Chapter 10 - Amber's Evolving Relationship with Diana and Paul
She was met by a young paralegal who guided her back to a conference room.
They sat down and the paralegal introduced herself as they shook hands.
"I'm Stephanie Matthews. Mr. Grogan had another appointment, but was sure you would want to get your settlement as soon as possible," the young paralegal explained.
She handed Amber a thick stapled document of legal sized paper.
Amber started reading through it but was quickly bewildered by the legalese.
"I'll go over it with you," the young woman said, and proceeded to go over it paragraph by paragraph, reading it out loud.
Amber struggled to stay awake and pay attention, as Stephanie read the legalese line by line, but after only five minutes, she fought to keep her eyes from rolling into the back of her head.
She stood up a couple of times and sat down again, trying to pay attention to all the details.
Stephanie was a very bland person and spoke in a monotone, which is why Grogan had chosen her for this task, but of course Amber had no way of knowing this.
Finally, Stephanie got to the end of the document. By this time, Amber had long since lost track of it and really had no idea what was in the contract, but when she heard $150,000--she perked up and came alert.
"Did you say $150,000?" she squeaked.
"Yes, that's the total settlement," Stephanie replied. "You realize that Duncan, Born & Grogan gets 40% for our fee, and then there will be taxes also."
Amber nodded, and Stephanie had her initial that clause. It was still a lot more money than Amber had dreamed of. This would allow her some time to figure out what she would do with her life. She could move out and get her own place instead of relying on the charity of her best friend.
"Okay, where do I sign?" she asked.
"You understand that this is a binding and enforceable contract?"
"Yes yes," Amber gushed as she grabbed the pen and looked for where to sign.
Stephanie handed her a pen and pointed out places she had to initial and where she had to sign.
So Amber left the office feeling good. What she didn't realize is that her carelessness and Johnson's cunning had just decided her fate. Grogan was an uncle of Johnson's, and Amber had just signed a contract where she agreed to perform in six adult features per year for the next three years, for a total of 18 feature films in which she would perform in a sexual manner similar to other Sunshine Communication actresses, including participating in a specified number of photographic layouts, "loops" and promotional events.
Amber's settlement included payment for these, plus all past films in which she starred. The total amount seemed like a lot to Amber, but it was far less than what Amber should have been able to get considering she was already a significant rising star in the porn industry.
The fact that Amber had just contracted to star in more pornographic films escaped her notice. "Not the sharpest knife in the kitchen" you might say? Well maybe, but Amber's innate carelessness, naiveté, financial desperation, her excitement over the money, and the vast pages of legalese read out loud in monotone by the dullest woman in the office which lulled her into impatience, all contributed, and Amber is not the first person to be tricked, manipulated and coerced by the likes of Johnson McKenzie and slimy lawyers like Grogan.
Stephanie had promised that she would have a cashier's check sent by messenger the following day, and Amber was up by 6 a.m. and stayed close to the door for hours until the messenger came by around noon with a large cardboard envelope.
Amber ripped it open and held the cashier's check with trembling hands. It was a lot less than $150,000 due to the lawyer's fees and taxes, but still in the tens of thousands. Within the hour, she deposited in her account and she was no longer poor. She quickly got her cell phone paid in full and her service restored. She spent the rest of the day shopping, buying new clothes for herself and lavish Christmas gifts for Paul and Diana which she wrapped and piled on the coffee table. Having lived with them for several months, she knew exactly what they needed. She also took out a cashier's check to cover several months of rent and paid their power and utility bills over the phone.
As she walked down "The Ave" coming home from shopping, she passed the small porn shop where she had been accosted by the young man wanting her autograph on her DVD--when she first found out what Johnson had done to her. She felt seized by a sudden impulse. She was wearing sunglasses in the hopes she wouldn't be recognized, as well as a beanie to keep her ears warm. She went inside, hoping no one would recognize her.
Inside the porn shop, she quickly realized she was the only woman. Two men looked at her from behind the counter, and she had to check her shopping bags with them. She wandered quickly through the aisles before she found what she was looking for.
She saw the title on the DVD cover: "Amber Butterfly Comes Out". She glanced at her picture on the cover, on her knees about to give head, looking over her shoulder. Her vivid tattoo on display from her shoulder down to her bare ass. Then she saw another title next to it--another picture of her on the cover, her bare tits displayed, the pendant of the amber covered butterfly hanging between them. She found two others and then hurried up to the counter to make her purchase.
She was anxious to leave, but the cashier was in no hurry. He rang up the videos one by one, taking his time while Amber fidgeted nervously.
Finally he handed her a brown paper bag.
"I'm surprised the producer didn't give you complimentary copies. When are you going to make another?" he asked.
"I--I don't know yet," she stammered, somewhat nonplussed.
