Sounds Like Radio Episode 09
Gerry knew that she had not gone down with Kevin as well as she hoped she had with Cesca.
Kevin’s face had been a picture of horror when she mentioned getting her hands on the sound desk, and he had dashed off, presumably to express that horror to Cesca.
She followed, with the aim of making sure he didn’t make her look like a pushy idiot.
This job paid badly, but Gerry needed it.
She had savings, but no income would mean they vanished far too quickly, and that put her at risk of having to go back, tail between her legs, to the council, and everything she had cleared out of her life.
She stood in the office doorway with her best face on – eager but not crazy, modest but not pathetic.
“I’ll take such a lot of care,” she said.
“There you go,” Cesca said. “What more can we expect, Kev?”
He looked uncomfortable.
“She says she’s read everything about audio engineering,” Kevin muttered.
“No offence, er, Gerry, but I’m not sure that’s all the preparation that’s needed.”
“It’s in the apprenticeship contract. I’ve read it,” Cesca said pointedly. “Well, most of it.
“Hands-on experience in all aspects of the business, it says. Training, it says.”
“There’s no time during the day,” Kevin interjected.
“That’s true,” Cesca said, and she turned to Gerry.
“The studios are being used almost back-to-back, thank goodness. It’s the only way to make the place pay.”
She looked at Kevin.
“How about evenings? Gerry can play around.” Cesca held up a hand when she saw Kevin about to protest. “I mean, get some careful practice.”
Gerry beamed at Kevin.
“That’ll be brilliant,” she said. “May I write down questions for you as I go?”
“Of course,” Cesca said. “I can answer them in my hours of free time.”
Gerry was determined to do this thing right.
“I assure you, Cesca,” she said, “that in no time I will be lightening your load.”
Cesca looked impressed, and Gerry felt a surge of positivity. This young woman was less than half her age, but maybe they could be friends.
There had been friendships in her last job but they’d been drowned in workplace stresses and trouble over promotions. Things she’d tried to forget.
“I noticed that bed,” she said, “in the wall. It’s amazing!”
Cesca smiled.
“Mr Chopra – he’s the owner – made that himself.
“It was his pet project when Sounds Like first opened, in the days when he was keen and mucked in.
“That was before he made money through investments or something, and whisked his wife to Spain and the high life.” Cesca looked reflective.
“It surprised me when he left the country, actually,” she said. “The man seemed really interested in radio.”
“You can spot us a mile off!” Gerry said.
“He told me once that when he was a child living in Selly Oak he even thought about a job in local radio.
“But I suppose the fascination wanes in some people.”
“The bed,” Gerry said, “pivoting up into that niche in the acoustic padding of the wall when you’re not using it. That is so clever!”
“It’s not as amazing as you’d think,” Cesca said.
“It looks great and is completely silent. It doesn’t have a single squeaky spring or creaky slat.
“If we use it in a scene the listeners can’t hear a thing!” She laughed.
“Our actors kip on it between takes, though. And sometimes we do lie them down on it so –”
“So their voices change and they sound like they’re in bed.”
Cesca looked at Kevin.
“See? She knows stuff.”
Kevin snorted.
“Don’t touch my rig if I’ve left a rig up in there.”
“I promise. Can I let myself in tonight?” Gerry asked.
“With our blessing,” Cesca said firmly.