She looked down at the ads in the paper as she took a small drink of her tea. She stirred the spoon casually ensuring that the milk mixed in right.
"So it looks like maybe $85.00 per hour is the lowest price that I can get a model for." She cringed as she looked at the balance in her bank book. Even at that price there would be maybe $20.00 left over for materials. Maybe the entire premise was too ambitious. She was planning on three sets of sketchings to accompany a sculpture. Each would be in a different medium and would contrast the others. However, she knew that it would require some metal working and all of her favorite buyers were wanting copper. She sighed. The cup almost fell out of her hand as she saw it. A model's description near the bottom of the third page of ads.
"Box-8491 - Experienced Model (5 years+) -- Evanston area -- Michael -- Male model - 34 -- I keep fairly in shape through a variety of different exercise regimes ranging from modest lifting, wake-boarding, and running to various forms of Yoga. I admit I have a slight stomach ,but I'm over all very healthy and my physique is robust. Have experience with various forms of posing from portraiture ,sculpture, magazine, and television. I work very hard with an artist to develop the best pose to capture their concept and idea. Willing to do nude, partially nude, costume, or contemporary fashion. Available nights and weekends ONLY. Will consider trade for goods or services. NO UNPAID WORK
She adjusted the cup back onto its saucer as she thought for a few seconds. The small box she had won set easily on the floor near the door. Her mind screeched back to the day where she stopped into a sporting goods store to buy a extra pair of biker shorts. A buzzer had gone off as soon as she did announcing she had won a free gift from the store. A smile had crept over her face for a few seconds before ....
She kicked the box that contained a wake board of all things. The store had told her the board was worth $800.00 dollars ,but even after she had put several ads up in newspapers and Craigslist all she could manage was a offer of $225.00 and that was going to be paid using half gift cards from Wal-Mart. It was worth the shot as she pulled out her cell phone and dialed the number and accessed the voice mail box.
She was busy stacking some boxes near the back storage room as her phone started to buzz.
"Hi is this Carmen?" The voice was deep and older. She hesitated for a second hoping it wasn't a bill collector or a salesman.
"Yeah it is, who is this?" The voice on the other end laughed as she sounded apprehensive.
"This Michael Levinson and I was just returning your call about needing a model. Would you be free right now or did I call at a wrong time?" Surprise hit her hard.
"Oh oh sorry sorry Michael. You sort of surprised me. Would you be free tonight. I can send you the address of the space I'm using?"
"Yeah that seems fine my email is: sexyguyyouneedtoblow3232..."
"UH .." Her brain stopped in mid-thought.She could hear him start to chuckle as he began to spell out his real address.
"Yeah I will send you the address later." She quickly hung up the phone. Maybe this wasn't a good idea after all. She thought about the wake board well at least she could get rid of that.
****************
He walked into the space and she was instantly taken a back. Most models try to get slim and graceful. He had more in common with a bull than with a Cheetah. He trudged into the room wearing a gray suit that was tightly tailored to his frame.
"Yes, I'm Michael and please don't call me anything but that if you will." She looked at him as he sat down in front of her on the bench. He cleared his throat as he looked around the room.
"What is going to be the premise of the work?" She looked at him for a second. He had pulled out a pad and a pen.
"Well its just a abstraction of a nude male. I will end doing maybe three to four different mediums." He sat after he wrote that with a expectant look on his face. After a minute or so he sat the pad down.
"I guess that is it." She rolled her eyes. What was he expecting a full presentation? He was just the model after all just as long as he could hold a pose for an hour. She sighed and rubbed her forehead. She grabbed for the bag she had brought.
"Ok, about your fee. I was thinking that these should pretty much cover the ten hours of work." Each part had a felt bag covering them as she removed them. He laughed as he picked up the first one.
"Who sold you this?" He grabbed the board and flicked it quickly with his thumb.
"Uh its worth over $800.00." He shook his head. He began to gather all of his items as he stood up.
"Well maybe if it was new. Also, if it was four or five years ago. These are old professional boards the market is limited just because of the accessories they require. You would be lucky to get $225 from them." He laughed as he began to walk out.
"Besides the only buyer around here that is really into this contemporary nudes in the high end range wants the entire series done live rather than from a group of photos. That would take at least 100 hours. You would be better off going to a gym and trying to luck out with a amateur." Her head darted back to him.
"What? How would they know it wasn't done live?" She put her hands on her hips.
"I have met the guy he likes to chat up the models. Now unless you have something a bit more valuable to offer. I have to get down to Copernicus before the close the doors." She knew of the place. One of her idiot ex-boyfriends had dragged her down there and had tried to interest her into being strapped down to a table. Maybe, he was right about the design. It would work better live. The fee though... She grabbed his arm.
"Uh uh well maybe we can come to another arrangement?" He raised an eyebrow as he looked her up and down.
"Is that so? You really do love your art don't you?" She nodded as she looked at him. It had just came out what had she been thinking. She had just apparently offered herself up as payment.
"Its very tempting." She felt his hand begin to rub her ass. It was very strong as he began to squeeze. The words drifted over his lips slowly.
"Well would it cover the entire series?" SHUT UP YOU DUMB BITCH! JUST SHUT UP!
"No ,but I do know of something that you can give that would be worth it to me." A small pit in her stomach had formed as her hands shook.
"What?" The breath wouldn't come into her lungs.
"I do need a slave while I'm going to be doing this project over the next four weeks." Four weeks that's not all that long at all she thought. Damn what was she thinking.. That maybe the next step in her career could be just around the corner.
