As a student journalist, I am no stranger to misfortune while on assignment. Despite being prepared for the various mishaps that can occur while on the job, it is admittedly discouraging when it happens — especially if you’re on a strict deadline.
The first time I walked into Soup Freaks at about 11:30 a.m. on a weekday, the eatery was empty save for two employees and one customer — prime preliminary reporting time. The plan? Take photos, interview the employees and the customer, maybe get them on video, and just get a general feel for the atmosphere before returning several times during the lunch rush to interview more customers. I tasted several soups and had decided on a 12 ounce bowl of Roasted Tomato Basil when I turned to the customer behind me. ”Do you come here often?” I asked. “Yes,” he answered. Not wanting him to think I was trying to pick him up, I quickly followed with a description of my project and asked him if I may be able to get him on film for a few minutes when he finished his lunch. When he agreed, I was excited — all was going as planned so far! I sat down to enjoy my soup while I waited for the customer to finish his sirloin sandwich, and he came and sat with me when he was finished so that I could get him on film. When we wrapped up, I asked one of the employees if I might be able to get him on camera. ”Ask that guy,” he said, motioning to his fellow employee. Thinking that was his manager, I turned and asked him if it would be okay to film either of them. When he told me that the owner wouldn’t like that, I was discouraged. I got even more discouraged when he told me that the owner also didn’t like any pictures taken inside either. A little ray of hope came through when he told me that the owner was due in any minute. I was sure that I could use my journalistic skills of persuasion to get what I needed for my project.
When the owner, Morez Rafie, walked in, I gave him my sweetest smile. He saw me with my camera and notepad and immediately asked me to explain myself. To my dismay, the employee was right — Rafie did not want any video or photo taken. I interviewed him for a few minute, recording his answers with my pen, and walked out the door to film the outside of the restaurant. I was sitting at one of the tables outside for a few minutes when, to my surprise, Rafie walked out with a cookie in hand. ”We bake our own organic cookies,” he said, handing it to me. This was a very nice gesture, and I knew it meant he had felt a bit guilty for not helping me out. You can imagine my excitement when he told me that he had made a few calls and that I could get him on camera after all.
Adversity is no stranger to a journalist, but tenacity is often enough to overcome anything.
