Well, You Never Know

Garlands of lacy paper in rainbow colors hung from the ceiling of El Pueblo restaurant. Kate sat beneath them, chin in hand, oblivious to her friends’ chatter. Sipping her Coke, she idly watched her twin brother, Kevin, across the room at the contestants’ table, devouring an extra-large burrito.

“And we have three winners today! Congratulations, gentlemen,” said the sombrero-clad manager, handing gift certificates to Kevin and two of his business school classmates. The boys whooped, high-fived, and stood with difficulty, hoisting their full stomachs as they made their way over to the corner table.

“Katie, text Mom and tell her I ate a burrito BIGGER THAN MY HEAD!” roared Kevin, ruffling Kate’s hair.

“She’ll be so proud.” Kate rolled her eyes as the boys began a fresh round of hooting and back-slapping.

The victors celebrated by ordering more food. Kate grimaced and turned her head as they tucked into their chips and guacamole.

“They’re destined for beer guts if they keep that up.”

Kate brightened at the familiar voice. Her best friend Rita slid into the booth next to her, punching Kate’s shoulder in greeting.

“I have no idea how he eats like that,” Kate said.

Rita flipped her purple-dyed bangs and grinned. “I think he unhinges his jaw.”

Kate smiled, but scarcely.

“What’s up with the face, girl? Did Kevin make you eat a burrito too?”

“Nah,” Kate said. “I had my screen test today.”

“It didn’t go well? I thought you’d nail it! You practiced for months,” Rita said, sipping Kate’s Coke. “It was breaking news reporting, right?”

“Right. I read the lines correctly. I even did well on the part where they interrupt and speak into your earpiece with an urgent report. But afterward they told me I’ll never get a job as a broadcaster unless I get speech therapy.”

“Speech therapy?”

“For my lisp.”

Rita shook her head. “Those bitches. They should see that as a plus. A lisp makes you distinct. It’s an asset!”

“For who? Daffy Duck?”

Rita laughed.

“It’s okay, Rita. I should switch to the executive producer track anyway. It’s more money and more respect.”

“Yeah, but it’s not what you want. You’ve been talking about this Television major since our high school plays! You’re meant to have an audience. Not be behind the scenes.”

Kate shrugged and looked at her lap. Rita frowned, and then her face lit up.

“Come with me next week to the DJ auditions at WYNK. What the hell. It’ll be fun!”

“Isn’t that just for Radio majors?”

“Nope! Open tryouts. Come on, girl. I could use the moron support.”

Kate grinned at their old joke.

“Sure,” she said. Why not, she thought. All auditions were good practice. And if she bombed it, it would make Rita look even better. Then at least one of them might land their dream job.

#

Kate strolled into the studio with her biggest smile. She enthusiastically shook hands with the radio personalities and producers, falling into easy banter as they set up. Wow, she thought. An audition sure was low pressure when you didn’t give a damn.

When she read the scripted material, she didn’t even try to hide her lisp. She leaned into it, knowing every single letter s would give Rita a bigger chance.

During the call-in segment, Kate chatted and joked confidently with the “callers,” role-played by studio staff. It was like her talk show seminar, Kate thought, directing the story while making the guests feel like it was their own. What fun, to get an inside look into Rita’s future career.

The next day, when she got the email, Kate’s jaw dropped.

The team at WYNK had unanimously selected Kate as their favorite competitor. They enjoyed her distinctive speech pattern and how she owned it. They thought she’d make an excellent addition to their weekend crew.

#

Kate stepped into El Pueblo and found her friends at their usual table.

“There she is!”

“The new weekend DJ for WYNK.”

“ ‘Four to eight with Cobra Kate!’ ”

“Can you get me concert tickets?”

Kate grinned and clinked glasses. Then she glanced nervously at Rita.

Rita raised an eyebrow at her friend.

“Congratulations,” she said. “Bitch.” Rita broke into a huge grin. Kate exhaled with relief and hugged her friend tight.

“Girl, I hate you a little. But you’re incredible. Go get ’em.”

“Thank you,” whispered Kate, tears welling up as she squeezed Rita.

The last one to hug her was her brother.

“Nice job, Sssssissss.”

Writing Prompts: Main character must be a Capricorn and have snake-like qualities