Shattered Glass

There are

so many show-offs in journalism.

So many braggarts and jerks.

They are always selling,

always working the room,

always trying to make themselves

look hotter than they actually are.

The good news is,

reporters like that make it easy

to distinguish yourself.

If you're

even a little bit humble,

a little self-effacing or solicitous,

you stand out.

So you bring a co-worker lunch

if he's buried under a deadline,

you remember birthdays.

It's true,

journalism is hard work,

everybody's under pressure, everybody's

grinding to get the issue out.

Nobody's getting any sleep, but you are

allowed to smile every once in a while.

I mean, even Woodward and Bernstein

went out for a burger now and then,

and they won a Pulitzer.

Some reporters think

it's political content

that makes a story

memorable.

I think it's the people

you find...

their quirks, their flaws,

what makes them funny,

what makes them human.

Journalism is just the art

of capturing behavior.

You have to know

who you're writing for.

And you have to know

what you're good at.

I record what people do,

I find out what moves them,

what scares them,

and I write that down.

That way, they are the ones

telling the story.

You know what? Those kind of pieces

can win Pulitzers too.

"Contributing writer

for Harper's Magazine,

contributing writer

for George magazine,

contributing writer

for Rolling Stone,

and of course,

associate editor

of the New Republic magazine

in Washington D.C.

Sorry if I'm beaming, but, you know,

I was his journalistic muse.

- It's true.

Just seven years ago,

he was sitting...

right there.

I'm sorry.

Right there.

And I was doing the exact

same thing you guys are doing...

grinding out pieces

and then having horrid nightmares

of Mrs. Duke

and her infamous red pen.

And see what happens

when greatness is demanded of you?

Now he's at

The New Republic.

And now I'm at

The New Republic.

In May, the editors

of The New Republic magazine...

... with The Washington Post,

The New Republic, and The Boston Globe.

But the bill was blasted

in The New Republic this week.

You're very helpful.

I just wanted to get a confirmation...

So, I said,

"Network news, network news. Hmm.

Oh, right, that's that show

that's on every night

between those "Fixodent"

commercials, right?" That shut him up.

Hey, Steve.

Hey, Steve.

Hey, guys.

- Gloria, that necklace is you.

- Thanks, doll.

I got some new merchandise.

For your girlfriend.

- As soon as I get this piece done.

- How is it coming?

- Horrible.

- Uh-huh.

It's the fundamental nature

of the magazine, Lew.

- Mallory, can I get some copies?

- Sure.

People want photographs,

they can buy Newsweek.

They do buy Newsweek.

And Time,

and US News & World Report.

And our losses are a joke.

Let me guess. He's on you again

about a redesign.

- Yeah, cover page and graphics.

- And photographs.

Let me remind you Steve,

this magazine hasn't changed

its look since the ' s.

How is it?

It's good.

- You hate it.

- No, it's good, It's a little rough.

No, it's the worst thing

I ever wrote. It's horrible.

If you guys don't help me with it,

I'm not even going to send it in.

- When is it due?

- Tomorrow.

Tsk...

I may have to kill myself.

I mean, The New York Times

Magazine!

Will you guys

help me with it, please?

- Of course.

- Of course.

Thank you.

Call for you on three, sweetie...

someone from Policy Review.

When did you start talking

to Policy Review?

I'm not. It's probably nothing.

Send it to my voicemail, okay?

- Oh, and sweetie...?

- Mm-hmm?

Caitlin just told me that she needs

gifts for... two showers next week?

You think you might have

something for her?

I'll get my box.

I couldn't resist.

- So, do you want to do this now, or...

Yeah, in a second.

I have to return a quick phone call.

I got you some gum.

Oh...!

If I were to throw a party,

where all we did was play "Monopoly,"

- would you guys come?

- Could I be the little shoe?

Of course.

The lawyers have asked us

to tone down the cover on Serbia.

They have?

- It might invite charges of libel.

I know a little bit of libel law,

it's only relevant if the person in

question has been out of the public eye.

Well, yes.

So there is Serbia, hidden,

unknown to the world

at large, until...

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