Read Online Lone Star Legend by Gwendolyn Zepeda - Free Book Online

press passes and pointed to the sign above
     the convention center door. It said austin lowrider show: $15 admission.
    “This is so embarrassing,” Sandy muttered after they’d paid and made their way through the throng at the door.
    “No biggie,” said George. “Just save your receipt and Angelica will reimburse us.”
    “It’s not that.” Sandy removed her camera from her work bag and surveyed the scene. As far as the eye could see, there were
     cars. Bright, glittery, bouncy cars, flanked by the men who loved them. And by adoring fans with cameras and fried foods in
     paper bags. And by women in bikinis and high heels. “Why are we even here? And on a Sunday?” She’d hurried back from Dallas
     early that morning, skipping breakfast with her friend Veronica, to drive her hungover self back to this.
    “I know why
I’m
here.” George made a beeline for the nearest bikini model. “Come on,” he called over his shoulder. “I’m interviewing her
     first!”
    *  *  *
    B ACK AT THE office on Monday, Angelica reviewed their footage with a critical eye. Sandy watched, too. It was her first time seeing herself
     on video. She wondered if she looked as nervous as she’d felt while interviewing her subjects. It was hard to tell because
     George had done so many close-ups on the models and the cars that there wasn’t much of Sandy in the frames.
    She knew, at any rate, that she’d done a better job than George. Not only was her camera work better, but she’d come up with
     better questions for their subjects. All George had done, basically, was hit on the models. He’d even offered to make a couple
     of them famous.
    “Good job, you two,” said Angelica, causing George to preen. “Next time, though, I’ll send Francisco along with you to run
     the camera. Also, next time, George, try getting a little more information from your subjects. Instead of just asking if the
     girls are single, ask if they slept with anyone to get the job. And don’t promise them anything on camera, got it?”
    George nodded dutifully and Angelica dismissed him. Then she turned to Sandy. “Have a moment? In my office?”
    Sandy swallowed hard and followed her boss.
    The office most certainly was Angelica’s now. She’d removed every trace of evidence that Oscar had ever worked there. The
     walls had been painted pale taupe and matted watercolor abstracts took the place of Oscar’s old maps and prints. The old plywood
     desk had disappeared and been replaced by a wide ebony wood table that now cradled Angelica’s pearly white notebook computer
     and python bag.
    Instead of going around the table to the sueded swivel chair, Angelica took one of the plum-colored visitor’s seats and indicated
     that Sandy should take the other.
    Sandy waited for Angelica to speak. She couldn’t imagine what was on her boss’s mind, but was certain she wasn’t about to
     get fired.
Pretty
certain, at any rate.
    “Sandy, you did a really good job with the interviews. You were poised, you improvised good questions, and your subjects trusted
     you. I especially liked the bit where the young man told you about getting his degree in jail. Really good work.”
    “Thank you.” Sandy flashed a polite smile but felt nervous. She felt a “but” coming up.
    “How did you feel about it?” Angelica asked. “Did you enjoy it? Were you comfortable?”
    “Um… Yeah. I guess so.” Sandy gave the question some thought. “At first I was nervous, but then I kind of got into it.”
    “That’s the way it often happens.” Angelica smiled. “Now, I’m about to give you my one critique, but I want you to understand
     that it’s meant professionally, to help you be more successful, and not as a personal criticism.”
    Sandy felt even more nervous now, but also very curious. “Okay.”
    “I noticed that you looked most uncomfortable when you were on camera with the models in bikinis. And I can’t blame you for
     that. However, your understandable