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As predicted, a couple of days later, Lola got the phone call to confirm her acceptance in the Arctic Monkeys music video. She was truly ecstatic to start. The job was simple and the pay was definitely high - to say all she had to do was stand about and pout into a camera.
The man who had called had told her to come dressed in any clothes she wanted, as they would provide her with her proper outfit when she arrived on set. Lola had thrown on a pair of tracky bottoms and an oversized t-shirt with The Smiths album The Queen is Dead on the front. She slipped on a fraying, violet pair of knackered Converse, then grabbed her keys and left the flat, before driving to the studio.
Upon arrival, she was welcomed by a cheery receptionist, who walked her through the correct door. All the band were in the room, along with their manager, Ian and a large amount of crew, who were yelling loudly and quickly transporting filming equipment across the room. Cameras and spotlights lurked out from every direction and Lola suddenly felt very self-conscious in her casual outfit.
Her presence was noticed and almost every person in the room span to face her. She felt her heart rate pick up, but it soon calmed as Matt walked over with a smile. He pulled her in for a hug. "Back so soon, eh?"
"I just couldn't stay away. How could I ever resist you, Helders?"
Joining the pair, the rest of the band walked over to Lola with bright grins on their faces. They, as Matt had done, went in for hugs, but before any greetings could take place, a man holding a clipboard in his mid-30s suddenly ran over.
His eyed traced over Lola sceptically. She could physically feel him judging her, which caused her to stiffen. The tension was stifling. "You must be the... other dancer for the video?" The disgust was tangible in his words.
"That would be me."
The man raised an eyebrow, continuing to eye her warily. "A pleasure. I'm Thomas. I'm going to be directing the video."
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Lola."
"I didn't really need to know, sweetheart," the man remarked sourly. He beckoned over a woman, who ran to his side obediently. "Becky, can you come do her hair and make-up, please? The girl looks an absolute state."
Becky looked at Lola with wide, sympathetic eyes. She turned back to Thomas with a nod of assent. "Yes, of course."
"There are a few changes of costume for the video," Thomas explained. "I'll just discuss with the lads which scene we'll film first and then we'll send some people over to get you in the right clothes. Ok?"
Lola responded in the affirmative. It wasn't as though she would have been allowed to protest.
Following the director's critical comments on her appearance, Becky had whisked her away to another room and thrust her down into a chair. Upon seeing her reflection in the mirror before her, Lola cringed at the dark circles under her eyes and her chapped lips. Well, she wouldn't look like that for much longer or she'd get it in the bloody neck from Thomas!
