Chapter Three

When Jenny entered the studio control room, she looked around at what had become her home. She sat down in front of the large control board and ran her fingers over the knobs. Fifty thousand watts of clear channel power were in her hands. She could feel the energy surging through her skin. When she was in command nothing could touch her. Surrounded by thick, padded walls, Jenny could shut herself off from the rest of the world. With the right combination of dials and switches, she could control what millions of people heard. It was a natural high, a fifty thousand watt orgasm, and for four hours every day it had been hers. Until today, when someone by the name of Johnny Kingshit was about to take it away from her, courtesy of that pencil-penis Brian Allen.

Well, she’d show him! She’d be the perfect professional. Just do her job, business as usual, and wait for the mail to do the rest. Even if Brian had let her down, she knew her fans wouldn’t. As soon as they found out she was sharing her show they’d write. Hell, they’d probably burn up the switchboard!

With renewed confidence, Jenny put on her headset and made the necessary entries in the daily maintenance log. She glanced at the oversized clock on the wall directly in front of her and jotted down the exact time her shift started. It seemed to Jenny that her entire life had been ruled by that obnoxious red hand that ticked off time in excruciatingly long seconds.

In any given day, she probably looked at that clock hundreds of times and yet if someone asked her what time it was, she wouldn’t be able to tell them. Jenny was so engrossed in her preparations that she didn’t notice the new body that was now occupying the seat she had kept warm since her first day at the station.

Through the thick glass partition Jenny watched while George Dimmock, aka Johnny King, was talking to Brian. Jenny moved the control switch into the cue position so she could overhear their conversation then turned her back to the two men and pretended to be busy.

“At least you could have told her about me, Bri. I mean I have to work with the bitch. It might help to get to know her first, if you know what I mean.”

“I know exactly what you mean Johnny, but I thought it was best if you two started off on the right foot first before you ended up putting that foot into your mouth. Believe me, it’s best to do this my way.” Besides I don’t need the competition.

“Whatever you say, you’re the boss, right?”

“That’s right. Even if you are Denise’s brother, this is still my station. I hope we have an understanding here.”

“Of course we do. Just don’t tell Denise, right? Just because dad left this place to her, I totally understand that it’s your baby now.”

“Yes, it is my baby, and I’d rather you didn’t spread that little bit of fact about ownership around, if you know what I mean.”

Through the glass, Jenny held up the five finger signal, indicating that they were coming out of commercial in five seconds. “Not to worry, Brian. I won’t tell anyone our little secret. Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s show time!”

Johnny put on his headset as Brian left the studio. Brian hoped he hadn’t made a mistake. Johnny might be his brother-in-law and although he didn’t usually practice nepotism, in this case he’d had no choice.

The decision to hire George was made by his wife just before his “meeting” with Jenny. There was no room for compromise since Denise legally owned the station. He knew Jenny would be angry if she ever found out the truth, but he figured he could explain it to her when she calmed down.

Brian’s plan was to wait until they were in a romantic position to tell Jenny how he had to keep up an image and that it would look bad to have anyone know that his wife and not he, was actually in control. He knew Jenny would understand. Just as soon as she’d calm down about the abrupt shift change and hiring of Johnny. He just had to wait for the right moment. Unfortunately, she was showing no signs of calming down and he was becoming a bit doubtful if that right moment would ever happen.

In fact, Jenny was anything but calm. She had heard the entire conversation and was fuming. Denise’s brother? It was bad enough to lose her position to a complete unknown. Johnny King, what a stupid name. It sounded like the name of a fast food hang-out. But to find out that the decision had come from Brian’s wife was totally unnerving. Brian had told her that he owned KKTM and his wife was a silent partner. Everyone at the station was under the same impression, which Brian had done nothing to correct.

Jenny couldn’t believe Brian would jeopardize her career, but then again, since he was jeopardizing his own marriage, what was Jenny’s entire life’s work to him? If Denise found out, Jenny would have to start looking for another job whether she wanted to or not. There was no question now, she and Brian were through.

The ominous second hand was coming up to the hour mark and Jenny and Johnny - what a ridiculous combination of names! It reminded her of an old fifties song, barf - were ready to begin their first official show together.

Once again for the first time. Oh well, it won’t be forever. He’ll be terrible, Brian will have to fire him, Denise or no Denise, and I’ll have my shift back in no time! Piece of cake!

Jenny had no idea just how wrong she was.