Copyright 1998 -- Robert Baer Jr PROLOGUE What if the whole world had gone to the "birds?" It HAS in BirdWorld! This is the Saga of "working mom" Robin Mallory and her family. Her loving husband Joe, her children and her father, the feisty old bird "Chipper" Birdwell. Can this "famous" radio talk show hostess balance both career and family in the ever changing fast pace of modern life? Read on and see! TAKE A MEETING ---------------------------------------------------------------------- "Hello everybody!" yells Chipper Birdwell as he walks out of the limb near his birdhouse. "Now I have to tell you about my wonderful daughter Robin! I'm so proud of her! She reminds me SO much of her mother, God rest her soul. Has a LOT of spunk, brains and 'get-up-and-go' in her. Take what happened last week, for example: It was a typical Monday morning, Robin had breakfast with her hubby and the kids, and then she flew off to work at the radio station. WBIRD, Bird Radio, they call it (kinda corny, but it's a living). As she walked into the office, Babs Finchly, the receptionist, has some startling news for her. The boss, Mr Biszop, wanted to see her in his office right away! Robin was a little scared, she didn't know what to expect. The rest of the office staff were already there, and they knew all about the "early" meeting. As she slowly walked by their desks, some of her co-workers had a few comments for her. "Oh Boy, you're in trouble now!" chirped Meadowlark Gremmon, the exciteable sports director,"Holy Cow! It's your turn at the plate now!" Next she walked past Edward R Sparrow, the station's news director, who stated glumly,"Meeting in the Morning, what does it mean? The world awaits the answer .... " Robin didn't reply to him, Ed has always been a liitle strange. "Well, well, well," snarled Thrush Limbird, the station's political commentator,"it's been nice knowing you, kid. Say, on your way back get me a cup of coffee, black with a touch of creamer." Robin was used to his condesending remarks, normally she'd answer him with something like "get your own coffee" or "fly too long on your 'right wing' this morning" but since her mind was racing in circles, she simply ignored him for now. Howard Yates, the sales manager, said nothing as she passed by his desk. Robin didn't know if he didn't have anything to say, or simply didn't care. As she walked by the studio window, "Wild Bill" Bluejay, the morning show host, was holding up a large handwritten sign that read,"Relax Robin, Good Luck!" Finally, she thought to herself, someone who actually had some encouragement for her! I tell you she sure was mighty nervous as she slowly knocked on the boss's door. As she walked inside, sitting behind his huge antique desk was the boss, Mr Cecil M Biszop himself, that old wren! "Sit down, young lady," Cecil bellowed calmly as he reached for his coffee cup. Robin sat down, her heart racing in nervous anticipation. "Robin," Mr Biszop started,"I realize that your afternoon talk show is quite popular." "Yes sir," Robin interrupted,"it is the highest rated show in all of Birdworld, and....." "Robin, please let me finish." "Sorry, Mr Biszop." "As I was about to say, I am quite pleased with your program. In fact, I've re-examined your personel file and see that you not only hold a degree in broadcast journalism, but also had a minor in business administration. Robin, our station manager, Pete Caragan, retired this morning, I'm offering you the position, that is, if you want it." "Me? Station Manager? What about Thrush or Edward or Billy ......." "Thrush is too much of a hothead! His talk show is popular, but his personality needs work...... and Edward? No, he's too serious, in all the years I've been here, I have yet to see that old bird smile! As for "Wild Bill," the man makes a good morning DJ, but he's just too immature for this type of responsibility, will you accept this promotion?" "Yes, Mr Biszop, I will! I'll do my very best!" "I know you will, you have charisma, I know you can handle this job! In fact I have a little something for you to place on your desk..." Cecil reached into his desk drawer and handed Robin a triangular name plate which had inscribed "Robin Mallory Station Manager" on it. She thanked him and returned to the office. "What did the man say?" screeched Meadowlark. "Shall I help you clean out your desk?" Thrush chortled with sarcastic glee. "Nope!" Robin answered,"but you can help me by placing this name plate on my desk!" She handed it to Thrush and his eyes bugged out! For the first time in recent memory, the "great" Thrush Limbird was speechless! "By the way, Thrush," Robin added,"when YOU fetch MY coffee every morning, remember, I like cream and sugar in it, OK?" Thrush grumbled and "stomped" back to his desk. "Congradulations, Robin!" Edward R Sparrow shouted. "That's great!" Meadowlark added. "I'm very happy for you!" added Howard. That's Robin for you! She's quite a lady! So that's how Robin Mallory became station manager of KBIRD Radio! I'd like to tell you more, but I have to turn in for the evening, old robins like me need their rest, you know. Come back again sometime! Lots of things going on here in BirdWorld, and I'll be more than happy to tell you all about them!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------