Chapter Two

Melissa typed frantically on her computer. She needed to get her article finished before her deadline. It was a good thing that she was almost done with it.

She was done is a short minute and pushed the print button. All she needed to do was get it to her editor. It wasn't like it was an important piece of anything. It was just that she was never late to submit and article, even if there were times when there were only thirty seconds to spare.

She ran through the office, trying not to knock anyone over as she passed them. She jumped over a poor copy boy that was kneeling down to tie his shoe. He had covered his head when he saw her come running and let out a sigh of relief when she didn't hit him.

She made it to her editor's office with one minute to spare. She was panting heavily and felt as though she was going to pass out.

"You're late." The much older man said from behind a newspaper.

"Sir, I have one minute left." She explained, pointing to his clock.

He set down the paper and looked to where she was pointing to see that she was right. "Well, then… give me the article." He said. She nodded and handed him the document, her article printed on both sides of the piece of paper. "You're very impressive, Baker. Did you know that?" He asked. He didn't give her the chance to say anything. He just kept on talking. "You know the Reefside piece I've been talking about?" "She nodded, because she was still out of breath and couldn't speak. "I was going to put Richards on that assignment."

"Oh." Was all she could say.

"I was, then I read a few of the articles that you've given me. They were really impressive and they made me decided who to send." She gave him a puzzled, yet eager look. "Congratulations." Was all he said, a smile spread across his lips.

Her eyes went wide. "Really?" She asked.

"Really. I figured that you deserved it. You've earned it."

"Oh, thank you, sir. You don't know what this means to me!"

"Now, I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt. One screw up and you'll go back to where you are now."

She nodded. "I won't let you down, sir." She said.

"Good. You leave tomorrow morning. Here is your plan ticket and your voucher from the rental car place. They'll give you my personal favorite car."

"Right. Tomorrow morning… tomorrow morning, sir?"

"Yes, tomorrow morning. You have two weeks to give me a great story. Don't leave anything out. Be the reporter I know you can be… Oh, by the way, don't worry about a hotel or anything. I have a nephew down there and he agreed to let you stay there for your visit." She nodded as she waited for him to say something else. "Well, what are you waiting for? Go home and pack!"

"Right!" She said and quickly left only to come back in. "Thank you, so much. Again, I mean." She left again.

"Oh, and Melissa?" He called to her.

She poked her head through the door. "Yes, sir?"

"Have fun and don't work too hard. Reefside is a beautiful place. So, don't ruin the sights by working the entire time."

She nodded. "Is that an order?" She asked, jokingly.

"Yes… Yes, that is an order."

"Very well, sir." She said as she left for good.

She walked into her apartment, an extra bounce in her step. She couldn't believe this. She just got the chance of a lifetime. She couldn't stop smiling as she logged her computer onto the Internet. She opened up her instant messaging program and went about checking her e-mail and other things.

She had been on for only five minutes before she heard a familiar sound and a screen popped up. She had just gotten an instant message from an old friend.

PinkLady105: What are you doing home so early? You didn't get fired did you?

GreenEyedSerenity: No. I didn't get fired. I've been given an assignment to go to Reefside, California. Can you believe it? He finally gave me an assignment! ::does happy dance::

PinkLady105: Congrats on the assignment… Hmm… Reefside? Huh? It's that place with all of the frequent monster attacks and the appearances of the Power Rangers, isn't it?

GreenEyedSerenity: Thanks. Yeah… Weird, huh?

PinkLady105: You can say that, yeah. But, I hear they're really good.

GreenEyedSerenity: Well, it looks as though I'm going to see first-hand. I'd better get packing. I'll e-mail you when I get there and hook up my computer.

PinkLady105: Okay. Have fun and be good. Be safe, too.

GreenEyedSerenity: I will. Bye.

PinkLady105: Bye.

Mel signed off of the Internet and went to go pack, the bounce still in her step.