Charlotte heaved a sigh, pulling her sunglasses off her face and brushing her long, brown hair out of her eyes. She closed her eyes to calm herself, and opened them as she started walking toward the door, a slight smirk sliding across her face. Her blue eyes twinkled as she opened the door.
“Help you?” the old lady behind the counter asked, without looking up from her fashion magazine.
“Hi. I have an interview with a Mr. Smith.”
“Sorry, hon. No interviews today.” Charlotte’s eyebrow rose involuntarily.
“Well, could you check your schedule again? I know I have an interview here today.” The old lady rolled her eyes and opened the schedule book, flipping through to the right day.  She sighed.
“Sit down and he’ll call you in when he’s good and ready.” Charlotte thanked her, forcing a cordial smile. She plopped down into a chair and opened the nearest magazine, which just happened to be up her alley. She read contentedly until the old lady cleared her throat and motioned toward the door. Charlotte stood and slowly opened the door.
“Charlotte Baker?” She nodded, smiling. Mr. Smith smiled back and extended his hand. “Tom Smith. I hear you’re interested in the lighting technician position?” She nodded, her eyes twinkling. “Well, I’ll see what I can do for you. Did you go to school or anything?”
“I just graduated from UK, with a major in lighting design and technology.” She handed him her resume, which he picked up and scanned quickly, surprise registering on his face.
“Impressive. Design and operation experience?” She nodded slowly, the corners of her mouth turning upward.

***

“Good Lord, that lasted forever,” Amy whined.
“I know. He just wouldn’t let me leave,” Charlotte said, chuckling. She glanced in the mirror before pulling out onto the highway, her knee taking over the steering wheel so she could adjust her sunglasses without dropping her phone.
“So did you get the job?”
“Yeah. There’s this band coming to town, and he wants me to start out doing a spot for them for a while. I guess I get to tour with them. That’s how it sounded.”
“A spot, as in a follow spot?”
“I see you’ve been reading my magazines again, Amy,” Charlotte said, chuckling.
“So?”
“Face it, babe – you’ll never be a lighting guru.” Amy laughed.
“I know. I can try. Hey – Jamie’s here, so I gotta go. I’ll see you when you get home.”
“Okay. Remember – be strong. Let him know what’s going on.”
“I will. He’s actually really good at listening when I’m pissed off. Too bad I’m breaking up with him. See you later.”
“Bye sweetie.”
“Bye.” Charlotte hung up the phone, turning up the radio and singing along as she sped down the highway.

***

“Hey, Dan!” Mark hopped off the stage and jogged toward his brother, who had just waltzed into the stadium. Dan nodded (as only guys can do…) and smiled, embracing Mark in a brotherly hug. They walked back to the green room, chatting along the way. Dave, a lighting technician, came over and joined in the conversation, the three chatting happily. Scottie, Brett, and Stapp soon joined in.
“Hey – we’re getting a new techie today,” Dave said excitedly.
“Really?” Stapp asked before taking a huge bite of cheese dip.
“Yeah. Charlie, I think. Sounds like a pro, from what Tom said. I’m excited. It’ll be nice to have another hand, you know?” They nodded. Stapp and Brett walked away to talk to some other people.
“So he’s good, huh?” Scott asked.
“The best, from what Tom said,” Dave replied. “Your lighting has gotten really complicated, and it’ll be nice to have someone extra to help out.”

***

Charlotte took a deep breath before slamming her car door shut. She took off her sunglasses and gazed up at the arena. After a three-hour drive, her butt was sore, and she was tired, but the prospect of an exciting new career, one that actually followed after her major, made her extremely happy. She smiled and headed up the steps, telling herself that if she pretended to be confident, they would think she was confident.
As she walked into the arena toward the light and sound control boards, she took in the design of the system, making a mental checklist for herself. The music was blaring, and four people were onstage for sound check. She wondered if this was the headlining band or an opening act, but decided not to say anything. Not bad, she thought. Good music, and definitely easy on the eyes. A smirk returned to her face.

***

Dave glanced over his shoulder from the control panel, and, upon seeing a rather attractive female walking toward him, jumped over the rail to find out who she was. She smiled at him.
“You must be Dave,” she said, her brown eyes twinkling. He smiled back at her.
“You gotta be Charlie,” he returned. She nodded and smiled.
“That would be me.” He nodded toward the control panel. She followed him to the raised area, her eyes returning to the dark and handsome guitar player. He seemed to be looking at her, but she wasn’t able to tell for sure.
“Steve, more monitor,” he said into the microphone, never breaking his rhythm. Her eyebrow rose, and she turned her attention back to Dave.
“This is Steve, the stage manager,” he said. Steve stuck out his hand for a quick handshake before returning his attention to the soundboard. He managed a smile at her, which she returned.  I’ll never remember all these names, she said to herself.
“You hungry?” Dave asked after several more introductions. She breathed a sigh of relief.
“I’m starved,” she said. She looked over Dave’s shoulder at the stage, but the musicians were not the ones she had seen up there before. She was somewhat saddened, but pushed it away. He probably had a girlfriend anyway.



On to Part 2