Rita woke up in her bed-and-breakfast room at about 5:00 AM, quite earlier than most. Though as producer (technically associate producer), she had to make sure to get up early to get ready for the Groundhog Day news report.

She quickly got dressed and ready, grabbing her clipboard as well as her journal before heading out her room and knocking on the door of the room across from hers, where Larry, the cameraman was in. He quickly got out as they both headed downstairs, got a quick bite and left in the weather van to Gobbler's Knob.

They quickly arrived as Larry parked the car nearby. The sun shone over the frosty Gobbler's Knob. The mayor and ceremony staff were getting the stage ready, and she could even see the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil himself being groomed by the mayor before being placed on his tree stump on stage. Man, her shoes were killing her. She didn't expect it to already be so cold outside, though she supposed it was her fault for wearing regular socks and sneakers in this kind of weather. Eh, she'll just have to deal with it, she thought.

Even at such an early hour, there were already people waiting at the central plaza, excited for the ceremony. She helped Larry take out all the camera equipment and such, carefully positioning them and managing to get a really nice shot of the Groundhog Day stage. Now, they had to wait for Phil.

Ah, yes, Phil Connors, the news anchor she had to deal with today. She had worked with him once before, on a flood story, and boy was he a real pain. Egotistical, shallow and self-centered. Many workers at Channel Five had told her how much of an asshole he is, but she tried to keep her hopes up, though she was still being fairly realistic.

At this point, it had been about 6:00 AM. Rita had already set a wake-up call to Phil's B&B room (she booked him a separate bed-and-breakfast since he 'only wanted the best') which was just her saying 'This is your wake-up call' and 'Happy Groundhog Day'. Simple yet effective.

Gobbler's Knob was also starting to flood with people bundled up in scarves and puffy coats dancing together as music played over ground speakers. She smiled at the sight. Who knew Groundhog Day could be so much fun! Rita stood near the camera setup, clipboard in hand, breath forming clouds in the cold air as she kept an eye out for Phil. Hopefully she didn't had to stand-in for him today. She knew well how much Phil hated Groundhog Day.

Thankfully, that thought was quickly dismissed as she saw Phil's figure in the crowd. She quickly waved an arm up, signaling him to come over.

"Phil, Phil, over here!" She exclaimed to the weatherman before chuckling. "No one told me it was so much fun, all the beach balls and funny hats and dancing to stay warm- How was the B&B? You're in their best room."

She smiled, checking her clipboard once more before returning her gaze to Phil, speaking with a friendly yet professional tone, holding her hand out for a handshake. Again, they've already met once before, but she didn't expect Phil to remember, especially with how he was.

"I'm Rita."