behind the scenes the fun photographer is walking away. before that, i heard him packing.

he hoisted a computer, a supply bag, a camera bag, two cameras in his right shoulder, and a telephotolens camera on his left shoulder.

"don't i miss lugging all this stuff around for an hour out there," he said, referring to coverage of the two girls in suburban zion. i looked at him and smiled. his face was red and he was huffing a little.

"that's why we love it when a reporter comes up to you and says, 'do you have a pen?'"

one skill i've become very good at while working here is stifling happiness. if you know me, i don't do that. ahahahahaha.

"i'll remember that," was all i could say, nodding, but i can't help it - i grinned one of my huge grins.

mikee's expression never changes as he walks away, the straps of cameras and bags swinging. but his eyes loose focus and you know he's moved on from the joke - he's scouring the room to see what else he's left behind. he's looking for something else to poke fun at. he nods back.

the desk he left was spotless.  ¶ 5/10/2005 09:48:00 PM