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“Little Things”
William Auten
Copyright © William Auten
A camera sticks to Jeremy after he emerges from the interview room, and a production assistant’s question spins in Jeremy as he heads for the exercise room: “What would you like to take away when this is all over? Money? Something else, if you don’t win money?” And that camera yields to a trio of tag-along cameras when he warms up—ten minutes on the bike, shoulder dislocates, air squats, and at a weight he’s increased since filming started, kettlebell swings. When those cameras and another PA tighten on Jeremy pausing near Katie as she warms up, he backs away, dodging cords and boom mics, the buzz reinvading him, but he and Katie flash a look they’ve shared on the first day.
Nurse C. waves him over to the scale. “Ready, Mister J., for the last one?”
“Yes, I am.”
“I am ready for them to get out of my space.” Nurse C. frowns at the camera while its operator remains expressionless. “I’m sure you are too.”
“Yeah,” Jeremy mumbles, side-eyeing Katie heading for her weigh-in on the other side of squat racks and dumbbells. He whips off his shirt and puffs out his chest; his newfound pride glows. His feet march in place on the scale when Katie peels off layers down to her exercise bra and shorts branded ROLL THE DICE STRENGTH & CONDITIONING. He discreetly adjusts his shorts.
Nurse C. lays her stethoscope around her neck. “Two-sixty-two. Down three pounds. Well done. You have a good workout.” She leans closer to him until she obscures the camera craning over Jeremy’s shoulder and the scale’s digits. “Miss Katie too.” She welcomes next-in-line William who let everyone know during introductions he was “a Southern-fried Okie.”
“Thank you,” Jeremy whispers. Five pounds he mouths to Katie.
Yay she returns before emphasizing a sad face. I went up.