"Excuse me, I see you have a baby. Can I ask you how old he or she is?"
"She's just three months."
"She looks a beauty; I'll bet she'll grow-up to be a stunner like her mom. I assume you are her mom?"
"Yes she's mine. Sorry, you'll have to excuse me; I have to get on with my shopping now."
"No please don't go yet, I'm sure we have something that will interest you. Wouldn't you like a year's supply of essentials for your baby?"
"What kind of essentials?"
"There's a whole range. Powdered milk, nappies (diapers), baby wipes, baby food in jars, and our new slimming powder."
"Slimming powder for a baby? You've got to be joking?"
"No. We're doing the preparatory work for an advertising campaign for a slimming powder that's helps women loose weight after having a baby. It's made by Gluxo; they're the biggest baby food manufacturer in UK. And you are just the ideal type of woman we're looking for."
"But I've never even heard of this slimming stuff, let alone used it."
"That doesn't matter at all, all that matters is, that you've had a baby in the last six months, and you've got your sexy figure back already. And you fit both of those requirements."
"But what would I be expected to do?"
"First of all, if you sign-up for a days screen test, you get this list of baby products for a year free. And that is irrespective of whether you are used in any advertising. But if you are the one that is selected, it could be worth fifty to a hundred grand, maybe more if other people start using you."
"You're kidding me?"
"No. this is a genuine chance in a lifetime. And like I said even if they don't use you, you still get a years supply of baby stuff. I'll bet that comes to a fair old sum by itself."
"So let me get this straight. If I go for this screen test, I get all that stuff on the list for a year free of charge?"
"Yes. That's it."
"But what does this screen test entail, how long does it take, and where do I have to go to take it?"
"We call it a screen test, but really it's just a simple photo shoot. It takes about four hours. And if you're interested in doing it, we'll take you now. It's about fifty minute's drive, so you can be home by about half past three. But you'll need to get someone to look after baby for you; we wouldn't be able to cope with a baby."
"What you'd want me to go now?"
"Yes. I'm afraid its one of those things you have to grab quickly."
"I'll have to phone my husband to see what he thinks."
"That's up to you. But I know what he'll say. My honest advice is. If you want to do it, just grab the opportunity while you've got the chance. I'm not exaggerating when I say; this is a once in a lifetime chance. If you don't take it, then it's something you'll look back at in the future, and kick yourself for missing."
"But why do you say my husband won't want me to do it?"
"It's a male thing. He'll realise that if you do get selected, you'll be the main bread-winner. Most men can't handle their wife being more important than them. And they don't like other men looking at their wife's body."
"Looking at my body? Why what exactly would I be wearing?"
"For the photo shoot, you'll have your picture taken in just about every style of clothes. That's the main reason we need to take you to our studio."
"But when you say every style, will I be expected to have my picture taken in the nude?"
"No. Don't be silly. There will be some shots in modest underwear, and swimming costumes, but nothing rude or offensive. Now I'm sorry to rush you, but if you are interested, we need to make plans about finding someone to look after your baby. And if your not, then I'm sorry we took-up so much of your time."
So here I was, stood in the entrance to a shopping mall, thirty-five years old, and my first baby sleeping blissfully in her buggy. I had only seconds to decide if I should go with these men and see what comes out of it. Or phone my husband, and let him choose. But why should he know any better than me? At least I could see these men, talk to them, and make a judgement as to whether they look trustworthy. They were stood here in very posh suits, with all the genuine looking paperwork, and ID badges with their photos on their lapels. Shit! If I phone him and he says no, then I can't go against him. But if I don't do this now, they are right; I'll regret missing this opportunity for the rest of my boring life.
"You promise me it's not a con trick?"
"Don't be silly. Would we be stood here in a shopping mall?"
"And this photo shoot thing, the skimpiest thing I'll be expected to wear is a normal swimming costume?"
"As I said there will be all types of clothes that you'll be photographed in. But the most revealing will be a bikini. And I'm sure you've worn one of those before on the beach."
"Ok. I hope I'm doing the right thing. I'll take baby back to my car, and we can drop her off at my mom's. Then I'll follow you."
"Ok we'll follow you to your mom's, but then if you go back to your place, you can leave your car there. You can come with us, there's no need to waste your fuel, were in a company vehicle, might as well let them foot the bill."
"What about me getting home?"
"No problem, we'll bring you, its all part of the service."
"Ok. I'm in the little red Fiat over there."
"Ok we're in the Blue Jag, so I don't think we'll have any trouble keeping-up with you."
As I drove down the road towards my mom's house, my mind was racing; was I doing the right thing. Would I be all embarrassed, and not be able to pose sexily enough? No, I've been topless on the beach when we went on holiday, and when you do that, you've got hundreds of men ogling at you. This was my chance, I'm thirty-five, and I certainly won't get another chance to be looked at sexily again. Yes I am doing the right thing. I'm gonna give this my best shot, try not to be shy, and really show these men how sexy a woman who has just had a baby can look. But what do I tell my mom? And my husband, how much do I tell him? Well its decision time, I'm at my mom's house. As I walk up the path, she has already seen me, and the front door is opening.
"Brenda. This is a nice surprise; to what do I owe this pleasure. Don't tell me, you want me to look after Lisa while you go shopping."
"You guessed it. Do you mind?"
"No, of-course not. Are you going anywhere special?"
"Not really, I'm going to the big super-store park, to look at new kitchens. And you know what it's like dragging the baby around with you."
"You're going on your own?"
"Yes I just want to get a look by myself, before I go around with Harry. You know what he's like; he'll just want to see the cheapest stuff."
"Any idea how long you'll be?"
"All day I'm afraid, will that be alright?"
"Yes. You can be as long as you like. Is all her stuff in the bag?"
"Yes. Everything is there. I should be back by half-three, four at the latest. Thanks mom." I kissed baby. "Bye then, see you later."
Now I headed for my house, and was soon parking my car in the drive and locking it up. I walked to where there big shiny new Jag was parked a few doors down the street. I leaned towards the window of the front passenger door, all the glass was tinted, and I couldn't see inside at all. I was about to rap my knuckles on the window, when it majestically slid down. "Get in the back."
"I was just going to ask if I need to bring anything?"
"Just that sexy little body of yours." I looked through the open window, and I could see the back seat was empty; there were only the two men in the car. They were the ones who I'd been talking to earlier; one was driving, and the other in the front passenger seat. This was my last chance to back out, but it all appeared to be genuine, so I opened the back door and climbed in.