"So, the main elements of encapsulating an audience…." Mr. Hudson said as I lost all interest in what he was saying. I already know how to get an audience to pay attention, that's why I have the highest grade in this auditorium sir. One frustrating thing about already working at a big TV company. You know everything you're supposed to learn in college.
Suddenly I hear the door open behind me and the sound of people stepping inside. I don't turn around. Someone made that mistake in our very first class, and he hit him with pudding, right in his face in front of everyone. You simply don't give a guest your attention unless told to.
"Now, we've already partnered you up with someone from our good friends at Washington State—"
The entire room let out a groan. We would rather work alone than with someone from…there. We simply get along like cats and dogs.
"I don't care how much you groan, you've already been partitioned and the results are posted online." He said as the class bent down to retrieve their laptops out of our bags. As I opened mine I saw a man in a dress shirt, pants and blazer greet Mr. Hudson warmly.
I logged onto the College of Liberal Arts (I know, sounds so weak) and accessed the class site. Sure enough, there is a list for a project on "The effects of laughter on a foreign audience".
I start scanning the names. No Benson, no Benson, wait….hold the phone.
Benson, F→ Shay, C
I know a Shay, C. She goes to Washington State. How could I forget her? Taking advantage of Mr. Hudson's conversation I glance back to see my greatest hope and biggest nightmare all packaged into one realized.
She's just…there. It's hard to explain. Among her classmates, blending into the rest of the students. It's weird, she's never blended in before. Maybe it's because I know it's her despite the fact I can't see her face behind her laptop screen. Maybe it's her being in such a foreign environment.
I turn around quickly, seeing a familiar look flash by, one that I know she's found what she was looking for. Probably the link or the website. I Zaplook the iCarly fan site to utilize their resources since they have spent thousands of hours dissecting what made iCarly so great. They even did webcasts themselves on why the partnership of Carly and Sam cannot be duplicated or replicated and why my camerawork was the most unappreciated part of the show.
The students in the back are starting to search around for their partners. I remain firmly entrenched in my seat, knowing that if she wants to see me, she knows where I'm at.
"Carly's friendly, bubbly demeanor combined with the combative and abrasive Sam combined to create a dynamic that the two constantly played off and created many one liners, jokes and skits about. See Cam for more details."
Ugh, Cam. Reminds me of all the crazy ship warring fans did when things were still going strong. Nothing made my stomach sink faster than to see our own fans fighting over what made the show work so well or whether I should get with Sam or Carly. I'm pretty sure someone dissected every second of every show, all 251 of them. (A/N: I'm saying that the show went on for 5 years and missed only one)
I'm engrossed in someone's lengthy blog post on why Melanie sparked the Cam creation. Makes no sense because the show was already going for months when a subtle scent flooded my senses. Bluebonnets and Shampoo, not too overdone, just right.
"Hi." A familiar voice said to my right. I move only my eyes to the source of the sound to find Carly sitting next to me, looking nervous.
"Hey Carls, how's it going?" I asked, sitting back in my chair.
"I'm ok, how are you?" She is sitting on the edge of her seat.
"I'm about the same." I responded, turning back to my laptop.
"So…we're partners huh?" I threw out after a moment of silence when Carly set up her own laptop.
"Yeah, unless there's another Benson in here, but I don't think so." She emitted a small laugh but quickly covered it up.
We both were silent except for our clicking away at our laptops, searching for topics for the project. Well, that's what I was doing. I'm not sure about her, she has a stubborn procrastination gene sometimes.
"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Carly said, breaking the silence.
"Probably not." I said. I was thinking about people could dedicate themselves to our show and we never even met them.
"iCarly." She said. I turned to look at her fully for the first time.
"Explain please." I asked, and she continued.
"The show was funny, why don't we play off of that?"
"Not bad, but it's just us. There isn't a person on earth that can duplicate what Sam did. Or who she is." Carly just smiled deviously.
"Maybe there is…" She was furiously typing into her phone. A moment later she looked up at me and smiled.
I settled back into my chair. I stand by my proclamation about Sam. She is a Blonde headed demon that gave the show a different dynamic. Even big time TV shows are trying to replicate it, and all have failed. It is like the stars aligned for the show to be what it was.
"So how was your Christmas?" I asked.
"Good, got to go home and relax for a few days. It was a welcome break." She smiled. "What about you?"
"Work." I sighed. I didn't like it, but I got the money for second semester plus the fact that I really didn't want to go home to Tiffani, where things have slowly deteriorated to the point that we rarely speak to one another anymore. I just didn't want to be there either.
"How's that going?" She asked, worry edging into her voice,
"Ok, just behind the scenes stuff." I said, dejected. It's kinda like being in coach your entire life, being upgraded to first class for a time then being sent right back to coach. All you want is to back in first class.
"Is it fun?" She asked, trying to create a conversation.
"The editing is, but the producing is a lot more stressful." I sighed, evidenced by the gray hair I found on my pillow a few nights ago.
"Expectations?"
"Exactly. Enough about me, are you still working?" I asked Carly.
"Yeah, Spencer is paying for school so I am just doing it for spending money."
"Where at?"
"Steak place."
"Is it better pay?" I asked.
"A little, more time off and less stressful."
"Ok, meet back here on Thursday and we'll continue on this project." The Washington State professor said, dismissing us.
Carly turned to me. "Groovy Smoothie?"