Something Worth Living For (Watty Awards 2011)

(Chapter 15) Something Worth Living For

“It’s good to see you too Mr. Byron.” Eric replied, taking his hand and giving it a firm grip.

“I heard you covered the game on Friday night.”

“Yes, sir.”

“So, I trust you’ve got an excellent article for our magazine.” Mr. Byron shook his head. “Of course you do. I could always expect the best from you, Denton.”

“Yes, sir. Only the best for Sports Inc.” came Eric’s enthusiast reply.

He still couldn’t help but wonder why Mr. Byron had summoned him and wished that the man would quit his small talk.

Mr. Byron turned and contemplatively looked out the huge glass window that lined one wall of the office. He was silent for a moment before he spoke, still staring out the window.

“Do you know what we value here as Sports Inc?” he asked Eric.

“Err… good journalistic points of view.”

Mr. Byron smiled, “True, but I was going for loyalty.” He turned to face Eric again. “Loyalty and family is something we take very seriously at Sports Inc.”

Eric took what his mentor was saying very seriously, but couldn’t help but wonder where all this was going.

“I took a chance on you almost eight years ago when I offered you the job in New York. You may not have known it, but I was testing your loyalty to this company. I am more than happy to say you’ve passed that test.”

Eric smiled. “Thank you, sir. I’m-”

Mr. Byron interrupted him, “I’m not finished, Denton.”

“Sorry sir.”

Mr. Byron took a seat at his huge mahogany desk before he continued, “As I was saying, you have proved your loyalty to Sport Inc. and it’s because of that commitment you have shown that I can gladly say you are a part of our family. Wouldn’t you say?”

“Yes sir,” Eric agreed wholeheartedly, “I am one hundred percent committed to Sports Inc.”

“I am glad to hear it.” Mr. Byron then leaned back in his seat and smiled at Eric, “You know the day I first laid eyes on you I knew you would go far, Eric. You have drive and your love for sports and journalism has gotten you this far. Now I wanted to offer you the position of editor at our magazine. You have done some great work for us over in New York, but-”

Mr. Byron was in deep thought for a moment. Eric could barely contain the anxiety he felt. He really wanted the job of anchor. It was a dream of his even before he started work for Sports Inc ten years ago.

When he’d been told that the position was open and that their current anchor, David Thomson was retiring, Eric couldn’t wait to jump at the opportunity and had immediately applied for the position. His editor back in New York had been a bit surprised by his application. He – as Mr. Byron was now – had always said that Eric would someday make a fine chief editor. He’d always thought that Eric would apply for a position of editor and work his way to the top.

Well, he had some plans of his own. Yes he loved working at Sports Inc magazine, but working at their network station was something he wanted more. It was something he still hoped he’d get.

“But?” he encouraged.

“But… I hear you’re set on becoming an anchor.”

“You would have heard right, sir.”

“I know you’ve done some field work, interviews at games and so forth. And it’s clear that you can hold your own, Denton. It’s for these reasons that I am happy to say you’ve got the job.” Mr. Bryon smiled, his seriousness faded from his face.