Roxanne took a deep breath to calm her nerves. A pair of makeup artist were giving her several touches before her on screen performance. Roxanne wasn't out on the field which was what she always wanted, but this opportunity was more that what she ever expected to achieve in her carreer. Today she was anchoring directly from the studio. She smiled to herself. The boys would be so surprised to see her live, considering she just warned them about her report going live and not her personally.
"Okay Roxanne we'll be on in ten," said one of the camera men.
Roxanne nodded as everyone hurried away. She pressed her lips together and smiled as the countdown reached ten. Everyone in the room fell silent as the director's fingers counted down, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. The light went on in the cameras and the sign On Air started to shine in the background.
"Good evening citizens of Metro City, this is Roxanne Ritchi reporting live from KMCP channel 8 news," started the blue alien. "On today's news…"
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At the other side of town, Minion cleaned a table before his eyes turned to his watch and noticed the time. His eyes grew wide and he rushed to the bar to see the news. Knowing the reason he rushed behind the bar, his co-workers snickered and turned to see the news report of one of Minion's oldest friends. However none of them expected the first thing that popped in the screen.
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Metro Man leaned back on his seat as he scrolled through the channels until he finally reached the one he was looking for. He settled further into his chair and took a bowl of popcorn next to him. The last of the commercials rolled in and he turned to yell at Megamind to hurry.
In no time Megamind made his presence known by dropping on the floor carpet and taking off his work boots. His blue/green eyes fixed on the screen when finally the news intro filled the stereo and screen. It mentioned the two incidents this morning in the voice of the usual news caster, as usual.
Megamind leaned back and made a grab for the popcorn, but Metro Man moved them further away. Megamind made a reach for it, but Metro Man wasn't having any; however the inventor was also not having any of it and launched a full on attack on the bigger man. Both ended fighting over the bowl, each pulling the plastic to their side. That was until a voice made them both stop mid quarrel and turn their attentions to the TV.
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"Well that would be all for tonight. For more instant news, follow us in our social media or webpage. Also stay tune for the morning news where we'll have more exciting stories. As for tonight this is Roxanne Ritchi for KMCP channel 8 news, signing off and wishing all a good night," Roxanne fixed her papers with a smile on her lips.
The cameras light went off indicating the end of the newscast and Roxanne stood.
"That was simply amazing," said her boss coming towards her. "Where were you my entire life?"
Roxanne giggled, "Well inside an office."
"And I hate myself for it. You. I was…blown away. You have to do the next ones until Louise comes back, please."
Roxanne stared at him, "I'll think about it."
Her boss jumped up and down, "Don't even worry, I'll pay you as if you were the actual anchor and you can move out of that hideous place you live in."
Roxanne laughed, "Is not hideous. And I live perfectly fine James, Michael and Wayne are perfect gentlemen."
Her boss gave her an odd look, "You wouldn't happen to be interested in one of them would you?"
Roxanne shook her head, "What is this high school? I already heard all of those kinds of rumors."
"Because Roxanne, what other reason, would a perfectly capable woman have to live in a house with three useless men," said one of her female co-workers. "I'm betting is Michael. He's the more capable of all of them."
"And he has that delicious tanned skin and cute personality," shivered another.
Roxanne laughed when she felt someone next to her, "Well I bet is that hunky guy, Wayne. T-O-T-A-L H-O-T-T-I-E."
Several sighs in agreement were heard and Roxanne had to laugh.
The rest of the crew drove on, reaching conclusion on whom and why Roxanne stayed living with her three childhood friends. Roxanne paid little to no attention to the rumors. She had already dealt with these sorts of things back in high school and she had graduated and never dated any of them. It was still fun to hear the conclusions people came up with about her relationship with her friends.
She finished cleaning her things with the voices of co-workers behind her talking about how Metro Man was so dreamy or how Minion was so adorable, but they never spoke about Megamind. It was as if he was invisible to everyone else except them. Even in high school and college they always ended up pairing her with Metro or Minion, but never Megamind. Only once before she had asked and the answer had been so vague Roxanne didn't bother any more. Even now she wondered why none of them commented on Megamind. He came to pick her up almost as often as Metro or Minion, but he kept being the secluded one.
"Roxanne," speak of the devil.
Megamind strode to her. Like always he was wearing all black, specifically that suit he had made that protected him while he worked on his inventions. His gloves were on, a signature of his since middle school. Black work boots finished the ensemble.
"Evening ladies," Megamind said to the women that accompanied Roxanne.
They gave him a look over and some walked by while other returned his courtesy, but none ever stayed behind to talk to the man.
"Hello Megamind," said Roxanne reaching his side.
Megamind nodded and gestured to where the car was parked, "Metro went to pick Minion and he's also bringing something to eat."
"Great, I'm starving," said Roxanne climbing in the car.
Megamind nodded and followed suit, "They're also bringing a little extra to celebrate your…promotion?"
Roxanne chuckled, "It's not exactly…a promotion. I was covering for the usual team."
Megamind sighed and turned to her, pout splattered on his face, "So this is a onetime thing?"
"Perhaps," replied Roxanne.
Megamind shrugged and turned on the car, "Well we'll get some sweets and head back to the lair."
"Sounds like a plan then," said Roxanne.
They were driving at normal speed back to the lair, which really was an oddity to how normally Megamind drove. He usually exceeded the speed limit by twice the number and took turns like he was being chased by police officers, but with the night bringing in the less crowded streets and the peaceful night Megamind took it easy. Specially if he was waiting for Minion and Metro to head back and have everything ready by the time they arrived.
Megamind ended parking in a local sweets shop and walked inside to get something. Roxanne smiled. Megamind loved sweets, it was something they shared. He also looked for them so often the shop owner knew all their favorites. It was a surprise how he didn't become a pastry chef instead of an 'evil' inventor. Just as that thought appeared in her mind Roxanne shook it, last time Megamind tried to cook…it was a better thing not thought or mentioned, ever.
He came back and handed the box filled with sweets to Roxanne. They smelled so good Roxanne took a glimpse inside and noticed several pastries inside, all decorated with fruits and coated in powdered sugar. Roxanne bit her lip and closed the box as Megamind drove away from the store and back to the 'lair'.
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"Roxanne!" echoed Minion's voice as he rushed to her and hugged her. "That was amazing."
"Thanks Minion," replied Roxanne pushing Minion a little. "Minion…I need to…breathe…"
Minion let go of her, "Sorry Roxanne but…I'm so happy for you!"
"It truly was impressive Roxie," said Metro Man walking over to her. "I haven't seen such interesting news in a while."
Roxanne smiled at him, "Thank you Metro."
"Ready for some celebrating," said Megamind walking over. "We fetched some sweets and we have some wine around."
"I brought some appetizers from work," said Minion as they walked to the kitchen. "The guys at work were helping me like crazy, they also said hi and congratulations."
Roxanne sniffed, "Thank them when you see them Minion."
"I will Roxanne," he said pulling her over with his arm.
When they reached the kitchen Megamind had already a bottle of wine opened and Metro was running to stop him before he ate everything.
Both Minion and Roxanne laughed, but walked in to celebrate.
"To Roxanne," said Megamind lifting his cup. "The best anchor channel eight news has ever had."
"Cheers."
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"What was that?"
"An alien?"
"Why hadn't I heard about this until now?"
"No one knew."
"How did no one knew? She's a blue alien with a huge head for crying out loud."
"Well…"
"I guess you are a dumb as you look."
"Hey, watch it. I'm a black belt."
"Oh really? Well I can easily get you fired."
"Quit it you two, we need to figure out more of this…entity."
"That we can agree on."
"So what do we do? Catch her and bring her here?"
"No, we wait."
"What for?"
"We need more information; if she was left to simply do this kind of thing in a live camera then she must be known by hundreds if not thousands of people. We must be cautious."
"What do you suggest?"
"We stay low and investigate, by the end of it, we'll know more about her than she ever knew about herself at all."
"I like that plan."
"Good, because you and her are going to do it."
"Why me/ Why him?"
"You are the best in your job, and you better do this right. We've never had such close contact with an alien before. This is new ground."
"Yes sir."