Ryan took over. “The Venezuelan vixen was strutting the red carpet for the Los Angeles premiere of her controversial new film, Trafficked. It’s about a young women kidnapped into sex slavery. What a coincidence!”

Following along in prompter, Natalie noted that Ryan had ad libbed generously.

Two can play that game, she thought as she took the baton.

“Her alleged attacker, the Colombian party boy Rigo Lystra, remains holed up in the Colombian embassy in Washington, DC. Lystra says he fears the Venezuelans will kidnap him if he leaves the embassy and force him to stand trial,” said Natalie before adding her own commentary. “However, it’s important to note that the US State Department has assured Rigo Lystra safe passage home.” She turned to Ryan. “Many critics are asking, if he’s innocent, why is he so afraid to leave the building?”

A voice in her ear directed, “Guys, this is great stuff but save it for later. Stick to the script for the intro.”

Ignoring the prompter, Ryan replied, “Because the Venezuelans will set him up for a trial as fake as these accusations.”

“Throw to graphic!” the voice said from the control room.

They did and the screen exploded into the tiny red and green shards from which the words BREAKING ON ATN came bursting forth, followed by video of Sonia Barbaro on the red carpet. Natalie hadn’t yet seen the footage. Barbaro looked gorgeous, in a strapless burgundy mermaid gown, cut to show her long caramel legs, black hair shimmering down her back. The woman was flawless.

“Look at that.” Ryan said as the video of Barbaro squeezed back to take up half the screen, the other half filled with a shot of Natalie and Ryan on set together. “Does she look like a victim living in fear? I don’t think so.”

“She looks like a professional actress doing her job,” Natalie replied, wondering whether Ryan believed what he was saying or was just posturing for TV. “We’re all savvy enough to understand actresses are expected to dress provocatively when they promote their films.”

In Natalie’s ear, someone said, “Good comeback, Natalie. Keep it going, guys.” The monitors switched now to show three boxes. Ryan in one, Natalie in another, video of Sonia in the middle.

“Have to or want to?” Ryan asked. “And I think ‘promote’ is the key word there. As in self-promotion.”

“Love that!” the voice said.

Natalie smiled to soften what she was about to say. “Wait, you’re calling her a self-promoter because she’s showing some flesh? Isn’t that a little close to home?” She batted her false eyelashes and to the camera said, “Hey, control room, can we put up video of Ryan disrobing outside the embassy?”