Breaking News

By Nigel G. Mitchell

Warren Norwood had given up on his dream of making a difference, and resigned himself to being just another talking head on the afternoon news. Then his teleprompter started predicting the future. Now, he has the eyes of the world on him, and he's stopping disasters before they happen. But what happens when it stops? 

Fans of the Twilight Zone and other sci-fi anthologies will enjoy this short story. 

Length: 10,000 words

• Language: English
• Publisher: Platypus Publishing
• Release date: Dec 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9781519922922

Nigel G. Mitchell

Nigel G. Mitchell was born in Brooklyn, NY. He earned a Bachelor's in English from Arizona State University in 1999. In addition to fiction, he is also a writer for the popular sci-fi blog, The Geek Twins. His work has been featured regularly in Slashfilm, Blastr, io9, CBR and Screenrant. His short stories have been published in Lost Worlds, 365 Tomorrows, and Black Hole Magazine. His latest novel is "Enter the Nexus." He currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife and three children.

Book preview

1.

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THE MOMENT WARREN Norwood saw the pretty blonde sitting at the news anchor desk, he knew she was trouble. He had grown used to Charlotte's dull glare in the afternoon, and almost missed it. This new girl had the bright-eyed optimism Warren had once seen in his own eyes, and would take time to crush.

The blonde looked like she was in her twenties with long hair framing a beautiful and elegant face. She looked like she should be on stage at a Miss America pageant instead of behind a news desk. She even wore a pink top and jacket, for crying out loud.

As Warren approached the camera crew, he nodded to his news director, Matt Sharpe. What happened to Charlotte?

Sharpe looked away from the cameraman, and blinked a few times at Warren. Are you serious? We just talked about this at the editorial meeting last night. And again in the editorial meeting this morning. Oh, that's right, you missed the morning meeting, and slept through the meeting last night.

Warren caught one of the key grips out of the corner of his eye. The grip turned to the others, brought his thumb to his mouth, and mimed guzzling from a bottle. The key grip dropped his hand when he caught Warren glaring at him, but some of the crew still snickered.

Sharpe shook his head as he consulted a clipboard in his hand. Okay, last time, Charlotte's gone. Her little joke about the governor's ball didn't go over too well with the audience. That's her replacement. You forget it again, nothing I can do.

The blonde came hurrying out from behind the desk with her hand thrust out to Warren. A tight pink skirt matching her pink top hugged her curves. I saw you at the morning meeting, but I didn't get a chance to formally say hello. Dawn Bright. Great to meet you.

Warren would have had to shift his coffee mug to his other hand, so he ignored Dawn's hand and stalked past her to the anchor desk.

As he sat down, Dawn scurried into the co-anchor's chair next to him. He couldn't help glancing down at her legs as she sat down. She began to sift through the papers in front of her. Looks like a good story about the Korean crisis today.

Warren took a sip from his coffee mug. I wouldn't know.

Dawn did a double take at the papers in front of him.  Your pages are blank?

Warren scowled. Have you ever anchored before?

Dawn shifted her butt on her seat with discomfort. Well, no. I was a street reporter in Tulsa.

Warren held up his pages. Listen and learn, kid. You don't actually read the stories from these. They're just a prop.

Warren pointed to the small screen mounted over the camera lens facing him. Just read the teleprompter. It tells you what to say.

Dawn's smile turned a little crooked as she nodded. Well, I guess that makes it easier. But I like to be prepared.

She