Chapter 6

                One thing is going through my mind as I find myself running through these seemingly endless halls.  Change.  I need to make a change and prove myself.  It’s been clear that I’m not trusted and it doesn’t help that I told Kibum and Taemin that I have to make my loyalties clear.  There really is no better way than sneaking around and seeing what mischief I can accomplish though, right?

                “NEXT!”  Kibum screeched as a poor girl near the verge of tears stopped short of running out of the studio. 

                “That’s it.”  Taemin stated as he walked towards a table set behind a blaring stage light, “You’ve broken the self-esteem of every boy and girl that has had the confidence to answer that casting call that you put out, only to have nothing.  Zilch.  Nada. Kaput.”

                Minho groaned as he put his hand up to stop the young photographer from going any further.  “It doesn’t help that we are nowhere closer to finding what we need, let alone what we want.”  Minho said as he loosened his tie and pushed his hands through his hair slumping into his chair.

                They had spent the last 4 hours with a lineup out the door trying to find raw talent in the community.  Sadly, it seemed that no one even hit the criteria they needed.  It wasn’t that they were untalented but this was an important project.  The rumours going around about Seunghyun going back into acting put everyone on edge.  It put more pressure on this project to finding a new head of KRTV. 

The four professionals ruffled through sets of photos that were strategically scattered across the table.

                “I mean, Minkyung is pretty.”  Kibum broke out as he pushed a picture forward and tried to find a positive in the situation.

                “But not strong enough vocally to hit a solo career.”  Jiyoung noted as she threw the picture to the ever growing reject pile, “Wonderful with harmonies but we would need someone with a god send voice to carry her over.”

                Taemin rustled through the pile, “How about Jiyeon?”

                “A good dancer but awkward, and vocals are weak.  I don’t think we have the funding to find a group setting that would work with her.”  Minho answered pushing that picture out of the way.

                “I mean if we’re desperate we can always find Jinki and Jonghyun again and make that band you guys wanted to do when you were younger.  What were you guys called?  Shine?”  Jiyoung laughed as the other three boys around him threw a wad of paper her way.

                “We promised never to speak about that…. The only time we ever speak about that is when Minho tried to freestyle that rap.”  Kibum smirked at his remark as Jiyoung let out a howl of laughter.

                Minho blushed reaching over to give Kibum a smack across the head as Taemin can be heard in the back repeating the words “Dibibibidis”.

                “Alright, enough talking about my horrible choices as a teenager and back to the problem at hand.”  The visual head shook his head looking down to grab a photo to find that there were none left to go through. 

                “So that’s it…. Back to square one….”  Minho whimpered as Jiyoung looked over to her partner and patted him on the back. 

                “We both knew this wasn’t going to be easy.”  Jiyoung said as she puts a few files and profiles together, “I mean if we’re desperate we do have their contact information and we can try to make the best of a bad situation.” 

                After packing up their stuff, no one seemed to move from their seats.  The quartet of professionals instead chose to stare at the bleak silence of the studio, the blaring stage light hitting a white canvas.  It was a time for them to take a breath and realize that the road might be a bit harder than they thought it was going to be.  It was a calming atmosphere, they didn’t have much quiet time in the building with all the fuss around production topped with inter office espionage claims.  It was nice to sit back and dwell on the moment.  Nothing was going to take them out of their moment of pure bliss….

                A large bang was heard as the studio doors screeched opened.  Quickened footsteps echoed off the walls as the four groaned and turned to see the disturbance to their spiritual moment.

                “HEY!  We have time in this studio, you can’t just barge in here!”  Kibum yelled across the way annoyed that such a moment was wasted. 

                The quickened footsteps turned into a complete halt as crash of papers and a groan echoed through the studio.  Heads turned while the agitated quartet stayed seated. staring at the unfortunate person that was startled by the outburst.

                “Yes… sit there… stare at the poor misguided assistant laying on the ground.”  Ninomiya whined as he grabbed the fallen papers scattered across the floor,  “And I get yelled at for spacing out, but it’s TOTALLY fine when all four of you sit in a creepy abandoned studio staring at a canvas.”

                “Ninomiya, what do you want?”  Jiyoung asked amused as she crossed her legs sitting sideways on the chair, looking questioningly at the recovering boy.  She realized that her thoughts towards him have changed since she’d first seen him.  He had a twinkle that grew on you.  How safe that was, she didn’t know.

                Standing up and aching in a few places, Ninomiya tried to keep his face from looking strained.  “Well first of all Taemin is late to a photoshoot we need to do for ‘Dynasty of a Million Years’…”  The violet haired photographer looked at his watch and could be heard leaving a trail of expletives as Ninomiya took a camera out of his bag.  The object was abruptly taken away from Ninomiya as he continued his spiel.

                “… Kibum is needed at the front desk to confirm an order of office supplies, the identities of three ‘actresses’ and you have a casting call for a few commercials you need to be at in 35 minutes…” 

                An aggravated Kibum rises from his seat wide eyed not even noticing that time flew by so quickly.  Like a gazelle being chased by a puma, the Head of the Central desk darted to complete his tasks.

                “… Which he won’t be too late for considering that I already confirmed the order, dejected the mysterious actresses, and told Mayfield that Kibum would be late to the meeting.  You two on the other hand have an assistant that still has a book of connections that you can delve into anytime you need them which I have left a copy of on Minho’s desk.”  Ninomiya beamed as he completed his tirade.

                Minho pursed his lips and looked to his side to make eye contact with his partner, and the two couldn’t help but smile at how it’s been less than two weeks and Ninomiya has been able to not only learn their schedules, but half of the buildings by the looks of it.

                “Did you find out the progress of the variety show, the game show, and the two dramas we have in progress?”  Jiyoung asked as she stood up from her chair giving a stretch.  Her muscles were numb from the audition process they were just completing beforehand.

                “Oh small details, the variety show is on course for filming next week.  I have personally called all the agencies and confirmed the lineup for the first 10 episodes.  The game show just put out the memo to look for contestants.  ‘Dynasty of a Million Years’ is now on track with Taemin taking care of promotional head shots with half the series already filmed.  Though the ending storyboards don’t seem to add up.  I think I will have to schedule Jiyoung over there sometime in the next few days.  ‘Star in Our Eyes’ is on location in Jeju Island finishing of a shoot.  Plus, if you don’t mind, I sent over a few small pics of set to Style to cause a bit of social tension.” 

                Ninomiya gave a small wink as he passed two copies of completed reports to the two creative heads.  “Things are on track and I do have a bit more time if you guys need help finding a talented, charismatic, socially appealing someone.” 

                Minho skimmed the papers in awe to see that they were under budget, a few days ahead of schedule and the costume malfunctions happening on the drama sets seemed to be fixed.

                “I think you improved some of our systems because I wasn’t expecting to see the extra bits of being ahead of schedule and the resolved creative issues.”  Minho said while he perused the document wondering if it was too good to be true.

                Jiyoung rolled her eyes as she gave the assistant a look.  “You’re doing wonderful Ninomiya, but this is where we need you.  Let us do our jobs.  Our job is to create a new star with a concept that will blow people’s mind out of the water.  Once we figure all that out you are going to be really important in insuring that they are safe, growing at an adequate speed, and comfortable being with us.”

                Ninomiya’s smile turned into a frown as he patted the black book of connections in his messenger bag with his hand.  “But I know that I can help you guys…” 

                “But not now.”  Jiyoung took a step forward putting her hand on Ninomiya’s shoulder, “… later.  You’ll be able to do so much more, but later.”

                With a quick pat, she turned around and grabbed a distracted Minho skimming over paperwork given to him.

                A soft sigh left Ninomiya’s lips as he could feel the vibrations of his phone buzzing through the fabric of his plaid messenger bag.  It was the only thing keeping him from dwelling on his future actions and keeping his mind on the present.

                Bright lights and a plethora of beeps, buzzes and chimes could be seen and heard from around the corner.  Creeping closer to the cause of the commotion you would see a Beachwood door with a plaque with the words ‘Switchboard’ splayed across the top.  Inside is a desk with a computer, a large panel of buttons and lights that looked like it belonged at a county fair, and a telephone.  The panel was heavily in use while the clicking of a keyboard moving a mile a minute seemed to keep tune to the off key beeps the panel would eject every so often. 

                “Style Magazine, Minki speaking.  How can I help you?”  A bob of brown hair cheerfully beams into a Bluetooth headset.  The clicking of the keyboard and off key beeps magically seem to silence as Minki continues his conversation.

                “Yes… no... I will not be able to transfer your call, sir.  You will have to make your way onto the list verified by Mr. Kim.  Until I am given authorization to put you through then no one will be able to let you speak to the Creative Director of the magazine.”  Minki’s voice was soft yet authoritative as he spoke into his headset and swiftly hung up.

                The brims of silver plated glasses were glazed a bright blue from the light of the computer screen.  Lightning fast reflexes are seen as without losing a beat, a combination of buttons were pressed on the switchboard silencing the panel without losing any productivity from the computer screen.  In this little room, Minki was the ruler of his kingdom.  No one and nothing could stop him.

                “Minki!”  A man in a brown suit yelled the name abruptly walking into the room.  A small squawk could be heard as the ruler of the switchboard quickly returned to his original state falling out of his chair.

                A small whimper fills the room as the bob of brown hair pops into view from behind the desk, glasses ajar.  His pale cheeks fill with a natural glow as he attempts to take a seat back into his chair.  Unfortunately, his chair seemed to abandon Minki in his current form as elbows hit the seat, rolling it backwards nearly sending the switchboard operator back to the ground.

The man in the brown suit chuckled as he leaned against the doorframe, his eyes mocking the other boy.  As if feeling the judgement, Minki mustered up what little pride he had left after stumbling over twice and asked, “P-Please don’t do that.  What did you need, Chosung?”

                Watching as Minki makes his way back into his chair Chosung fixes his blazer while handing a file over to the mild mannered boy. 

                “I have a new authorization list from a few of the higher ups that we need you to update.”  Chosung rolled his eyes not really caring about the other boy.  As if being burdened by the world, Chosung took the simple two strides and handed the folder over and haughtily made his way out of the switchboard office.

 Of course not many people really understood the position Minki had at Style.  Sure, he was socially inept if he wasn’t on the phone or on a computer but his place at the switchboard meant everything.  He held the power to let anyone into the higher ranks of Style or keep them out.  And the many people that did see Minki’s worth treated him to a very spoiled lifestyle.

                Happy to have the intrusion out of his office, Minki glares at the paper and skims through the names.  A few models from a gala that he had been introduced to but didn’t like were placed on the new authorization list which he chose to ignore and not enter into the system.  While a few idols who had approached him on his rare occasions outside of his apartment and his office, who seemed to have been decent people, replaced the names with the models that were rejected last minute. 

                Satisfied with the few changes that he had made, Minki was about to go back to the few reports he had left to do when his own personal phone started to buzz.  With a soft click to his ear, Minki entered his zone as the rapid click of a keyboard returns.  

                “And how can I help you, Ninomiya?”  Minki drawled as a report of the world around him went back into the high speed dome of isolation he created for himself when he was at work.  Multi-tasking in the isolation of this office made him feel superior.  It gave him the opportunity to use and abuse powers that not many people knew he had.  Like changing the lunch menus, and sneaking into the systems catalogue of model profiles.

                “Minki, how’d you know it was me?”  Ninomiya asked, a bit surprised that greetings seemed to be out of fashion.  Apparently no one seemed to tell him these new trends.

                Minki rolled his eyes as he rearranged schedules and manipulated seating arrangements for a future event, “You do know that I’ve got you added as a contact, right?  Plus Caller ID is a thing.”  Minki jokingly scolded.

                “If only we could get this side of you out when I still worked there and dragged you out to those galas.”  Ninomiya could be heard across the other end of the line giving a small chuckle, “But I guess I would miss the blubbering mishmash of words that come out of your mouth when someone attractive comes by.” 

                A fake laugh exited Minki’s mouth as he finished the minorly illegal things he had splayed out on his office computer screen.  “You’re not telling me that this conversation is you telling me how horrible I am at social settings because that’s how our lunches go.”

                “Of course not.  I called for pure business.  Do you have that list of names I asked for a week ago?  The ones from the model catalogue with extra talents, plus the finalist list from that article we did on YG, SM and JYP auditions and the idol boom?”  Ninomiya sounded a bit out of breath as he inquired about the information he needed.  It seemed like he was running a marathon.

                “First off, do I have to call the cops?  It sounds like someone’s chasing you through a forest in a horror movie…”  Minki pushed himself away from his computer to tap at a few glowing buttons on his switchboard, “… and secondly, I have all the files and documents you need.  All I had to do was promise Hyesung a spot near the head table for the next Style gala.”

                The line on Ninomiya’s end of the conversation rustled a bit as Minki heard, “I’m not being chased, it’s just hard to carry up three ball gowns needed for a photoshoot from the second to the fourteenth floor while an elevator is broken.”  A small thud could be heard as Minki assumed the other boy had decided to sit down on a step as he continued speaking, “And can you send me those via our Dropbox and possibly print out a few copies for our dinner later tonight.  I have a bit of scheming to do.”

                Minki gave a soft yawn and clicked his tongue.  “And how do you know I have time to go out for dinner tonight?  I have a very heavy schedule and you think you’re going to be able to just fit in?”

                “Yes… busy schedule.  Of what?  Exploring an online world with your clan on that new MMORPG you think I have time to play?”  Ninomiya teased as the clacking of shoes to stairs could still be heard through the other end of the phone line,  “We both also know that you don’t even go to pick up your bribes anymore.  You ask for a digital delivery telling me that the social interaction isn’t even worth the free food and pretty things.”

                “Because pretty things don’t look pretty on me.  And t-there is nothing wrong with having commitments to people across the worlds!  A relationship is still a relationship...”  Minki muttered as he cleared a time slot on his phone for 7 PM that night.

                “Of course pretty things would look pretty on you if you actually tried! … When your avatar gets pregnant, tell me and I’ll be sure to send the newly born a few pixels of my love.  Meet you at 7?”  Ninomiya asked letting out a small whoop for finally reaching his destination at the top of the stairs.

                “Make it 7:30.  With a broken elevator I have no clue how long it’s going to take you to actually get out of the building knowing your tendency to forget things.”  Minki stated seeing that he didn’t really have much else to do but lounge around. 

                “Shut it.  I have to go anyways but I’m paying for dinner tonight so pick somewhere cheap.”  Ninomiya jokingly threatened as a click signified the ending of the call. 

                Minki gave a soft sigh as he tapped at his cell phone sending out a few important text messages.

                ‘Can’t join the clan fights tonight.  Re-schedule?’

                Minki hated when Ninomiya was right.