“Valentina, the series is almost finished. You need to be thinking about where to go from here.” Luis leaned against the wall, arms crossed over his chest as he watched his prize client prepare for her next scene. Valentina Vargas was a rare beauty and he had big plans for her, plans that would fund his retirement and then some. “Have you thought about the offers from the other producers? It’s important that you branch out, perhaps show your fans something new.”
Valentina looked past her reflection in the mirror and into the eyes of her agent. “I want more.” Three simple words that carried more meaning than a long speech ever could.
“More?” he scoffed, not wanting to make her feel over-confident. A little humility would go a long way if he was going to groom her for the roles he had in mind. “How so? You already get direct offers with no need to go to casting calls. You’re already famous, what more could any actress want?”
“International fame,” she answered with no hesitation.
For an instant she thought she saw a look of sympathy pass over his features, almost as if he pitied her naiveté. She bristled at the sight, for beneath all that supposed naiveté was a fiercely independent, ambitious woman. If he expected the compassionate look to weaken her resolve, it wasn’t working.
She slowly set her pearl handled hairbrush on the marble vanity and turned to face him, struggling to keep her voice level. She was seething with fury at being underestimated, but there was no need to let him see that. “Luis, you’re a good agent, an agent I respect. I expect the same in return. I’m a big girl. I know how to handle my career.”
His eyes widened and he spoke quickly, “I do respect you, Valentina. I only want what’s best for you.”
“No…you underestimate me because I’m a woman. Does the fact that I’m of the female persuasion mean I shouldn’t dream as big as my male counterparts?”
“Of course not, my mistake. I meant no disrespect. It’s just that, well, when is it ever enough? It’s good to want more, of course, but we need to think more specifically about the kinds of roles that are going to get you more visibility, really get your name out there.” A small smile teased his lips. “To get the kind of money you want, you need roles that will take you out of your comfort zone…that will give people something to talk about.”
“It isn’t about the money, or even the fame, Luis, not really. It’s about the art itself. An artist must never stop creating, no matter what pinnacle of success they achieve. True writers can’t stop writing, because it’s in them. It’s no different for actors or singers; it’s a plight all artists of any form suffer. I do what I do because it’s in me. I have no choice.”
He released a sigh of resignation that spoke much more than any words could say. “You’re fortunate to be able to do what you love. I’m trying to help you continue to be able to do that. But how can I argue with such wise words?” He stepped away from the wall and sat in a wingback chair next to the vanity. “That’s why I want to discuss something with you. I’ve been watching you closely, Valentina, because, well, when I first signed you as a client I wasn’t certain this day would ever come. But you know how I feel about you and your talent. I think you’re ready, I really do. I just need your signature on this addendum to our contractual agreement. It’s of no real significance, it just gives me a little more freedom to seek out fresh opportunities for you.”
“Oh? What kind of opportunities?”
“Well,” he continued smoothly, holding the document just out of her reach, “it just affords me a bit of leeway to help you broaden your reach as an artist, to allow me to secure the kind of roles for you that will let your fans see you in a more…sophisticated…light.”
“Oh. Well, should I have someone look it over before I sign?” she asked awkwardly.
“What, don’t you trust me? When have I ever had anything but your best interests at heart? We’re a great team. C’mon,” he said softly. “Sign it and we can get back to business.”
She smiled at him graciously. “Of course, you’re right. Give it to me, I’ll sign it right now.” And she did.
“Wonderful, darling. I already have a few irons in the fire, so let me get back to it.” He stood and they exchanged cheek-to-cheek air kisses before he walked to the door.
“I had thought I’d take more acting classes after the series wraps. I want to be sure I’m prepared--”
His hand on the doorknob, he turned back to look at her with a frown. “It’s time to leave the world of telenovelas behind, Valentina. In fact, I have my eye on some movie roles that will be perfect for you.”
“A movie! Really? Tell me more.”
“Ah, now, nothing is definite and I’d hate to get your hopes up. Let me handle the details. If I’m as good as I think I am, I’ll be bringing you your first movie script and you’ll be on set in a matter of weeks. You must strike while the iron’s hot, isn’t that what the Americans say? We can’t wait too long, Valentina. Time waits for no man, and it most certainly doesn’t cut any slack for women in this business. You won’t be young and beautiful forever, you know.”
His words stabbed with their blade of truth somewhere deep inside of her. Even though he hadn’t meant them with any malice, they still hurt. But isn’t that what the truth did all too often?
She tilted her chin defiantly and returned her attention to her cosmetics, giving his reflection a cold glance. “Luis, you of all people should know Latin women never lose their ability to be sexy. We don’t kowtow to society’s standards of wearing sensible shoes after a certain age.”
“Exactly, exactly,” he said in his most soothing voice. “That is exactly why I want to build on the progress you’ve already made with your career. The roles I have in mind for you will showcase your more sensual qualities, really show the world what you’re made of.”
“Well, get on with it,” she said tartly, still smarting from his hints about the inevitable ravages of age. “The art, the creativity, the true gifts I’ve been given will never age, Luis. In all the ways that matter, I’m forever young. Now, leave me. It’s been a long day.”