Lutfi Gilang's

14. The Missing Persons Meeting

i

I was still sitting on the couch with my eyes focused on the TV. The news of Lutfi's disappearance has not been finalized.

"Is it that important?"

But then, the brain began to invite me to enter the subconscious. The biggest possibility is that the perpetrators of the Lutfi news are missing. I mean, all this time I was making flyers and handing them out to people, also sticking them to places that Lutfi and I used to visit, and I never thought about being broadcast on TV. So, I was really curious about the person who did it.

Is he Andi Wibowo Mr Saliyo's son? Ah, but it feels impossible considering his work now.

Or maybe Puryono? But, I think he's more busy with his Paytren business.

What's.... Mas Faqih, my brother in Jakarta? Hmmm. He was also busy with his business in the fishery.

But, if not the three of them, then who? Who is my friend in Jakarta, who is smarter than me? I mean, it's smart to decide if Lutfi's disappearance is to be broadcast on TV without my consent?

"Mas Danu," said Mr. Heru disperse my reverie.

Indeed, in this company, people know me better by my pen name. In fact, maybe, they did not know the name of Rizky Gilang Kurniawan at all.

I got up and shook his hand.

"Where, healthy?"

"Alhamdulillah, Sir. Mr. Heru himself, how are you?" I asked back, trying to be polite.

"Healthy," he answered with a wide grin on his lips. "yes, thank you, thank you for fulfilling my call to come here quickly" he said kindly.

I'm nagging.

"One more time, sorry. Because there's a plan." He explains.

"Changed plans?" my many.

Mr. Heru did not reply, he turned his eyes and reviewed the watch on his left hand. "Well, it's time," turned back to face me. "let's go.." she asked.

"Where?" my many.

"Oh, sorry that I forgot to tell you. The meeting starts, now."

My eyes widened to hear the words of Mr. Heru just now. "If you know gini, meeting in advance, I will not want to spit up to the company, where the file is not ready anymore." My heart grumbles.

🌹🌹🌹

ii

In the meeting room, I sat down at a table with 0000 company key people. Marketing leader, publisher leader, and company director. There are also my book advisors, such as Mr. Heru, Mr. Zurri, Bu Sumiarti, and Mas Beni—seniorku in working on horror scripts. Then three other people, who I didn't know who they were at the time, worked in the editor's office. Natural enemies of writers.

You can ask yourself how annoying people like them are. Judge out works that have been difficult to make, the same as the work made by others. Not to mention, the paper rules, font type, font size, spacing size, use of capital letters, punctuation, and story content are things they always look for errors in order to insult our work. And as a result, the work will be cheap in the eyes of the company. Make the author get a little salary, while they otherwise, two to three times more. It is considered to work more.

Yes it sucks! Although a little editor unlike them. But still, when you have to change the content of the story that has been made is very hurt.

Ms. Sumiarti moderated the meeting this time. The real meeting doesn't go into my brain count. I'm still busy discussing the news spreader.

It didn't take long, as it turned out, one of the editors asked me something I really didn't want to hear.

"So, this time, Mas Danu will bring you a story like what?"

I muttered a long time. I am busy with my brain.

I heard coughing from a different voice.

"Sttts.... Mas, answered that's Mas Toto's question." whispered Mr. Heru.

I flinched, then turned my eyes, trying to find something that could be my trigger to make up a story. But.... "Missing people's news" Yeah! That's all that comes to my brain.

I saw people's expressions turning sour, while the three editors looked down at me.

"I remind Mas Danu, you have to make a story this time with many elements, not just focused on one genre" said the second editor.

"It's not about criminals in cheap detective stories." continued another colleague.

"Begging the editors, give time for Mas Danu to explain the core of the story." the moderator argued. Yes, it turns out that I not only lost today, there is still a profit with Sumiarti who became a moderator. "Mas Danu, the time and place we're welcome."

I'm nodding. It closed for a moment then blew its breath and focused its gaze towards the overlapping finger on the table. "There's a guy, he's just engaged to his girlfriend—"

"So, romance again." grumbled Mas Toto cut my sentence.

"Once again, the editor is asked to be quiet for a moment, until Mas Danu explains the core of the story." stressed the moderator.

"Just the next day, the fiancee disappeared without a trace" I said.

"What genre will you bring?" ask the marketing leader. "Genre romance-humor, too many makers. Romance-horror genre, often only focused on horror stories. Romance-adventure genre, currently quite lacking interest." He explains. "So, I'm more suggesting the romance-action genre. Today, quite a lot of readers hope there is a writer who can bring such a story. Even some directors are ready to make a film from the genre novel, of course, if the story is interesting and the work is sold in the market."

"Wait, don't be rash." argue the editor. "Hasn't the story of a lost lover often been made?"

Yes, again he insulted my work. I knew, and realized how sturdy and well-grounded people like them are.

"No!" refute Mr. Heru. "Most only tell of the departure because of a third party, or because of the pain suffered. I myself, feel that the story is very suitable and fitting because it is not clear why the woman left. And I would rather agree if the story was brought with the genre of romance-humor. Because such a story can be enjoyed by all people." Mr. Heru responded.

"I disagree less with Mas Toto," refuted Mr. Zurri. "in my opinion, now, many writers have sprung up. So, competition is a natural thing. And Mas Danu could always make his distinctive work, break through the market price."

"I agree with Mr. Zurri." responded the editor-in-chief. "Mas Danu is always able to make novels of all genres, and there is always a characteristic of his story. In my opinion, let's try to listen to Mas Danu's opinion first, because he will make the story. How's Director?"

The man nodded after taking a breath. "As per the contract, you will collaborate with other writers. So, you have to decide exactly."

I did not respond, my brain is still busy guessing the sender of the news and more to Lutfi. "Is it possible, he alone made the news? Ah, impossible...." My heart is busy negotiating.

"Please Mas Danu," said Bu Sumiarti to my surprise.

I murmured for a while, before finally coming back. "When news of the disappearance of the woman spread so quickly without being noticed by the man. Even to be reported on some TV channels. Though, the man did not do it, his closest brother and friend also no one did it."

"So, this is a mystery genre?" guess Mas Toto.

"Are you interested, now?" ask Mr. Zurri.

I see, he nodded. "I admit, Mas Danu has always had his trademark."

"How's Director?" ask the publisher for an opinion.

"What's so interesting about the guy?" Director asked.

I muttered, thinking for a long time, until the editor again said: "Are you going to make the main character equal to the next story, bad boy? I'm so tired of stories like that."

"What do you think you'd do if your wife suddenly disappeared without a trace?" I asked making his face change: surprised, so did the people in the meeting room.

"Continue" the Director's request.

I'm nodding. "There are only two options: 'fight to find it or fight to leave it'."

"So, is this about the exam?" Mr. Heru asked. "It's a very difficult thing for men, isn't it?"

Mas Toto muttered. "So that guy is very loyal?"

"Not necessarily," Sumiarti argued. "most men are unfaithful, so if making the main character loyal for no reason, obviously it will be very rejected by the public."

"I agree with the moderator" said Mas Toto. "Mas Danu, must be able to bring up a character that makes the main character good at maintaining his loyalty."

"Other than your partner, who taught you not to cheat?" I nanya, made her flinch, while Sumiarti Bu as the only woman in this place, laughed softly.

The man broke the table. "You're accusing me of cheating?!"

"Mas Deni!" firmly Mr. Zurri. "You're not admitting you've cheated?!"

The man called by his name showed an annoyed expression, then returned to sitting with a forced look.

"Okay, this is interesting enough for me" said the publisher's chief. "This story will teach a great lesson to men, like what is in the book of True Muslimah. But this time, you're gonna bring it into novel form, aren't you?"

I'm nodding.

"How's Director?" ask again to make sure.

He signaled in agreement. "Only if you use the 'me' point of view'."

I was shocked to hear it. It was as if the Director had guessed what was on my mind.

"How's it?" ask him later.

I'm nagging.

"I remember, lately there's been news of a fiancee who disappeared without a trace. Are you inspired by that story?" ask Mas Toto.

"Hmmm.... so you took this from a real story? Did you ask permission from the perpetrator?" ask another editor.

"For permission issues, companies can prepare letters and other files" said Ms Sumiarti. "Isn't that the Director?"

He's nodding. "You just have to find out where that guy is."

"How about Danu?" Mr. Heru nanya.

"Only if you accept this story." I replied.

"Well, I'll vote" said the moderator. "Please those who disagree raise your hands."

At first Mas Deni was willing to raise his hand, but after his eyes glanced at Mas Toto and Mas Hendri, he undoes his intention.

"Well, it's decided." said the moderator.

"So, how long did it take you to find the culprit?" ask Director.

"The perpetrator, it's already in this room."

Everyone was shocked after hearing my words.

"I mean... Is that your true story?" guess Mr. Heru.

I'm nodding.