BR Day 14 - Changes

“It’s just one of those things,” Annette says at breakfast, dressed soberly for business as she addresses everyone in the dining hall. “This is a new company and a new project. Problems like this are the whole reason that we’re doing this pilot season with the hybrid online and broadcast approach rather than just putting FUTA on primetime TV. It’s so we have a way to deal with these growing pains without it being the end of the world.”

She just announced that all FUTA activities for this week are canceled. She said that they’re planning to get back to normal next Monday, but it’s Tuesday now. That’s six whole days without any FUTA stuff. It’s a paid vacation. That’s good news, but you still don’t know how to feel about it as you watch her leave the dining hall, and the girls get back to eating.

You’re still worried about Rebecca and the other girls that left. It’s rumored that it relates to contract problems. Some of your teammates and Tiff have speculated that maybe FUTA didn’t do a good enough job warning everyone about the craziness of the show before having you all sign these contracts. If that’s the case, it makes sense that FUTA wants to let everyone catch their breath. Maybe you’ll get a new contract and FUTA will stop being quite so bonkers.

Or maybe they’ll give you all a raise. You don’t love everything that FUTA has done, but it hasn’t occurred to you to walk out over any of it. At the same time, you can understand why a sweet girl like Rebecca might not want to stay. You just… didn’t sense that she hated FUTA at all.

Well, it’s none of your business. You’re finished eating, and Beth is texting you. You look over at Blue Team’s table, then just stand up and walk across the room to sit beside her.

“Fraternizing with the enemy,” Adella says mildly, eating toast.

“Not like it matters now,” you reply.

“Paid Holiday,” Beth murmurs to you.

“I was thinking the same thing.”

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking now?” Beth asks cheekily, looking up at you.

“Date night?” you ask hesitantly.

She nods. Right. Beth doesn’t wear it on her sleeve, but she’s just a bit posh. After the weekend and camp, she’s not going to miss this opportunity to get out of here and be spoiled a little.

“I shall make the arrangements, love,” she assures you drolly.

“Sounds good.” You kiss her on the cheek and return to your team. Even with FUTA stuff canceled, you still have an itinerary. You have an appointment at the infirmary, Tiff is going to address the team, and Michelle wants to meet with you too. Looks like it’ll be a full day, but man… after you came back from the weekend, it really seemed like FUTA had stepped up its game. The fancy new sets, the cameras, the uniformed workers… you thought they had their act together. So much for that.