Crystal sensed from Jan’s response that this might not be a story laced with pleasure.
Jan settled back into the futon and looked up at the ceiling
“I’d almost forgotten what the end result would be,” Jan said. “Then suddenly it was over, and what a mess. I was actually surprised. Pretty naïve, huh?” Jan laughed nervously.
“I ran to the bathroom to clean up. When I returned, he started to cry, said if anybody found out he’d get fired, could even go to jail. Then the asshole got up and left, no last kiss, no thanks, no nothing. Some first time.” Jan Laughed again. “I’d pictured a gentle touch and at least an orgasm.”
Crystal got up, walked over and sat on the futon next to Jan who was now sitting up. “I’m so sorry, I had no idea.”
Jan wiped away tears. “Pretty awful, huh? Definitely not worth crying over. You know Crystal unless your first time left you walking on clouds I don’t want to hear about it.”
“Yeah maybe I should have asked you about your best time instead of your first.”
Jan blew her nose and straightened her robe, ran her fingers through her hair and gave her head a little shake.
“Alright, the ad has piqued my curiosity. ‘To qualify for an interview…’ I wonder what that’s supposed to mean?” Jan said, leaning over and pulling the telephone off its stand and setting it in her lap. “What’s that number again?”
Crystal turned, taking the gum out of her mouth, and gave Jan her best I’m confused look. “I don’t understand, less than an hour ago you seemed dead set against following up on it.” Crystal opened her mouth and placed a stick of her favorite Black Jack gum on her tongue.
Jan pulled some slack in the phone cord. “I don’t know, maybe I’m not ready to call it quits, and maybe you’re right—we need to follow every lead. Now what’s the number?”
Unsatisfied with Jan’s answer, Crystal made several snapping sounds with her gum before picking up the newspaper.
“Here it is, 521-2655.”
Jan got right through to a person, which surprised her. She figured there’d be a message instructing her where to go for the interview. The voice on the other end wasn’t deep or sexy, and none of the questions seemed to pertain to appearing nude in front of a camera. The longer the questioning went on, the more she wondered when they’d get to the point. Sex.
Crystal sat in the beanbag chair trying unsuccessfully to read her friend’s expressions. When Jan finally hung up after nearly twenty minutes, she practically jumped out of her seat, ran over and plunked down next to Jan on the futon.
“So, what did they say? Did they ask about your breasts? Did they use a lot of foul language?”
Jan just held up her hand. “Stay put.” Then got up and walked the phone back to its stand. Getting a pen and pad, she walked over to the beanbag chair, sat down and began scribbling notes. “You aren’t going to believe this,” Jan said.
“You’ve got about thirty seconds before I explode. Now c’mon, I’m all ears,” Crystal said, chomping her gum animatedly and bouncing up and down on the futon.
“There was no sex talk. He wanted to know my height and weight and if I had ever smoked or used drugs. He did ask if I could commit seven days to a shoot and if I had reliable transportation. He said I would have to move to the Pacific Northwest.”
“The Pacific Northwest? Shit. What about the money, how much, how much?”
“Hang on to your panty hose, girl!” Jan consulted her notes. “Lewd and Lascivious, Inc. will provide day time housing, two meals a day, guarantee return fare or transportation from the site of the shoot, and pay three hundred dollars a day in return for an uninterrupted seven day contract.”
Jan was now grinning from ear to ear. “There’s more.”
“You’re kidding.” Suddenly Crystal became subdued and serious. “What kind of kinky stuff do they want for that kind of money?”
“Here’s the kicker, everything you’re asked to do is in the contract and if you fulfill the contract there’s a bonus.”
“I don’t know. It sounds too good to be true. Maybe we should just pack up and head for home,” Crystal said.
“Now look who’s changing her mind.” Jan folded her arms across her chest. “It’s too late anyway, I’ve already made up my mind. I’m at least going for the interview.”
“Yeah and where’s that? Some sleaze part of town?”
“Not at all. They’ll meet us at one of the soundproof listening booths at Black Crow Books and Music.”
Crystal wanted to hang around looking at books while Jan interviewed, but they finally decided that she’d drop Jan off two blocks from the Black Crow. The interview was scheduled for ten in the morning. Crystal waited in the parking lot across the street. She circled the block and waited in public parking, vowing that if Jan didn’t come back in two hours, she would call the police.
Jan tried to look casual and uninterested as she walked past the listening booths. There it was, number 8, but it couldn’t be. The man inside looked like any normal businessman, dressed in a blue suit, white shirt and a tie. She made a note of his appearance, took a deep breath, pushed open the door and stuck just her head in.
“Mr. Hubble?”
“Yes, Louis Hubble. And you must be Jan” He stood and extended his hand.
She stepped into the room, letting the door close behind her. “Jan Eckert,” she said, shaking his hand.
“Please sit down and relax, I don’t bite. I have to admit you look younger then you sounded over the phone. Do you have a driver’s license I could look at before we get started?”
Jan fumbled with her clutch purse until she found her license and slid it across the table.
Hubble looked down at the drivers license and up at Jan several times.
“Great, thank you. Can’t be too careful,” Hubble said, handing Jan her driver’s license. “Do you have any questions before I get started?”
Jan was still trying to calm herself and just managed to smile and shake her head.
“Fine, but if you have any questions don’t be afraid to interrupt.” Hubble paused for a moment, smiled, and then cleared his throat. “Alright then, Lewd and Lascivious, Inc. is a professional movie production company. Our movies do not go on the Internet, all nudity and sex is within the context of the script. Actresses are not asked to perform off the set, but may be assigned a female coach to ensure quality performance and as few takes as possible. How are you doing Ms. Eckert? Any questions?”
Jan had finally gotten her voice back. “I think I’ll hold my questions until you finish, thank you.”
“Fair enough. Our director, like directors everywhere, has the option to change a scene to better fit the story line. As an actress employed by Lewd and Lascivious Inc. you have the option to refuse any direction that might break the terms of the contract, which I’ll cover in a minute.”
Hubble outlined the conditions of the contract explaining that protection against sexually transmitted disease was of paramount concern as was the abstention from the use of drugs and tobacco.
When he finished laying out the contract, Jan couldn’t think of a single question.
“I can understand that you may be a little overwhelmed,” Hubble said, reaching down by his side for the briefcase. Laying it flat on the table he flipped the latches and lifted the top, withdrew a book-sized cardboard box that he up ended, pulling out two videotapes. “These are two of our productions from last month. I’d like you to take them home and watch them. As you do, try to imagine yourself in the part of the lead female. If you’re offended or feel you couldn’t do what she’s doing, simply place the tapes back in the box and mail it to us, postage paid of course. If on the other hand, well if you have no problem with what might be asked of you based on what you see, mail the box back empty. I’ll put the contract, map of how to get to the location of the shoot and some other incidentals in the box and send it back.”