Breaking News The Series: Episode 1

By R.E. Schicchi and D.K. Johnson

For the most up-to-date, accurate and late-breaking news in your community its the beautiful, handsome, polished and oh-so-confident news anchors and reporters seen on local television news we usually turn to. They are trusted. Professional. Accountable. They are the kind of men and women you want to invite to dinner. Or are they? Breaking News The Series takes fans on an unbelievable, comedic and sometimes tragic behind-the-scenes tour of a South Florida television station shining a bright light on a world only those inside newsrooms ever see.

Breaking News The Series (Season 1: Episode 1) welcomes readers to the fast-paced and glitzy South Florida newsroom of WKMI, as young and eager-to-succeed new reporter Karen Anderson begins her career stepping into what can only be described as a hot-bed of professional dysfunction! As Karen joins the team of reporters and anchors, she quickly gets a rude awakening that if she's going to survive and thrive in the roller-coaster world of local television news, she has to make strategic alliances (fast), keep her guard up against back-stabbing colleagues like the ‘twin devil,’ avoid the pitfalls of a building filled with almost unimaginable sexual and erotic escapades and all the while maintain her pretty, polished and calm on-the-air exterior she'll need if she's going to "make it." And that's just on day one!

How will Karen Anderson cope with a violent crime scene playing out on the grounds of her new office space? Will she be able to navigate the prickly personalities of her on-air colleagues and psychotic newsroom managers? Will her journalistic career boil down to expose’s such as the vagina monologue? Is the world of local television news all it's cracked up to be or will Karen see through the thin veneer of glitz and glam right to the dark, sticky and downright mean underbelly of the industry and profession she so desperately wants to succeed in?

In Breaking News The Series, seasoned journalists and co-authors, R.E. Schicchi and D. K. Johnson bring to life an unbelievably wacky cast of characters inspired by dozens of actual reporters, anchors, producers, writers, editors and managers the women have called colleagues during their news careers. Serving as editors in several major newsrooms across the country, the women often found themselves "flies on the wall" to some of the most insane, outrageous, humiliating, vicious downright cruel and yes, laughable moments taking place in their newsrooms.

BREAKING NEWS THE SERIES - SEASON ONE, 13 EPISODES

TV-MA and some content may be unsuitable for children under 17.
D - Suggestive dialogue, L - Coarse language, S - Sexual content and V- Violence

Pre-order release dates

Episode 2 - February 6, 2016

Episode 3 - February 13, 2016

Episode 4 - February 20, 2016

Episode 5 - February 27, 2016

Episode 6 - March 5, 2016

Episode 7 - March 12, 2016

Episode 8 - March 19, 2016

Episode 9 - March 26, 2016

Episode 10 - April 2, 2016

Episode 11 - April 9, 2016

Episode 12 - April 16, 2016

Episode 13 - April 23, 2016

Co-authors R.E. Schicchi and D.K. Johnson invite you to tune in to a one-of-a-kind ride into a world you don't see when you watch your local television news!

Breaking News The Series - Episode 1 is a page turner that will leave you wanting more... and you'll get it - in Episode 2, coming up right after this commercial break... Stay With Us...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Julia Yarbough Media Group
• Release date: Dec 9, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311176806

R.E. Schicchi

R.E. SCHICCHI It is said one’s greatest weakness can also be one’s greatest strength. For author, producer, graphic artist and life-long creative storyteller R.E. Schicchi, no place is that more true than in the pages of the new hit short-story series, ‘Breaking News The Series’ is filled with larger-than-life yet painfully-flawed characters and situations which take readers deep behind the scenes of the daily grind of local television news production. “I have always loved stories; been attracted to stories the have character and depth with my favorite books and shows having strong female leads,” says Schicchi. “I write diverse and powerful stories with strong women as central characters; women of all shades and ages, including those who suffer from some form of mental illness and stories of real people facing real issues.” The creation of ‘Breaking News The Series’ is born from Schicchi’s more than 12 year career in television news production, embedded daily with industry men and women who nightly project to the world an image of perfection and control, yet who behind the scenes, are often seething with jealousy, plotting against colleagues and hour upon hour facing their own insecurities and professional demons. ‘Breaking News The Series’ captures a side of television news the industry would most likely prefer to keep swept under the rug, yet in clever, humorous, well-crafted almost “too unbelievable to be true but are true” stories, Schicchi airs out the dirty laundry. Schicchi’s has hands-on experience of editing segments, specials and news programs for outlets such as South Florida’s award-winning Deco Drive of WSVN as well as lending her talents to special projects productions while working at WPLG. Schicchi’s involvement with major new outlets has given her exclusive access to the stories behind the stories of local television news. Schicchi says the ability to express her creativity through words, images and characters across multiple platforms including print, video and animation is one of the driving forces in the evolution of ‘Breaking News The Series’ which leaves readers wondering, ‘Did this really happen? Is this what truly goes on when the camera’s aren’t rolling?’ ‘Breaking News The Series’ is packed with plot-twists and an array of seemingly emotionally dysfunctional characters readers will love to hate and hate to love. With ‘Breaking News The Series’ Schicchi has created an engaging, comical, edge-of-your-seat-emotionally gripping, head-shaking-in-disbelief short-story series that leaves readers wanting more...and they get it - coming up after the break. To stay up to date on the latest 'Breaking News The Series' news and release dates, follow R.E. at: Facebook – R.E. Schicchi Twitter - @RE_Schicchi Pinterest - reschicchi YouTube - RE Schicchi

Book preview

BREAKING NEWS: THE SERIES

SEASON 1 - EPISODE 1

By R.E. Schicchi & D.K. Johnson

Copyright 2015 by R.E. Schicchi & D.K. Johnson

All rights reserved.

All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events or locales is purely coincidental. Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the authors, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

For professional inquires please contact:

Julia Yarbough Media Group, LLC

Miami Beach, Florida

[e-mail]

954-383-1434

For the dreamers, the instigators, the friends -

and of course our family - who without their love and support -

this venture would not be possible.

Welcome to the world of local television news! It is a fast-paced environment with personalities and situations that are sometimes hard to believe. We have tried to capture the essence of a typical working newsroom based on our many years working in the trenches. We have chosen the serialized novel format because we want our readers to experience the same fast-paced action of a written television show; 13 episodes in television-season form with cliff-hangers leaving the readers wanting more.

Much like in a real newsroom, multiple characters come and go.

We hope you enjoy the show and characters as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Hold on and enjoy the ride.

R.E. & D.K.

Prologue

Artie stood behind the glass double door that opened to the station lobby. This was considered the safe zone, the only place a television news reporter didn’t have to interact with the general public.

He silently observed the Superintendent of Miami-Dade Schools pace back and forth in the lobby. This man was the subject of Artie’s latest exposé on the corruption in local city government. The story was about to air at the top of the five o’clock news. Did he really want to press the buzzer to let him out into the real world?

Is that Jerry Hinks? a young voice asked.

Artie turned his head slightly as the new kid on the block walked up and stood beside him.

Yep, that’s him.

I wonder what he wants? Karen asked.

Well. Artie said as he peered through the glass doors and grabbed the handle, Let’s go find out.

Karen wasn’t too sure she wanted to follow.

Artie? Karen whispered as she tried to keep up with the investigative reporter’s stride, Why is he wearing a black overcoat? It must be at least ninety degrees outside?

Hinks stopped pacing as soon as he saw Artie emerge. He eyed Artie contemptuously as the bastard casually walked to the center of the lobby.

So good of you to see me. Hinks said in a sarcastic tone, wondering how long Artie had been standing there watching him pace. Now the investigative reporter was sauntering out like in a Western— face off at the channel 3 corral.

Okay, let’s have your side. Artie calmly strolled within a few feet of Hinks, stopped and crossed his arms. His posture said I’ve got better things to do with my time than listen to your bullshit.

Gloria, the station news director, quickly entered the lobby with a photographer by her side. She could smell a breaking news story like a cat could smell tuna. Fact— Superintendent Jerry Hinks had summoned Artie Spooner to the lobby for a brief chat? Right before the story on his demise would air?

You can’t make this shit up.

Gloria walked behind the secretary’s desk to watch the drama unfold. If anything bad were to happen, at least they’d have the whole thing on video.

You want my side? Hinks screamed as he startled everyone within earshot. Here it is! My wife has left me! And she’s taken my CHILDREN!

Gloria leaned down and quietly whispered to the secretary.

Call the police from inside.

The secretary couldn’t move quickly enough.

Sir, please calm down. Karen said as she inched towards him.

Hinks was highly agitated. He had been sweating profusely and appeared to be hyperventilating slightly. Karen didn’t want him to pass out and not be able to help the poor man. Hinks looked to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and all they could do was watch.

And it’s all because of you Spooner! Hinks spat out the words as if he had tasted something awful.

All I do is report the news, sir. Artie responded matter- of-fact like, still standing with his arms crossed and a smug smile on his lips.

The veins on Hinks’ neck bulged and his eyes grew large. Only short bursts of unintelligible sounds uttered from his mouth. He could not believe the gall of the man standing within two feet of him. This bastard who just ruined his entire life.

Hinks quickly glanced at the large clock digital display.

4:47 p.m.

How about I make some news of my own? he said.

In one quick movement, Hinks removed a snub nosed thirty-eight revolver from his coat pocket.

Gloria stepped out in front of Karen and Artie. Her hands were raised in a defensive posture.

Listen, you don’t want to do this. Gloria said as she was pretty sure she’d lost her own mind.

Hinks gripped the gun.

Who’s gonna stop me? he said; a crazed, wicked grin spread across his lips as he slowly pointed the gun at Gloria, then Karen, then Artie.

In the newsroom, everyone was preparing for the five o’clock. The assignment desk was fielding phone calls, while others were putting finishing touches to the upcoming show in ten minutes.

Gemini was sitting at her desk yelling at someone on the phone.

No— I need you to bring that shit here BEFORE the six! she yelled as she slammed down the receiver.

Suddenly, a single gunshot was heard.

Everyone froze.

CHAPTER ONE

Rude Awakening

Karen Anderson blew a sigh of relief when she finally saw the WKMI Channel 3 news building. It had taken her twenty minutes to find the building, and that was out of sheer luck. The GPS device her brother had given her as a going away gift had malfunctioned and gotten her lost. The device kept trying to send her into a canal. Thank the Lord her Dad bought her a center punch. She looked at her glove compartment and quietly thanked him.

In fifty feet, turn right. Recalculating… recalculating… the GPS kept saying in a thick Spanish accent.

After the third recalculating, Karen decided to do everything opposite of what Sophia Vergara shouted at her. Karen’s brother Mark somehow programmed the actress’ voice in as a joke, and she hadn’t been able to change it since she turned it on this morning. She laughed even though the device was annoying the crap out of her. Mark was her older brother and she loved him dearly, even if he’d always teased her and played practical jokes on her. Mark was very talented with electronics and computers, and she had to give him credit for the ingenious prank he had pulled off. He called her to ask if she liked her first taste of Miami this morning. Karen had to kindly correct him and tell him that Sophia Vergara was from Colombia, not Cuba.

The boy had watched Scarface one too many times.

Once Karen had gotten the official call courtesy of Howie Goldberg, WKMI News director, that she had gotten the job, she was beyond happy. Karen was ecstatic. She was going to be in South Florida for the next three years. No more cold ass winters for her.

Thank the Lord!

She made a quick right as she almost missed the turn. These warehouse districts were tricky. In hindsight, Karen wished she’d taken an actual ride to the station when she moved down two weeks ago. Instead, she chose to take in the sites and sounds of South Florida; blue skies, warm temperatures, and crystal clear bluish-green water. South Beach, Coconut Grove, Ft. Lauderdale. Everything was so exciting and new for her.

Now, this was paradise.

Karen glanced up at the huge, three story news station and wondered how she ever missed the site from the toorn pee kee, which took her a few minutes to figure out that the modified Vergara GPS