A Star is Born...?

[Marian Fletcher]

Marian glanced down at the address she'd scrawled on a scrap of paper, double checking to ensure she'd come to the right place. There was nothing particularly remarkable about the flat, at least on the outside, but if the advertisement placed on the community bulletin was real, it could hold the key to Marian's future. A Midsummer Night's Dream could have been that key, but it quickly turned out to be a disappointment, not in the least because the director turned out to be a fraud! At least now she did have some acting experience, she supposed, but it didn't seem to be helping her at the de Monfault theater; she'd still yet to land a part even in the ensemble there.

This wasn't exactly acting, either -- the ad had been for models, not actresses -- but it wasn't all that disparate, in Marian's mind. Actresses were valued just as much for their looks as their acting talents, and surely if she became a famous beauty for this magazine the exposure could only help!

Resolved, Marian took a deep, steeling breath, and rapped on the door to the flat.

  

[Amariah Crabbe]

Amariah had made the right choice in his hiring Ms. Stanbury as his assistant and tenant in London. This was, in fact, the most important hire he'd had to make since his business began to take off -- even if it was mostly among his acquaintances -- and certainly the trickiest. Ms. Stanbury was a widow, and in dire financial crisis as her husband left her with nothing but debt, so she was just as desperate to find employment, and it helped that he was providing her with room and board as well. She was magical, but not in any sort of talented capacity. Her being a witch was important, as it assured him she wouldn't fret over the moving photos. She was stern, in a motherly way, but didn't have any children of her own who might be popping in to pay mother dearest a visit. She had a history with prostitution in her desperate past, which made her familiar with the ways in which such an enterprise would play out. She wasn't an attractive woman. Or she might have been in a past, but time had ravaged her. He needed someone who didn't look like the kind of woman who might be wrapped up in something so... debaucherous. Ms. Stanbury wore muted, simple dresses of decent enough quality, and always kept her hair pulled back. She had small spectacles that rested on the base of her nose, but she smiles easily enough when prompted. She wasn't missing any teeth... another bonus.

She was the one that opened the unassuming door for Miss Marian. She smiled pleasantly at the young woman as she opened the door, then let the young woman in promptly. "Miss Fletcher. My you're a lovely girl. Please, follow me." She walked ahead of Miss Marian, through her rather empty flat -- her own things were hidden away during the daytime -- and into the parlour and biggest room where the work was done.

Colour. Colour everywhere. Props and satin. Costumes hung to the right below a window that was usually covered with heavy drapes, but was now exposed, letting in a little bit of rare sunlight into the room. It was important to meet during the daytime, for the first time anyway, lest anyone suspect.

Amariah was fiddling with the camera when they entered, and he strode over as soon as they came into the room. "Thank you Ms. Stanbury."

Ms. Stanbury turned to the girl, placing a hand lightly on her shoulder. "I'm just about to make a bit of tea, Miss. Would you like some?"

After she had gone to fetch the things, Amariah turned to Miss Fletcher again, a small smile on his face. He'd appraised her when she wasn't looking, and found her to be... fairly ideal. He'd been worried, as a lot of the women who had been coming had... not been what he'd looking for. At all. Miss Fletcher had an enchanting figure, and she was dark in an attractive way. Those hooded eyes would work well in the photos. "I'm so sorry. Where are my manners. Ms. Stanbury is always reprimanding me." A lie, of course. "I'm Charles Taylor."

  

[Marian Fletcher]

The elderly woman -- Ms. Stansbury, Marian soon learned -- led her to the parlor, and she put on her most dazzling smile. It wasn't particularly difficult after the woman had complimented her, but she supposed the only opinion that truly mattered was that of the photographer. As they entered the larger room all draped with colored satin and practically filled to the brim with props and costumes, Marian glanced around in awe, though refused to let it show on her face.

"Tea would be lovely, thank you," Marian said sweetly, and Ms. Stansbury left her with the gentleman -- the photographer, she presumed, as he had been fiddling with the camera when they entered.

"Miss Marian Fletcher. A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Taylor," she replied, giving a small curtsy as she smiled up at the tall man. It was important to make a good first impression and show off her smile. "I must say I was so dreadfully excited when you and Ms. Stansbury agreed to meet with me! I've always wandered what it's like to be in the magazines," she added, sounding for all the world like an eager young girl with dreams of stardom, and she didn't even have to manufacture too much of the enthusiasm.

  

[Amariah Crabbe]

"Miss Fletcher, I assure you, the pleasure is all mine. You're enchanting." He had the good sense to look a little embarrassed after he said this, as if he felt like he shouldn't have been so forward. 

"Please, do sit." He gestured to the chaise lounge in the corner. He'd brought it from home, as it had been unused in a guest room and did much more good in the studio. With a few pillows and drapes over it... not to mention a gorgeous half dressed woman, it was unrecognizable in the photographs. He moved forward, away from his camera to sit in a wooden chair parked in front of it, facing her. He smiled, patting his knees. "Well then, have you ever had your picture taken?" Her excitement was sweet. He'd have to go about this delicately.

Ms. Stansbury appeared again with a tray of tea. She set it down without comment on a small table next to the chaise lounge. "Would you like sugar, dear?"

  

[Marian Fletcher]

Marian beamed at the compliment, though made sure to look away shyly as if she didn't know what to do with the attention. This man clearly knew a star when he saw one. If she played her cards right, she might not even have to work all that hard to hold his attention -- or work at all, she noted as he blushed. The fit of his clothes and his speech showed that he had money, and money could buy one a great many things in the world that pure talent could not.

She nodded at Ms. Stansbury's offer of sugar and turned her attention back to Mr. Taylor as she sat primly on the chaise lounge.

"I'm afraid not," Marian admitted sheepishly. Zenobia and Lysander had, of course -- the upper classes were utterly obsessed with being remembered, after all, and what better way than to preserve your image forever? "Does it take a terribly long time? My friend who did always complained about having to sit still for so long."

  

[Amariah Crabbe]

Ama let Ms. Stanbury fiddle about with the tea, dropping a few spoonfuls of sugar into Miss Fletcher's cup before stepping back. Skillfully, Ms. Stanbury was the first to speak, after offering a quick glance at her boss.

"A girl like you never photographed?" Amariah wondered if Ms. Stanbury's accent were fake. She sounded more posh than she actually was. "Seems a complete shame."

"I agree," Ama added with a small chuckle as he turned his eyes back on Miss Fletcher. "It's a fairly painless process," he joked lightly, the corner of his mouth tipping up in a smile, "it can take a little time, but it's becoming an easier process with every advancement. I would, of course, make sure you're perfectly comfortable."

He gestured with fake hesitancy at the chaise lounge she sat on now. "Is it comfortable? That's one of the best choices for the photographs. With a few cushions." He'd slept on it a few nights. Coming home late. He hadn't found it to be too uncomfortable.

"We're a small enterprise right now, with a few trusted clients." He started in on the business. Best to get it out of the way. If she cottoned on and agreed, all the better. If she figured out what they were up to there straight away and absolutely did not want to be a part of it, it would save him the wasted time. If she didn't quite understand... well that was okay. "We're discreet, and you'll always be paid up front before any photographs are taken."

"Would you like some sweets or biscuits, Miss Fletcher?" Ms. Stanbury chimed in.

  

[Marian Fletcher]

Merlin, they must really be hard up for models if they were showering her with so many compliments, Marian thought even as she grinned. Perhaps Mr. Taylor was more difficult to work with than he let on -- but the brunette somehow doubted that, for all she had only met him five minutes ago. Maybe one of the other girls was something of a prima donna. A smirk flickered across her lips at the very thought; such a girl would be nothing to her in the grand scheme of things, as long as Marian got what she wanted in the end. She relaxed a bit in the chaise, tucking her legs up underneath her and leaning on the back of it as she nodded to assure the photographer of its comfort, then rested her chin in her hand.

As Mr. Taylor carried on explaining the business, however, his choice of words stuck in her mind. Small. Trusted clients. Discreet. These were not words that Marian would have associated with the typical ladies’ magazine, and she immediately began to wonder exactly what she had walked into. Looking back on it, the advertisement had never explicitly said what kind of publication it was, and perhaps she should have picked up on that sooner. She chewed her lip thoughtfully as she considered how best to respond, waving off Mrs. Stansbury’s offer of sweets before she finally spoke.

“And what sort of photographs are they, exactly? I just realized the notice never said,” she asked innocently. It would probably be best not to beat around the bush -- especially if the odd feeling in her gut turned out to be right.

  

[Amariah Crabbe]

Amariah was pleased to see her get comfortable on the chaise. This, to him, showed she was probably comfortable and confident enough to do the job. Though it was a far cry from getting comfortable in clothes versus comfortable out of them…

Mrs. Stansbury fell silent when her offer of sweets was brushed aside, and Ama sensed rather than saw his assistant take a seat in an empty chair behind him. He’d made sure to request her presence at all times during this interview, as he knew it would make the proceedings move along rather smoother with a woman there to ease any uncomfort Miss Fletcher might be feeling.

But he was right in his assumptions. She had cottoned on rather quickly, which saved him the trouble of dancing around it for the remainder of the meeting. It needed to come up at some point. “No,” he clarified, “I’m afraid it’s a little bit of a tender topic. A little… taboo… still for this age. Though it’s a bit of a new thing.” He turned around in his seat to reach the folio that was on small table behind him, but Mrs. Stansbury had already reached for it and was passing it to him.

The folio contained the format in which they handed out the photos, and a few samples. The photographs were given out wrapped in firm folders. Discreet, and rather tasteful, he thought. He smiled a hesitant smile at Miss Fletcher as he handed it over. Not all of the women in the photographs were fully nude. There were a few where just their breasts were showing. Ama thought that if she Miss Fletcher would be willing to do that much, at least, he’d say the meeting was a success.

“All of the women are willing to pose. It’s a relatively small circulation at the moment. We will pay you handsomely, and there will be nothing… untoward. Nobody will lay a hand on you, is what I mean.” That was important for her to know. “I daresay they enjoy it… the moment they don’t, they’re free to go.”

  

[Marian Fletcher]

Marian's brow furrowed slightly as she leaned forward to take the folder from Mr. Taylor. This certainly wasn't a women's magazine, from how he was talking. His face didn't betray any further information, and she turned her gaze to the folio in her lap, then opened it.

Marian was hardly a prude, but the photographs inside still made her blush. She had heard of such a practice before -- the servant boys back at the house in India had not been shy about discussing such things within earshot -- but she had never actually seen anything like it. She certainly had never thought about having an... opportunity? to pose in such photographs herself. No doubt it was illegal in some fashion, and if the authorities discovered this she would never be able to work anywhere respectable again. He had said it was a small circulation, though, which probably offered less chance for someone to snitch. And if the price was right, well, Marian didn't really have any moral qualms with such an enterprise.

"Would my name be associated at all with the pictures?" she asked finally, after taking a moment to process his explanation. She didn't have any reason to distrust his reassurances so far, though it would be foolish to jump in blindly without consideration.

  

[Amariah Crabbe]

He was relieved her expression did not immediately take on one of disgust. She did not try to hand back the folio, and it seemed she was actually giving the photographs a proper look regardless of the blush creeping across her features. He would have been surprised if she hadn't blushed. He didn't get the impression she was wrapped up in any dealings that brought her into contact with such things often.

He was pleased she didn't immediately say no.

He shook his head at her question and sat up a little straighter. "Gracious, no. Complete anonymity for you, of course. You could pick a name for yourself, if you wanted, or you could remain nameless, that's entirely up to you." Several of the girls had chosen names for themselves. French names. Or rather silly names like The Queen of the Nile. He didn't much care what they were named, as it wasn't really what the customers were after...

"If you're uncertain you'll remain anonymous, we can perform a small charm as well. Change a few features on your face... Though that would be a pity... you're stunning as you are." He let his eyes drift over her face. "Maybe you're hair colour."

  

[Marian Fletcher]

Marian pursed her lips, unfazed now by the compliments now that she had cottoned on to the ulterior motive. Anonymity was good. A small clientele was good. And if they were all rich like this man clearly was, well... maybe it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing for one of them to take a liking to her. Picking a name seemed silly... but then again, there was the opportunity to get revenge on that awful Mrs. Wallace, if she were ever found out.

"I don't think that will be necessary," she replied, handing the folio to Mr. Taylor with a small smile. "When shall we start?"

  

[Amariah Crabbe]

There was no point in hiding his pleasure at her agreeing to sign on. He was pleased. She would undoubtably bring him some business. The enchanting dark beauty with the smouldering eyes. She would be a great asset to his venture. Amariah was also convinced that he was doing these women a favour. They were being paid handsomely, afterall, much more than they might make from some second-rate establishment down some back alley.

He took the portfolio from her and set it aside as Mrs. Stansbury came forward to take it. She stood smiling next to Miss Fletcher's chair.

"We can start as soon as you're comfortable, Miss Fletcher." He told her, standing. "If you need to take a few days to think it over, you are also welcome to it..." He didn't want to say this, but he felt it might put her at some ease. It often had the affect of getting them to rush to being polite. "The first thing we'll want to do is test the lighting and set... see which works best for you."