The Write Match // Bill Hader

Two

I walk back to the studio, picking my thing up as I go to my office. I sit at my desk, highlighting the lines that need to go on the cue cards. We really did do good on all of this; I just hope the show goes well tomorrow night. I lay the scripts out on my desk, putting everything order, organizing the entire show from start to finish. I sit back, taking my first deep breath of the morning, knowing there's nothing else I can do. Everything is ready, and just in time John comes through my office door, Bill accompanying him.

"Hi Meredith." Bill says, smiling and waving his hand.

I smile and wave back. Bill moves past John and looks at the stack of scripts on my desk.

"What do you need from me boss lady?" Bill asks.

"I need a voice over from you for the Michael Phelps Diet and I think that'll be it."

"I'm behind you." Bill says, motioning towards my open office door.

We leave John behind, walking to the voice booth. I hand Bill the script and I stand beside Lucas, one of our producers.

"What do you have in mind for this Meredith?" Bill asks, his voice muffled.

"It's up to you. Just try a couple of things and I'll tell you what I like." Bill nods and starts reading.

"Are you tired of counting calories? Are you sick of tiny portions and food that taste like cardboard? What if there were a way to get the results you want without sacrificing the food you love." He says, putting on a ridiculous, but believable announcer voice.

"How's that?" He asks.

I give him a thumbs up and motion him to continue reading.

"Hungry for a delicious, nutritious breakfast?" He says before taking a break. "Tired of suffering through a salad at lunch?" He takes another break, "Imagine the body you always wanted with a diet that seems too good to be true."

"He's really good at this." Lucas whispers to me. I nod and continue listening to him.

"The Michael Phelps Diet. Looking this good never tasted so delicious. Almost certainly fatal."

"Is that what you had in mind?" Lucas asks.

"It's exactly what I had in mind, even better actually." Bill smiles and I let out a sigh of relief.

"I really like that sketch. Who wrote it?" Bill asks as he comes out of the voice booth.

"Me, actually."

"And this is your first time writing for a sketch comedy show?"

"Yes."

"Wow." He says.

"Is it supposed to be hard?" I say before walking off down the hallway.

"Meredith," Bill yells to me from behind, "a few of us are going to grab lunch before dress rehearsal starts if you would like to join us."

"No thanks, I'll stay here and help with anything that needs to be done."

I don't like going out, especially with people that I barely know. Bill walks forward with a piece of folded paper, and I hold my hand out reluctantly.

"Here's my number in case you need us back early." He says. I look back at him with a raised eyebrow before laying the paper back in his hand.

"I have John's number. If I need you guys, I'll call him." I say walking past him. "I'll see you guys in a little while. Have a good lunch."

The rest of my day is spent watching the cast say their lines and change what the writers and producers didn't like.

I made the commute home, going to my bathroom and turning my shower on, ready for the day to be over so I can finally see our hard work play out. After showering, I make sure to find my comfiest pajamas and turn my tv on, before my eyes fall heavy with sleep.