Talk to the hand

It’s 10:17 p.m. and I’m on deadline.

The cell phone vibrates on the desk, an unwelcome break in concentration. Against my better judgment, I look down at the caller’s name and answer.

“I’llhavetocallyourightbackI’mondeadline,” I say and quickly snap the phone shut.

It would’ve likely been better if I just hadn’t picked up at all. It’s hard for people outside the media industry to understand the intense immersion in a story to get it done quickly and accurately on time.

It produces a curtness not to be mistaken with rudeness, but with having to get the job done on the ever ticking clock.

Sometimes I just expect people to understand how tightly-wound and tense I can be on deadline, but often it’s just easier to apologize after the story’s done.

Sorry.

Photo by Dana Mardaga courtesy procorbis.com