I was pissed! I couldn't believe it! Five thousand dollars down the drain! I guess I should explain. About two weeks ago I moved from the small town I grew up in, out to Los Angeles to pursue a career in modeling. I'm 6'2," 185lbs, in very good shape, with well defined facial features. Growing up, it seemed like everyone I met told me that I should move out here, and be a model or an actor, or something in the entertainment industry.
Soon after moving out here I met with an agent, who promised to help me set up a portfolio, and that after that, the money and jobs would start rolling in! He said that, although it'd cost five thousand dollars to get all the pictures done, with the income that comes from the jobs we'll get, it'll be worth it!
So I gave him a check for the total amount, and I waited. I saw the money leave my account, and I waited. I called him several times a day for 3 straight weeks, and still nothing was happening. I had given this guy more than half of the money I had saved up for my big move, and from all appearances, I wasn't getting anything back!
I met him at a nightclub on my second night in town. Not knowing anyone in the city, I went out to a bar I'd heard of, and pretty much kept to myself at the bar. Pretty soon, the place was full, and I found myself in a conversation with this guy named Leo. He looked to be in his late forties, or early fifties, and he was about 50lbs overweight. He had greased back black hair, a mustache, and well, he kinda reminded me of Ron Jeremy, but a bit taller.
Somewhere along the line, he told me that he was an agent in the entertainment industry, representing both models and actors, and that we should meet up to discuss business. He said that he couldn't promise me anything, but that he may be able to offer some guidance.
We met the following Monday at his office on Sunset blvd. I expected a big beautiful office like I'd seen in movies about LA, but instead, the office was on the ground floor of an older, sort of rundown building. When I walked in, I was greeted by Nina, a voluptuous Mediterranean looking woman, who looked to be about his age. From her smile I got the feeling that she'd come out to LA with the same hopes and dreams as I did, but that it hadn't quite worked out for her.
Leo's office was a decent size, and there were piles of scripts and folders scattered about in an unorganized fashion. He sat behind his old wooden desk, in a big black leather chair, and smiled sleazily at me as I entered. He invited me to sit down, and we began to talk. Two hours later I was writing him a check for the costs associated to my new portfolio!
I left that place with the highest of hopes! I thought that this was the first huge step on my way to stardom, and I wasn't far off!
Here I was, three weeks into my big adventure, and I had lost half my money, and had nothing to show for it. I was starting to wonder if moving back home was my best option, but with everyone knowing where I was, and what I was doing, failure was not an option!
I started showing up at Leo's office daily, but always found it either locked down, or Nina would tell me he was out with clients.
Finally, I caught up with him. It was 7pm on Thursday night, and I was actually heading out to do some groceries, when I noticed a light on in his office as I drove by. I pulled my car into the nearest parking spot, and ran into his office with rage boiling in my veins! I was again greeted by Nina, who claimed he was out, but I ignored her, and made my way straight through his office door. There he was, sitting at his desk, in what looked like a brand new suit, no doubt bought with the money I'd given him. Although I'd caught him by surprise, he seemed to know I was coming. He stood, offered to shake my hand, and invited me to sit with him to discuss why he hadn't gotten back to me sooner.
