The Rival

By Sirikit Syah

It's the 10th day. Two more days. How relaxing, to be able to get away from her daily routine. And more importantly, to be spared from the office tension. For the first time in her life she has 12 luxurious days to herself. Her husband has been very understanding, allowing her to be on her own in a hotel room in the jungle of Jakarta skyscrapers. They sent their two daughters to a summer program in Australia. When she asked for his permission to be completely alone, he gave it without question. Understanding, that's they key to their successful marriage.

"I have booked a room in Horison for you. Two weeks," her husband had said.

"You don't want to know why?" she asked.

"Do I need to?"

"I have problems at the office. Too complicated. Too hurtful to discuss. Office politics, as you know."

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't feel like it."

"I don't. But you know where to find me. Please don't let anybody contact me. I will turn off my handphone. They can only contact me through my beeper. Don't let anybody find out where I am. I want to think, I am coming to the decision of my life."

"I thought that was the day when you said yes to me," her husband said jokingly.

She couldn't help smiling. "Okay. This is the second."

She has spent 10 days in the hotel room, enjoying every moment of it. She exercises in the morning, and tries to finish her novel after breakfast. She thinks she is a talented writer, only she never has a chance to write. "I'll be a famous writer when I retire from this job," she often tells herself. After a light lunch, she reads (she brought along 20 books that she bought recently and has not read yet), takes a dip in the pool, has a very lazy afternoon, watches movies on TV in the evenings, and gets back to writing her novel until she feels tired and falls asleep. In between, she talks to her husband on the phone.

The constant beeps of her pager bother her. Endless messages from the office. "For God's sake. Can't they do their jobs without me?" The messages vary, from invitations to BOD meetings, requests for feedback for dozens of reports, unimportant internal memos, approvals for travel budgets, to highly significant editorial decisions which only she can make.

"Where is that smart assistant of mine? What is he doing?" she asks bitterly.

Subandi is his name. He started less than 10 months ago. With a fresh doctorate degree from some U.S. university, specializing in broadcast news, he was warmly welcomed by the BOD and appointed her assistant. Besides his academic degree, he has other achievements. He did internships with NBC Today Show, CNN Crossfire and many other news programs at local stations during his 15 years in the U.S. Everybody looks up to him. That is enough to make him smug. He and everybody else seem forget that he has no experience in Indonesian media.

She doesn't deny that he's intelligent. But there are a lot of things that he doesn't know. Things are not the same here as in America. They often argue and disagree on many things and are often stuck with no solution. The staff's attitude hurts her. They act as if they have found an alternative. A new style. A new spirit. When they heard about the conflict, the BOD even asked her to give him more room, more opportunity, more trust. "He's an asset to our company," they said. So, to all of them he is a star.

And they have started to forget who she is. The one who started the news department in the company, being the first private station in Indonesia. It was not easy. "News" was taboo. It was her who fought for the news program permit. Then she reported, produced, recruited and trained the staff, and managed the emerging department. After only two years, they reached break-even. For the last six years the department has been the profit center of the station. Ads continue pouring in, regardless of the higher rates they charge.

Now here he is, the new star. She was the one who planted the seed, and he is going to do the harvest. What hurts her most is that Subandi often challenges her in front of the staff or the BOD. As if he wants to show he is more capable than her.

Until an incident prompted her to take her leave. The head of a military base was furious because of a story aired on their newscast. It was about a dispute between civilian land owners and a military-backed developer which was appropriating land for a military housing project. The military summoned the reporter and Subandi sent him there.

"You were not supposed to do that," she was angry when she found out.

"Oh yeah? And why not?"

"In cases like that, I am the one who should go. The commander will deal with me, not the reporter. Reporters must be free in gathering data and asking questions. They must not be afraid. They have no limits. We are their filter. You and me. That's why we are here in the first place," she told him.

"And they will keep on making mistakes," Subandi shouted back, and continued, "I told him that the report would not go on air unless he got the military man's comment. And he failed, so let him face the consequences."

"Their job is gathering data, doing interviews and filing the reports. Not being lectured by some military man. That is our job," she tried to make him understand.

"They have to learn the standard of reporting. If they fail, they have questions to answer. What have you taught them anyway, they've been reporters for many years but they are never faced with reality, with problems? Starting from now, they have to think better and not leave the thinking to us. They have to think too!"

Their argument distracted some news staff who were on their computers or videotape recorders. It was an embarrassing situation.

"Are you saying they are dumb reporters? Or that I am no good as a news manager?"

"Whichever!" he answered cynically.

"So, what do you expect from a reporter who has been brainwashed? He will restrain himself. His initiative and creativity die. Is that what you want?"

"That's not what I want! What I want is some changes. This is a new era. When you started, you were alone. Now there are five competitors and we just can't keep your old fashioned way of leading this department. Reporters, even cameramen, should be given more responsibilities. Let them be lectured or brainwashed. It will make them think the next time."

She could hardly believe it. Someone, a newcomer, was criticizing her work! For the rest of the day, and the day after, they didn't talk. The staff was clearly divided into two sides. It was a very strong argument. A very significant one, as a matter of fact. They should have talked about it in a more objective and professional manner. The staff really needed a solution. It was a very good topic to be put in the editorial meeting agenda. If only she or he were not so bullheaded!

Tired of arguing and being challenged by her assistant, who she felt was after her position, she decided to take a long holiday. She is a very dedicated professional, and rarely takes annual leave. Now she has time to contemplate on what she has done, her work, her life. This time she can think reasonably.

"Perhaps he's right. I am getting older and old-fashioned." She thinks of withdrawing.

"I can stay home, take good care of my family, watch my teenagers grow up, and become a writer. He can have my chair. I will retire. I have no more energy to fight and maintain a rival."

Two more days and she will be back in the office, just to let everybody know she's quitting. It is not the choice of "me or him". Not as callous as that. Of course, it won't be easy for the BOD to let her go, but they have no choice. One newcomer might be better than two arguing and conflicting leaders.

Her beeper sounds again. Usually she reads the messages, and if necessary responds by telephone. Ninety percent of the beeps coming in these days are not that important, so she doesn't respond to them. But the beep right now says "Top urgent. Coming now to discuss the situation. Subandi." What? Subandi is coming to see me? He must be nuts.

She decides not to dress up. She is wearing her jeans and an oversize white Guess shirt. The doorbell rings and she opens the door. Subandi is there, looking radiant in his green blazer over a brown T-shirt. "May I come in?" he smiles as he asks.

"Sure, please take a seat." She is confused, not knowing how to react.

Subandi hands her a box of chocolates.

"I assume you'd prefer chocolates to flowers. Besides, chocolate can replace sexual fulfillment."

She doesn't know whether to laugh at the joke or be angry.

"Why are you here? And how did you find me?"

"I'm a good reporter. Finding a person in hiding is one of the skills I've learned. And I am here because we need you. I need you."

She stares at him in disbelief.

"Rita, would you please sit down and I'll tell you about the problems we are facing," Subandi insists. She sits opposite him.

"Okay, I'm listening." It must be serious. Subandi would never come to her like this otherwise.

According to Subandi, the station got a warning from the government, saying the station had been lax lately which was not good for the pre-election period. Even though the warning was put in a mild way, it was enough to cause panic among the board of commissioners. The panic swept through the BOD, which decided to take necessary steps. The manager of the news department should lobby the government. No one is better than Rita. She has proven to be capable over the eight years. Small problems here and there along their journey, but she handled them quite well. The station needs her now.

"You could do it yourself," she says rather bitterly.

"No I can't. I'm new here. They don't know me."

"It's time for you to start. I'm quitting."

Instantly Subandi reaches for her hand, shock in his eyes.

"You must be kidding."

"I'm not."

"Look. I'm sorry for my improper attitude toward you. I'm too young and inexperienced and have too much spirit. Please forget it, we have to be more cooperative."

She just shakes her head.

"Please, Rita. I do respect you. I learn a lot from you. It's just the way I am which makes me difficult to work with. But you just can't quit now."

Subandi asked her to dinner that night and kept on trying to convince her not to quit. He was desperate, and yet witty. Intelligent and fun to be with. At the time she almost gave in. Why has he suddenly turned into such a nice guy?

Rita still has two days of leave. She doesn't know if it is enough to help her come to a final decision. To quit or work with him.

Sirikit Syah is a senior reporter with private television station SCTV, and a president of the Surabaya Arts Council. Before joining SCTV, she worked as a reporter at the Surabaya Post daily. She also writes short stories and poetry for local newspapers.

Note:

BOD = Board of Directors