Knocking again on the door. Jessica pounds a little harder this time. At the same time, looking down at her phone with the same confused look she had hours ago. She rapidly types in a message and hits send. Suddenly the door opens, swiftly.
"Come in!" Her brother Matt says frantically. Beads of sweet cover his forehead and he looks to be out of breath.
"What in the world, bro! What's up with the crazy text? I'm fucked, please come asap! A little cryptic, don't you think? Jessica asks, walking in through the threshold and turning to face her 27 year old little brother. "Are you working out or something?" She asks, a little aggravated. "Did you not see my texts or hear me knocking?
"Yes, sorry I was trying to do a million things at once. Jess, I'm so fucked!" He exclaims, turning and heading back into the living room area.
As Jess walks into the room, she takes in the tremendous size of this his home. She shakes her head in disbelief. Here she spends all 31 years of her life attending business school, struggling up the corporate ladder, finally making Vice President and with all that, makes only a third of what her brother made in a day. She looks in disgust as she thinks of how much she busted her ass and her little brother just sales a few pieces of art and becomes an instant multi-millionaire. No real job, absolutely crushing mom and dads dream for each of us kids to have a degree and yet clearly the most successful in the whole family.
Still deep in thought, Jess follows her brother through the massive living room, into an area she can only deduce is designated for photography. She looks around seeing the camera and lights set up all over. There is a massive green screen hanging running all the way down to the floor. Near the screen to the right, there is a table and on the table are all sorts of props and various items. She looks up, attached to the roof are rails that have metal rings scattered among them. Lights are attached to a few of them. The other rings are empty at this time. She turns to the left seeing another table with waters, fruit, hard liquor and different mixers.
Her brother walks over to the table with the props on it and picks up a black book. He flips through two pages and picks up his phone, dialing a number. A few seconds later, slamming it shut. "Fuck!" He screams out.
"Ok Matty! Seriously bro, what is going on?" Jess pleads, looking around the room and shaking her head.
Matt walks over to the drinks. He pours two vodka and sprites. He turns, offering one to his sister. "Here is to the end of my life." He says sarcastically, slamming his drink back.
"Dude! Stop with the cryptic bullshit and tell me what is going on." Jessica replies, in a firm voice. Taking the drink from her brother's hand.
Matt collapses into a chair. "Do you remember the clients that bought my art a few years back? Well the art I sold, at that time, was only part of the deal. What I never told you, mom, dad or anyone is I signed a contract to produce three more sets. When the clients flew me out to Hong Kong, I met with them all hearing their requests. We negotiated the contract, I became instantly rich and I received all this." He said, putting his hands up gesturing to the room we were in now. "What you see around you is the final piece of the contract. The third and final piece of art that completes the contract and allows me to keep all of this." Again, using his hands gesturing at his entire house.
"Wait, you are telling me you technically don't own this yet?" I ask, looking up and around at the whole house.
"Jess, what I'm saying is I own nothing, I have nothing and unless I deliver I will also owe them money." He explains, standing and mixing himself another drink. "Want another?" He asks.
"No I'm good, right now." She says, taking a sip from her drink reactively. "Ok, so not the brightest contract negotiation; I'm still not seeing how you are screwed."
"Not screwed sis, fucked!" Matt states firmly. "The models that were supposed to be here, two hours ago, cancelled on me. Some bullshit about other plans and not being able to make it until tomorrow."
"Ok, so just do the shoot tomorrow?" Jess says, taking another sip.
"Wow, I can't believe I didn't think of that, Jess. Holy shit, that is a genius idea." Matt says, dripping with sarcasm and rolling his eyes.
"Hey asshole, you text me remember. This ain't my shit show, I can just leave." Jess says, placing her drink down and starting to stand.
"No, no!" Matt cry's out, rushing to his sister. "Sit! I'm sorry. I know, I know you were the first person I thought of when shit hit the fan. You've always helped me when I fuck up." He says, giving her a stupid cheesy green.
At that moment, she instantly remembered how many times she bailed his ass out of so many stupid things. Matty and her were best friends growing up. She was very protective of him and was pretty much the only one in his corner. When he decided to peruse art as a degree, the ole parents weren't too happy. Both of them, being old school traditional, thought it was a dead end. When he made his fortune, the first response he got was "money doesn't buy happiness." It was like no matter what he did, they were just going to give him shit. Why she always tried to have his back and let him know she was proud of him.
"Ok, I know you are stressed. Why can't tomorrow work?" Jess asks, sitting back down.
"I have to have this shoot edited and sent by tomorrow. Yes, I know I waited until last minute, but I had to because that is when the models would be available. So I didn't think anything of it. I do the shoot today, edit tomorrow and bam all done. I didn't account for them canceling, especially with the money they were to be paid." He explained, taking another long drink.
"So can you call other people, models I guess? Jess asks.
"I have been trying all day, Jess. I have gone down ever line item of that book. Everyone is either gone, busy or not interested in that type of work."
"Type of work?" Confusion in her voice. "I didn't know there are different types of modeling."
"Oh yes! There are hundreds of types, when it comes to modeling or artistic platforms." He explains, sipping his drink.
