Photo Finish

Another Photoshoot

     "You did what?!"
     "Emilia, calm down. From what I understand, the guy might be a little conceited but he seems nice."
     "Laurraine, you twisted your ankle, you were uncomfortable around him, he--"
     "He saved me from leaving and making the biggest mistake of my life."
     Emilia fell quiet, staring worriedly at me with her arms crossed. I lay on the couch, fiddling with the business card Mr. Medford had given me the night before. I heard Emilia sigh and the seat next to me dipped. She put her arm around me and pulled me close. I rested my head on her shoulder as she rested her noggin on mine. We sat in silence for a moment.
     "I'm just watching out for you, Lu. You're lucky Damon doesn't know yet. He'd be all over that guy if he found out what you just told me."
     "That's why he's not going to know," I said, getting up from the couch and voyaging to the bedroom.
     "Laurraine," Emilia started, coming to the doorway. "I don't think it's a good idea right now. You almost suffocated the other night, you just lost your job with Precious after five years of loyalty. Your luck isn't that great right now. What if this ends up being a scam?"
     "I thought about that, but I don't think he's a bad guy. He's a famous actor and begged me in the freezing rain to help him. Any other famous actor would've looked past me thinking I thought I was too good for them."
     "Maybe he's gay and thinks that you could be taken advantage of? Maybe he thinks you're cute and wants to date you?"
     "Then I'll start dressing like a girl again, but only when I find out his true gender standing. I don't need that hassle."
     "Laurraine, love isn't bad, you know?"
     "Then why have you gone along with what I've been doing?"
     "Because I respect your judgement. If you truly don't want love, then keep doing what you're doing. If you don't feel comfortable as a woman, then by all means."
     Emilia began to pull out an outfit for me to wear to the shoot. I pushed my hair back and checked my phone.
     No text.
     "It's not that I'm not comfortable in my body. I'm straight as a board, I assure you. You've known me for seven years, for goodness' sake."
     "Then what is it?"
     "I'm scared that I'll go against everything I've believed in up until now. What if I do fall in love, or worse have a one night stand?"
     "You don't believe in love."
     "You're right, but what if my fragile, female mind mistakes infatuation with the "L" word?"
     "You're afraid of getting hurt?"
     "Yep."
     "Coward."
     I checked my phone, changing into a baggy black sweater and blue overalls. I examined myself in the mirror, then turned to my friend. She looked horrified. She dove for my outfit, causing me to stiffen in terror. She pulled the straps of the overalls down and let it hang in front of my hips.
     "Wear it like this. That's why it cinches at the waist."
     "That's why I go to you for fashion advise."
     "I am a fashion major. Now wear your black sneakers and take this instead of that kitten bag." She handed me a brown satchel and pushed me toward the door. "I feel like I'm sending my kid off to college or something," she said sentimentally.
     "Already did that. Now you're sending me off to meet my destiny."
     "True. I'm so happy for you, getting into the best modeling agency a photographer could get into."
     "Thanks, Em. I'll be home later tonight."
     I walked out the door and down the two flights of steps to the garage. My Chevy honked at me as I searched for my personal parking space.
     Bring~
     I look forward to seeing you. I have high expectations of you, and an after party you'll accompany me to for the success of my newest brand deal.
     I'm honored, Mr. Medford. I'll gladly accompany you, but I'm afraid I'm not dressed for the occasion.
     No need to change, go as you are. I'm getting ready now, I'll see you when you get here.
     I was pulling into the parking lot of Tritea Modeling promptly twenty minutes after sending the texts. Inside the glass doors were offices behind simple doors and parallel to beige pink walls. Flower designs decorated the upper trim along every vertical surface, and the sound of typing keyboards animated, almost gave life, to the building. I was in some sort of waiting room with wooden chairs and a coffee table topped with magazines of every model they featured in the company.
     "Ms. Yao? This way, please."
     I followed a nicely dressed man that worked in the building around three corners and down five short halls until we came to a final room. As he opened the door a rush of wind flew at my face, refreshing me. As soon as I entered, it felt like Christmas morning. High end cameras mounted monopods and tripods. At the far end was a table with snacks for the models. To my right was a huge wall coated in three different colors of paint side by side in large squares. Models were posing in front of each, one I noticed was holding a kitten. I thought that was adorable.
     "Ms. Yao, Mr. Medford will be out shortly. You will be manning the farthest station, the white one."
     "Wait, I'm actually taking the pictures?" I asked, astounded.
     The man was unamused. "Well of course. What other reason would you be here for?"
     As he strode quickly away, I snuck up to the camera he had instructed me to use. It was the newest camera on the market, costing at least four grand. In my dreams I have used this camera, but only there and nothing more. Until that glorious day, anyway. I looked at the viewfinder, white balancing and then snapping a couple test shots.
     "Wait, I'm manning this photo shoot. I should bring up some poses just in case," I mumbled to myself as I brought out my sparkly cat phone from my bland bag.
     "Nice phone, Mr. Yao."
     "Thank you -- ohmygosh!" I exclaimed, stuffing it back in the satchel. Mr. Medford was standing over my shoulder, peering at whatever I had been looking at. He had a curious smile on his pink lips. I turned to get a better look at him, but instantly regretted my decision. Oh my God it's a low-key Precious, I thought.
     Mr. Medford stood before me in a striped blue and yellow t, bright blue shorts spotted with cupcakes, and a pink puffy vest. Bright red, leather suspenders -- obviously not meant to be worn normally -- hung at his sides. He had rainbow socks pulled up to his knees and pink high tops to match the aesthetic. He had a full face of makeup, blues with yellow stars, and purple contacts in. I could obviously see he was going for the concept of "sickeningly sweet" as I liked to call it.
     "Is the concept pastel, Mr. Medford?" I asked, turning back to the tech I was going to use.
     "Why yes, how could you tell?" He replied sarcastically.
     "I think it suits you, Mr. Medford."
     "Please, call me Lucas. Mr. Medford is becoming a little trite, don't you think?"
     "Alright, but I still might not get the job."
     "So?"
     "So we shouldn't become buddy-buddy because I might never see you again."
     "That's not true. We could definitely see each other again," the man implied, resting a hand on my shoulder.
     I shuddered and removed it politely. "Of course, L-Lucas."
     "Now, my director should be here any moment."
     "He's going to be picking your poses?"
     "Unless I don't like them, yes."
     As though signaled, the director came onto set. He was a tall man with honey skin and a black mustache curled at the tips. He wore dark, loose clothing and a black buret upon his head. I chuckled at the man's attire, but quickly stifled it due to his harsh look. Lucas smiled and kissed both the man's cheeks, as did the director in return.
     "This, Mr. Yao, is Louise. He is my director."
     I extended my hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Louise. I'm Yao."
     "You are quite short for a man, aren't you Mr. Yao?"
     "Unfortunately it's in my genes, Louise."
     "Hm, yes. Well, chop chop, Lucas. I don't have all day. I have three other men I have to direct today."
     The only word I could use to describe Louise's directing was "awful." He seemed to have no idea what the concept was. He had Lucas posing very manly, had me doing close ups on Lucas sticking his tongue out sexily and the like. I wanted so much to slap him in the face. By the time Louise was satisfied, I had taken fifty horrid pictures. Lucas was about to go change when I stopped him.
     "Lucas, those poses don't fit the theme at all."
     "I know. I honestly don't understand why he is the director."
     "I have an idea," I said with an ingenious thought. "You stay here and do this." I held up a peace sign with my hand and crossed one foot behind the other. "Put your right hand in your pocket and hold the pose." I snapped the picture, making sure to get his full outfit. "Now wink." I snapped a close up shot. "Take a look and see if you like them."
    "Mr. Yao, these pictures are so good!" Lucas exclaimed, swiping through the two photos. "Let's do a few more."
     I had him pose a few more cute ways. One was where he sat crisscross on the ground with his head in his hands and looking off, another where he's about to eat a cupcake, and the last where he lay on a pillow with his arm over his eyes.
     He then looked at me with a sly grin. "Why don't you direct me for the next outfit, yeah?"
     "Is that alright?"
     "Yeah. Louise won't be back for two more hours. I'll go get changed. Meet me at the dark red set at the other end."
     "Alright," I replied, following him toward the set he pointed to.
     He came out twenty minutes later in something totally opposite. The concept was definitely gothic. He came out looking like a vampire, fake fangs and all. His eyes were a ruby color, his skin sickly pale. He wore a black blazer barely held together by one lonely button fitted under white bondage belts on his wrists, neck, and trailing down his torso. The look was completed with black, skin tight pants and bare feet. He had another full face of makeup, black and red eyeshadow mostly with a matte black lip. He looked quite handsome in my opinion, and was that a fake lip piercing?
     "Where do you want me, chief?" He asked, walking onto set.
     "Kneel in the middle of set, yep, head back and eyes closed. Let your arms hang."
     Snap!
     "Now look like you're about to attack the camera, show those fangs. Yes!"
     Snap!
     "What an animal," I teased. "Put your hands on your neck, but don't grab it. Straightened your fingers, yup, and look up, but still at the camera. Give me a sexy smile, Lucas. Yes!"
     Snap!
     "Do me a favor and unbutton your blazer."
     "Excuse me?!" Lucas shouted.
     "Let's give the girls some fan service, yeah?" I gave him a smirk. "Shy, are we?"
     "No!" He said, then did as instructed.
     "Can we get the bondage just off his chest please?" I asked the stylist to my right who was there for touch ups. She gave me a confused look, but shrugged nonetheless and did so. "Now what I want you to do is --"
     "What in the hell do you think you're doing?!"
     Louise stormed from the set through the other door, his hands on his hips. He looked enraged, the cheeks under his mustache bright pink in anger. I stepped away from the camera and put my head down. I knew I would get in trouble. It wasn't my place to be directing the model. I definitely wouldn't get the job now.
     "Louise, he was doing what I instructed him to," Lucas interjected.
     "I apologize, Louise, it wasn't my place," I said softly.
     "You're damn right, it wasn't your place! Get out of my sight!" He screamed, pushing me backwards.
     "Now hold on just a second, Louise. He is my special guest, and you just hit him."
     "So? What are any of you going to do about it?"
     "Louise, you've only been here a month. I could easily pull some strings to have you fired!"
     I thought for a moment in my shame, then figured something. Lucas wasn't doing well in the industry for the past month, and from what I remembered, other models were. I sifted through the pictures on the camera to find other models. Soon, I found one, a beautiful girl going for a pure concept.
     "Louise, did you direct this photo?" I asked, showing him the camera screen.
     "Don't touch that! Why are you still here?"
     "Louise, did you direct it?" I asked again more sternly.
     "Yes of course!"
     "Lucas, look at this photo. It fits the concept no doubt, and Louise directed it. He said so himself. It's a beautiful photo taken out of this building."
     "Are you sure? He could be lying."
     "Is this model here today?"
     "Yes, she's in the dressing room. I can go get her if you want," the stylist said.
     "What does this have to do with you overstepping your bounds?" Louise shouted.
     "I think, Louise, that you could be trying to sabotage Mr. Medford's career!" I declared to the room.
     "How can you, a degenerate, make a statement so bold?"
     "Where are the photographers you just worked with? Bring them in!" I called.
     "I've brought Ms. Petunia," the stylist called, the chunky girl running back to me.
     "What is all the commotion? I have a shoot in the city in an hour," Petunia exclaimed, her makeup half done.
     "Ms. Petunia, did Louise direct this shot?" I asked, showing the model the picture.
     "Yes, why?"
     "I make my point!" I called. "Thank you so much, Ms. Petunia, sorry to disturb you."
     "Who called us?"
     I looked at three guys entering the room. I met them half way so Louise wouldn't hear us talking.
     "Yeah, he's a good director," one said.
     "He really knows the concepts."
     "He's like an artist!"
     "Thank you, gents." I turned with a satisfied smile. "If Mr. Louise is such an artist, why is Lucas doing so poorly?"
     All the director could do was sputter nonsense. Lucas put a hand on my shoulder and pat it with a scoff.
     "Well, Louise, I think you need to leave before I call the CEO."
     Louise made a break for the door after a nervous laugh. He stopped at the exit and glared at me.
     "We aren't done, Mr. Yao." My name rolled venomously off his tongue.
     I waved satisfactorily, then turned to the set.
     "Where were we? Oh yeah, so dramatically whip open the blazer while staring into the camera. Lower your chin, stare up, squint more, sexy smirk. Perfect."
     Snap.

     "You did really good, Mr. Yao, I'm impressed."
     Lucas and I walked from the set and back toward the dressing rooms.
     Meow meow~
     Meow meow~
     "Yeah? Em? Yeah, it's going good. What? Yeah." I began to whisper. "Yeah, he seems straight. I'm just going to keep this up."
     I looked around to see if anyone was listening. I saw a shadow from around the corner. I stared at the obscure form slinking across the ground past the wall. I brought the phone back to my ear.
     "I'm going to have to call you back."
     Lucas was already in the dressing room changing. I advanced on the figure, slowly tiptoeing closer and closer. As I peeked around the corner, I was grabbed by the collar of my shirt and slammed against the wall.
     "Ah, Louise!" I exclaimed with fake happiness.
     In front of me was a very disheveled man looking as though he had just fought fifty people. So much so that at the corner of his lip, his mustache was slowly becoming detached. He held a rage that I'd seen in wild beasts on the Discovery channel. If I were being honest, being a girl, it was somewhat terrifying to be pinned against the wall by a bloodthirsty beast of a man. Like a lion, or bear, it felt like. A sickening grin spread to the very ends of his chiseled face.
     "Lying is very bad, young lady," he hissed dangerously. "It would be a shame if someone were to find out you've been lying to them. Betraying their trust when they've worked so hard to get you just into the building."
     At this, I felt terrible, but it was a personal thing. I didn't want to be known as a woman to Lucas, or anyone really. I didn't believe in love, but my mortal instinct could potentially be stronger than my will due to the continuous procrastination. I dressed manly so that I could remind myself that my career was more important. That, and I just didn't care. 
     "I don't know what you're talking about," I replied, attempting to rip the hand from my shirt.
     "Oh really? I have the whole thing on tape, hun."
     I froze, my eyes wide. He sneered, making me grimace. I could see a plan forming in his eyes.
     "Do you want the recording? I'll give it to you, but you're going to have to do something first." He gripped the back of my neck, took a step from me, then pushed me onto my knees. I lowered my head from the area. "Shall I help you with the button?"
     "So what if he finds out? I'll just go back to square one. I'll find a new job. It won't be as fun, or well paying, but it'll be a job. I have mouths to feed."
     "You seem a little young to have children."
     "I have a roommate and a brother that comes over often."
     "You're lucky I pity you, girl. I'll make it quick and give you the recording so you can feed your family." Louise grabbed my sweater and started to pull it up, revealing my bound chest. He sneered and pulled me to my feet. "Come here, darlin'"
     "Get your filthy hands off me!"
     "What the hell is going on here?"