96 Rocks
Ron Hummer
Copyright Ron hummer 2011
Published at Smashwords
This story is not a reflection on the radio industry, the book publishing industry, or the banking industry. It’s a reflection on companies that use non compete agreements.
Chapter 1
Diane Crawford
Friday May 14, 2010 11:14 PM
WKRX is a rectangular pile of red bricks that is 3 stories high with windows that never grow dark. A chimney held a navy blue sign that said 96 Rocks; a blonde-haired man who was the security guard was stationed inside the door on the first floor.
Behind the lights on the third floor is where the DJ and the engineer were, rock and roll music from the 60’s and 70’s with hits of today being piped out to the fans that listened to the station on a daily basis.
“All right, this is Diane Crawford at 96 Rocks and we’re back at 11:14pm. Outside it’s 78 degrees in Dallas Texas, and we’re going to start off another set of rock and roll music with Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb at 96 Rocks FM.”
The music kicked in and the voice of Rodger Waters singing hello is there anybody out there came on as Diane leaned back in her blue swivel chair and stared at the white ceiling. “I’m gonna take a break,” Gina said through her headphones as Diane turned and watched her stand up, running her hand through her curly blond hair as she left the studio.
Diane took a deep breath, slipped the headphones off her ears. Her mind wandered back to the press release earlier today that Bob Wolfe would be the new morning drive person. Not like anyone cared to say anything to me, she thought to herself. After all, I’ve only been here for 7 years now and I’m still on the graveyard shift.
Yes, Wolfe finished out his non-compete after 3 years when he worked at WRSP in Denver,Colorado. That was also after finishing another rehab stint since he was an alcoholic. Of course, he had high ratings at the station in the morning drive before he was fired for being drunk on the air and making sexual jokes about Governor Theresa Palmer.
Wonder if Wolfe would have gotten away with that 20 years ago, Diane mused. My mother took pride in her work. She would never be drunk on the air.
The first time Diane saw her mother, Annie Crawford, on the air live was when she was 8 years old. February, 18, 1984. Cleveland, Ohio. Her mother been famous as a DJ and conducted interviews with many of the rock and roll greats such as Mick Jagger and David Bowie. She still remembered the first song she played by Huey Lewis and the News. It was I Want A New Drug.She saw her mother in front of two turntables as she pushed back stray wisps of brown hair into place with her fingertips, her other hand holding the record in place until the song ended. She spun the label back just enough so that the label was off to the right, ready to be released when she said “here’s Huey Lewis and the News at WLNT FM.
Diane knew at that moment that that’s what she wanted to do. She had the voice, low, deep, sultry, just like her mother. She knew that she wanted to be in radio and would go to school for it and graduate with her communications degree from Suny Buffalo.
The red dot on the phone came on and Diane grabbed the receiver, put it to her ear. “96 Rocks.”
“Hey Diane. Great tunes tonight.”
Diane smiled, recognizing the voice of Rick Holman from Albany, New York. “Are you listening to me through your TV again?”
“Of course. You’re streaming though my playstation.”
“That is so crazy.”
“You don’t sound that great tonight.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Yep.”
“Guess you heard the news.”
“Oh yeah. They talked about it on CNN Headline News. Bob Wolfe taking over the morning drive.”
“Yep.”
“I’m sure they didn’t give you a heads up.”
She screwed her face into a grimace, crossed her legs. “No, they didn’t.”
Comfortably Numb would come to an end soon. She looked at her console, typed in Jackson Brown, saw the songs that came back. She chose The Pretender and that song went right under Comfortably Numb. Doesn’t get any easier than that.
“That’s the way it is when you’re on a non-compete,” Rick said. “They don’t care how you feel. If you don’t like it, you can leave. Just remember ” - he coughed - “that you can’t work in the industry for 2 years.”
“I know.”
“Of course in your case, it’s 3 years and you can’t work at another station within 200 miles. But since your station owns 15 other stations in different parts of the country, the only place you can work is in California.”
“We’ve talked about this before Rick.”
“So, let’s talk about it again. Diane, take it from me, the years pile up before you know it. I’m going into my 12th year on my non-compete. They laid off over 200 people in my company already. I could go at anytime and I still can’t work in the industry for 2 years.”
“I know.”
“I mean, I live in Albany and my company is headquartered in Ohio. So I had to go down to Ohio to talk to a lawyer.”
“I remember that you mentioned that.”
“My lawyer said that this should be illegal and it’s up to the state government to do something about it.”
“Mine said the same thing.”
“Look, I’m just trying to help you. You deserve a lot more than this. You can be free in California.”
Diane leaned back in her chair, looked at her laptop computer that was off to her left. “I know that but It’s just not that easy to pick up and leave.”
“Diane, I don’t have industry experience in other jobs. I’ve been looking for over 3 years for a new job. Not getting anywhere.”
“I know.”
“Don’t wait until they fire you. A lot of people in my company were looking and they still don’t have jobs.”
Diane shook her head. “And the government continues to pay them unemployment even though they can work but they can’t work in their industry.”
“It isn’t right Diane. Think about it. Don’t end up like the people in my company. Or me. Get out before it’s too late. You’ll be free in California.”
“I have to say that I’m thinking about it.”
“I hope you are.”
“I am. So, what do you want to hear?”
“Just play some Zappa, Dead, Riders of the Purple Sage, and Little Feat.”
“Tell you what.” She went back to the console, typed in Frank Zappa, came back with results, chose Dirty Love. “I’ll do that and I’ll throw in some Hot Tuna, Tull, and Commander Cody as well.”
“Sounds great. Thanks.”
“Take care, Rick. And good luck on your job.”
“Thanks. Same to you. “ He hung up.
Diane put the phone back on the receiver, heard the voice of Jackson Brown fade.“All right. Coming up we’ll have some Grateful Dead, Little Feat, Riders of the Purple Sage, Jethro Tull, Hot Tuna, and Commander Cody. But let’s get started with Frank Zappa and Dirty Love at 96 Rocks.
Diane leaned back in her chair, took in the music of Frank Zappa. She looked at her laptop computer, stared at the picture of her and her ex-boyfriend, John Carlton on her facebook page. He was taller than her, his head shaved, his complexion was nearly the color of brass.
She pressed the space bar and the picture switched to Mary Spellman. Her blond hair fell over her shoulders, framing her blue eyes, aquiline nose, and round face.
Diane tried not to feel jealous standing next to Mary, knowing that Mary would still draw all the looks from men, including Tim Harrelson, the one who was responsible for getting her fired from the station.
Diane heard her cell phone vibrate by her brown pocketbook. She took it out, recognized her mother’s number.
“Hi Mom,” she said as she put the cell phone to her ear.
“Hi. Just wanted to see how you’re doing.”
“Thanks.”
“He called, didn’t he?”
She smiled, put her feet on the table as Gina came back into the room. “How did you know?”
“I’m sure you don’t get a lot of requests for Frank Zappa.”
“I guess you got me.”
“And you better not be updating your facebook page.”
“I promised you I wouldn’t do that again.”
“I’m sure you have the computer with you.”
She arched her eyebrows, drew her lips together. “Just looking at some pictures, that’s all.”
“Okay, fine. Get a song cued up for the Dead. This is a short one for Frank Zappa.”
“Okay.”
“And please do not play Truckin or Casey Jones. Jerry Garcia did more songs than those and the other radio stations only play those two songs.You can do something different.”
“Fine.” She typed in Grateful Dead into the computer and came back with a list of their songs. “How about Hell in a Bucket?”
“Sounds good. “You’re just looking at a bunch of titles anyway.”
“Done.”
“Did he choose Jethro Tull?”
“No, that was my idea.”
“You don’t mix Jethro Tull with any of those other bands. Neil Young. Bob Dylan. Eric Clapton. Creedence Clearwater Revival. Not Jethro Tull.”
“Sorry.”
“Play Skating Away. That will be close enough.”
Diane went to her computer again, typed in Jethro Tull and Skating Away, then put that under Hell in a Bucket as that song came on.
“Did he start in with you about that crazy talk about going to California?”
She stared at the ceiling, smiled. “Yes.”
“Are you still considering it?”
“I don’t know.”
“Fine. You said you’re playing Commander Cody.”
“Yes. She typed in that name and came up with a list of songs.”
“What are you choosing? Hot Rod Lincoln?”
“No. I like Beat Me Daddy Eight to the Bar.”
“You played that yesterday. How about Smoke. Smoke. Smoke.”
She put Beat Me Daddy Eight Under the Bar under Skating Away.”
“You didn’t choose Smoke Smoke Smoke.”
“Excuse me,” she said, smiling. “This is still my show.”
“Fine.” “All right. I’ll let you choose a song from Hot Tuna.”
“Do Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning. That’s a long song.”
Diane typed the song in with Hot Tuna, then put it under Beat Me Daddy Eight to the Bar. “I don’t need a long song mother. I can put six songs together and sit back.”
“I forgot how easy you have it.”
“Yes, not like Dr. Johnny Fever of WKRP who took a nap when he played Dogs from Pink Floyd.”
“First of all, he was not asleep. That was a TV show. That doesn’t happen.”
“Fine.”
“That show didn’t even reach a third season. Wasn’t that funny.”
“I thought it was.”
“Look at the music you’re playing. I’ll bet Rick Holman is getting stoned right now.”
Diane’s smile grew wider. “Yes, you refer to it as drug music. You seem to know a lot about it though.”
The DJ heard her mother take a deep breath. “Nobody likes a smart aleck. You don’t seem to realize that I knew all these people when I was a DJ. I knew Jerry Garcia, George Frayne, Billy Farlow, Jorma Kaukonen Jr, Lowell George...”
“Wait,” Diane said, laughing. I don’t even know those names after Jerry Garcia.”
“They’re members of Commander Cody, Hot Tuna, and Little Feat.”
“Oh.”
“Anyway, look, take what happened today as a setback.”
“I can’t. Mike Jones’s ratings were down for 2 years in the morning drive.They could have given me a try at any time.”
“I know.”
“But they didn’t. It’s like my lawyer said. Now that I’m on a non-compete, I just have a career of indentured servitude.”
“I understand,” she said.
“You know, they just fired Mike like it was nothing. It’s not like he’s getting a severance package. Now he’s out of radio for 3 years. That could be me one day.”
“Maybe you’re right. I think a lot has changed since I was a DJ. I had to work at 4 different stations before I made a name for myself.”
“It’s changed for the worse not only for me but for lots of other people. These non-competes are ruining lives.”
“I can see that.”
“And you know that I haven’t had a raise in 5 years. Actually, no one a the station has had a raise. Can’t live on $50,000 forever.”
“I know.”
“The truth is, Rick’s advice isn’t so crazy. Might be the best thing I could do at this point. I mean, at least I’ll be free in California.”
“You have my support, you know that.”
“I know. Look, I should go.”
“Okay. Look. Just play Thank the Day from Riders of the Purple Sage and Let it Roll from Little Feat.”
“Okay. Thanks. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
Diane closed the phone, put it back on the table. She stood up angrily, walked over to the water cooler, took a plastic cup from the side. Her mind went to Tim Harrelson, her skin crawled. She recalled the many times that Tim put her hands on her shoulders, hugged her from behind, his breath always close to his ear.
Diane knew it wouldn’t have done any good to report him for sexual harassment. Herman Pearson always covered for him.
She remembered the incident on the booze cruise with Mary, pressing her lips together. Rick has a point. The years are piling on and I’m not getting any younger.The best part will be getting away from that asshole, Tim Harrelson. She filled the cup with water, took a sip, hoped that she’ll never meet anyone like him in the future.
Chapter 2
Tim Harrelson
Monday, May 17, 2010 2:15pm
Tim walked upstairs, wiping the perspiration from his forehead as he spotted Diane Crawford in the engineers room. She paced around the room, her cell phone to her ear. He looked her over from head to toe, stopping along the way to admire every part of her body: Her long curly brown hair the fell over her shoulders, framing her dark eyes and round face; her breasts were large, barely contained in her short sleeved red blouse; her white pants were tight, displaying the generous curves of her hips.
He saw that Diane rolled her eyes and turned around, giving Tim a nice view of her bottom as it worked against the fabric of her white pants. “I love that ass,” he muttered. “So perfect, just like the rest of her.”
He shook his head, still disappointed that she was leaving in 2 weeks. Can’t believe that she’s going to California without having another job. Crazy bitch must be out of her mind.
First Mary, now Diane.Place would start to look like a dog pound in no time, Tim reflected.
His thoughts turned to Liz.Wonder if I still have a chance with her, he asked himself. Not ready to give up on her just yet.
He grinned, walking toward the booth. Mind as well have some fun with her before she leaves, he mused. Just like I did with Mary.
He opened the door quietly, barely hearing the creek as he stepped inside. She was still on the phone, her voice low sultry, just like it was on the radio. He licked his lips, moved closer, swinging his right arm just so slightly, drawing closer.
“I’ll have to call you back,” she said, closing the phone as he reached her.
She turned, took a deep breath, drawing her lips together, forming an angry line. “What do you want?”
“Nice way to greet me,” he replied.
She shrugged her her shoulders, narrowed her eyes. “Then leave.”
“I’m trying to be nice to you. After all, you’re leaving.”
“The only thing I regret was that I didn’t report you for sexually harassing me.”
“I didn’t sexually harass you.”
“You know that you did, just like you did to Mary.”
Tim deliberately stared at Diane’s breasts, smiling. “Look, I’m sorry if I upset you. I said I was sorry. I just came in here to tell you that I’m sorry that you’re leaving.”
“I would appreciate it if you would look at my face,” Diane said angrily
He looked into her eyes, grinning. “Look, you’re a beautiful woman. I can’t help myself.”
“I’m really glad that I’m not going to see you again. You’re such a creep.”
“I’ve always tried to be nice to you.”
“You’re a liar. You got Mary fired from here and the truth is that no one likes you. Except for Herman.”
“Don’t forget the owner, Bruce Thompson.” Tim’s smile grew wider as he drew closer.“And Herman is the general manager of the station.”
“And he’s just like you. Only difference is that he’s even more nasty if that’s possible.”
“If you say so.”
“Why don’t you get the hell out of here already,” she said, pointing at the door.
“Look, let me just give you some advice when you go for your next job.”
“Like I’m really interested in what you have to say.”
“Look, all I’m saying is that you’re a beautiful woman. Look at those women on the news stations. They wear short skirts. Leather skirts.” He rubbed his hands together. “They’re so hot. If you dressed like that and took some pictures, you’’d be on morning drive in no time.”
She narrowed her eyes, formed the letter -o- with her lips. “I think you better leave.”
“I’m getting tired of this.” He moved closer. “You know what I really like.”
She took a step back, feeling the table on her thigh. “What?” she said, annoyed.
“I really like it when a hot looking woman like yourself gets mad. That makes you look even hotter.”
“Drop dead,” she shouted.
Tim grabbed her, felt her breasts against his chest.”
“Let go of me,” she yelled.
He covered her mouth with his, his tongue darting in her mouth around hers. He held her tight, moved his right hand on to her rear end.She pounded his back with her fists, trying to break free of his grip, failed. Then he felt her knee as it hit him in the groin. She broke free as he fell to the ground.
“You son of a bitch,” she screamed. “I can’t believe you did that. Are you nuts?”
He laughed, holding his groin. “I’ve been wanting to do that for so long. It was worth it.”
“We’ll see about that.I’m going down to talk to Marjorie,” she yelled, tears filling her eyes. “I’m going to do everything I can to get you fired.”
Tim’s laughter grew louder as he stared at her. “Not like you can prove any of this. Just like Mary. Remember.”
“You went too far this time. I’m not going to take it. I’m not going to take this.” She turned and ran from the room.
Chapter 3
Herman Pearson
Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - 8:35am
Herman Pearson stepped out of his red Cadillac, looked up at the sign on the roof of the red brick building that said WKXR, 96 Rocks in blue and white, grinned.He rubbed his eyes with the tips of his fingers, yawned, then closed the door.
I’m the reason this station is still in business, Herman thought to himself. If it wasn’t for me, all these people would be out of jobs. Not like they can work in another radio station. Except for Tim Harrelson of course.
His mind went back to the call from Bruce Thompson yesterday.He told him that Tim was sexually harassing Diane Crawford. Even want as far as kissing. It was an unwanted kiss.
Pearson shook his head, took a deep breath. Why on earth is she making a big deal of this? She’s leaving the station in two weeks. Not like she doesn’t ask for it for the way she looks all the time. Be nice if she wore a short skirt more than once every two weeks but what can you do. She’s a beautiful woman with large breasts and nice legs when you saw them.
He turned and had a quick glimpse of Joan Mueller on line the coffee cart. She had a small oval face, brown hair that fell over her ears, and a pair of wide hazel eyes that were covered by brown rimmed glasses. She was taller than Herman, about 5-6, wearing a white blouse and red dress that was loose, her stomach protruding over her belt. Probably getting a donut or a muffin or a bagel or all three, Herman thought, shaking his head.
He walked over to her; she turned and looked at him. He nodded his head and she walked over to him.
“Any reason you’re on line?” Herman asked.
“Just getting some coffee.”
“We have a coffee maker inside,” Herman answered. “If you’re getting a donut and a bagel, just say so.”
“I don’t like the coffee inside. That was all I was getting.”
“If they have a special flavor, you can buy it in the store and save some money since coffee is over a $1.00.”
“It’s not 9:00 yet Mr. Pearson.”
“Yes, that’s fine. That was one of the reasons that I let Mary go. She was out here and in the office on some days after 9:00. If you were at your desk, you could be turning on your computer, checking any messages from last night and any e-mails in case anything came in that was important. Instead, you’re out here.”
Joan clicked her teeth together, taking a deep breath.
“Think of it this way. We’re the cowboys in the fort and we want to make sure the Indians aren’t attacking us. You should be here at 8:30 checking your e-mail, then go outside to get your coffee and whatever else you’re having if there wasn’t anything that was important.”
“Fine. I’ll go in now.”
She walked past Herman, holding the door open for him, then walked quickly up the stairs to her desk. “When you get to your desk, please let Tim know I’m here and I need to see him. I know that he’s at his desk at 8:00.”
“Yes, sir.”
Can’t believe she’s lasted this long, Herman mused.
He walked up the stairs, seeing his office as he reached the top. Joan was at her desk, turning the computer on.She picked up her phone, punched in 4 numbers, then said “Tim,” Mr. Pearson needs to see you.” She shook her head. “He’s on his way up.”
“Let me know if there is anything important.”
“I will.”
Herman shut the door, smiled as he sat down in his leather swivel chair. He heard a knock at his door and said “come in.”
The door opened and Tim walked in, shutting the door behind him. “Hey Herman.”
Herman gazed at Tim, his 5-9 thin frame, his sandy hair long, parted low to the left, brushed across his skull and over his ears. His pug nose was small and his mustache was large and bushy.
“Have you lost your mind,” he said, shaking his head.
Tim took a deep breath, dropped onto a brown couch. “It’s not what you think.”
“Really. You didn’t kiss Diana Crawford and put your hand on her ass.”
“No, I just told her that when she goes to California, she should look hot and get some pictures of herself and she’ll be on drive time.”
“Tim, when are you going to stop lying to me?”
“I’m not lying.”
“Tim, I don’t care that you kissed Diane. I don’t even care that you grabbed her ass. Don’t you see that you’re falling into her trap?”
“Trap.”
“Yes. Trap.” He threw his hands in the air. “Don’t you think she would love the idea of crying sexual harassment and get some money from us before she goes to California. I mean, she doesn’t have another job.”
“I guess I wasn’t thinking about that.”
“Look, I’m a guy. I worked for someone who put out memos telling women to wear short skirts to the office because it’s inappropriate to wear pants and long dresses. Now you see casual attire all the time.When I was working in sales at a TV station, gorgeous women like Diane and Mary wore short skirts every day.”
“I know,” Tim replied, shaking his head.
“Those were the days,” Herman said, drumming his fingers on his desk. “Roberta had legs that never ended. And those breasts. Some of the guys deliberately bumped into her” - he paused, his smile grew large - “just to feel them. And that perfume.”
“She sounds really hot.”
“Oh yeah. What a woman. Now, you know that I love looking at beautiful women just like you do. You know that.”
“I know.”
“All right. So don’t lie to me anymore. Okay?”
“All right.”
“It’s a good thing no one saw you.” He clasped his hands together.“We’ve talked about this before. You have to resist this. She’s a beautiful woman. So was Mary.”
“I wish you didn’t fire her.”
“I had to. She was starting in about sexual harassment against you. We don’t need that kind of trouble here.”
“I know.”
“She didn’t make her quota that month. I was able to make her an example for the others so it worked out.”
“She was so hot.”
“I know. All the guys were looking at her.”
‘Except Austin. He just looked at her shoes.”
They both laughed at that.
Herman opened his desk draw, grabbed his Penthouse magazine. “Bruce will be here in a few minutes. We’ll figure out what to do.”
“Okay.”
“Here.” He threw the magazine to Tim. He caught it, looked at the front cover.
“Is this the new issue?”
“Yes. Check out the centerfold.”
Tim opened to the center of the magazine, unfolded the picture. “Wow. I wouldn’t throw her out of bed.”
“And those legs. They’re so long, she could wrap them around the both of us.”
“They both laughed again, Tim slapping his knee.
There was a knock at the door and Tim slid the magazine under the couch.
“Come in,” Herman said.
Joan walked in with a cup of coffee, placed it on Herman’s desk.
“Is the list of the sales reports for all the stations ready yet?“
“I’m checking it over.”
“What time did you leave here yesterday?” his voice growing louder.
“5:30.”
“Did you check the list then?” Herman asked.
“Yes.”
“Then bring it in and stop wasting time checking it all the time,” he replied angrily.
“Fine,” I’ll print it out.”
“Just e-mail it to me.” He balled his fists together. “No sense in wasting any paper. I tell you this all the time. Don’t print so much.”
Joan bit her lip, ran her hand through her brown hair.
“I’ll e-mail it to you in a moment.”
“Fine.”
She turned and left the room, shutting the door behind her.
“How long has she been here?” Tim asked.
“About 9 months.”
“That’s longer than any other secretary you had.”