Alyson looked at her watch. Damn 4:30 she thought, I am never going to get a photo today. She dashed into the camera shop praying there was someone there who could do a passport photo.
"Hi," she smiled brightly at the young girl behind the counter. "Is it too late in the day to get a passport photo done? I'm in a bit of a jam."
"Oh, yes. No problem. We are here for another half hour. Only takes five minutes."
She led Alyson around the counter to the processing lab at the back of the shop.
"Shane, this lady needs a passport photo done."
A voice answered from behind a wall.
"Yeah, sure. Let me set up the camera. There's a mirror there if you want to fix your hair."
Pulling a brush out of her purse Alyson tamed her flame-red mane, and, took a second to powder her nose. "Minimal make up," the form had said. Fine by her.
"Ready?"
Alyson turned around and came face to face with a man who was easily the most beautiful she had ever laid eyes on. He stood maybe 5'9" or 5'10" but his presence filled the space. He had broad shoulders and a swimmer build. His skin was the colour of coffee with good cream. He kept his head shaven and wore a neat goatee, but it was his eyes that mesmerized her. They were a luminous brown, the exact colour of cognac, serious but with a hint of mischief.
"By far his best feature," she thought
"I am. Where would you like me?" Alyson turned around.
"In my bed." was Shane's immediate thought, but no show of emotion betrayed him. He appraised her quickly. She was a beautiful girl. Long red hair flowed down her back. Her eyes were that impossible shade that hovered between blue and green depending on her mood. Her lips were full and inviting as she smiled at him. She stood 5'4" and though she was heavier than the average woman, she carried it well, with curves in all the right places - ample hips, round breasts, and an ass that could make a man lose his religion.
"See the X on the floor?" Shane pointed. "Stand there, back straight, look right into the lens, and no smiling, please."
Alyson looked seriously into the lens and waited for the flash. There was none.
"Bugger."
"Is there a problem?" Alyson asked.
"My flash died," Shane sighed. "I'm afraid I don't have a replacement here, either. I won't be able to take your picture today."
"That is a bugger. I needed that for tomorrow morning." Alyson ran her hand through her hair. "Do you have any idea where I could get one done, at this hour?"
"Well... if you can wait until we close at five, I have another passport camera at my studio a couple of blocks away. I could do it for you there." He slid a business card out of his wallet and handed it to her. "The address is there."
She thought about it for a minute and realized she didn't have much choice. "Are you sure? That sounds like a lot of trouble for you."
"Oh, no trouble. I was going there, anyway. Go get yourself a coffee and I will meet you there."
Alyson got into her car, drove the couple of blocks over and parked outside the building. Not long after five, she spotted Shane approaching the building. She opened her car door and got out.
"Oh, hey. You showed up," he smiled. "C'mon in."
Alyson followed Shane inside. It was a plain room but the photos on the wall were magnificent. "Your work?" Alyson asked.
"Yep. Best advertisement for a studio, right? I'll just be a second." Shane disappeared through another door. He returned quickly with another passport camera in hand.
"Right through here, I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name," Shane smiled up at her, as he fiddled with the camera.
"Oh, err, Alyson, And you are Shane." Alyson held up the business card.
"Clever girl. Okay, if you could stand over there, this will just take a few minutes."
Alyson stood in front of the blank wall as Shane positioned the camera.
"And we're good. It takes about two minutes to process."
"Thank you so much. You don't know how much I appreciate this. What do I owe you?"
"Not a thing. It was my fault the flash wasn't replaced. Consider it an act of kindness." Shane smiled.
"No, really, you don't have to do that. I can pay. Please." Alyson opened her purse.
"No, no. It was my pleasure. Really. But, um ...oh, never mind."
"What?"
"Well, I had an ulterior motive for asking you here."Shane seen the questioning look Alyson gave him and laughed. "No, no, I'm not weird, but I am working on a portfolio. I need a few more shots. You'd be perfect."
"Me? Oh, no. I don't think ...I'm not really what you'd consider photogenic," Alyson blushed as she spoke. Shane cut her off.
"Perfect. That's what I said. Game?" he flashed another smile, almost a challenge.
Alyson looked at that smile and thought "What the hell." She had her passport photo, and nothing else to do tonight.
"Game."
Taking her arm he led her through the door from which he'd come with the passport camera. Alyson looked around mildly shocked. The outer waiting room gave no hint as to the room beyond.
There were four different sets, if that's what you could call them, arranged with what appeared to be themes. One was a French bordello scene like something out of Moulin Rouge. Another was what appeared to be school lockers. One was an old fashioned claw foot tub and all the trappings for a leisurely bath. The other was some kind of gothic dungeon scene. Alyson looked at Shane with a cocked eyebrow.
"Just what kind of photo shoot had you planned here? You said you weren't weird."
"Oh, no." Shane waved his hand. "This is my cash cow. You wouldn't believe what wives will pay for a calendar for hubby's 50th birthday. It pays well enough for me to help keep the camera shop afloat and pursue my own interests. Let me get set up"
Alyson relaxed. She watched as Shane readied his camera and equipment. He went to the stereo on the wall and slipped in a CD. Classical music floated out.
"Chopin? Nice touch."
"Photography is all about mood. I'm setting the mood." Alyson walked around the room as Shane continued to prep. He placed a bench in front of a screen. "Okay. Up you go"
"I'm not exactly prepared for a photo shoot to be honest. I mean what I am wearing isn't exactly glamorous. Plain skirt, plain blouse." Alyson bit her lip, her old shyness creeping up on her.
"Nonsense, Alyson. You look lovely. It's all head and shoulder shots. You okay with that? You'd really be helping me out. Besides," he grinned, "you owe me."
Alyson took a deep breath. Nothing like spontaneity. "Let's do it."
Shane came over to position her just so on the bench. "Back straight, shoulders back," he said, walking backwards away from her, "Tilt your head, no, like that. Okay. Hold that." He started clicking away.
"So tell me about your cash cow. Women really come here for these boudoir calendars?" Alyson was intrigued.
"Oh yeah... you should see them, they LOVE it. The thought of exposing their naughty sides- although I assure you everything I do is tasteful- it gets them all excited. They tip quite well," Shane chuckled.
"So how does it work? How do you do it?" Curiosity was killing the cat.
"Turn your head; look over my shoulder... good. Oh, we make appointments; find out what kind of calendar she'd like to make for her husband. I've got four sets; you can use one or all four. There's a room full of costumes all shapes and sizes, although we do stipulate you provide your own fetish wear. Okay, now look down... and be serious for this one... think of something sad."
Fetish wear? Look sad? How the hell was she supposed to do that? She started to giggle.