CHAPTER 3 (8pp, double spaced, Times New Roman 12point)

On June 23, 2011, I began writing a novel about a woman who starts a film company to trick actors into killing the man responsible for the deaths of her husband and children. CHAPTER 3 "Get your car fixed?" Marise asked. "Yes, at a ridiculously high price," Ms. H said. "Aren't mechanics always trying to rip us off just because we're women?" The phone ring cut off their laughter. Mrs. H went into her office and sat. With her elbow on the armrest, she leaned over so her chin touched her fingers. Her pursed lips drawn forward, she crossed one leg over the other. With her other hand on her desk, her fingers started tapping. A couple of hours later she heard knocking. Turning her face, she pressed the button on her computer to start it. "Just a moment," she called. Pulling up the file she wanted, she said, "Okay, come in." "Hi, Mrs. H!" Laura said, "Thanks so much for inviting me!" "Please, take a seat." Smiling, Mrs. H said, "First, let me start by sharing how impressive your audition was. You really showed great versality, but, more importantly, your performance was very believable. It really looked like you were being attacked." "Thank you so much," Laura gushed, "I can't tell you how nervous I was!" 'Well, it didn't show!" Mrs. H said, "What I saw was an actor with great potential. I'd like to hire you. Are you interested?" Laura looked stunned, with her mouth popped open and her eyes. Then a grin fleshed out across her face. "Oh my gosh, are you serious?" she asked, leaning over, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" Smiling, Mrs. H said, "I'm glad to hear that. I do have a project coming up that I think you might be perfect for, but we can talk more about it next week. What I need from you now is to fill out some contract forms. Marise will have them at her desk. We look forward to working with you." "Thank you again so much! You won't be disappointed." After they shook hands, Laura left and Mrs. H leaned back in her chair, rubbing her hands over her thighs. Smiling, she stood up and went to the bathroom. Dropping off the paperwork, Marise said, "I don't think Laura stopped smiling the whole time. She's very excited." "I saw that. What do you think of her for the role of Elitsa?" Squinting her eyes, she said, "I don't know. She seems really young. Do you think she could pull off being a seductress?" "I think she has potential." "Do you want me to schedule a test run?" "Yes, for Tues. at 10a. Thanks, Marise." "Anytime."

"Oh my god, I got the job!" Laura screeched into her cell phone.

"That's great, honey," her mom said, "Why don't we go out to dinner to celebrate?"

"That'd be great! But that's not the best news! Mrs. H thinks I'd be good for one of her movies. I'm supposed to meet with her next week to go over all of the details, but - oh my god - how exciting is that?"

"I'm proud of you, honey. You can tell your dad and me all about it tonight, okay?"

Before getting in her car, Laura jumped around, her hands in the air. Squeeling with delight, she drove away, almost getting into a car accident at the first light.

At her favorite department store she went hunting around for a new dress. She saw it almost immediately: a full-length strapless green flowing gown with mini sleeves and buttons down the front. It also had a wrinkled quality to it that she liked.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she grinned, feeling like a princess as she twirled around, her arms extended out and head back. Taking the rubber band from her hand she pulled her hair back, liking the smooth lines that made.

"You look really happy," the saleswoman said, "Is today a big day for you?"

"You wouldn't believe how big! I got a job!"

"What kind of work do you do?"

"I'm an actor!"

"Wow, congratulations!"

"Thanks!"

Not caring that the $150 dress knocked her checking account in half, Laura paid for the dress and left for the shoe store. It took three stores before she found the perfect green to match the dress, a cute pair of pumps with crossing lines in the front that let her feet peek out.

With $75 remaining, she had her hair styled and her nails done at her favorite salon. That whole time Jared couldn't help noticing that she wouldn't stop smiling.

"Honey, I have never seen you look so happy. Spill it!"

"I got the job!"

"Oh my god, does that mean you're going to be famous? You better remember me, girl!"

"I promise, you'll always be my go to guy for hair. Who else is going to do it better?"

"You got that right, girl. But I am so proud of you. We should have drinks tonight."

"Can't. Going out with the parent patrol."

"I heard that. I'm so proud of you, though! You go, girl!"

At home she changed her clothes, checked her makeup and left for the fancy French restaurant her parents loved so much. Her parents and little brother were waiting for her when she arrived.

"Oh, honey," her mom said, embracing her, "We're so proud of you. Hope you brought your appetite."

With the $500 check her parents gave her in her purse, Laura smiled dreamily and fell asleep in her bed. She dreamed of accepting the Oscar for Best Actor.

"I don't know where to start, but Mrs. H was my biggest inspiration. She really believed in me and got me where I am today," she said, "I also have to thank my parents and my fans! Without you all, I wouldn't be here. Thanks again!"

Her lips curled into a hint of a smile as she continued sleeping. When the alarm went off, she opened her eyes, sat up with her arms around her knees, smiling. Jumping off the bed she danced around again.

To her little puppy Scooter, she said, "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!"

Hugging him tightly to her chest, she gazed at herself in the dresser mirror. Turning her body sideways but with her face forward, she struck a sexy pose, achieving a pouty lip look that came naturally for her. Just as quickly her grin returned.

"Oh my god, I'm going to be famous!"

Setting Scooter down, she rushed off to the bathroom and then to the kitchen. She cut the giant grapefruit in half and used a spoon to scoop out the moist and fleshy meat.

Opening her laptop she typed in flyrize.com to explore the website. There was a tab labeled Upcoming Projects. She clicked on that and scrolled down the screen.

The title Wanton caught her attention. Reading the description, she found out it was about a woman who seduces a man into falling in love with her to get revenge on him for stealing her father's company. Her mouth popped open at that.

"Oh my god," she whispered, "I hope it's me playing that part!"

Then the phone rang. Marise was on the other line.

"Hi, Laura! Do you think you could come in on Tues. at 10a for a test run?"

"Yes!"

"Great. I'll text you the information you'll need to prepare."

As soon as the ping went off on her phone, Laura looked at the text message. These were the prompts she read:

Main Character: Elitsa.

Supporting Character: Jon

Motivation: To seduce Jon into having sex with her.

Location: Bedroom.

"Oh my god," she said, "Oh my god."

She spent a week watching herself in the mirror, trying to mimic the faces and postures of models she saw in magazines. Touching herself, she tried to pretend that it was a man to bring temptation into her eyes. A good actor, she knew, had to perform in eyes and body.

Going to the lingere store she bought a two piece lace ensemble with strings that popped open the front of the bra and a zipper that let her expose more without taking her panties off. But she couldn't stop herself from erasing the blush that appeared in her reflection.

The porn videos she rented, however, had a different effect than she anticipated. She couldn't stop laughing at the actors on the screen.