Actors always say sex scenes are just acting, it's awkward even kissing, and nudity means nothing. This story turns that trope on its head. It's only real when it's on stage, and it's acting in the bedroom.
~~~ Edited by AnotherWannabe ~~~
Beginning The Journey
"I delayed college to concentrate on modeling," Anne explained.
"Oh?" Alvin peered over his menu. "Have I seen you in anything?"
"Probably not - local stores hired me when I was 15. I thought my career took off when a store chain featured me on billboards around Indianapolis."
"What happened?" Alvin signaled the waiter to approach.
"Steady work dried up when I was 20. I kept trying for a few more years and threw in the towel."
The waiter accepted Anne's selection of grilled salmon with asparagus and departed without exchanging words with Alvin.
"I come here often. I always order the same thing, so they've stopped asking."
"What are you having?"
"The 7 ounce strip steak medium rare with horseradish sauce and garlic mashed potatoes."
"So, no first date kiss tonight."
Alvin looked at her bland expression and blushed.
Anne's radiant smile returned, and she winked. "We'll have to save the first kiss for our second date."
"I look forward to it," he choked while sipping from his water glass.
"Why do you order the same thing?"
"I'm not sure. I suppose I think of this place when I want steak, so that's what I order. When I crave bacon and eggs, I walk to the diner down the street." "Well, I hope the salmon is good. This can be my fish place."
"How did you end up working at the firm?" Alvin changed the subject.
"I studied to become a legal assistant, but I learned to despise law instead. I needed a job, and the firm offered the receptionist position. I've been there a year now."
"Do you like it?"
"It's tedious. I have nightmares where I see the words, 'how may I direct your call?' engraved on my tombstone."
Alvin projected sympathy. "I used to dread getting up and driving to work when I started as a junior engineer right out of college."
"What changed?" Anne hoped for useful insight.
Alvin recounted the story of founding his own company and summarized some of his ongoing intellectual property disputes. He spoke with self assurance, and his eyes penetrated as he studied her expressions of interest.
"Tell me what you do like," he changed the subject again.
"The salmon for one." She smiled. Everything about the dinner exceeded her expectations.
Alvin barely touched the steak cooling on his plate.
"What else?"
"I loved modeling. It's more work than anyone thinks, but I was meant to do it."
"You must have tons of great stories."
"I modeled a one piece swimsuit, and the material split. I finished the shoot with safety pins holding it together from butt crack to shoulder blades. The client carefully selected front shots for their ads, but some others showing my back turned up on a billboard for a punk dance club. I wasn't even old enough to get in. That summer, I spotted girls who did that to their suits on purpose. I started a fashion trend."
Anne kissed her date at the end of the evening. He never touched the garlic potatoes, and she felt honored by his sacrifice. He endured hunger for a good-night kiss, so she gave him a good one. When he turned away, the waiting cab driver showed him a thumbs up. They parted with plans for another dinner.
After months of dating, Anne consented to sex. Alvin demonstrated creativity, attentive care, and enthusiasm. He buried his face between her legs for ages, but Anne grew frustrated and irritable. She faked an orgasm. They tried again after a few nights apart. Alvin tore the clothes from her body and humped her for a grand total of 3 minutes. Anne congratulated her lover and begged him to do that every time. Sessions ended sooner that way.
As a lover, Alvin compared favorably with her previous boyfriends. She never achieved orgasm from sex - not even oral sex. She lost her virginity to a thirty-five year old photographer when she was 18. Until then, she masturbated on occasion thinking she got close. She had assumed orgasms would come when she experienced "real" sex, but the photographer brought her little pleasure.
"You should move in with me," Alvin suggested.
"I'm not sure it's a good idea," she answered.
"Go overseas with me with me and then decide."
"I can't. I don't have any vacation time."
"Quit your job. You hate it anyway. Live with me and look for a job you'll love."
A romantic two weeks on a Greek island stretched into a beautiful dream. Anne enjoyed pleasing her man and often initiated sex. They made love on a sheltered beach as the sun set and warm waves crashed over their ankles. She mastered the art of bringing Alvin to completion as quickly as she wanted. Power accompanied her new found ability. She enjoyed the power.
The dream faded when they returned to Chicago. Alvin worked long hours. After he departed each morning, Anne suffered solitude with as much grace as possible. Their penthouse required little attention. Cooking served no point because Alvin seldom returned when planned. They ate take-out or late dinners in restaurants. Alvin's return each night became the highlight of Anne's day.
"Hey darling," she greeted at the door.
He looked into her eyes with smoldering affection. She wrapped her long arms around his neck and crossed her wrists behind his head. Electricity sizzled between them, and she dragged him to the bedroom for a quickie.
"Let's do this every night," she cooed and relished the way Alvin's face lit in response.
"It works out better this way," she admitted silently to herself. "You won't want sex at bedtime when it'll take longer and required more effort."
"You should try acting," he announced out of the blue.
Anne suffered an instant of doubt. "Can he tell I'm faking?" her inner voice squealed.
Alvin saw the change on her face and explained, "You must get bored here all day. You're young and beautiful." He delivered his analysis with conviction. "You'll knock 'em dead on stage."
"I don't know anything about acting."
"Take some courses. Even if nothing comes of it, I bet you'll enjoy classes."
Anne joined a community theater group, and Alvin's intuition proved accurate. The next few weeks opened a new world.
"I'm having so much fun. I got a part already," she bounced and raved when her boyfriend returned later than usual one evening. "I thought I'd explode waiting to tell you!"
Over the next year, Anne relished every chance to stride on stage and landed roles in several more amateur productions. In one, Anne portrayed the victim of rape and murder. Choreography placed her nearly naked on stage pretending to be a corpse until the scene changed.
"Your acting is so good, I want to jump on stage to rescue you." Alvin sounded serious. "I'm jealous, too," he admitted.
"It's all simulated," she humored him. "It's part of the job, and I want to do a good job."