“Kendal’s taking care of that. Now tell me, when was the last time you ate?”
“I had a bowl of soup yesterday, and before that dinner with Beth on Wednesday.”
“There’s supposed to be breakfast at the shoot. I have a bag of grapes to hold you until then.”
I finished getting dressed about the time Kendal pulled up. Tracy got me to the car and kissed me good luck. I had hoped she would go with me. I waved as we pulled away. I think I said three words to Kendal on the ride to the shoot. I was still pissed that she wouldn’t help me yesterday. I knew that what I wanted was childish, but at the time, that was what I wanted. We were early, so I found Mr. Hill to let him know I was ready. The photographer and wardrobe weren’t there yet. I went to the break room to find what they considered breakfast was yogurt and mixed fruit. I found a vending machine and bought a candy bar. It was going to be a long morning without some real food.
I went to makeup to get started. She explained the first shoot was for coats, so I would only need to do my hair and face. We were done after a quick touch-up. I found Mr. Hill and asked if he wanted to do a test shot to make sure the makeup was right. He had one of his assistants take the shot and put it up on the monitor. Mr. Hill and the makeup girl made some adjustments and I was ready. The wardrobe came and I changed for the first set of shots. We didn’t have a photographer, though.
After we waited an hour and no one could track the woman down, I suggest that Mr. Hill’s assistant take the pictures. We had a storyboard of what was needed. After each section, they would download the photos to the client and get them approved.
Mr. Hill’s assistant was trying to break into the business, so it wasn’t as if he was a complete amateur. We took the first set and sent them off. The client had us reshoot a couple and we were on to the next coat. Two hours later we were done.
While we finished up, the second photographer and wardrobe arrived. This was sweaters and jeans. We were three-quarters of the way through the second shoot when the first photographer turned up. Mr. Hill told her that we went ahead and did the shoot without her. She demanded that we redo it. She wanted to talk to me.
“You, boy, who told you to do the shoot without me?” she asked.
“Lady, I’m busy. Have some respect and let us finish this.”
The other photographer smirked at her, and she knew she was about to cross a line. She stormed out and let us finish. Mr. Hill came to talk to me after we were done.
“I know this is unusual, but would you be willing to redo the first shoot?”
“If you feed me first. Actually, get some pizzas for everyone and I’ll get started with the photographer. If she isn’t ready, we could get Kendal in here and go over the last shoot so we can sign the release.”
Of course, she needed to move all the lights. Kendal was very professional and we went through all the sweater photos. There were a half dozen that weren’t good—things like my eyes were closed, or I had a dorky look on my face. We signed off on the rest, and Mr. Hill sent them to the client for final approval. Once they were happy he paid Kendal for that shoot.
Pizzas came and everyone took a break. They watched in amazement as I ate a large pizza by myself. I just gave them a look.
“Guys, have you never seen a teenage boy eat?”
I went and put on my first coat on again and met the photographer. Her name was Kim, and when I didn’t give her any attitude, she lost the bitchy persona. She took a couple of test shots and adjusted the lighting. When we got started, she knew exactly what she wanted. I listened carefully, and we worked well together.
Kim, Kendal and Mr. Hill went through each set of photos when we were done. To her credit, Kim pointed out a couple by Mr. Hill’s assistant that she said were better, but overall, she had a much better eye. There were no shadows in her pictures. Mr. Hill could have gotten away with just using the first set, but he was happy we took the time for the second.
He and I sat down after the shoot.
“Kim only had good things to say about you. She was impressed that you kicked her out of your shoot. Then you were professional during hers. Kim has a lot of pull with several of our clients. I just wanted you to know she’s a fan, and so am I. I know this is short notice, but we’d like to have you come back tomorrow and do two more.”
“I have a problem. My best friend is back from Wesleyan, and the only time I’ve seen her for quite a while was Sunday at the mixer. She has a new boyfriend I haven’t met, and my girlfriend is new, so I need to make time for her. On Sunday, I’m off to Chicago to meet my new agent with Ford. I guess what I’m trying to say is that if you don’t mind me bringing three extra people, I can do it.”
He laughed while he shook his head.
“I thought you were going to turn me down. Of course you can bring them.”
“As long as you’re in a giving mood, could you have some real food here? Either that or I need to be able to leave to eat.”
“I forgot you’re an athlete. Most of the models we have in here eat like birds. We have a grill on the back patio. How about I bring in Janet and my wife, and we do a cookout of hamburgers and hot dogs?”
“Now that’s real food. I think that’d be fantastic.”
“Will Kendal be coming tomorrow?”
“Shit, oops, sorry about that. I have to make sure this is all okay with her. She is my boss, after all.” I waved at her to come over. “Sorry, I was making plans with Mr. Hill without your input.”
Mr. Hill filled her in on the shoot on Saturday. One of their models got homesick and bailed on them. Kendal started making noise about short notice and the extra shoot today. I took her aside.
“This weekend is about making an impression. Mr. Hill knows what we’ve done for him. I bet if we’re patient, he’ll make it up to us.”
“I know you’re probably right, but I already have plans for tomorrow.”
“Okay, give me your phone.”
She handed it over and I called Tom’s personal cell. Luckily, his number was easy to recall, because it didn’t come up in Kendal’s contacts, so he hadn’t given her this number. I dialed 555-0007. Yes, Tom was a James Bond fan.
“Tom, it’s David. I’m at the shoot and we need your help.”
“Of course, what can I do?”
I could hear the concern in his voice. This was, after all, our first paying job with Mr. Hill. He had a lot riding on our success.
“They want me to come back tomorrow. Mr. Hill is going to bring his family and do a cookout. We need someone to help man the grills and someone who could pull together a dessert, like their famous apple pie. It would also give you a chance to network with some of the better photographers and Mr. and Mrs. Hill.”
“Of course I’ll be there. Call me later with the details.”
We hung up and Kendal wasn’t sure if she should be mad or not.
“Your day is free tomorrow.”
“Thanks, but I get the impression that taking a day off would be a bad idea.”
“Tom is itching to get involved more. He doesn’t want to step on your toes. Giving him the job of cook will let him come see what we’re doing without him horning in. Also, you’re stuck with me Sunday and Monday. I know your boyfriend is only in town a few more weeks. Please go have fun.”
We went back and talked to Mr. Hill.
“I hope it’s okay, but the Managing Partner in charge of the Entertainment Division would like to come and bring his wife. He’s a grill master, and his wife bakes the best apple pie in the world.”
“If he can handle the grill, he and his wife are welcome. I almost forgot; we’ve bagged up all the clothes from today’s shoot. Do you need help getting them out to the car?”
Kendal and I looked at each other and began laughing. Mr. Hill gave us a look and then he started laughing too.
“You had no idea the clothes were included, did you?”
I shook my head no.
“No idea at all. I take it they want me wearing their clothes.”