Growing into the Job, Post 564: Bomb Scare news Report

[WGGB CHANNEL 5 ON SCENE - FAR HORIZONS WELLNESS CAMPUS, 11:48 a.m.]
 

The camera jitters a little before stabilizing on Channel 5’s newest reporter, Cassie McClain, teetering on her three-inch heels in front of the wide glass façade of a large office building. Strobes from nearby emergency vehicles pulse through the slight haze, reflecting off the glass and lighting her chestnut curls in flashes of alarm-red. Sweat beads under her drugstore makeup, her hazel eyes wide with rookie nerves. Fresh out of Fairpoint State with a Communication and Journalism degree, Cassie understands why she was hired by WGGB (it certainly wasn’t her 2.8 GPA) and adjusts her creamy silk blouse, unbuttoned just a touch too far, accordingly. 

[Alright. Okay. Camera’s rolling. Let’s do this, Cassie!]

CASSIE MCCLAIN (on-air):
“Good morning. What began as a normal, peaceful morning at the newly opened Far Horizons Evolution Center here in New Corinth has now become an active investigation. Authorities confirm that an unidentified device - believed to be an improvised explosive - was discovered in the main-level reception area just after ten-thirty.

“The building was cleared in under twelve minutes, and the county bomb squad is inside right now, conducting what officials are calling a ‘cautious assessment.’ There’s been no detonation, no injuries reported so far, but crews are taking no chances.

“Behind me you can still see emergency vehicles lined up along the south entrance. Fire units remain on standby, and paramedics have established a triage tent in the north lot.”

[The camera guy’s panning to those uniformed responders by the glass doors behind me. That empty stretcher is passing briefly through frame. Gosh these pumps are tight. I hope they don’t see me wobbling.]

Cassie McClain is aware of the camera’s gaze as much as the small crowd of idle first responders and other onlookers watching her. In a self-conscious but strategic aside, a mix of ‘oh god, they’re staring’ and ‘well, it works,’ she adjusts her posture and the simple silver pendant dangling just above her healthy EE-cup cleavage, drawing the cameraman back to her and eyes downward - a trick she’s starting to notice works. Her hair is styled in loose curls.

“As for the device’s source, no group has claimed responsibility, but early suspicions point to one of the local male-rights terrorist cells active in the state. Authorities haven’t confirmed, but these groups have targeted female-led institutions like Far Horizons before in other parts of the country, railing against what they call an ‘unnatural shift’ in power.”

[Speaking of ‘unnatural shift in power’, my chest feels like it’s taking over the whole broadcast. Again. At least it’ll distract from my frizzy hair. This haze and humidity: ugh!]

“We’ll keep digging for answers and bring you updates as they come. For now, the surrounding blocks remain closed, and residents are being asked to avoid the area. Reporting live from Far Horizons Evolution Center, I’m Cassie McClain, Channel 5 News.”

Turning from the camera as she cuts, Cassie is aware of the camera guy lingering for half a second longer than needed on her profile before going dark. In the past that might have bothered her; now she understands. 

[Need to keep those eyeballs hooked. Hey…who’s that girl just coming out of the side door of the building over there? And is that...vomit in her hair? Oooo a scoop!]

“Hey Derek I’m gonna run to see if we can talk to that woman that just came out the side. C‘mon!”

She feels the camera back on to follow her wobbly sprint, her heels clicking and chest bouncing, drawing viewer eyes again. Red lights stutter across the glass behind WGGB’s newest news siren like a heartbeat. Derek, the camera guy, shakes his head and wants to get out of here as soon as he can. The fucking bomb was obviously a dud. Big surprise…

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