The Sibyl Read online

The Sibyl

  Cynthia D. Witherspoon

  Story ©copyright Cynthia D. Witherspoon 2015

  Cover art: 2013-07-07 Freeke by Eric; edited for cover use by Cynthia D. Witherspoon. Creative Commons. Edited by Karla Reed.

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  “You want boring.”

  “Not boring. I want security. A steady paycheck.” I pushed my chair away from the table and reached for my purse. “And if you’re going to make fun of me for it, then we’re done with this conversation.”

  “I’m not trying to make fun of you.” He reached for my hand again, but I was quicker this time. I snatched it away. “I really do want this to work, and I want this to work with you. Connor was ecstatic when I told them about you.”

  “No.” I threw a few dollars down on the table and stood. “I’ll be sure to tune in though. Sounds like a real riot.”

  “The studio is going to provide us with a furnished condo.” Elliot was studying the chair I’d just vacated. “Not to mention the salary. Five figures per show to start.”

  “Per show?”

  Elliot nodded as his shoulders dropped. He tried to look dejected, but I was sure he was resisting the urge to grin. “Yeah. But hey, I understand. If you don’t want to do this, you don’t have to.”

  “You’re not playing fair.” I let my words come out slowly. Carefully. “Besides, I’m sure your dad has more to do with the perks than this Garrison guy.”

  “Now whose not playing fair?”

  Elliot’s face lost the neutral look he had conveyed so well. And he was right. I wasn’t playing fair. I knew better than most how he hated to be under the shadow of his father. The great Joseph Lancaster of Theia Productions, LLC. I can’t tell you how many times I’d heard him confess his fears of not measuring up to his old man after too many drinks. For a moment, I considered apologizing, but it was too late. My friend took a final swig of his beer, threw more ones on top of mine, and stood. He linked our arms in one smooth motion to lead us out of the diner.

  “No, Dad has nothing to do with this. Granted, I knew the right people to talk to at his office, but for once this is all me.” Elliot’s dark eyes gleamed as we stepped out into the Georgia sun. “I pitched the show to Connor and his boys myself. They loved the idea. Really thinks they can sell it. And just imagine! You and me traveling around the world to investigate notorious and nefarious places. I’ll document all the paranormal stuff. You’ll shoot me down. It’ll be fun.”

  “Notorious and nefarious?” I smirked. “What century are you in again?”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “It does sound like fun.” I admitted. “I’m more attracted to the salary than enjoyment though.”

  This was my main concern. I’d spent all of the savings left over from my college loans to survive as I went on the job hunt. So far, my prospects were null. I released his arm to dig through my purse. “I still don’t like the idea of being on national television.”

  “It’ll be on cable, Eva.” Elliot’s smile was back as he realized my resolve was cracking. “It’s not like anyone will actually watch us.”

  I finally found my sunglasses and slipped them on. “I won’t have to talk in front of people at all?”

  “Not unless you count the ghosts we run into.” His amusement was visible when he glanced down at me. Elliot was a good bit taller than I was. “No. I was serious when I said it would just be you, me, and a cameraman.”

  I nodded. “Alright. I’ll think about it. After I’ve seen the contracts and met this Connor person.”

  Elliot scooped me up in a bear hug right in the middle of downtown Athens. “I knew you’d do it, Eva!”

  “Put me down.” I smacked at his shoulder until my feet touched the sidewalk again. “I haven’t said I’d do it yet.”

  “But you’ve stopped saying no.” Elliot laughed, wiggling his eyebrows. “Tell me, Eva. What won you over? My magnetic charm? My dashing good looks?”

  “It certainly wasn’t your modesty.” I grumbled loud enough so he could hear me.

  “Not my style, doll.” Elliot grinned as we turned down the side street leading to my condo. “We fly out to L.A. on Wednesday to meet with the boys and see the new place; work out the details. I swear, I’ll keep the place spotless. You won’t even know I’m there.”

  “Wednesday?” I squeaked as I came to a halt once more. “You mean I have two days to get myself ready for the biggest interview I’ve ever had?”

  “No. Three.” He had the decency to look puzzled. “We’re scheduled to meet with Connor at nine on Thursday. Why?”

  “Why? Oh my god, Eli.” I groaned. “I’ve got so much to do! I have to get my hair done. Figure out what I’m going to wear. Not to mention actually packing everything.”

  “Since when are you worried about your hair?”

  “Since I found out you want me to be on T.V.” I was glaring again, but this time he was shielded thanks to my sunglasses.

  “You’re just being silly.” Elliot pulled his own pair of glasses out of his back pocket and put them on. “Don’t worry about it. You look fine.”

  “Women on T.V. don’t look ‘fine’. They look perfect.”

  He didn’t respond, only waved as he took off across the street as I started to panic. Wednesday! Elliot wanted me to fly across the country for a job interview in two days. I took a deep breath, mentally listed everything I needed to do, then turned towards the nearest ATM with a weight in my stomach. I would have to perform miracles if I were ever going to make this happen.