Chapter 2: Alice Grayson

The lift opened and Alice Grayson emerged with two coffees in hand and rushed to her cubicle. She could not afford to be late again seeing as it wouldn’t be the first, or second time this week. She rushed over to her cubicle where she found her colleague and best friend Sammy waiting in her chair.

"And here I thought you weren’t coming in today", said Sammy with a grin on her face. "I thought for sure you had a hangover after last night."

"I didn’t drink last night," said Alice as she passed Sammy her coffee. "I’m late because I was following up on a lead, seems like it didn’t pan out though. I’ll have to retrace my steps and interview whoever is willing to talk."

"That sounds great," said Sammy, but I had quite a bit to drink so thank you and thank God Almighty for this coffee," as she brought the coffee to her lips.

"Get up Sammy, my feet are killing me," groaned Alice.

"Okay okay," said Sammy as she jumped out of Alice's seat.

Alice sat down and immediately kicked off her heels and hid them under her desk while slumping into her seat until her head was completely out of view under the walls of her cubicle. Alice untied her bun and let her hair fall down, feeling as if the bun she had made before leaving for work was starting to pull out braincells, she let loose. she rubbed at her eyes, trying to force the sleep out of them. "Aah," groaned Alice while stretching her arms over the walls of her cubicle.

"Did you see the guy standing in Christina's office?"

Alice pulled herself out of her seat and peaked out of her cubicle to be able to see who Sammy was talking about. The man wore a well-tailored pinstripe suit and wore his hair back. He looked important for sure.

"What do you think they’re talking about?" Asked Sammy.

"I don’t know, but it looks like they're done."

Christina led the man out of her office, thanking him for the opportunity and walked him towards the Elevator. She turned around and made her way towards Alice and the rest of the journalists who’d been watching the interaction take place the entire time..

"Can I please get everyone’s attention," said Christina while standing in the middle of the bullpen. "The man that just left my office is from a charity organization that is looking to raise money for the underprivileged and homeless. they will be hosting an event next week, and would like all the major papers to attend. apparently, some mysterious benefactor popped out of nowhere and no one knows who he is. He donated a quarter billion dollars towards the charity and the charity's chairperson, the man who just left my office, wants the best coverage. So tell me, who's available. Sammy?"

"No can do boss," replied Sammy. "I have a solid lead for the hijackings that have been occurring by the docks. I have too much on my plate."

"Brian?"

"I can’t at the moment boss, I have the public park article to wrap up."

"Alice? Are you available?"

"Well I do have quite a bit of work, but sure, I can do it."

"Okay great," replied Christina. "The article is yours."

"Gotcha boss," replied Alice.

Christina nodded in agreement and then made her way back to her office.

"Why did I say yes to that article," sighed Alice while slumping back into her chair. "I have so much work as well. Plus, Christina really wants this article to go well, you saw how happy she looked while walking that guy out of her office."

"Don’t worry, you’ll be fine," said Sammy still sipping at her coffee. "You just have to attend the fundraiser and write an article on this guy who made the big donation. He’s probably some old man that’s coming to the end of his life and doesn’t know what to do with the money. Plus, these events always have open bars."

"Yeah, you’re right," said Alice now sounding a bit more enthusiastic. "I have been trying to get more face time with Christina, I'm sure this is my big break."

"That’s my girl. Now tell me, what are you going to wear?"