Publish Novellas 21 December 2022
EPISODE 6 – BOUNDARIES
Way over her head with a master negotiator, Luna tries to salvage some self respect before signing away control of her likeness.
Mature content advisory
Affixing Signatures
Now eager for fame, Luna asks, “Where do I sign?”
“Before you do that, think about one more thing. Fans and paparazzi will feel they own you. Say goodbye to privacy. Cameras will click any time you are in public or you open your window shades. Images will appear online that you don’t anticipate.
“Some depraved people will spend the most money on your memorabilia and be your biggest fans. But you will need to play up to their fantasies in public. Tabloids will publish mostly false rumors. If you don’t want to be this kind of star, walk away. No hard feelings.”
“This revelation makes me trust you more. You could have had my signature without that caution. I expect my agent to advise me on the best way to handle fans and privacy issues. But this level of sexual candor impels me to ask some personal questions before signing away rights to my body.”
“Ask anything!” Rex urges calmly.
“How many actors do you represent?”
“Good question. Some are very active. Others have retired. Since volume alone is not a measure of capability, let’s just say that there are less than one thousand and more than fifty. If you become part of my portfolio, you will meet some of them.”
“I need to learn how to answer questions like you. What percentage of them are willing to go all the way for a part?”
“I don’t have actual statistics. But it is uncommon for any to voice limitations,” Rex reveals.
Luna considers relaxing her morals under pressure.
“Wow! So if you’re in the heat of negotiation with millions of dollars at stake and a producer wants me to ‘go the extra mile’…, would you offer another one of your clients to close the deal?”
“If I had another one to fill the role, it would be foolish for me to walk away without making the offer,” Rex cautions.
Crossing The Line
“Let me tell you some things off the record. The way a man looks, talks, dresses, and smells must attract me…. It might also have something to do with pheromones.
“I’m just thinking this through…. If a man checks all the boxes and there as a sizable monetary expression of appreciation, I can’t say I wouldn’t swallow my pride…. (Forgive the ambiguity of a double negative.) In private, I can weigh… whether someone lacking… in some of my criteria is worth it…. How do I delegate that decision?”
“This may be the most candid you’ve been with me, Luna. It’s apparent that was difficult to express. Thank you for trusting me with such personal information.
“More details like this greatly increases your chance for success. With a sizable payout on the line, I can distinguish a crass, unattractive pervert from one that meets all four of your criteria.
“Consider whether you may be willing to empower me with this authority. When necessary, I’ll acquiesce in your behalf—only for the most powerful, attractive, well-groomed men. If lacking essential qualities, you decide.”
Client Privileges
“That sounds like a feasible solution. Maybe this is common to you, but it’s a very big step for me. Will giving you such authority turn me into a high-price call girl?” Luna asks while trying to conceal slight wheezing.
“That’s another career. If you want to do that, I can connect you with some people. You can make decent income every week without waiting for a role. But you will need to work harder than you imagine to compensate for necessary commissions. By that I mean….”
“…I understand!” Luna interrupts. “. We’re just talking this through.
“Don’t interpret my inquiry as eagerness—by any stretch of the imagination. I can’t believe I’m even discussing this. Explain what might lead to me receiving a call to meet someone,” Luna asks with a voice barely above a whisper.
“Nothing is ever simple. You might envision this scenario involves one powerful man standing between you and the payout. In reality, there can be several people requesting favors to make a higher connection. Most will accept a monetary payoff—and not all are men.
“These payoffs can add up to tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars that I keep track of and deduct from your ultimate payment. Some actresses minimize that debt by offering themselves in lieu of payoffs. You need to decide if you prefer the monetary debt or otherwise.”
“This industry sounds like a moral cesspool for something as simple as a name or phone number.”
“As mentioned, I can pay off most people with cash.”
“How did I stumble into this conversation? The expression, ‘sleeping your way to the top’ is no joke. Who knows how high that pyramid might be?”
“Fortunately, I have many friends in high places. Without a good agent, you would begin on the wide base of a pyramid. In my case, there may just be a few doors to the top.”
“Please don’t think any less of me. If I allow you to refer a prospect, he must be discreet and it must be in a fabulous hotel or resort like this one. I don’t do seedy motels or automobile backseats.
“You said you were testing my limits of morality. I already know, if still elevated at all, they are now only inches from the floor. Can I trust you to arrange no more than three male—no female—encounters that meet my criteria for a big role?”
“Big role requires further definition. Would we say minimum 1 million dollar potential?”
“Okay, that sounds like a reasonable threshold. (Forgive me Momma.) This may add new meaning to putting out for dinner a movie. I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this, but you have the authority to respond in my behalf until I become famous. Now you can tell me. Did I just compromise all of my morals and become a hooker for you?”
“Not at all. Honestly, sometimes I’m the one that may need to take one for the team to get you a role. Even when you do need to meet someone to advance your career, if it doesn’t feel right, sacrifice the money on the table and leave. You are more valuable to me than one deal. We will make it up on the next role.”
“That’s easy for someone who already has millions to say. I can’t be as choosy when this much money is on the line.”
“Each role is a gamble. The payoff can be large or small. But a gambler never reveals his hand. The extent to which you will go to secure a good part is a card no one needs to know I have, and should not be played often. You still have control over who you see in your personal life and what you do on those dates.”
“It never occurred to me that you face the same questions to make a deal. Forgive me for fantasizing about you doing that for me. Apparently we are in this together. That actually makes me feel better.”
“Just to be clear, the current role I’m trying to get you into, meets that monetary threshold. So you are willing to accept these arrangements—even if they want to videotape you—with hundreds of thousands of dollars or millions at stake?”
“I have never been videotaped in compromising positions. If that gets out on the internet….”
“…Your fame would skyrocket! Many stars have done it and recovered from initial humiliation. As shocked as most viewers act, it’s some thing most of them have done themselves in private. So it blows over.
“I’m not saying anyone would record you, but there’s no certainty they won’t. If everyone learns your trademarked name that way, you have an instant following. Movie producers would be fighting to get someone so famous in their pictures.”
“I’m at the point now when I think, ‘Why bother objecting?’ We said up to three. But then you’ll ask, what if it’s five? I don’t know who the influencers are. So I suspect my signature will give you authority to do what you want.
“Since you’re the expert, I’ll have to trust your judgement. Would I get a phone call or a cryptic text message with a time and address?”
“I would treat you like a person who has feelings. Text messages for something like this are impersonal. Either in-person or on the phone, I’ll explain the situation and it’s importance.”
“I’m just going to bluntly express my understanding. Even though you keep trying to bury it in explanations… signing the contract makes me your whore until I become a successful actress. It’s something I’m trying to accept in my mind. Don’t tell me I’m not and then treat me like one. At least I’m not standing on cold street corners.”
“Okay…, I won’t try to clean that up. But if it helps, channel this exciting fantasy into the new brand. It’s the life of Luma Nery Star, not Luna Parker, unless Luna wants it too.”
“What will stop you from excusing the crew and making advances at me?”
“That question will apply to every casting director, filmographer, costar, and art director you face in this industry. I said my relationships are consensual—and you certainly know how to defend yourself. But if you ask me to stick around after a photoshoot, I’ll accept the invitation as consent.”
“Rex, you have been so patient with me. I want to demonstrate my appreciation of that. Give me the pen. To become a star, I’m at your disposal….” After scribbling her signature, she says, “Now, with a stroke of the pen, I’m officially Luma Nery Star and you own 25 percent of me!”
“Thank you for signing. With the knowledge that I’m in multiple relationships and 20 years your senior, don’t use vague innuendo. In what way do you mean that you at my disposal?”
Limiting Promiscuity
Luna clarifies her desire. “I understand that you need to be cautious with the me-too movement. Let me try to adopt your debonair responses. You are a man with all four criteria I desire.”
“I can send a text message to schedule hair and makeup with Graciela in, say…, an hour?”
“We can do that, but I was hoping for a full evening.”
“Oh Luna, I’m already sharing a room for the night with someone in my crew. She and I are not in a serious relationship so it doesn’t affect my acceptance of your proposal.”
“I’m not asking for an exclusive commitment. Out of curiosity, is she the wardrobe assistant you are assigning to me?”
“As a gentleman, I never kiss and tell.”
“If it’s Gabriela, do you see the irony of her helping me to select sexy clothes that may entice you to… do with me what you did with her? Intuition suggests it’s Gabriela, but I won’t press you for confirmation. Expect things to get competitive though.”
“Your reaction demonstrates why I say it is difficult to maintain intimate relationships with clients. There’s no doubt that I’ll enjoy my time with you. But there are no guarantees of special favors.”
“Before sending me people to close million-dollar deals, don’t you need to know my capabilities? Nobody drops as much money on an unknown without a desire to explore this new frontier.”
“A tempting tigress has obviously been awakened, and is receiving my favorable attention. With your beauty, you could write your room number on a napkin for any man dining in this restaurant. Why am I the one privileged?” Rex asks.
“Partially, it’s pheromones. This is not something I do with many people. In fact, it has been more than a few months. You told me to start pouring on the sexy persona. Who knows when I’ll have another opportunity to entertain a man in a hotel suite as plush as the one you provided? It elevates the whole experience.
“Luma Nery Star is definitely coming across more sexy now! Don’t confuse my entitlement to 25 percent of your profits with a quarter of your body. I’ll oblige your request. But this is not something you are contracted to perform.”
“Rex, you are a handsome man. For one hour, can you treat me like a woman and stop educating me like a client?”
Rex replies, “The art of negotiation is to make all parties feel that they are walking away with more than they bargained for. That will certainly be the case with me. Let’s be clear that I’m not the one seducing you….”
“Is that something else I need to sign?” Luna writes on a napkin, “Rex did not seduce me, signed—Luna Parker.” Then she begs, “You can stop teasing me with the trailer. It’s time for the main feature!”
Folding the napkin before slipping it in his coat pocket, Rex promises, “You are so right. This will be your most memorable feature film. I will officially welcome Luma Nery Star to the life of a Hollywood starlet in your suite.”
Before meeting poolside with the crew, Rex (and the hidden cameras in the room) get a full view of Luna performing at her best from every angle.
Continued…
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