Phrase Writers Group

At every Phrase Writers meeting we are given (optional) homework, a subject or phrase to inspire a story or poem.

This week's subject -- Promise

Friends donated their (first) names

THE PROMISE

“Let’s welcome Tobiah to our call-in show, ‘Liz Liztens’. You’re on the radio Tobiah. Now you’re a mother. Well we’re talking about mothers in the workplace. I’ve held three jobs in local radio, have two children and a husband working six hours a day. So it can be done. Thanks for calling Tobiah”.

While an advertising jingle was played, the show’s producer was speaking through Liz’s headphones. “Adele is next. She has interesting experiences on motherhood”.

Liz gave a thumbs up to Mandy outside the soundproof studio, her friendly smile always visible through the window. Every day Liz was grateful her lifetime best friend was still watching her back.

The lengthy advertising break over, Liz was back on the air.

“Next we have Adele. I think you rang last week with some rather iffy views on socialising with your cleaner and gardener. Put me right off my fried guacamole and cheesy chips. No, we don’t want your type here”.

Liz glanced at the studio clock. Time for a news break. She knew Mandy would switch off her microphone.

Liz leaned back with a satisfied smiling sigh. She had come a long way since the “Savage debates” at school.

She had taken over the Debating Society with Mandy. It had become shouting matches, with insults but no meaningful discussion. Such a waste given the students’ range of views and backgrounds.

Mandy read about how American Indians discussed matters. The men of the tribe, from elders to young braves, would meet up. An elder would open the debate by pointing at someone to speak. They would say their piece, then there was silence while everyone considered what had been said. After a while the elder would point at another, and so it went. All views listened to, regardless of the person’s age.

Liz and Mandy thought this a great approach. A few modifications. Ladies were also invited to the “Savage debates”. And Liz took a leaf from the school radio station music schedule, and alternated male and female speakers.

They found that some would-be speakers were so keen to have their say, they had no interest in listening and learning.

Liz would deliberately introduce speakers she knew would reference what they had heard, to hopefully influence the talkers, gratifyingly with some success.

Many of these mostly men albeit with some ladies ended up in local politics, with a few at national level. Still talking with no listening.

Liz promised herself she would always listen, no matter what.

She and Mandy had joined the local community radio station, where presenters do everything for themselves. And then as trainees at a commercial station, making the tea, running errands and learning the ropes. Well the cables!

Liz gravitated behind the microphone. Mandy became her producer, leading the team of people that made the show seem so effortless.

The engineer checking sound levels, so Liz and her callers weren’t shouting at each other. Researchers screening callers and making notes for Liz, latest trainee running errands and bringing cups of tea, despite the station ban on food and drink in the studio.

At first Liz and Mandy were determined to let people have their say. Soon found that some rambled. Others broke Ofcom broadcasting rules, such as accidental advertising of local businesses, or local politics. Mandy would say “We’re not in Kansas anymore”.

Biggest problem were the station’s advertisers. They liked a little spice in the phone-in shows. Always boosted listening figures, especially the demographic that bought their products.

So Liz obliged, interrupting the occasional caller, cutting off the worst transgressors, improvising on the notes supplied by the researchers. And the more she did, the higher the rates the advertisers paid. Her generous financial contract had been improved several times.

Locals from her old school laughed at the advertising billboards emblazoned with Liz and her show, ‘Liz Liztens’ but the star presenter heard nothing.

“Liz Liz” called Mandy. Liz awoke from her reverie.

“Show over already” she thought. She went to join Mandy who had a visitor.

“Liz, meet Adele”.

The ladies shook hands and exchanged greetings.

Mandy continued. “Adele is from the regulator for radio phone-in shows. She has some exciting news”.

Liz blinked. Never heard of such a regulator. Still, listen and learn.

The three ladies sat round a small table. Adele set out her stall.

“Phone-in shows are very popular. It’s a good premise. Discuss the matters of the day, or introduce ideas that deserve wider comment.

“However, there is official concern over the level of bullying and aggression on many of these shows. And how this is affecting wider society. For example on social media and even in political debate.

“We’d like your show, ‘Liz Liztens’, to be the flagship in our new project. A safe place for people to ring in, be part of a discussion, be listened to. We call it ‘Our promise, we listen’”.

Liz nodded, thinking back to the ‘Savage debates’.

“This is a project after my heart, our hearts” she added, nodding towards Mandy.

“Liz Liz” called her best friend. Liz awoke from her reverie.

“Adele is next. She has interesting experiences on motherhood”.

Liz smiled. “Let’s welcome Adele to our call-in show, ‘Liz Liztens’. You’re on the radio Adele. Tell us about your experiences”.