Rachel returned to the studio to find Paul talking to Lori, the blonde girl nodding as he spoke. He turned and acknowledged Rachel as she approached, and then spoke to both of them. "Thanks girls. Good work. You can take off now, we're done for the day. Lori, great to work with you again. Rachel, nice to have your on board." He gave her a little wink that she knew Lori couldn't see. She wondered what that was all about. "I'm sure we'll be seeing more of you soon."
"Thank you, Paul," Lori replied.
"Thank you, sir," Rachel said, unsure of how to address the director.
"It's just Paul," he said, patting her on the arm and walking away.
"How did things go with Tanya?" Lori asked. "I hear she can be a real bitch at times. Did you get her cleaned up okay?"
"Uh, yes. I think so," Rachel replied, happy that she'd thoroughly washed her face. "It took a little longer than I expected, but she seemed happy afterwards." She thought about how she'd left the young starlet, slumped in the chair with her legs spread obscenely, a dreamy look on her face. "And she was very nice too. I like her."
"That's good. You did great for your first day, Rachel," Lori said, pulling off her hairband and shaking out her curly locks. "The guys liked you. That's just about the most important thing."
"Thanks," Rachel replied. Following Lori's example, she undid her ponytail, her jet black hair falling onto her shoulders. "Thanks for showing me what to do. I really appreciate it. I'm glad you think I did okay. I'm still unsure of myself and I really need this job."
"Just keep doing what you're doing and you'll be fine," Lori gave her a little hug, which made Rachel feel more at ease. "Now, it's Friday, girl. We've got the whole weekend ahead of us. Let's haul our asses out of here. My man should be outside waiting for me."
Rachel pulled on her jacket and the two girls picked up their purses, walking out side by side. In the bright late afternoon sun, Rachel had to squint to see her watch. It was a little past five.
"There's Bruce," Lori said, pointing to a young man with sunglasses and a beard behind the wheel of a pickup truck parked on the opposite side of the parking lot. "Which way are you headed?"
"Oh, I'm heading back downtown."
"Sorry, we're going the other way and we're already late for a barbecue we're supposed to be at."
"Oh that's fine. The bus stops right by my place anyways."
"You're sure you'll be all right?"
"Yes, I'll be fine. You go ahead. Have a nice weekend."
"You too." Lori walked towards the pickup truck before turning and smiling. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
Rachel waved and walked across the street to the bus stop as Lori and her boyfriend drove away. As she waited, she saw the two young men who'd been in her scene climb into another car and drive away. She looked down the street, hoping the bus would come soon. She turned back and looked across the street, just in time to see a black Mercedes convertible come out from the side of the studio building and turn onto the street, heading in her direction. She saw the driver's head jerk as he spotted her at the bus stop, the car quickly shifting into the lane next to her as he pulled to the curb.
"Hey, new girl." Looking into the sporty car, Rachel watched as Justin Deeper took off his aviator-style sunglasses and set them on the console between the two front seats. He looked up at Rachel, giving her a hundred-watt smile. She barely recognized him with regular clothes on. He was wearing jeans and an open-collared white shirt, which looked great against his tanned skin, his stubbly growth of beard and longish hair making him look rakishly handsome.
"Mr. Deeper?" Rachel said, unsure of what to say.
"You're waiting for the bus?"
"Yes. I'm just heading back home."
"Where's home?" Rachel told him where she lived. He reached over and popped open the passenger door of the sports car. "Hop in. I'm going right past there."
"Um, are you sure?"
"C'mon, c'mon," he said with a smile, waving his hand for her to get in.
Rachel climbed into the car, fastening her seat belt as he pulled back into traffic. "Thanks. I really appreciate it. The bus would have been fine though. I'm used to it, Mr. Deeper."
"Mr. who?"
"Uh, Mr. Deeper? Or should I call you Justin? I'm not sure what's appropriate."
He laughed, giving her a big grin as he flicked his eyes from the road over to her. "Justin Deeper is just my stage name. My real name is Alan Ferguson. That's not too exciting in this industry, so my agent came up with the Justin Deeper thing a couple of years back."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Ferguson. I had no idea."
"Alan, just Alan will be fine. What's your name? I don't think we had time to be properly introduced."
"It's Rachel."
"Rachel. Nice name," he said, giving her that megawatt smile as he maneuvered the flashy sports car through traffic. "Do you like to eat, Rachel?"
"Pardon me?" the young girl replied, confused by his question, wondering if he was making some kind of joke or comment about her plumpness.
"Sorry, my fault. I should have asked if you were hungry. Are you?"
"Well, a little, I guess," she said, still unsure of where he was going with this.
"Because I've got nothing planned for this evening and I was thinking of grabbing a bite to eat. I know a nice seafood place that has the best crab cakes in the world. Would you like to join me?"