There is a very interesting story on all the news stations about a woman who was being held captive. She saved herself by calling 911 on her computer. That’s not the amazing thing though. The amazing thing is that she called 911 with her toes.
I think it’s an interesting story about a person’s mental strength during a moment of incomprehensible stress.
However, I find the story behind this layout more compelling:
You can tell that's not the real photo because the victim wasn't wearing red nail polish.
An online news agency gets a hold of the story about the girl who typed with her toes.
Jack, a flashy 30-year-old editor, stands up and makes the announcement he’s always wanted to make.
Jack: “This is going on the front page!”
But there’s a problem. You can’t have a front-page story without a picture.
Jack: “Get me a photo of this. A picture’s worth a thousand words.”
Heather, a 30-year-old, overqualified, Princeton graduate raises her hand.
Heather: “Uh, Jack, there was no picture. She was being held captive.”
Jack: “Damnit… Well, we’ve got to have a picture.”
They pour over images in their stock photography catalogue. There’s some pictures of computers, but none with feet.
Jack: “Well, I can’t run the story without a photo. Just putting a headshot of the victim isn’t gonna get me the clicks I need to keep this place going.”
Mike, a photographer (READ: unpaid college intern) who idolizes Jack speaks up.
Mike: “Jack, I’ve got my camera right here, we can just take a picture.”
Jack: “That’s smart thinking, kid. Heather, take your shoes off.”
Heather doesn’t want to, but Jack won’t give up.
Jack: “Come on, Heather. It’s for the news. You want to be a journalist, right? We need this for the story.”
Heather “Oh, all right.”
Then, when Mike and Jack see that Heather’s feet aren’t exactly camera-ready, they think all is lost.
But then, lightbulb! Mike has an idea.
Mike: “You know, I saw this website that has pictures of women’s feet doing the darndest things! I’m sure there’s one of a girl typing. I’ll just go onto footfetishdirectory.com.*”
Jack: “Great thinking, Mike! Never mind, Heather. We don’t need you.”
Mike and Jack high-five. Heather stands up and walks out.
Outside, Heather leans up against the cold, gray building. She takes a cigarette break as a way of protesting her own life, talks herself out of quitting and goes back to work.
*Real website that I found while researching this story.
