"Model needed." The ad read. "Must be size 18/20. 5'2" or shorter. Age 21-25. Pinkish skin color preferred. Amateurs welcomed."
That was me, short, fat, and pink. Sure, I was twenty-seven, but I looked five years younger. Being short and chubby had that youthful effect. But what really held my attention was the last sentence, "$250 per hour for four-hour job."
That morning my crappy car had given up and died. The mechanic had told me it was now worth more to a junkyard than as a vehicle. It would cost $2,000 to fix, and that money was better off going to a new (used) car.
Trouble was, I only had $200 to my name. And I wouldn't be starting my new job for a month. A new job for which I needed a vehicle. A vehicle I couldn't afford to buy without a job.
My mind had been circling this thought drain for an hour when I'd finally got the bright idea to search the classifieds for odd jobs. I had been looking for some kind of low skill labor gig that might get me $500 over two weeks so I could buy a new clunker.
And then I'd seen it. $1,000 for an afternoon of work. I couldn't imagine what kind of modeling job required a short, fat, woman. It was probably something degrading. It was probably something I'd regret ever being associated with. But I couldn't find anything else that suited my need for quick cash -- all the labor jobs came with the disclaimer "must provide own transportation."
Beggars can't be choosers.
I told myself resolutely.
Maybe I could get them to cover my head so at least I wouldn't be recognized as the face of whatever this turned out to be. I didn't want to start a new job under a cloud of media induced shame. But, when it came to the choice of public humiliation and a paycheck, or jobless, carless, and proud, I knew where my priorities lay.
I called the number.
"Hello?" A male voice said.
"Hi, I'm," I cleared my throat nervously. "I'm calling about the ad? For a plus size model?"
"Oh, yes," The man chirped, sounding inordinately happy to talk to me all of a sudden. "What's your size, height, and skin tone, darling?"
"Size 18, 5'1", and my skin tone varies between blindingly white and sunburnt." I replied dryly, wishing I sounded more like I was selling myself and less like I was making fun of myself.
"Perfect!" The man squealed, positively chipper now. "Do you have a portfolio you can send over?"
"Uh, no. Sorry. I've never modeled." Was there really enough of a market for women who looked like me that there were actual professional models out there with my body type? That seemed unlikely.
"No problem. Would you be available tomorrow for an interview? The event we're hiring for is next Friday - if that fits in your schedule?"
"Yeah, sure, I'm free." I agreed.
God, I hoped this was at least a legit job and not a ploy to advertise a new gym to fat girls, or something.
"Great, I'll text you the address and time. See you tomorrow!"
I hung up the phone and stared at my hand. Two minutes later I was still staring when it buzzed, alerting me to a new text message.
I googled the address; it was a restaurant. I frowned. Who held interviews for models at a restaurant? At least it wasn't a gym, I consoled myself.
After two hours of bus rides the next morning, I finally stood across the street from the restaurant. Further googling had revealed that this was an expensive and trendy new business that specialized in themed meals. Like, if you wanted a replica mashed potato sculpture of a mountain for an "Encounters of the Third Kind" party, you would come here.
I felt sick to my stomach. Mentally preparing myself for humiliation, I walked across the street and inside. The interior of the restaurant was done in an ultra-modern style, open and cold with bold blocks of color everywhere and exposed pipes and air ducts.
Gathering my courage, I walked to the reception desk, trying not to show how nervous I felt.
"Hi," I began.
"Oh, sweetie! You're absolutely perfect for the job! Oh, Margo is going to be so pleased. Come on." The man gushed over me.
I recognized his voice as the same person I'd spoken to on the phone.
"I'm Giorgio, by the way!" He called back at me, not slowing down at all.
I followed the exuberant host through the restaurant to an office. As short as I was, I had to practically jog to keep up with his long strides. I tried to look dignified, but I probably looked like a chubby toddler chasing after a treat. I sighed at the mental image. I wasn't usually so self-conscious, but this whole situation was bringing out all my insecurities.
"Margo! Margooo!" Giorgio hollered as he burst through the door.
"Giorgie?" The tall, elegant, thin woman seated behind the immaculate mahogany desk raised a delicate eyebrow.
"Isn't she perfect?" Giorgio purred as he grabbed my arm and pulled me inside the room.
Margo looked me up and down, her expression calculating. She got up and walked around me, looking at me from all angles as she tapped a long, polished, finger against her deep red lips.
"Hmm... Yes, yes. I do think you may be correct Giorgie." Margie stopped circling and stood in front of me.
"What is your name, dear?" She asked.
"Pearl."
"Well, Pearl. I'll need to see you nude, to be sure, but I do think you'll do nicely. Disrobe please."
"Nude?" I squeaked. "The ad didn't say nude." I tried to calm my nerves and speak normally but it didn't work well.
Margo flicked her gaze to Giorgio, "didn't it?"
Giorgio flushed, "I thought I put that in there, Margo. Oh, I'm so sorry!"
Margo dismissed him, "well, what of it? The pay is $250 an hour, Pearl. And if you're worried about photos, there will be none. Absolutely no photography allowed at this event, phones are collected at the door."
I swallowed. I really needed the money.
"Can you tell me what the event is?"
"No details unless I hire you, this is all confidential. So, disrobe or head on home. What's it going to be, Pearl?" Margo stated calmly.
I glanced at Giorgio who gave me a pleading look, clearly still regretting his mistake with the ad. I looked back at Margo who was tapping her foot impatiently.
I thought about my dream job, just one month and a working car away. No photos, she'd said, and I got the sense that Margo was a woman who got things done her way.
I closed my eyes and imagined myself buying a car. Keeping my eyes closed, I took a deep breath and pulled off my shirt. My DD breasts flopped free as my comfortable bra did not offer much in the way of support. I reached behind my back and undid the clasp, letting my bra fall to the floor as well. The cool air of the restaurant made my nipples harden immediately. I knew my face was burning red with embarrassment, but there was nothing I could do about that.
I shivered and unbuttoned my jeans. I pushed them and my underwear off quickly, trying to spend as little time bent over as possible. I kicked off my sandals, pants, and panties and stood up straight, trying to minimize the unsightly rolls of my stomach fat.
"Clasp your hands behind your head," Margo instructed coolly. "Spread your legs. Wider."
I did as instructed, feeling like a piece of meat on display.
"Open your eyes." I looked at Margo, waiting for her verdict.
"Giorgie was right, you're perfect." She said. "You may dress, and we'll discuss the details."
I hurried to put my clothes back on as Giorgio sagged in relief. I got the feeling that Margo was not a woman one wanted to disappoint.
"You may go, Giorgie. Good work."
Giorgio beamed with pride at the praise and hurried back to his post at the front of the restaurant.
"Please sit," Margo gestured at the chair in front of her desk.
I sat.
Margo flipped through a pile of papers on her desk and pushed several over to me.
"Here's the NDA and the contract. Sign those and I'll tell you about the job."
My skin prickled as I scanned the legalese on the NDA. I looked over the contract too, then back to the NDA, shuffling the papers.
Finally, I reached for a pen and began signing.
"Tell me about the job," I said as I kept my head down, moving my pen across the paper.
"It's a fraternity event, celebrating the end of COVID, the summer, and themselves. They wanted a Hawaiian themed hog roast, but instead of a hog, they asked me to get a fat girl."
I closed my eyes and sighed. It was worse than I'd imagined. I looked up at Margo, putting the pen down.
"Give me the details."
"Well, first they want to hunt their prey -- that'd be you. Then they want to have you tied up and spit roasted, pretend, of course. And then you'll be hog-tied and dressed like a fine roast pig that they can all stare at." Margo said flatly, her voice not giving away what she thought about all this.
I took a deep breath and steadied myself. "Fine, I'll do it. But I'll need $1,000 per hour, not $250."
Margo smiled slightly, "Sorry dear, you've already signed the contract."
"No, Margo." I corrected her, "I signed the NDA. Now we can negotiate terms or I'll walk and you can find another 'fat girl' to degrade herself for a bunch of rich college brats."
Margo's eyebrows rose as she glanced at the papers in front of me. "Interesting..."
"A thousand an hour, or no deal. You don't just need a nude model, Margo. You need an actress."
Margo narrowed her eyes, "you'll need to pass an STD test, I don't want any chance of making our guests ill. And your fully vaccinated, I assume? I'll need proof."
"Yes, not a problem." I was feeling better now that we were negotiating. I could forget the humiliation to come and just focus on closing the deal.