Allie
I'm back at Hard Pressed, this time in the studio headquarters. It feels good to be here. There's a lot going on and a lot of energy is buzzing in the air. This is a hot company right now, and if I can get more work here, I'll be truly ecstatic.
I hear the producers talking about a pitch for a big commercial piece that's coming up for an app release for the company. I didn't even know they did apps.
That's why this is such an exciting venture. I want to do more than just model. I want to be on camera in every way possible, getting my name out there.
I decide to call my agent and to let her know about this big project to see if she can get me on as part of the cast.
"Hi, Cheri, it's Allie. I'm here at Hard Pressed studios and they've got this really exciting project coming up. Have you heard of it? It's a commercial for an app release. I'd love to be a part of it, so if you have any connections here can you please get me an audition?"
"Oh no, honey, that part's all wrong for you. I don't want you selling yourself short by doing commercial work. Let's just stick to the modeling and do what we've been doing."
I'm annoyed at her, as usual. Is she determined to undermine my career?
"But Cheri, what we've been doing isn't working. I'm barely getting paid enough to cover all my bills, much less eat."
Sometimes I think she doesn't understand the desperation of my situation. Maybe I should've just gone to college and pursued a real career. But I know I can be a good model, that given the chance I could make it big. I guess I just never understood that the stakes would be so high.
Nonetheless, I don't think Cheri works as hard for me as she could. She's happy to take a slice of my tiny paychecks, but that's about it. The jobs I book are few and far between.
Being here at Hard Pressed makes me fully realize just how much I'm missing out on. I think being a part of this commercial could be a real opportunity for me, and yet she seems to see it the wrong way. Because of my stupid contract, without her help, I can't get a foot in the door to even have an audition. This is so frustrating.
I decide to lay it out for her.
"Cheri, if you're not gonna work hard for me then I don't want you to be my agent anymore. I think it's not working out. And I need to find my own way."
"Listen to me, Allie," she says her voice full of rage. "You work under me, got that? I say what jobs you take and what jobs you don't. I'm the one in charge of your career, not you."
She hangs up on me and I realize I'm going to be left to my own devices. If I'm going to get anywhere in this world I'll have to do it by myself.
I'm determined to get a part in this commercial and there's nothing Cheri can do to stop me.
I decide to make myself known to the Project Lead. I've done my spying, and by now I know she's the boss around here. The one to talk to.
I make my way over to her and put on my best air of confidence. I can schmooze with the best of them, and now is the time for that.
"Hi, sorry to disturb you. But I know you're in charge of this new commercial and I just wanted to make sure you know who I am. I'm Allie Baldwin. I'm a model and I'd really like to be a part of this project. I think I can really excel at it."
She looks at me as if she's taking in my measurements, which are perfect, of course. My body definitely doesn't disappoint. That's why I'm a model after all.
But in this business, it's hard to make it no matter what, no matter how beautiful you may be.
"Oh, your name is Allie? I didn't know your name but I saw your face around here the other day and I have to say, you've got the looks. I think you might be a great fit for this project. I'm really glad you approached me and I think you should come to the auditions."
She scratches down the date and time on a piece of paper that she then hands off to me. Inside, I'm giddy with excitement. This could be my first big break, and guess what? I got it all by myself.
"Thank you so much for taking the time," I say, trying not to bubble over with excitement.
I walk away from her with a renewed sense of confidence about myself. I can break into this industry with or without Cheri. She's never done anything good for me and I think it's time to separate.
I call Cheri back, fully intending to break things off.
"Hey, Cheri," I say. "You know, I don't appreciate you hanging up on me. But I just wanted to tell you that the commercial I was talking about? Well, I just booked an audition for it by myself. I no longer need your services. I don't want you as my agent anymore."
This sets her off into a rage like something I've never seen. Not from her.
"You went behind my back?" She's fuming. "Well, let me tell you something, Allie, you have no rights to your own career. You signed all those over to me when you signed the contract. I own you for the next five years. If you try to break with me, I'll make your life a living hell. I'll sue you for breach of contract—for so much money that you'll be paying me back for the rest of your life. This is a promise."
I drop the phone in shock. I can’t believe she just said she would sue me if I broke with her. I know I was warned of this the other day, but I didn't actually believe Cheri would take it that far.
What was I thinking signing with that bitch? And for so fucking long? I know now just what a shit deal that contract was.
I duck into a corner so that I can try to stifle the hot tears that are now running down my face.
I feel trapped in this job. I feel trapped in my life. With Cheri as my agent, I'll never make any money, certainly not enough to survive. And by the time five years is over, I'll have descended and I'll be past my peak in the modeling world.
I’ve wasted my life on her long enough and yet I don't know what to do to change things. I’m stuck and see no way out. No way to pursue the dream that are quickly dying before my very eyes.
All the excitement I felt evaporates and I’m left empty and despondent. But then I look up and see the one person who might be able to fix this.
Xavier.