Low-Tier Jobs and the First Real Viewers

Aiden stood in the rain, mud smeared across half his face, both arms shaking like he might collapse at any second. Vera was silent for two whole seconds before she finally resisted making a joke. “Viewers,” she said quietly, “I have to admit. That was not luck.” The chat started to change. ["I take it back."] ["This guy is actually smart."] ["He’s not a brawler. He’s a rescue specialist."] ["Why does this weirdly look cool now?"] A young man with headphones shoved his way through the rear door of the broadcast van, rain dripping from his hair, a camera stabilizer clutched under one arm. “Marcus,” he said to Vera. “Ironwire Podcast. Can I get authorization to use that clip in our cut? This guy has content.”