After leaving the bank, Candy raced across town to the community center where she had acting classes. It was operated by Lawrence Barr, a flash-in-the-pan actor who had starred in one major motion picture during a short career, but hadn’t been offered a contract since. She didn’t like Larry much, but he was a decent acting teacher and gave her special attention because he wanted her to be more than a student. He also knew everyone in Hollywood and promised to help her find a good agent as soon as he felt her skills were marketable. She hadn’t succumbed to his advances yet, but she knew it was just a matter of time before he’d end up in her bed.
Candy was exhausted when she got home after class. It was after nine and she hadn’t eaten since lunch, so she picked up the phone and ordered a pizza. Then she made another phone call and invited her friend, Jenny, over to share the pizza with her. Jenny was like a sister. In fact, they had lived together in a foster home for a while. When the doorbell rang Candy let her in.
“So, another long day, huh?” Jenny asked.
“Yes. Larry likes to hear himself talk and he has a captive audience, so we get a boring new story every class.”
“Really? How annoying.”
“Yes. He says there is something important to learn from each one, but I haven’t learned a damn thing other than the fact that he’s an egomaniac and a womanizer.”
“Well, you better get used to it. I’m afraid that’s going to be the norm with Hollywood agents and producers.”
“True, and I’ll play their game if I have to, but wouldn’t be nice if there was another way.”
“There is another way, but only for those lucky enough to have a mother or father who is already a famous actor, producer or director. They can get work without having to sleep with anybody.”
“Yeah,” Candy said. “But you and I didn’t even get regular parents, let alone celebrity parents.”
There was a knocking on the door.
“Ah, our pizza is here,” Candy said as she strolled to the front door and opened it. A handsome young man smiled at her and held out their pizza. She returned the smile, paid him and gave him a tip. He nodded, turned and left. Candy closed the door and took the pizza to the kitchen table. “Now, there’s a cute kid. I’d take him to bed in a heartbeat.”
“Yeah, he’d be a good in bed but he’s not going to be a provider. If you fell in love with him, it would be a disaster in the long run.”
“You’re right. Actually, I met the perfect guy today. He’s our new messenger. He’s cute as hell and ambitious. He’s going to UCLA and plans to go to law school.”
“Wow! What’s his name?”
“Fred Fuller. He wants to go into politics. He’s already had a job with Congressman Bartlett up in Ventura.”
“Sounds wonderful, but he won’t even have a job for another four or five years. Does his family have money?”
“No,” Candy said sorrowfully. “He’s as poor as us.”
“Too bad,” I guess Larry’s still your best bet.
“Yeah, I suppose, but Fred’s got an apartment and a good job with the bank. They pay messenger’s very well, I’m told. I think they belong to the Teamsters Union, or something. He gets way more than I do.”
“Really?”
“Yes, so we could live together and maybe I wouldn’t need to work.”
“You’ve just met the guy and you’re already moving in?”
She smiled. “Hypothetically. I really like him and he’s so young and naive. After a few romps in the sack, he’d do anything for me.”
“You are evil, girl,” Jenny said, partially joking.
“No, I’m not. I will make him very happy,” Candy promised. “I will be the best thing that ever happened to him.”
“Well, you have to seduce him first. It may not be as easy as you think. If he’s smart enough to be a lawyer, then he might see right through you.”
“No. He’s already in love with me. I could see it in his eyes. All I need to do is get him alone.”
“Well, I can’t wait to meet this poor guy. I feel sorry for him already.”
Candy laughed then picked up a piece of pizza and took a bite, thoughtfully.