Getting to Us chapter 4
Lonny was waiting for Will to finish his Monday morning session with Dr Habib.
"All set Boss. Everything is cool right?"
"Not discussing my personal life. Let's go!
The Newsroom was buzzing when Will arrived at work in time for the morning pitch meeting. Mac was smiling and excited. Something was up.
Mac stood up when Will entered the meeting and the room went silent.
She looks especially beautiful today, Will thought. He skin was glowing and her eyes were bright and happy. She was anxious to share some important news. Neil was holding a bucket filled with several bottles of Champagne on ice. Maggie was holding a tray of glasses.
" Today is the first day of the campaign season in full swing. We're leading up to November and it's just been announced that Will is moderating the first Presidential debates. Neil, crack open that champagne so we can toast Will and congratulate him. Of course he will do a brilliant job!"
Everyone clapped and cheered and Will grinned with pride, a little embarrassed at this out pouring of admiration and the applause from his team. Mac had done that. She had let them see the real man of substance that he was. She had pushed him in front to be the leader he was meant to be. He loved her for that.
Charlie stood up next.
" I have a second announcement. As it turns out, those pussified pussies who put down our show don't know their asses from a hole in the ground!
News Night has been nominated for Best News Show on prime time.
Will has been nominated for the Best Anchor award, and Mackenzie has been nominated for Best Producer.
That's called a "trifecta" and I'll bet my best bow tie that we take home gold. The nominations will be announced at a press conference at the Plaza later today. Day Side will be covering it and it will be in the NY Times tomorrow morning. Please raise your glasses in a toast to Mackenzie and Will and the entire News Night Team. I'm proud of you all. "
The room exploded in cheers, and Will stood up to speak.
" Nominations are great, but we all know that without the dedicated team in this room and in our control room, Mackenzie and I could never have earned those nominations. You are this show. These nominations are for you and all your great work. In fact, let's all go to the control room and share this with our tech team…right after we've toasted Charlie, the real Don Quxiote of this award winning musical !
Charlie your faith in us has not waivered for one second, and we thank-you. "
A lot of hugging and laughter followed. Will found his way over to Mackenzie who had tears in her eyes. He wrapped his arms around her and whispered in her ear.
"I can hardly wait for our date."
"Me too" she whispered back.
" OK LISTEN UP ! Back to work or we won't have a show tonight" he bellowed
The glow of the nominations and the excitement of the upcoming Presidential debate stayed with the team, but soon enough there were heated arguments over content and the usual panic to book guests and deal with network politics.
Mac the EP was as strong and unbending as ever. And Will was Will. Sometimes moody, cranky and sarcastic- but more often fair and open to everyone's opinions and respectful of their ideas.
There was however, a new softness to Will and Mac's heated exchanges. Maggie noticed it first.
" Hey Sloan. Something is up. Did you see how Will was looking at Mac when she went off the deep end after he started to suck up to John MaCain during that interview?
He didn't get all pissy with her. He just let her rant and then he just smiled at her and let her cool down. I swear I saw him rub her back as he followed her out of the room. Did you see that?"
" Mind your own business Maggie. That's all I'm going to say on the subject !"
There was one other change.
Mackenzie left right after every show. Will noticed it and it made him nervous. Saturday felt light years away. He needed to stay cool. He was tempted to question her but he didn't want to pressure her and use their working relationship to pry, undermine her confidence, or make her feel vulnerable. He could hear Habib's words ringing in his ears. He had to earn the right to have her to himself and in the meantime there were boundaries and he had to respect them.
Not easy!
On Thursday there was breaking news that affected everyone very deeply, most of all Will. A sex scandal broke out over the treatment of young boys by the coach of one of the nation's most prestigious college football teams.
The testimonials by these now grown men who were abused as innocent young boys was hard to listen to.
Mackenzie found Will in his office with his head in his hands. She walked over and stood by his chair, and ran her hand over his hair. He moaned softly. She sat down on the edge of his desk and put her arms around him, letting him bury his head into her lap, holding him tightly.
" It's ok Billy. I know how much this must be hurting you." She stroked his back tenderly.
" Oh Mac. It's just that I know what it's like to be wounded by a man who you thought was going to protect you from life, not abuse you."
" I know Billy" Mac said softly. Come on. Let's go for a walk."
Central Park was beautiful. The leaves were flaming gold and red and the air was crisp and cool. Will and Mac linked arms and walked in silence until it was time to go back and get ready to lock in the show.
"Thanks, I needed that. Time to write my script. "
"Are you sure you're ok? Can I help you with it?"
"You are about the only person who ever could write my scripts. You know that don't you? "
" I do know that."
"Mac, whatever happens with us, romantically I mean, let's not lose this. Friendship is as important as anything else, right?"
" Yes of course it is"
"That's not to say I'm not thinking about other stuff… In fact I think about it all the time. In fact…."
" Save it for Saturday Will. We're at work now and I'm your EP and you are crossing a line ! Which is not to say that I don't think about it too…"
Will smiled to himself as they parted ways, heading back to their offices.
Maggie saw Will and ran after him in a panic.
" Will, there 's someone waiting for you in your office. She insisted that you were expecting her. I hope I didn't screw up."
Will walked into his office and saw what was waiting for him. This was not going to be pleasant. He quickly shut the door and looked sternly at the blonde who was lounging on his sofa.
" Hey handsome. It been way too long."
"Hello Erin. This is a surprise. How are you and what are doing here? "
" Aren't you going to greet me properly? Where is my kiss?"
"I'm at work Erin. This is not a good idea and you know it. Listen I'm getting ready to do a show, you have to leave now. Please?"
" I want to talk to you. I'm not leaving until I can share my news! Believe me you will want to hear this."
" I really don't. I have a show to do and then I need to go home. Another time ok?"
" No, not ok! I want to tell you something important. I expect you to start by taking me out for a drink. Is that too much to ask Will?"
He knew he needed to keep Erin calm and get her out of the newsroom as quietly and quickly as he could.
"OK. I'll meet you at Sam's after I wrap. About 10:30 but I'm not drinking. One coke and I'm off to bed. "
" Too bad about not drinking, but I like the bed part"
"Erin, cut it out. Maggie come in here and show Ms Andrews to the elevator please."
Sloan recognized the blonde woman Maggie was escorting out of the newsroom. Erin Andrews was a talk show host who was married to a NY Jets player. It was rumored that her marriage was on the rocks and Will had supposedly snuck off to the Carribean with her after his now famous speech at Midwestern back before Sloan had joined the show.
This was not good.
" Maggie, get over here" Sloan whispered, racing to the far corner of the room."
" Listen. Don't mention this to Mac. There is enough going on without this crap adding to her stress. I mean it. Forget you every saw that women in this newsroom. Promise?"
" I Promise. Do you think I like seeing Mac hurt? I hate it."
" No worries. I am going to deal with this."
Sloan walked into Will's office and interrupted his concentration.
"Will can I have a minute please?" From her voice Will could tell that she was pissed.
"Not now Sloan. Can you see I'm writing my script?"
" Ok but right after we wrap, I need to speak to you. "
"I'm sure you do. No actually- you don't. There is nothing about my business that is any concern of yours. I mean it Sloan. Keep your nose where it belongs"
The show was solid. Will reported on the sex scandal and Mac watched him closely, coaching him on, helping him keep his emotions in check.
" Ok Will, you can do this. Do it for those boys"
As Will spoke everyone could hear the disgust in his voice, echoing what they all felt. When it was over, the newsroom was silent . People left quietly. It had been a difficult and sensitive broadcast.
Will went back to his office dreading the conversation that was coming in a few mins.
Erin was a vivid reminder of his recent past exploits. It was true that she was married, but it was on again ,off again. The week they spent at the beach was not a good scene. Not that he could remember much. He drank enough to block out most of what was happening, and slept the rest of the time. He hadn't seen or spoken to her since. It had been over a year. The times she did call, he just didn't call her back.
"Lonny I have to stop at Sam's for a few mins. You stay close to me. I may need your help. "
" Is this about your personal life, because I…."
"Shut up Lonny. This is for real now. It could get ugly. You be on the look out for reporters. The last thing I need is for this to hit the tabloids. We'll be out of there in 15 mins tops." Will was clearly upset or he would not have snapped.
They walked in together and Lonny spotted her first.
"Over there. Cougar at 3 o'clock" , he whispered.
Will slid into the booth across from Erin who was into her fourth cocktail
" Hello Erin. What is it that you needed to tell me?"
" You're not at work now handsome. A kiss would be a good start."
"Come on Erin. Just tell me what you came to say, please. I'm really tired and I can't stay long."
" Jack and I have split for good, and I thought you would be very happy to hear that."
" I'm sorry your marriage is over. I really am. I hoped you would finally work it out. I'll be rooting for you Erin. You're a fun lady and you won't be alone for long. Is that it then, because I really have to…" She cut him off and grabbed his arm.
" You can fix that Will. In fact you could start right now."
" I'm actually dating someone important to me. Can I find you a cab? I really do have to go. "
" Who are you kidding Will. I read the tabloids ! It's been a revolving door of women for the whole year since we were together. But I'm free now. We would be great together, as you well know!"
" We were never "together", and we were never great. We had a brief fling and it ended over a year ago and it's not starting up again- ever. I hope I am being really clear and you are hearing me"
Erin was silent. Will had verbally slapped her into finally shutting up.
"Lonny can you please help Ms Andrews find a cab? Good luck Erin"
" Hello Ms Andrews. You and I are going to walk out this door now so I can put you in a cab. Here, let me help you with your coat. I would love your autograph, Would you mind? I watch you all the time. Here, take my arm, let me get that door…."
Will watched her leave, totally distracted by the handsome body guard fawning over her.
In a few mins they were watching Erin's cab depart. Will breathed a sigh of relief.
"That was a close one. Glad to see the back of her"
" You and me both. Lonny, thanks for your help. Did anyone see us?
" I don't think so. I couldn't swear to it, but you weren't in there very long"
" Normally I would be way past caring, but I don't want Mac to get hurt. She doesn't need to read about this in the tabloids or see a photo of us together.
I guess I better tell her tomorrow, just in case it leaks out. "
It had been a very long day.