The Herculean Gossip Machine: Karaoke, Chemistry, and Spotlight Scandals – Sandy & Polly #4
Sandy:
Breaking news from the Spotlight Lounge—gossip doesn’t sleep, and apparently neither do Jack and Polly.
Because someone in this newsroom got caught mid-duet, mid-glance, and mid-Eye of the Tiger—and now it’s trending.
Polly:
Okay, let me just say this before the gossip wheel spins out of control—we were singing karaoke. That’s it.
Two coworkers. Two microphones. One power anthem.
It wasn’t like we were singing Endless Love.
Sandy:
No, but the photo sure looked like the cover of a duet album titled Karaoke Chemistry: Volume One.
Look, Polly, working at Informer.Digital is like working inside a bag of microwave popcorn—you will get popped.
Gossip is practically our second language. You know it, I know it, and social media definitely knows it.
Polly:
It’s just frustrating! We weren’t doing anything wrong. We sang Eye of the Tiger because it’s upbeat, motivating, and has a great chorus for belting.
And now I’m the main character in this week’s workplace babble?
Sandy:
Mmmhmm. And now you know exactly why I asked you not to mention me and Cornelius at the Corner Café.
Hearsay at the office spreads faster than your TikTok algorithm. The moment that picture went up, people started making up their own storyline.
Truth doesn’t stand a chance once a juicy photo hits the internet.
Polly:
You’re right. I didn’t realize how quickly gossip becomes legend around here.
We need a sign in the break room that says: “Careful—anything you do can and will become scandal by lunchtime.”
Sandy:
It’s not just workplace gossip either. It’s digital gossip. A photo gets posted, and suddenly people who weren’t even there have opinions.
You sang, you smiled, Jack maybe winked—boom. Plotline.
Polly:
It’s not fair! If I were making heart eyes at someone, it wouldn’t be to Eye of the Tiger.
I’d pick something smoother—maybe Adore You by Harry Styles. Or Love on the Brain by Rihanna.
At least then I’d deserve the gossip.
Sandy:
Now that’s the playlist we should be talking about.
If I were on that Spotlight Lounge stage, you’d hear Sweet Emotion echoing through the speakers—not some tiger-fueled flirt-off.
Give me a classic like Aerosmith and a little swagger any day.
Polly:
You really are a rock ballad queen.
Sandy:
Thank you. And if we’re going full-on slow-burn, I’ll take Rod Stewart’s “Have I Told You Lately” over anything.
That’s real karaoke chemistry. You sing that with someone, and you’re either in love or about to be.
Polly:
Okay, I can respect that. But can we at least agree that sometimes a duet is just a duet?
Sandy:
We can agree on that. But gossip doesn’t care what you meant. Gossip is what people see, what they share, and what they whisper behind mugs of break room coffee.
Polly:
So basically… even if nothing happened, gossip makes something happen.
Sandy:
Exactly. Gossip passes for the news these days. Gossip is never just about facts—it’s about interpretation, imagination, and emojis.
And once it’s out there, good luck controlling the narrative.
That’s why social media gossip is a whole new level. It’s not just whispering in a hallway—it’s screenshots, comments, and shared stories.
Polly:
So what you’re saying is… I need to watch what song I pick, who I sing it with, and how many seconds it takes before it hits Instagram.
Sandy:
No, Polly. What I’m saying is—welcome to gossip central. And don’t worry… it’ll die down.
Polly:
When?
Sandy:
Oh… sometime after someone else gets caught doing the cha-cha with the intern at the office party.
Polly:
Noted.
