulations, Ms. Roberts. Yours truly, Victor Comstock."
Betty's eyes shifted back and forth between the letter and her father. "Betty, now you can live out your dream. I know you really wanted to win the contest and go to New York." He shrugged. "Pittsburgh is close to New York."
Betty's eyes filled up with tears. "Dad, you're the greatest!" She hugged him.
"It's all right, darling. Now you can conquer the world of radio. Don't worry about me and my work."
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Betty knocked on the door of her sister, Emma's, house. Her little niece peeked out the door. "Mommy, she's here," Laura exclaimed.
"Thanks, Laura. May I come in?" asked Betty as Emma came to the door.
"Hi, Sis. Come on in!"
Betty entered the living room as a group jumped up, yelling. "Surprise!" It was her whole family. Her brother Mikey came up to her first.
"So my sister is leaving us for Pittsburgh," said Mikey as he gave her a hug.
"I wouldn't go if I didn't feel it was the place where I belong." Her little nephew Jacob ran to her and wanted up. "Gosh, you're getting too big for me to carry, little man."
"Here, let me take him for you," said her oldest brother, Joey.
"No, I can handle him. Where's Susan?"
"She's right behind you," said Susan with a huge cake in her arms.
The party was wonderful, until Betty had to leave. She didn't know when she would see them again. They brought her to the train station. "I'm going to miss you all," Betty said as she got on the train. Her whole family said good - bye, and she was off to a whole new beginning in Pittsburgh.
---------------------------------------------------------------
The train ride didn't seem like it would ever end. She quickly ran out of food and found she was starving as she sped to the Steel City. The cab dropped her off at the building where WENN was located. She slowly got out and paid the cab. She went up the elevator a couple of different times of nervousness, but eventually had to stop or she would make herself sick.
She walked up to the door of WENN. The numbers 1313 stood out for her. She hoped that was not going to be an omen for her stay in WENN. Betty, you can do this. You've been dreaming of being a writer since you can't remember when, Betty thought. She walked in confidently and was greeted by a red haired, bored-looking receptionist eating peanut brittle.
"How may I help you?" the older woman asked.
Well, here I go, thought Betty before answering the woman and asking about her peanutty treat.
Remembering WENN Series
Go to Remembering WENN#4 - Christmas is Waiting!
Go Back to Remembering WENN#2 - On My Own!
Go Back to the Remembering WENN Introduction page!
Go Back to the Fanfiction Library!
