| Episode: | Season 1, Episode 1 – Chaos! At The Gala |
| Location: | Norman’s Office |
| Written By: | Norman Grayson Charlie Washington |
| Date: | 08/08/2026 |
| Word Count: | 1,134 |
Norman rubbed the bridge of his nose, it never got any easier did it? The thought pressed into the back of his head like a swelling tide. His brain felt like it was on the lapping edge of one of the many small lakes that dotted the districts on the station. There was the sound of his nearby communications panel that alerted him, jolting him back into reality.
“Yes?” Norman asked no sooner than after pressing the small key on the device next to him.
“It’s Charles Washington sir,” Norman’s secretary said, “You wanted to be told when he arrived.”
Norman sighed, “Send him in,” He said and leaned back in the seat, as soon as the sliding door opened and closed Norman pointed at one of the leather chairs in the corner of his office. “Please have a seat Charlie.” He said, his features softening a little bit. But, the tension was clearly written all over his face.
Charlie had come to talk to Norman about the Gala, neither men had ever been to one. Charlie didn’t even watch them, his wife watched them though. He knew how stuffy they could be and wondered if that was what was stressing Norman out.
“What is it?” He asked.
Norman shrugged, leaning back further into his chair and crossing his arms as he did so. Being the top executive didn’t get any easier. Now, it wasn’t just about running an entire corporation and protecting its secrets. Now it was about playing politics and maneuvering on the station. “I’m just thinking about this Gala thing.”
He sighed, “I watched it on the tele-net with Liz a few times,” He said. “Now we’re actually going to be going. I know we can bring the twins, but I’m not quite sure if that’s the kind of environment I want them in. They’re only eight.”
Norman had met Charlie years ago, his children and the child of Charlie had done a couple play dates so far as well. So, while the Grayson family and Washington family weren’t super close, their children had been friends for a little while.
“I know,” Charlie responded. “Melanie is the same age,” He said. “That’s why Annie asked her little sister to watch Melanie for us. Maybe Jocelyn would be willing to watch your twins as well?” He found himself suggesting.
Charlie didn’t know if that was the right answer or not. And, he didn’t know if Norman or Liz had ever met Jocelyn before. “She’s really good with Melanie, and she does like spending time with her niece I don’t think she’d have a problem with it.”
Norman didn’t know how he felt about having a stranger watch his children. Most people he’d come across on the station were good people. They had a few bad people on the station, then he recognized the name. “Jocelyn Knight?” He asked.
Charlie nodded, “Yeah her.”
Norman thought about it, she was one of the bartenders at Dorian’s. Norman had been in there a couple times, but Jocelyn wasn’t really anyone he’d talked to. He knew of her only in passing, and from what he understood she was different. He didn’t respond to Charlie for a little while, he was too busy trying to figure out if Liz would go along with this.
“Is something wrong with Jocelyn?” Charlie quipped.
Norman shook his head, “Nah, nothing’s wrong with her.” He pointed out as the realization finally hit him. Norman had been told some stories by Liz when it came to Annie’s sister because both Annie and Liz talked quite often to each other. And, this would mean his children wouldn’t need to be at the Gala later in the week.
He nodded, “I don’t think Liz will have a problem with that. And, I know the twins would probably like doing an overnight and getting out of the house for a little bit. That’s if it’s okay with Jocelyn that is?”
“It should be,” Charlie said. “Melanie is spending the night with Jocelyn so we don’t wake her up. This Gala goes late, and the two of them can watch it on the tele-net anyway.” He said calmly, “Do you want me to step out and call her?”
Norman shrugged, “I don’t see a problem with it.” He said and watched as Charlie vanished for a moment. In the meantime Norman had sent a message to Liz telling her that he’d found someone to watch the twins. A second later and his wife had responded. Norman told her who, and again his wife replied.
Charlie re-entered the office and sat back down. “Jocelyn doesn’t have a problem with it. She said Melanie talks about them all the time.”
Norman found himself smiling with some relief, “Liz doesn’t have an issue either,” He said and uncrossed his arms. So now he had someone to take care of his children, but the rest of it was still kind of bothering him. “How often have you actually watched the Gala?”
Charlie got himself comfortable as the conversation shifted away from the three kids to the Gala itself. “Annie’s more interested in it than I am. As far as I’m concerned it’s just the government and the corporations pandering to the public.”
Norman felt as if Charlie had just hit the nail on the head with that comment. He nodded slowly, “That’s really all it is.” He said, celebration of democracy was just a gimmick… It was a catchphrase that both groups used. “It’s all just a gimmick.”
Charlie laughed, “It might be fun though?”
“Yeah maybe,” Norman replied softly. He wasn’t a huge fan of doing these sorts of things, and he was less interested in watching the show. But, Liz had already rented him a suit to wear to the event. These things were very formal, which given that Norman was currently sitting in his office wearing a sweatshirt said all that needed to be said about him.
“Liz was so excited she already rented a suit for me to wear,” Norman added. “I’m not looking forward to wearing it at all.”
Charlie found himself laughing again, “That’s going to be a sight to see,” He pointed out and stood up. “I’m wearing a tuxedo,” He said. “What time do you want to drop the kiddos off?” He asked, shifting back.
Norman shrugged as he watched Charlie preparing to leave, “Probably in the early afternoon. Most of the offices will be closed here for the day so I’m not coming in. And, Liz is done with her latest article for submission so she’s not doing anything. Besides there’s no school for the next several days.”
Charlie nodded, “I’ll let Jocelyn and Annie know.” He said and waved before stepping out of the office and leaving Norman to it.