Jenny sighed, how the hell was she going to manage now. The final paragraph of the letter she held said it all. "In view of all the foregoing and because your husband was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of his death, the company has no alternative but to reduce the claim by 75%."
She took stock: widowed at 28, because of a stupid drunk driver she had no assets of her own. The house was mortgaged, the school fees borrowed, she had no job, ergo no income. Already the bills were piling up, she needed money – and now. Deciding that she just had to get a job, Jenny walked to the local newsagent to pick up a paper. Arriving home she studied the sits vacant columns. Nothing. Nothing at all. Everyone wanted experience of typing or selling and Jenny had never worked since she married Jules.
Jules, - how could he forget his seatbelt just this one critical time. He was the most careful of drivers, she would frequently ask him to hurry up when they were out together, but he always took things slowly and carefully, his motto "better dead late than dead" stuck in her mind. Tears welled up as she fought for control, how could he leave her like this? She went back to looking in the paper. There was something. Model required for still life portraiture, no experience needed, hours to suit though some evening work may be required. It gave a local phone number. She agonised for a while wondering if she really wanted to go down this road, then looking at the latest electricity bill, she rang the number.
"Jefferson College"
"Oh er hello. I am enquiring about the part time modelling job"
"I'll put you through to the art department"
A pause. Jenny nearly hung up.
"Hello? Jack Johnson" A mans voice, deep and reassuring and calm
"Oh, Hello I was enquiring about the vacancy for the model."
"Oh yes that, well it's quite simple really we just need someone who will pose for our art class.
"Well err, I have never done anything like that, but I need a job and I am a quick learner, do you think I could come and see you about it?"
"Sure, come on over about 3.00 pm tomorrow and we'll talk, what name is it?
"Jenny Carmichael"
"OK Ms Carmichael three o'clock then. The next day duly arrived and Jenny dressed care fully trying to create the right image for the interview. After trying on several suits she settled on a smart navy suit with a white blouse. She checked herself in the mirror. She looked good in a quietly sexy sort of way. She made her way to the college arriving just in time for her interview. She introduced herself and was asked to wait in the foyer while a call was made to get Mr Johnson She waited nervously as the minutes dragged by. People were passing through on their various tasks, all looking busy and harassed. The time passed slowly until at 3.15 she started to rise to ask if Mr Johnson was coming. He came scuttling around the corner, slightly breathless and very apologetic.
"Oh Ms Carmichael, so sorry to be late, I was held up by the last class. Please come through to my office where we can talk in private"
They walked together down a long corridor, before entering his "office."
Jenny looked around in dismay, the room was a shambles. Bits of old paintings and sketches were laying all over the room, the shelves were groaning under the weight of books on them an old chair with the stuffing sticking out was behind an equally old desk, and over everything was a layer of dust. Jenny was tempted to run her fingers over the desk, just to see how thick it was.
"Sit down Ms Carmichael" She looked around and saw the only relatively clean object in the room, a straight wicker chair, that one didn't sit in, rather perched on. She sat as gracefully as she could.
"Now you have come about the models job?"
"Yes"
"And you have no experience"
"No none, but I am very keen and I am sure I could do it"
"To be honest Ms Carmichael I am sure you could do it too, anyone can do it – provided they are prepared to pose in the nude before a class full of students"
"Oh – I didn't realise …"
"Oh its perfectly respectable, you simply pose as directed and keep still while the students draw you and try to catch the actions of light and shade on your body."
"Oh I just couldn't do tha…"
"The rate is 50 dollars an hour and we anticipate about 4 hours work"
"It's just that I – well I have never done anything like that"
"As you said. Well if your not interested …"
"No. Wait, I may be. You say that it posing for students"
"Yes"
"Any female students?"
"Of course, there are, now let me see, yes, 5 female students"
"Is there anyone else interested?"
"Well we had some calls, but so far you are the only person who has come for interview. How do you feel about it?"
"Well, I aren't too sure, I mean I don't want to just make a fool of myself, and I don't really fancy the nude bit"
"Well that's OK then, I am sure someone will come along. It's just that…"
"Yes?"
"Well I think you would be rather good at it, without being too personal you have a nice body – and as I said it is perfectly respectable"
Jenny blushed a little at the comment, but was flattered that he had noticed the care she had taken in getting ready. She took a deep breath.
"OK I'll try it for one night is that ok?"
"Sure, if you don't like it or feel uncomfortable then you needn't go any further. Tomorrow night ok? Say 7pm."
"Y-Yes" said Jenny, already regretting agreeing to it.
"Fine, see you tomorrow then. Bye"
"Bye"
