Chapter 1: The Interview

Mary, Murry and Lou stood watching the TV as Ted did the news. Today was more important than usual, he had an interview today. This was something that they rarely ever did, but they had to let him.

"You think he'll do okay?" Mary asked, trying to be optimistic. "I mean, we did go over the cue cards and notecards with him countless times."

"Yeah, but when you have the memory of a goldfish it doesn't matter how many times ou go over it, its still new information," Lou said.

"Maybe we should have put a life sized dummy in there. No one would know the difference and he couldn't cause any trouble," Murry said.

They all stopped as soon as Ted started to introduce the guest. "Now tonight I have a very special guest with us. An icon of the fash, fasheeon world, Mr. Daniel, Coo..." He eyes narrowed to try and read the card.

"Oh God," Murry said as his head went down onto the desk.

Mary took off towards the room and poked her head in, careful that she wouldn't be seen on camera. "Cus," she started.

Ted looked off to the side, completely shocked. "Cuss Mary? I can't cuss on television."

Mary shook her head. "The name! Cus... tee... us!" she whispered.

"Oh," Ted said and then quickly turned back to the camera. "Mr. Daniel Custy ooz."

Mary just rolled her eyes and headed back to join Lou and Murry. "Didn't work huh?" Lou asked.

"What do you think?" she asked as she sat down.

Ted sat down across from Daniel. "So, Mr. Custyooz. Could you please tell us why you are here?"

Daniel Custiez was on the taller side and nicely built. Easily in his early thirties, he had a gentle smile that made his dark brown eyes shine. His hair a light brown. He seemed to find Ted amusing as he laughed. "Well, I had been hired to do a photo session for a few ads in Cosmopolitan and I thought that this would be a good area to get a few good pictures."

"Now is it true that this magazine, Cosmopolitan is a bit controversial?" Ted asked.

Daniel again laughed. "Yes. The most recent thing that got attention was the picture of Burt Reynolds that was featured."

"Where did you work before Cosmopolitan?"

"I used to do photography for National Geographic."

"Interesting," Ted said.

"Very interesting," Lou said. He turned the television off and headed towards his office.

Murry sighed and then looked over to Mary. "You ever read those magazines?"

Mary laughed. "No, I've got better things to do with my time. Does Marie?"

"Not that I know of, but I have a niece that is curious about all of that stuff. I think she started reading it."

Ted and Daniel walked out into the newsroom together. "You know Dan," Ted said to him, failing to keep the conversation private. "If you ever need a make model," he mentioned hinting at himself.

Daniel looked over to him. "I think we're good for a while."

Ted was about to say something else to him, but Daniel saw Mary and started towards her. "All right buddy, talk to you later!" Ted called over as Daniel walked away from him.

"And who might you be?" Daniel asked.

Mary turned around and laughed. "Me?" she asked. "I'm Mary Richards, the associate producer here."

"I'm Daniel Custiez," he said introducing himself.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Custiez," Mary smiled.

"Daniel, and um, I was wondering if you wanted to go out to dinenr with me tonight?"

Mary was surprised to hear the question. This was coming from a man that was always around models, and he was interested in her. "That sounds great."

"All right. Shall I pick you up at eight?" he asked.

"Sure," Mary said and then grabbed a pen paper. "Here is my address," she said handing the paper to him.

"I'll see you then," he said and then left the room.