They kept up a steady stream of commentary, and it was up to him and Casey to do the color stuff while Brian and Tony did the scripted work. So by the time the fireworks went off at the end of the official opening, his brain was fried, and Hawk was exhausted from trying to come up with clever things to say about countries, athletes, outfits, opera, and dancing.
They went off air finally. The night crew was going to come in and do the rest of the work. And he made sure everything was off like his mic and the cameras before he sat back in his seat and blew out a deep heavy breath.
“Right? Oh my god.” Casey grinned at him, smacking him in the arm with a closed fist. “That was like a marathon.”
Brian looked exhausted and he shook his head. “That was grueling, man.”
Hawk fist-bumped everybody. “But we got through it, right? Go team.”
“What do you think the chances of us actually getting back to the hotel are?” Tony asked.
“You guys have a dedicated transport, right? So you just have to make it there, and then I bet you can make it to the hotel pretty easily.” He was going to have to try to get a rideshare or something, and that was a little less fun. Hopefully he could get something to drop him off at least close to his hotel, and then he could walk the rest of the way.
“I might hang out in the green room for a little while,” Brian said. There was a makeshift broadcaster prep room that had been set up on-site, and they could all just go hang out and have a drink or something, and a snack, and wait for some of the crowd to disperse if they needed to.
“I think I’m going to bundle up and go find my wife.” Casey winked at him. “See you tomorrow, guys.”
“Be safe out there,” Hawk warned. “Text me if you two need me.”
“We will.” She gave him a one-armed hug before heading out.
“See you tomorrow, Hawk,” Tony said, stacking his paperwork in a portfolio before stuffing it in a briefcase. Then he raised a hand and left, Brian following with a murmured goodnight.
Hawk stretched, then, since he was mostly alone for the moment, shucked his suit jacket, tie, and dress shirt, and pulled a fleece pullover out of his bag to tug on over his T-shirt.
Then he grabbed his phone out of his pocket and texted Caleb.
How’s it going out there?
I’m so ready to go somewhere warm
A grin stretched his cheeks, and he texted right back.
Might be hard to get a ride
I don’t mind waiting with you
OK. Meet me at the US athlete shuttle
They could both find that, and then they would go from there.
He made his way out of the booth area and threaded his way through throngs of workers, then athletes. At least he didn’t have to go through the enormous crowd of spectators too.
It took the better part of an hour for Caleb to show up, but they happened to catch the last two seats on a shuttle. And then Hawk got the driver to let them off near his hotel rather than taking them all the way to the Olympic village and making them find their way back. He seemed relieved to get two people off the packed bus and was kinda willing to ignore some of the security protocols to do it.
“Wow, what a wild night,” Caleb said, moving close to share warmth.
“Yeah, it was endless sitting in the booth.” Hawk snorted at his own thoughts. “I guess I’m not much on watching. They featured you, though.”
“Of course they did. I’m awesome.”
He shook his head, laughing. “You so are.” In fact, he thought Caleb was beyond awesome.
“Did you have montages yet?”
“Nah, those will run when you’re in prelims at least.” Hefrowned when he saw Caleb limping a little. “How are your ankles holding up?”
“Oh, I’m okay. A little stiff. How’s your knee?”