Who: Kitty Gilmore and a reporter Where: Just outside the Department of Justice Offices. What: Kitty gets cornered by a reporter. When: July 6th, 2019 - 1:45PM
Errands were less a part of her job now at the Department of Justice than they had been when she was working in the Department of Resources. Still, every once and awhile Kitty found herself outside of the walls of the DoJ, running some piece of paper to someone in some other area of the building, or picking up something of importance from the APD. Today was one of those days in which something needed to be retrieved and that was exactly why she was walking down the hallway back towards the DoJ at what had to be the absolutely worst time -- at least in her opinion.
“Excuse me?”
The reporter stepped into her path and Kitty had no other choice but to stop. “Yes?” She asked as politely as she possibly could.
“Do you work in the Department of Justice?” The man fired back at her, not bothering with introductions or even identifying himself or the publication he might have been working for.
“I do.” Kitty answered simply, years upon years of practice with the media had taught her to only answer was was necessary.
“Is it true the things they say happened in that department under Mayor Olinger’s guidance?” The reporter asked, barely taking a breath in between words.
Kitty frowned momentarily before answering. “I’m sorry but I’m not at liberty to answer such questions,” she responded, both in hopes of brushing the reporter off and because it was the truth.
“Come on, just a yes or no will do,” the man fired back, stepping closer into Kitty’s personal space. “I won’t even reveal who my source was in gaining this information if that would make you feel better.”
“It wouldn't.” Kitty answered in a clipped tone. “And again I’m sorry but I cannot answer your questions.” She made to step around the man, but he stepped right back into her way.
Whatever friendly tone he might have had before was now tinged with a note of aggression. “Just a yes or no, that’s all I'm asking for.”
“I’ve already given you my answer, sir.” Again Kitty moved to step around him and again she was blocked. “Excuse me, but I would very much appreciate it if you allowed me to get back to my job.” Her words were strained as she tried to remain as polite as possible.
The reporter opened his mouth as if he were going to protest, but Kitty beat him too it. Over his left shoulder she spotted an officer whom she barely knew, but who would no doubt work as a means to slip away from this reporter. “Officer Talamantes, I was just looking for you,” Kitty called out, again stepping around the reporter.
This time he let her go and she breathed as sigh of a relief as she reached said APD officer. “Could you walk with me back to the Department of Justice?” Kitty asked, throwing a glance over her shoulder at the put out reporter. “Some people just can’t take no for an answer.” She added, pleased when Officer Talamantes kindly agreed to walk her the short distance back to the DoJ offices.