Legionaries

Rama Lazuardi's

07 October 2018

At 09.18

“What kind of trash is this?! How dare you call this investigative material?!" That thunderous sound like a barking dog had long been his identity. The blood of an Easterner running through his veins is probably why. Among Metropolis' journalists and employees, he was the one creature most feared. Raymond Samiri, the editor-in-chief of this newspaper office, has long been known fierce and perfectionist.

(Oh yeah? I was curious, what is he? Why is he so scared?)

Why is he so scared? Of course it was not solely because of his ferocious temper in the office. Boss Raymond—so he was called—ever had a great reputation as a senior journalist known among the press workers of this country. The gondrong-haired man's journalistic career began with his role as a news hunter, as well as an accomplished investigator in the office of the tabloid Term, one of the leading tabloids that had been popular in the mid-70s until the late 90s. At that time the name of this jet-skinned man often appears in criminal news columns with the title of a major contributor. The peak of his career in the press scene began in the early 90s when his face often adorned a series of news broadcasts on several television stations. Unfortunately, his career faded towards the end of the decade due to the political climate that had been turbulent.

At that time, the overthrow of a dictatorial president - who had been in power for decades - had a huge impact on the stability of the state situation in all fields, not least in the field of the press industry. National-scale media companies are experiencing ups and downs. Some of them have been hit by a prolonged crisis. In addition to financial problems, the factor of declining public confidence in the news they offer also contributed to aggravate the situation.

At that time, there was a massive shift in the power map among press companies. A number of media that had previously successfully developed wings on the political regime of the dictator must eventually be willing to be judged and considered as the political mouthpiece of the old government. On the other hand, low-level press companies that initially had difficulty developing suddenly rose in caste thanks to opinions wrapped in media coverage they packed to corner the dictatorial regime. At that time, opinions that were sometimes still raw and based only on a sudden presumption became a selling merchandise. And, for Boss Raymond, those turbulent times were turning points in the struggles of his journalistic career. Although he never felt to be the mouthpiece of the dictatorial regime, he still had to be willing to let go of the success and popularity he had enjoyed before.

Entering the reform era, Boss Raymond actually intends to pull out of the press world that raised his name. Had failed several times in entrepreneurship, he finally persevered in the business of printing. Undoubtedly, his success in running the printing business actually brought his name back to the surface as a 'missing child' in the press. As a result, ahead of the turn of the century, precisely in December 1999, stood the office of the Metropolis criminal daily newspaper under his leadership.

Since ten years after its establishment, Metropolis has not experienced much progress, especially in terms of finance. Fortunately, thanks to the title of former senior journalist who was held by the Raymond Boss, plus the remnants of the press network he owned, this office is still able to survive until now despite having to fatigue competing with competitors. Boss Raymond realized the difficulty. I suspect that is the reason for limiting the wiggle room of media coverage. With the tagline of Criminal Specialist Newspapers, Metropolis has a clear market share even though it still does not attract many readers.

(Hmmm... So that's what it looks like?)

At present, despite the low turnover of the company from the physical sale of newspapers, Raymond Boss in fact still actively undergoes his routine as a pimred Metropolis. His firm and high self-reliance has led him to become the most respected figure in the internal sphere of the company. Damn, his tough and perfectionist war makes just a few mistakes made by his men can be fatal.

Unfortunately, this morning it was Andika, one of my close Metropolis reporters, who was killed by Raymond's boss. Journalists who classified as still quite junior was just cursed out by the Eastern Dog. Worse, the incident took place in front of a number of journalist staff who attended an editorial meeting this month.

Although the scene is often seen, I honestly still have a lot of empathy for Andika. Being a journalist was not what he expected. To be honest, I don't think he has the talent to be a journalist. I think he's better suited to work in art. If there was a reason why he still survived in Metropolis, one of them was the fate line. Rather than being unemployed like the majority of his contemporaries on the campus of the Faculty of Cultural Arts, he prefers to thicken his face to face the boss's bluff almost every day in this office.

After the editorial meeting closed with decision making, Andika seemed to lose her spirit. It was visible from his sour face. His head was bowed in lethargy. His eyes were stunned, but I was sure his mind was flying somewhere. With a pitying face, I moved towards him.

"Prophey, Ndik."

Andika raised her head. His body seemed to be trying hard to stand up to leave the meeting room. "Ah, dizzy me, Ram. I think I've tried my best, but the results are still like this," he said while shaking his head.

"Not to think about it, Ndik. Take it easy."

"I'm okay, Ram. Anyway, the word pimred has a point. I was just trash in this office. It's different from you, the boss' golden boy."

"Ah, you're ngaco. Who said I was the golden boy here? Just-there's. I also often get angry," I said, patting Andika on the shoulder.

Me and Andika were just about to leave the meeting room before suddenly a loud voice restrained my steps.

"Rama!" The sound of dogs barking snapped silence. I realized who the voice belonged to and where it came from. The dark-skinned and well-built man came to me. I glanced at Andika who looked frightened. Slowly, my partner stepped back towards the exit, then he left me alone in front of Boss Raymond.

"Sit, Ram!" the senior journalist's orders. The sound of the dog barking still rang out loud in my ear.

"Gi... What, Boss?" ask me in a nervous tone, while occupying the chair opposite to Boss Raymond.

"How long have you been working here?" The jet man immediately urged me with a strange question. (Ah, that's normal. Why do you feel so desperate?) I realized if I didn't answer him immediately, he'd bark again.

Nervous feelings that do not also subside slow the performance of my brain which is usually quite moncer. "mmm... Five. uh no. Four years? That's right, four years, boss."

"good. I think you deserve the responsibility of being a mentor to a newly joined journalist."

That Boss Raymond's statement left me somewhat astonished. However, just now that I wanted to ask further, his voice that was as loud as the roar of lightning hurriedly interjected.

"Well! That's it!" The jet man turned his gaze towards the open door of the room. There, apparently a man had arrived. After getting a hand signal from Boss Raymond, the man entered the room and joined us. "introduce! This is Markus, the new journalist in training."

I welcome the hand of the man named Markus. While nodding to say hello speechlessly, I did not stop looking at her face that had an oriental impression. The man's skin was pure white. It does not show at all that he is experienced enough as a field journalist. I was also somewhat amazed by his soaring eyebrows. The eyebrows at first glance remind me of Sakura country actor Kenichi Endo. Of the several lines of wrinkles that adorn the man's face, I estimate his age is not far from the number 40s. It is quite surprising to see a new aspiring journalist who is no longer young.

"Markus worked as a journalist for an infotainment magazine for 7 years. For a while, I'm gonna have him help you out on the field" said Boss Raymond.

"Okay, boss," I nodded.

Boss Raymond's explanation was enough to answer my astonishment. Men the age of Mark is definitely not likely to lack experience. Perhaps that was the consideration of the Boss to propose it even though it was still in training status. Realizing that, secretly, I was infiltrated with a sense of inferiority, especially with the reputation of this man. Seven years is not a short time to gain experience in the field of journalism.

"Is there anything you want to ask?" This time the Eastern Dog's voice sounded quite friendly.

"Sorry, Boss. With his years of experience as a media officer, it seems that I am not worthy to guide him. There, it is precisely I who will learn from him." I try to be humble. To face the maximum arrogant leader like Boss Raymond, it takes humility. In addition to keeping his emotions from being ignited, leaders with such a typical will usually tend to be reluctant to people who like to be humble.

"THE MENTAL BASICS OF TEMPE!" The Eastern dog barks again. Suddenly, my ears are made. "YOU WANT TO EMBARRASS ME?! IN THIS OFFICE YOU'RE THE SENIOR! UNDERSTAND?!" Damnit. I got the theory wrong. To assess Boss Raymond, it was not enough to simply capitalize on the word 'usually'.

(Don't be afraid, Rama. Opponent. Let's fight.)

"Yes, yes, Boss." My body shrunk like a deflated balloon.

(Bas coward!)

"Some of him used to work in entertainment magazines, not daily newspapers! IT'S A DIFFERENT BUSINESS WITH US! KNOW YOU?!"

My head is bowed to acknowledge the absolute power of His Majesty His Majesty Rajagukguk of the East. Meanwhile, Markus who was sitting next to me was apparently also bowed. His narrow eyes drowned. It seemed like this was the first time he had met a pimred figure of all Raymond Samiri. Quietly, there was a handful of nosy intentions that came to my heart for Markus, the new Metropolis aspiring journalist, to give a greeting:

"Welcome to the Jungle of Metropolis. Welcome to the Lord of the Jungle"