The Life of a Prostitute

by Doris Joe

“I didn't say that,” I said, holding up my hand. “Did you want me to...”

  “No, no,” Marcus shook his head. “It is being planned and handled by Frederick and Frederick.

  “Holy shit!” Lucy said as she looked at the folder as I handed it to her. “Everyone's here!”

  Ginger's mouth was wide open as she stared at Marcus. “The two of them are together again?” she asked. “Yes,” Marcus lightly clapped with excitement. “Who knew they would bury the hatchet, right; after all, it was a huge hatchet.” Ginger nodded. I was trying to hold in my enthusiasm. The two brothers had been known worldwide for putting on the best shows. It took months even years for them to accept anyone's attempt to book them. Then they split after one of them had slept with the other's assistant. I forgot which one did the deed, but they stopped doing shows and dropped off the face of the map. Now it seemed they were both back.

  “What would you like from us, exactly?” I asked, handing the folder back to Jennifer.

  “Models, of course,” Jennifer stated. “I wanted to go with your old company, as they have the upper hand in experience.”

  “I told her, that I had promised you my next show, so here we are,” Marcus said.

  My heart was beating through my chest. It felt like the whole world had spun completely around, and I had stayed still.

  “We can do it,” Lucy said. “I will get our new roster.”

  Lucy got up and ran for the door.

  “Do you want a drink or anything?” Ginger asked.

  “Water,” Marcus said.

  Jennifer held up her hand. “These girls must be attractive and be pleasantly...”

  “Naturally bustier than the regular model,” Marcus interjected. “Like we talked before.”

  “Yes,” I nodded.

  Lucy came back into the office with three of our roster folders and laid them out on the large table. Jennifer and Marcus began to look through them, holding their red and green markers. Red meant they could make it work if the model was available to make slight changes, Green was a perfect match. The three of us stood by my desk. Not one of us wanted to say a word. It seemed like hours had passed. Marcus and Jennifer went back and forth, highlighting then wiping away the mark, arguing then smiling and laughing.

  “We have reached an agreement,” Marcus said.

  Lucy picked up the folders. She went through each page slowly. Ginger counted along with her. “Seventeen,” Ginger said. Lucy nodded.

  “We need seven more from another company, sadly,” Jennifer said.

  “Wait,” I said, stopping her from leaving.

  “Get Celia's folder,” I said, feeling myself shrink in size for a moment.

  “Are you sure?” Ginger asked.

  “Yes,” I nodded. “It is my sister's company, they aren't models, but I have used them for a show, and they did very well.”

  Lucy returned with Celia's folder. Immediately Marcus looked up at me. Then looked back at the pages. “These girls are ...” Jennifer said, looking at me.

  “In training,” Ginger replied. “We only use them sparingly.”

  “Uh-huh,” Marcus said as they flipped through the pages.

  Again it took them going back and forth. This time the red marker was used a lot more than the green.

  “These seven will do, but...” Marcus said.

  “We will make sure they do what you need them to,” I said.

  “The show is in three weeks. I do not have to tell you how important this is to all of us,” Jennifer said as she walked out. Marcus gave us all a hug. “I am counting on you all.” We were left alone with the folders. “It's going to be a long night,” Lucy stated as she looked over the folders. They had left notes inside each of them with the changes that needed to be done.

  * * * * * The long night had turned into two frantic weeks, from arranging transportation for all twenty-five girls and us included to booking rooms. It seemed every hotel worth a damn was filled. Lucy talked to every girl, including the ones from Celia's folder.

  The short notice had us at a disadvantage, but it was our only shot at being taken seriously. If we were going to make a name for ourselves, it had to be at this show. Jeremy had provided us with an advantage. He knew a few friends that could get us villas on the beach. That would give us room to prep, clothe, and lodge. Most of the others would have taken all the good changing rooms, leaving us with the smaller rooms.

  Sara's friends would provide us with makeup. I had used them before, and with some money down, they were able to change their schedule. Everything was falling into place. Even Mark had provided his input, first-class tickets for all of us, there and back.

  “Kick his ass,” Mark said to me as he wished me good luck.

  “This is your boss,” I replied as I stood at the entrance to the airport.

  “I don't give a shit,” Mark said. I could hear his new girlfriend in the background. “I mean it, kick his ass.”

  “Thank you,” I said as I hung up the phone.

  I looked back at everyone. “This is it,” I said as we stood together. Celia's girls had changed their hair color as needed. One of them had taken out all of their facial piercings.

  Celia stood next to me. “I won't come,” she nodded.

  “But,” I began to say.

  “This is your time to shine,” Celia nodded. “I can't go looking like this,” she said, looking down at herself. “They won't take you seriously, with me standing near you.” “Celia,” Lucy said. “We might need someone to distract the handsome men.”

  “Also, get dirt on the others at the parties before the show,” Ginger said. “Who is going to do that?”

  “They have a point,” I smiled.

  “Then, I will go separate,” Celia nodded.

  “Okay,” I nodded.

  * * * * The night of the show came fast. Our villas were perfect; they were a short walk from the back entrance of the show. Jeremy's friends had given us the best changing rooms. Four large villas with ample space, with wardrobes, bathrooms, and everything we would need to pull it off. Rudolph and Gary had driven down and provided security along the short path.

  The atmosphere was buzzing. Cable networks had reporters everywhere. We found out that it was being shown live on two of the fashion channels and also on other channels abroad. I looked out of the backroom toward the runway. I was glad I had brought the girls down four days earlier; they had practiced walking with Celia's girls so that they could get it right.

  “Sis,” Celia said over our private intercom.

  “Yes,” I asked, bringing my head back in.

  “Fourth row up, next to the bald guy,” Celia said.

  I peeked my head back out and saw her sitting next to a large bald guy.

  “Don't worry, I gave him a fake name,” Celia said. “Two of Madison's girls drank a lot last night. You should have seen them.”

  “Nice,” I smiled. “Keep in touch.” Madison was one of the other model agencies that were here. I walked through the changing back rooms and found Madison's. “Hey,” I said to one of the women. “I have just been going around wishing everyone good luck,” I lied.

  I instantly saw the two models, their eyes heavy and the makeup artist applying heavy makeup to their faces.

  “Thanks,” the lady said as she worriedly looked around.

  “Here,” I said, holding out two pills. “Give it to them an hour before they go on, it will stop them from throwing up and calm their stomachs.”

  “You,” the lady said.

  “Helping each other out, that is all,” I nodded. I walked away and smiled.

  “Your company?” the lady asked.

  “Angelique, tell Madison I said hi,” I waved back at her. The wait was killing me. I watched as four of the other designers showed their clothes. Then I heard the name I was regretting. Edward had changed the name of the company to something that should be in a musical. I saw former models walk down the catwalk. They were perfect.

  “One hour,�
� Ginger said over the intercom.

  I pressed the button on my earpiece, “On my way.”

  As much as I wanted to bury Edward and Todd, I wanted the models to do their best. I walked back to the villas.

  “Everyone ready?” I asked.

  All the girls nodded. “I would give you a long-winded speech, but I think this speaks for itself.” I pulled out the painting of Teresa's first shoot. “This day was her first shoot in front of a camera, she threw up four times,” I smiled as I showed it to them. “It took the whole day to get this perfect shot and not once did she not look her best.” All of them smiled. “Now, all you have to do is be good at what you do, that's it.” I shrugged. “I will not ask you to do anything more, have fun, smile, and in a few hours, this would be another day gone, and we will be back home.”

  Ginger pulled me aside. “I think you should take this side,” she whispered.

  I shook my head. “No,” I looked at her. “This is as big as it is for me as it is for you. You and Lucy know the girls. I know you will do well. Let's stick to what we do the best.”

  Ginger nodded. I walked back to the show and waited for my company's name. Marcus stood on my left and Jennifer on my right. It had been ages since I had walked the catwalk, and even longer since I had worn a designer's dress; it hugged my body like a second skin and even though I was on the plus side of any model here, it fit perfectly.

  Our names were called, and the three of us walked out. The two of them separated and stood at the podiums that were at the beginning of the catwalk. I walked with my head high and smiled. Marcus and Jennifer described the long evening gown I was wearing as I walked to the end of the catwalk, then made a right. The ending of the catwalk was shaped like the number eight. Judges sat in the middle of the two large circles, as well as other designers and photographers. I turned around the last circle making sure to spin at the right times. I hoped that my plunging neckline wasn't too much. I made my way to the other ring, stopping so that the photographers could take their pictures. I waved at the crowd as I made my back up the catwalk.

  "Perfect!" Marcus whispered as I passed him.

  Even Jennifer gave me a slight smile. I passed the next girl as she came out.

  I took a deep breath once I got back inside. Jeremy handed me my earpiece.

  “Doing good,” I said as I looked out. Every girl that came back quickly rushed to the back of the studio and out to the villas. One of Celia's girls came back, and she had been the first one of Celia's group. The makeup specialists had done a miracle with her. Her right arm was covered in tattoos. They had put a flesh tone sleeve over it and then blended it to the rest of her skin. As she walked down the runway, there was no way to tell that she had an arm full of tattoos.

  When she came back, I high fived her as she walked by. “Nailed it!” I said to her; the smile on her face filled the room. Other models waved at her as she walked by.

  “Stephanie,” I heard a voice say.

  “Madison,” I said, turning to look at her.

  “I heard what you did for my girls,” the tall raven-haired woman said. Madison had been a former model. Now she owned her own company. “You could have spilled that to the...”

  “I wouldn't do that,” I shook my head as I high fived the next girl as she passed between us. “Awesome job!”

  “Now I know,” Madison smiled. “If there is anything I can do for you, just let me know.”

  “Actually,” I said. “One of our makeup artists might need your expertise; one of our girls is allergic to everything that we brought.”

  “Skin allergies, or is it medical?” Madison asked.

  “Skin,” Jeremy said.

  “I got just the thing, take me there,” Madison said as she ran with Jeremy. We had eight more outfits to go. I hoped Madison could work her magic on the last one or else we would have to send one of the girls out for a second walk. It wasn't a bad thing, but it was frowned upon by many of the insiders.

  “Any luck?” I asked over the intercom.

  “Yes,” Madison replied. “I had some natural kits for just an occasion.”

  I sighed my relief as I looked at the last girl heading into the line. “She looks perfect, thank you, Madison.” “Just returning the favor,” Madison replied.

  “Stephanie,” Celia said.

  I turned away from everybody, “Go ahead,” I replied.

  “Is talking to one of the developers a big no?” Celia asked.

  “Of course it is,” I whispered back. “You could...”

  “It's not me,” Celia quickly replied. “Edward is talking to one of the brothers and the wife of someone called Theodore? If that means anything.”

  “Theodore Qreanne?” I replied in haste. I heard her talking to someone who was whispering.

  “Yes,” Celia replied. I peeked out once more. The last model was making her final turn. There was Theodore in the final circle, one of the biggest names in our business; he created or broke a designer, a model, anybody that wanted to make a name for themselves. Theodore could destroy or make them.

  “That's huge,” I replied. “Take pictures immediately.”

  “Okay,” Celia replied.

  Marcus and Jennifer walked into the back. I rushed over to them. “There is something you two should see.”

  Marcus sat in a chair slowly. “He is insane!”

  “What is he thinking?” Jennifer asked as she looked at the pictures.

  “What should I do?” I asked. “Leave it to me,” Jennifer said. “Send them to me, Theodore and I have a great relationship, and he won't get mad at me if I show him. If either of you two did it,” Jennifer paused and shook her head. I knew what that meant. There was a rumor that Jennifer had turned Theodore down when he proposed to her many years ago. It would seem that rumor was true. I sent the pictures to Jennifer, and she nodded then walked away.

  “You should make yourself scarce,” Marcus said. “The fallout from this will be catastrophic, to say the least.”

  I nodded and rushed outside. Designers and the heads of the model agencies were called back to the main venue after the show had finished. The place was empty; all the cameras and reporters were gone. All of us took seats in chairs, then it began. Theodore tore into both of the developers, not just for talking to Edward but other things he had noticed throughout the show.

  Then he turned his attention to Marcel and Edward. Marcel had designed all the clothes Edward's models had worn. Theodore scrapped all of it from the show. Poor Marcel ran away crying with his entourage close behind him.

  Theodore and Edward stared at each other. Neither flinched nor looked away. They were like two bulls daring the other to get out of the way. In this world, Edward had no leg to stand on, but without Edward's finance company, Theodore's magazine would crumble. Finally, Edward smiled and put his hand out. Theodore shook it. An unseen deal was made.

  “Talk to me when you get back home,” Edward said with a smile as he walked past me.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  “Well?” Ginger asked as I entered the room.

  The whole gang was there waiting for Madison and me to return. We broke it down for them, and they looked at us.

  “So, what does this mean?” Jeremy asked. “It means that Marcus and Jennifer have one less designer to get in their way to being named top designer,” Madison said. We all knew what that meant. Marcus and Jennifer's designs would be the talk of the summer. Stores would be rushing to get their orders in, which meant sales, which also meant they would be paying our company a big chunk of the profits; after all, it was our models that wore them.

  “Celebration!” Lucy yelled. I didn't know Lucy had brought as much alcohol as I saw being shared around the room. Luckily we had all the villas booked, or else there would have been complaints about the noise. I felt like I should be the worried mom of the group as the models danced with some of the security personnel that had randomly shown up.

  The music got too loud for me,
so I went outside to breathe. I found Madison sitting on one of the benches.

  “Too loud for you too,” I said as I joined her.

  Madison nodded. I knew that look; something was on her mind. I sat in silence, waiting for her to talk. “This was it,” Madison said, breaking the silence. “My last chance,” she said, looking at me.

  “With Marcel out of the picture, Dixon's...” I began to say. “You saw the clothes, the colors,” Madison shook her head. “Dixon has lost his edge, his flair,” Madison nodded. “We both knew this was our last chance, and we failed, my girl stumbled on the turn and his designs, well, they spoke for themselves.”

  I nodded. I wasn't going to try and convince her otherwise. “What are you going to do?” I asked.

  “Sell,” Madison said. “It's the right thing to do, for my girls as well as the company.”

  “How about a merge?” I asked.

  “You're serious?” Madison asked as she looked at me. “Your connections around the globe are unbeatable,” I nodded. “I had to crawl my way back up. You say it's your last chance because you can't step back from being the model, you are on the forefront with them every day, which makes your business fall flat.”

  Madison nodded. “I can't help it,” she shrugged. “It's who I am.” “And that's great, but imagine this for one moment,” I said, turning to face her. “Lucy and you working together with the girls doing the shows. Ginger and I working the business part, making the deals that have to be made,” I looked at her with excitement in my eyes.

  “Your makeup team do need work,” said Madison.

  “A lot of work,” I nodded.

  “I do have a good set of fleet vehicles,” Madison nodded. “Let's do it.”

  We shook hands and smiled. “We keep the name though,” I said. Madison nodded.

  “You two are missing out on the party!” Lucy said as she screamed at us.

  “Guess we can go back inside,” I said.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  The party eventually came to an end. Lucy walked back inside. “That's the last of them, all of them safe and sound inside,” she said as she plopped herself down on one of the couches.

  “It's so comfortable,” Ginger said for the fifteenth time as she laid out on one of the huge bean bags.