The Aide

"The Aide" is the second episode of the first season of *Morning Show,* a segment of *It's All Been Done Radio Hour*. It was the opening segment of Show XXXVIII on August 11th, 2018, the only segment aside from the hour-long "*Universe Journey:* The Musical" performed that month. It was released as podcast episode 188.

Written by Jerome Wetzel

Directed by Chase McCants

Previous episode: "First Show"

Next episode: "Owning Up"

## **The Story**

This episode picks up a little bit before the previous one ended, with *Morning Show* going on the air for its premiere broadcast and host Pat Shock breaking a scandalous story about Mayor Regina Hayes.

As Gus Goodall and Pat keep talking, the perspective switches to inside the control booth, where Shelly Meyers calls the source of the story, Hayes' aide Aidan Pearson. Aidan refuses to go on the air to be interviewed - unfortunate because Pat and Gus have already announced that they have someone calling in to shed light on the scandal involving Mayor Regina Hayes that they just broke. Aidan says he has to help Mayor Hayes deal with the issue. Shelly points out his interview is supposed to do just that. However, Aidan never warned Mayor Hayes of the impending release, so he needs to talk strategy with her first. He has changed his mind about being Shelly's source. Shelly realizes he did this on purpose, playing her. She accuses him of just trying to grab the spotlight. Without confirming or denying, Aidan hangs up.

Back in the studio, Gus and Pat have gone to commercial. Gus is being monosyllabic and childish on the air, and Pat argues with him. Shelly comes on the intercom and admits she lost her interviewee. Gus figures out immediately that Shelly was duped. While those two panic, however, Pat calmly tells Shelly she has this and he trusts her. Just before the break is over, Shelly has an idea.

While the show starts again, Shelly calls Aidan back and tells him to shut up and listen to her. If he doesn't do the interview he agreed to, she's going to expose him as the source on-air, ending his game, and she has the notes and phone records to back it up. She says she will make him the story. Aidan is furious, telling her this isn't how things are done in news organizations and she'll never be taken seriously. Shelly say's they'll see and pouts him on the air.

Pat's first question to Aidan is why he came forward. Aidan stumbles, making up something about being a public servant and the importance of transparency. As the interview goes on, Aidan finds his confidence. He says that while he has worked for Mayor Hayes for a while, he had to speak up when she lost her way. Gus laughs and calls Aidan cold. Pat presses Aidan for when he became aware of her crimes, and Aidan said a few months ago, but he needed to be sure before he came forward. Cornered, he promises to hand over evidence to law enforcement this afternoon.

Pat calls Aidan a hero, defending the aide from Gus, who is not buying Aidan's story. Aidan says he doesn't consider himself a hero, but he takes serving the public very seriously. In the booth, Shelly says "Sure you do, Aidan. Sure you do."

## **Trivia**

* It is intentional that the aide's name is Aidan. Had a woman been cast in the role, her name would have been Aidy.