We head down to Soho. I turn on the rear mounted TV and find the morning news talking about little ole me again. The news anchors discuss my now infamous CNN interview. As it turns out Lenna Thomson had to issue an on air apology about her behavior. The morning anchors continue to lavish praise on my ability to “play the New York media like a Stradivarius.”
Damn, this non-stop ego trip is going to cause my head to swell right through the ceiling of this car. We arrive at the Soho offices of the Juliette Agency. The door opens. I am met by a stunning brunette. “Miss Sulamari. My name is Janice. I am so glad that you agreed to meet us!” she tells me as I am escorted out of the car and into the twelve story building.
Janice is really beautiful. She looks as though she was once a model herself. As we catch a reflection of each other in the lobby mirror, I realize that I am certainly not model material. I consider myself reasonably attractive. But I am certain not one of these six foot swans with perfect ti**ts and a perfect as**s. Fame is certainly the skeleton key to opportunity!
We arrive at the top floor of the building. The door opens and an entire room full of, mostly women in impeccably dressed attire - applaud my presence. Damn, it looks like the entire modeling agency is here to meet me.
An attractive and familiar looking woman - in her 50s - walks up to me. Oh my God, it is Julilette Romaine herself! The CEO of the damn modeling agency is here to meet me. The modeling agency legend extends her hand and says, “Sarah. We are honored to have you meet us.”
I am taken to a large glass conference room overlooking Soho. The women sort of look at me like a piece of meat. Being a hot property can really make you feel like some sort of prey out in the Serengeti.
Juliette wastes no time making me feel like a queen. I am seated at the head of the table while a glass of sparkling water is placed in front of me.
“Before we start with the meeting, we first have to applaud you for what you did to J.T. Marcos,” Juliette proclaims. The room burst with applause. Damn, that film director really had a problem with women.
The CEO goes on to explain, “I know three models who were physically abused by that piece of shit. And rumors were that he had raped more than a couple of actresses.” Juliette then leans in and smiles. “Tell me. How did you get your boyfriend to f**k him up like that?”
Oh wow, if they only knew the truth. Well, this is not the time to be forthright. Let’s face it, one big component of fame is to build your own mystique. I smile and take a drink of water. The entire room is anxiously waiting for an answer on how I supposedly sicced Mr. Peak on that director. After letting the room fill with silence for a good ten seconds, I say, “Inside every man is a wild tiger. When a girl knows how to tame and train that tiger, she can unleash that animalistic power at will.”
The women look at me like the wise Sage of feminist power. Considering that I am the youngest girl in the room, this is beginning to freak me out. Nevertheless, everyone seems to be in awe of me.
Juliette begins to walk around the massive table as she calmy launches into her pitch. “You already know many of our most famous models. Just about all of them were discovered on the streets or in night clubs. Today all of them have stellar careers in modeling, acting and other enterprises. That means, we know how to cultivate talent.” Juliette sits down next to me and takes my hand. “I will personally make sure you will become the biggest name in fashion and modeling. Companies will kill to have you work for them. You will be adored by the entire world.”
Damn, she is good. I look around the room. All of these people are waiting for me to say “yes.” The most famous woman in the modeling world looks at me with a ferocity that frightens me. She is seducing me with things that not even Mr. Peak could offer.
An as**sistant hands the agency legend a leather bound portfolio. Juliette opens the leather bound portfolio. Inside is a check. There are lots of zeros on that check. I grab the check and look at the amount - five hundred thousand dollars. Even Mr. Peak would not want me to turn down this opportunity.
“Where’s the pen?” I ask. The entire room explodes with applause and activity. Several women stand up and begin to make calls. Someone takes a photo of me with Juliette. Another woman walks into the conference room with a cart full of champagne.
“We are so glad to have you in the family!” Juliette says as she gives me a hug. All these attractive women begin to hug me and hand me glasses of champagne. I almost want to cry. I’ve spent my entire life being unspectacular in every way possible - average grades, average looks and average ambition. Now, all these sophisticated New York girls huddle around me like I’m the queen bee.