deep breathing is NOT the answer to everything

“Melody (that’s what he calls me), I think you are using me”
“Huh?”
“I think you are using our personal equation to go easy on work.”
“And you’d feel that because?”
“You did not go for the re-re-re-re-re-re-recording of the radio.”
“Because I’ve been to all the other re-re-re-re-re-recordings, and everytime the client wants one word to be changed to his fancy, I refuse to kill myself for it. So I sent junior. Work’s done. Deadlines are met. And before anything goes out, I check it. Why would you complain?”
“No that’s not the way work happens.”
“So, then, what about the times when you passed on your shit to me and did not even follow-up? Is that the way work happens? Cuz then I’ll make a note of it for the future.”
________________________
“Will you take on this project? I need design help. On Sunday, make the concept cards, shot refs and finish the layouts. You can work from home. Just mail me.”
“Blanket Nerve, doing layouts isn’t my job. And neither is referencing shots.”
“Please do it. You are the only one I can bank upon. Help me out, please. Please, please. Personal favour??”
Many many hours later, me on sms,
Layouts done. Sent to Bangkok. CC-ed them to you and Baldy.
[Baldy btw, is the art director, my partner, who should have done the above work.]
2 days later,
“Baldy, Melody, all approved; fantastic design. Baldy, submit your passport. The shoot is three weeks away. You are going to Bangkok.”
“But I did the work. I designed the stuff. Why should Baldy be in Bangkok having the fun?”
“Well, because, he’s the art director. And the client only pays for the art director to be present on a static shoot”
_________________________
“Take care of the pitch”
“Yea, don’t worry”
“Sunday shoot I’ll take care of. Please figure the edit and the music, and I’ll have no mindspace to do that after an all-night shoot.”
“Yea”
I sms him, Sunday evening :
The shoot needs me? I’m not particularly saving the world, so I’d like to work instead.
Reply:
No no, enjoy the eve and sleep well. I need u tomm:) Btw, pls go home and feed the dogs. Trippy isn't back from Goa yet. Hugs.

Sms, Monday morning:
Is melody up for morning coffee before work?
I sms:
:( Already at work. Send me studio details, so I can start with the edit.
Reply:
Oh don’t bother, since I know what is shot, I’ll only do it. No point people ditching the shoot and then wanting to edit it later.

Did someone just tell me that having your past as a boss is a no-no?
I agree.