Copyright 1998 -- Robert Baer Jr. PROLOGUE: Ever wonder what would happen if the world had "gone to the birds?" It has in BirdWorld! Here is the story of Robin Mallory, working mom and station manager of WBIRD Radio and her loving family. What's happening in their "world" today? Let's ask Robin's father, "Chipper" Birdwell and find out! BirdWorld -- "Robin Takes Charge" "We, I see your back again!" chirped Chipper Birdwell as he walked out on the limb near his birdhouse. "I'm just here to get a breath of fresh air and enjoy the beautiful view! I have to tell you about Robin's first official day as Station Manager, boy was it a doozey! Well, it all started that morning, before Robin left for work......" It was 7:30 AM and everyone was "up" in the Mallory household. Joe, that wonderful bird that my Robin married had already fixed a hearty breakfast for everyone! He's a great guy, and can he cook! No wonder he's a gourmet chef! The children were already seated at the table eating. Zoe and Nancy were trying to study while nibbling at their meal, those two girls sure do remind me a lot of their mother! Charles had already finished and was reaching for his backpack. "Chuck" as he prefers to be called is a free spirit, an artistic type. James was still eating while the other kids urged him to hurry up so they wouldn't be late for school. Typical, James is a good child, but sometimes gets in a little mischef now and then. I was having a cup of coffee when Robin walked in and gave her husband a peck on the cheek. "Good Morning!" Robin chirped. "Morning darling!" Joe answered back,"tell me, how does it feel to be Station Manager?" "Well, I'm a little scared, but other than that I'm fine." Robin said. "Did they give you a raise?" I asked. "Good Morning Dad!" Robin answered,"and yes, they did!" "How did your co-workers take the news?" I questioned,"I'll bet they're all mad because they got passed over!" "Now dad, it's not that bad," Robin explained,"Wild Bill and Meadowlark were thrilled! Howard and Edward were supportive, too. But I heard that Thrush Limbird was very upset! Rumor has it that he even called Mr Biszop at home to complain about it! Well, whether Thrush likes it or not, I'm in charge!" "That's the spirit, daughter!" I yelled,"go get'em!" "Now calm down dad," Robin said,"you make this sound like a crusade! It's only my job, now I have to leave." "What about breakfast?" Joe shouted. "Sorry dear, no time, staff meeting this morning, I love you!" Robin said as she kissed all the kids and flew out the window. Robin had no idea the things that awaited her that day. During the staff meeting she found out that Edward R Sparrow had called in sick. The mayor's press conference was this morning and someone had to cover it for the station. After the meeting Babs Finchly handed her a message. It turns out that the city council was going to have an emergency meeting today, at the same time as the press conference! Meadowlark Gremmon and Thrush Limbird were sitting at there desks, and Howard Yates had already left to talk to clients about buying airtime. Now Robin had to make a decision, and she knew what to do. "Meadowlark, I need your help this morning," she told him. "Sure Robin!" he answered,"what's up?" "Well," Robin explained,"Ed is out sick and I have to cover the mayor's press conference, and now I'm told the city council is having an emergency meeting this morning, and I was wondering...." "Say no more, my dear!" Meadowlark said joyfully,"I'll gladly cover the council meeting! This will be so cool, lots of action, suspense and ...." "Calm down, Meadowlark," Robin giggled,"this is a government function, not a playoff game, so tone down the excitement a little bit, OK?" "Sure thing Robin!" Meadowlark said as he grabbed his backpack and started loading it with remote transmitting equipment." "My, aren't WE helpful for the new BOSS LADY!" Thrush Limbird muttered. "What did you say, Thrush?" Robin asked, knowing the answer already. "Oh, nothing Robin dear," Thrush said with a playful chuckle. As all this was happening, Babs rushed in with two more phone messages to deliver. "Robin!" Babs exclaimed,"Mr Biszop won't be in today and now there's a 911 emergency on the other side of town! A gas line exploded and there sending rescue vehicles to the scene now!" "We need to cover this story!" Robin reasoned,"Thrush, I need you to...." "Oh NO you don't!" Thrush protested,"I haven't done news stories for years, and I have my own show to write and edit today, get someone else, kid." "There IS no one else," Robin explained,"Ed's out, Wild Bill is in the booth now, there's no one else to send, besides, you're show isn't on until late afternoon, and isn't this your completed script for today?" Robin picked up a stack of neatly typed papers sitting in Thrush's "IN" file tray. "HEY!" Thrush yelled,"get your mitts off my paperwork! I said NO and I meant it, now go away and bother someone else, will you?" "Stop being so rude!" Meadowlark interrupted,"what has gotten into you?" "Thrush, I'm not asking you to do this, I'm TELLING you to," Robin insisted,"we need live reports from that accident scene!" "I'm a political satirist, not a field reported!" Thrush growled. "You're an employee of this station, Thrush!" Robin screamed,"get your transmitting equipment and go to the scene, NOW!" Thrush could tell by the tone of her voice and the look in her eyes that she meant business! He grumbled as he quickly got his gear together and flew away. Well, Robin's plan worked! All three events were covered with live news feeds broadcast on the air! Later that day, Mr Biszop called the office, Babs set us a conference call and had all the staff present to listen in. "People," Mr Biszop said as his voice crackled over the loudspeaker,"well done! Robin, you handled all these circumstances like a pro! I commend all of you for doing your part to help!" "Thank you sir," Thrush started,"I knew I could handle it, that's why I proudly volunteered to....." "That's enough, Thrush!" Mr Biszop answered,"Let me continue, please. Now Meadowlark, I enjoyed your live reports of the council meeting, except the time when a motion passed and you screamed 'IT'S OUTTA HERE!' "Kinda got excited, sir" Meadowlark chirped meekly. "That's OK, but next time tone it down a little, and Thrush...." "Yes sir!" "I got a few phone calls about your coverage of the disaster, especially from the fire chief" "What did he have to say?" "SHE said she didn't like the sexist remarks you made, and your attitude either. Next time, you better act more civilly, or else!" "Yes sir" Thrush said rather muffled. "Robin," Mr Biszop continued,"keep up the good work! Bye all!" Well, it looked like Robin handled herself rather well! I knew she could do it! I can stand here and talk all day about my daughter but now it's dinner time! I hear Joe is preparing his famous filet of grub! YUMMY! Please, come back again real soon, OK? Excuse me, my "gourmet" meal awaits!