Pam had parked her Range Rover in back of the metal building. The building looked like it had been a body shop at one time, judging by all of the various automotive pieces lying around in rusting heaps. Ginger still thought that it was an odd place for an audition but she remembered that she had been to stranger places than this. Still, in this part of town and at this time of night, it was a little creepy. Suddenly a deep baritone voice rang out from behind the two women.
"Film location."
Both girls whirled around and squealed in fright.
"Jesus! Masterson, you did that on purpose!" Pam admonished, "It's not enough that you have us driving all the way out here, you have to scare us to death too?"
The man that had been the source of the voice laughed good-naturedly and stepped forward to greet them.
"I'm sorry Pam, I didn't mean to really. It's just that I noticed you wondering about this place so I was just explaining. I'm also scouting film locations on this trip and this is the last one on my list."
He turned to face Ginger with an appreciative smile, "You must be Ginger!" he said, extending his hand, "I'm Bill Masterson. Thanks for coming out on such short notice!"
Ginger took the hand, "Glad to meet you Bill! Do you always work the hours between sundown and sun up?"
"Sure, it's the only way to beat the traffic in this town!" he shot back with a grin.
Ginger had noticed that the man calling himself Bill Masterson carried himself with an ease that spoke of self-assured confidence. And she could see where it came from. He had what she would refer to as "devilish good looks". Dark, penetrating and intelligent eyes, a hawk-like nose, and a strong jaw framed by a well-trimmed beard all combined to make him very pleasant to look at. His tasteful, dark blue suit told her that he was careful about choosing his tailor. But most importantly she could feel the tremendous strength in his hand when she shook it. She thought that he must be carved out of stone underneath that conservative business suit he was wearing.
He looked Ginger up and down appreciatively.
"Well Pam," he said, "You were right. The pictures didn't even do her justice. She's beautiful, undiscovered, and exactly what we're looking for!"
"Quit trying to butter her up Bill, you're still going to have to deal with me." Pam joked in what Ginger recognized as the traditional agent/ casting director ritual. It had always reminded her of a used car salesman or a horse trader scenario, and in a way it was, Ginger being the used car that they would be haggling over.
Ginger's business was, in point of fact, Ginger. She had long since gotten over the fact that as an actress and a model she was a commodity to be bought and sold, or at least rented. And Pam's business was Ginger's as well. Her job was to negotiate the best possible price and conditions for her client's time for which services she received a percentage of everything that Ginger made.
"Don't worry Pam, I think you will be very happy when it gets around to the bottom line."
"I've heard that before, you sweet-talker!"
"Well, before we talk package why don't you ladies come inside for some coffee and I can show our beautiful, up and comer what we have in store for her?" With that he opened a door at the back of the building and let the girls follow him inside.
After stopping by a small kitchen area for coffee he escorted them down a hallway past several doors to a simply furnished room that contained a desk, and three chairs. At the back of the room there was a large television set mounted on the wall. They talked and joked the entire time. Masterson explained that the people he was working for were looking for someone with star presence but that was as of yet undiscovered, a "fresh face" as they say in the trade.
"I don't know how much Pam has told you about this, but we really are looking at a potentially long term gig here, this could become a series of national spots. I don't think that I have to tell you what kind of an opportunity this could be for the right talent."
"Pam did say something about a national campaign but I would love to hear the details, naturally." Said Ginger, trying desperately to hide her excitement. Pam got up and headed for the door.
"You two go ahead." She said with a wink to Ginger, "I need to go to the ladies' room. Don't sign anything while I'm gone."
After Pam had left, Masterson turned to Ginger and fixed her with his piercing gaze.
"You know, I could sit here until the sun came up babbling about this project but I'm not going to." He said, "Do you know why?"
"No. Why?" she responded. Ginger found his manner amusing. He had a touch of the salesman in his approach that she thought was a bit over-the-top but it was still compelling nevertheless.
"Because a picture is worth a thousand words." He replied, "And I have a picture to show you right here."