Part 1

Chapter 1

Jenny was bored. It was spring break and she was already bored.
She called downstairs. Maybe someone would answer.
"Mom, can I go to Uncle Ted's?"
Surprisingly her mom answered, "Why, that would be nice. He's probably had time to settle in, and he might like the distraction."
Ted was Jenny's mom's brother. He'd been a whiz kid in the pharmaceuticals field. Then after eight years and just when he'd turned thirty, he'd chucked it all, with a hefty severance, and taken up photography. He'd moved back to the city and had been busy setting up a studio and establishing himself in perhaps the hardest industry (save for acting) to make a late beginning.
Jenny's mom worked fulltime in a law firm, and that was why she was so surprised to get a response.
"Mom, what are you doing home?" Jenny asked as she bounded down the stairs.
"Didn't you hear me last night? I just felt like taking a personal day today. It's been such a busy time. And I thought we might do something together since you have a break from school."
At fifteen, Jenny hadn't listened last night when her mom went on and on about the pressures of her job. And now she really wanted to get out of the house. Without her mom.
"Can I go?" she pushed.
"Sure, it would be nice for Ted to see you."
"Thanks, mom, we'll do something together this weekend, OK?"
"Sure, tell Ted I said hello, and ask him to dinner."
"Bye, mom, " and she was out the door.

It took one busline for Jenny to get to her uncle's studio. It was in a bit more upscale neighborhood than her mom's, but, she reasoned, that made sense since he'd made so much money in drugs-legal drugs, certainly, but drugs just the same. Also Ted had to make an impression on his clients, those photography nuts who had to have special sessions and individual shootings. Jenny had no idea how lucrative these clients could be.
When she rang the bell, a voice called out for her to come in, and soon she saw her uncle adjusting lights and moving rapidly around a large room set up for a shoot.
"Hi there, sweetie, what are you doing here?" he asked as he continued to make adjustments. "How's your mom?"
"She's fine and says hello. I was bored and wanted to see you. What are you doing?"
"I have a client coming shortly for a standard shoot, " Ted said. "Do you want to watch? Maybe you could help."
"Wow, do you think I could do something? That would be so cool!" Jenny gushed.
"Wo, slow down!" Ted said. "Let's see if anything comes up. Just stay in the back, and if I need you, I'll holler."
"OK," and Jenny, though a little disappointed, stepped back into the shadows. She watched as her uncle moved amongst the lights and props. Then he went to his cameras to check his film.
"Jenny, would you come here?" he called out. "Here are the rolls of film that I might need. If I call for more film, can you bring them to me?"
"Sure, Uncle Ted!" Jenny was pleased.

The shoot went well; Jenny had to bring her uncle three additional rolls of film and the transfer went smoothly. What Jenny watched the most was the model whose pictures were being taken. The shoot was a standard one. Jenny noticed how the model dressed and what she used at the makeup table especially. Ted had a full supply of cosmetics in the dressing room. She noticed that the cosmetics were of the highest quality. She couldn't help but notice how much better the model looked after she came out of the dressing room.
"Wow, that was fun!" Jenny said, after the model left.
"You liked the sessions?" Ted said.
"Yeah, she looked awesome!"
"Well, you were a real help. Do you want to come back and help me with some shoots?"
"That would be so cool!" Jenny said. She couldn't believe her spring break was turning out this way.
"Great! I have some shoots coming up this week that could keep me real busy. They may go long. That means there could be long days ahead. Are you up for that?" her uncle asked.
"Of course, it's a perfect time for me to work," she said.
"Well, I'd better call your mom just to make sure," he said. "You know, you're looking a little pale. Are you exercising enough? Here, take this vitamin. Girls your age need some extra iron and other supplements. If there was anything I learned during the time I worked for the drug industry, it was that we don't get enough vitamins, and teenage girls get the least!"
"Gee, thanks, Uncle Ted. I'll let my mom know," Jenny said as she swallowed the pill her uncle gave her.
"So can you come back tomorrow? Assuming your mom says it is OK?" Ted asked.
"Sure," Jenny said as she ran out the door.

Ted called his sister, the arrangements were made, and Jenny busied herself for her first day as an assistant to a photographer. She dressed in jeans and a blouse, wondering if she should look any different than usual. She brushed her hair, but that was about the most attention she took to how she looked.
She arrived just on time at her uncle's studio.
"Here, take this," Ted said, as she walked in the room. It was another vitamin. "You're going to need the energy boost this week," he added. She swallowed the pill and went straight to the makeup table.
"So, you're interested in how the model gets ready for a shoot?" he noticed.
"Yeah, kind of, " she said.
"Today's pictures are for a family who wants one last memory before they go their separate ways. It'll be pretty easy, though maybe a little tense, if they don't get along. You try to keep their attention away from themselves. Be very demanding; make up things they have to do. That should keep them busy."
"OK, Uncle Ted, I think I can do that." Jenny lied.
But she did it. With flying colors. She kept the mother from arguing with the father and the kids from getting bored.

"You were fantastic!" Ted said after the family had paid and left. He took her up in his arms and lifted her off the ground in his enthusiasm. She was so happy to have been such a help to her uncle.
"So, what is next?" she asked.
"Well, tomorrow I have several shoots with models that want to build up their portfolios for major studios in Hollywood. Can you come early to get the costumes and makeup set up for them?"
"Sure, what time would you like me?"
"How about ten o'clock?"
"I'll be here!" she said.

That night Jenny was all tingly with the prospect of working a full day tomorrow with models who were heading toward Hollywood. She thought she should look a little more sophisticated, so she took some time to pick out a skirt and blouse. Try as she might she couldn't get to sleep before midnight, and still she was up before her mom and out the door, leaving her a note to not wait for her that evening.

When she got to her uncle's studio, Ted noticed that she had worn a skirt. "Wow, don't you look nice? Here, take your vitamin, and take another at lunchtime, since we'll be working so late today."
"OK, Uncle Ted. Thank you, I thought I'd look a little more dressy today."
"You were exactly right in your instincts, Jenny. If I hadn't been so overwhelmed with these shoots today, I would have said something."
What Ted said gave Jenny a warm feeling. She was being so helpful!
"Why don't you check out the makeup table? The only thing you need is a little gloss on your lips, and you'll be the perfect assistant," Ted said.
Jenny eagerly eyed the array of lip glosses and chose one that matched her eyes.
"OK, here's to a great day of shooting!" Ted rose an imaginary glass of champagne and moved to the lights to make one last adjustment.
The bell rang and in came their first client. She took her time in the dressing room--so long that Jenny had to go in to see what was the matter. Jenny was mesmerized by what she saw. The client was a professional makeup artist who was trying her first shoot. She was just spending a long time to get the right look. She called Jenny over.
"What do you think?" The client asked.
"Wow," was all Jenny could exclaim.
"You know, you could look amazing with a little color here and there..." she said. "Let me give you a few hints."
For the next half hour, Jenny got a private lesson in professional cosmetics. From then on her life was changed.
She came out of the room telling her uncle that it would just be a few more minutes and the model would be ready. Despite his grumbling there was little he could do. Once she came out the shoot went quickly and when she had left, Uncle Ted asked, "What did she do to you?"
"Nothing," Jenny answered mysteriously. "She just needed some time to do her makeup. You should know that by now, Uncle Ted."
"You'd think I would, " he said. "Lunch time."
Jenny spent her entire lunch time in the dressing room, trying on some of the mascaras and skin colors that the model had suggested. She came out positively glowing.
"Let me take a few practice shots of you in preparation for the next shoot, " Ted said. "Did you take your vitamin, by the way?"
Jenny could tell that Ted was noticing her. "No, I'll take it now," she said, and she swallowed the pill with a slug of water. Then she went in front of the lights and stood while her uncle took some practice shots.
"Could you add a little color to your eyelids and lips for this next practice shot?" he said. "It's going to be a very tricky lighting setup and I need to see how it will look."
"Sure, if you say so, " said Jenny.
When she came back out again she felt all tingly. Ted had turned on some music for the next client, a song she particularly liked to dance to. He took some photos and she couldn't help but move a little to the beat of the music. Then the bell rang and the next client was ready for the shoot.
This shoot went on for the whole afternoon. Jenny was kept busy with delivering film, adjusting lights, and running for water or whatever the model needed. She couldn't believe that there was another appointment still scheduled today.
"You've been working so hard today," her uncle said as the second client left. "Are you sure you can stay for the last appointment?"
Jenny wanted above all else to follow through with her promise.
"Sure, I can stay. Let me call my mom to make sure she remembers I'll be working late," Jenny said.
There was no answer, as Jenny figured, so she left a message.
"It's all set, " she said.
"OK, let's get some dinner sent in. How does sushi sound? There's a place just around the corner that can have it here in two shakes, " Ted said.
"Great," Jenny said.
Jenny was famished. Ted had her take another vitamin with her meal and then went to the cupboard. "How about a toast? To a new partnership!"
He took out a bottle of saki and poured a little into some ceramic cups.
"Cheers!" he said and they clinked their cups together. The taste of the saki was very harsh, but she managed to swallow a little.
Before she knew it the bell was ringing and the next shoot was beginning.
For this shoot the lights were harsher, the music was louder, and the model was dressed more provocatively. Jenny watched everything as she swayed with the music. Her uncle watched her too. He thought she had a real future in the industry. The model even said something to her afterwards. Jenny went home that night, in a cab that her uncle had called, with new makeup, music and ideas in her head. She was looking forward to working for her Uncle Ted. What a spring break this was turning out to be!

Chapter 2

When Jenny got home that night, she called her best friend and talked for hours about the day's experience. She was still buzzing when, after midnight, she finally fell asleep.
It was so hard for her to get up the next morning, and she was so lucky that she didn't have to be at her uncle's until noon. It was twenty minutes to noon when she opened her eyes. She jumped out of bed, threw on some clothes, and ran for the bus. At 12:30 she rang Ted's door afraid of what he would say for being so late.
Instead he ushered in, wondered how her night had been, and asked why she looked the way she did.
"Go into the dressing room, dear, and use whatever you need to fix yourself up. I have a clientele to impress, and my assistants have to look their best.
Oh, and don't forget your vitamin. I believe they are starting to give you some color!"
Jenny was relieved and secretly thrilled to beable to use the makeup in the photography dressing room. She came out with subtle color over her eyes, a blush to her cheeks and a rosiness to her lips.
"Wow, my model friend yesterday taught you quite a bit in there! You're a fast learner," Ted said. "Why don't you borrow a skirt and top from the wardrobe, too. Were you in a hurry today or something?"
Jenny found a satin black skirt and scoop neck blouse that fit her perfectly. Her sandals didn't quite go with the outfit, but Ted didn't say anything when she came back out.
"OK, let's get to work." And work they did. Today was more a catching up day of organizing and filing pictures, cleaning the wardrobe outfits for tomorrow's shoots, and setting the lights and props. They worked through lunchtime and didn't stop until almost five pm. Jenny was exhausted.
"You know, there are some perks to working for a photographer, Jenny, though the hours are pure hell. Why don't you keep that skirt and blouse? You look good enough in it. And you seem too tired to do anything else. You've been such a help to me. Come tomorrow at nine so we can get ready for the first shoot. Get a good night's sleep, girl! And I have one other request. Please take this bag of makeup home for your use. Consider it a partial advance on your pay. " Then Ted pushed her out the door and into a waiting cab.

Jenny didn't even check out the gift her uncle had given her until the morning, but she woke up quite early to get ready for her day at the photo shoot.
She saw that it included a number of nail polishes, a shiny pinkish-purple jumped out at her, and she decided right then and there that she should go all out today. She put two coats on her toes and fingers plus a ultra shiny top coat. She chose a lipstick that matched and gave her eyes a hint of smoldering darkness. The model had shown her just how to apply her mascara.
She frowned when she went to her closet. Everything was so boring. Even her nicest long skirt didn't excite her. But, what could she do? She wore it with a paisley blouse and her signature sandals. Giving a sigh she left her mom a note and swept out the door to catch the bus.
As she rang the door, Jenny could hear some loud music coming from inside. When her uncle answered she could hardly hear him greet her. But he seemed to be waving her in and motioned her to get to work. At the break in the music he asked if she'd taken her vitamin, which she hadn't, and then he said there was another pill she should take today as a special boost. It was going to be a special session with several models, and Jenny would be kept very busy attending to their needs as well as to his. She drank down the big glass of water he had put beside the vitamins.
Then he seemed to look at her for the first time. "Jenny, you look different today."
"Oh, thank you for the makeup," she said, "I tried some of it for today since I knew this was a big day."
"You look fantastic!" Ted exclaimed as he started circling around her. "I have an idea. Why don't you help me with the lights today by standing in as one of the models? I could get that much more prepared, and you would be the perfect stand-in. Go get one of the models' outfits on. I'm sure one of them will fit you. I'll get the lights ready for focussing."
Before Jenny could object, Ted was gone. "Oh and put on some makeup, too. I need to test the color of the lights as well."
Jenny heard the music go back on, a nice driving beat, and she thought to herself how she might like this busy day after all.
She went into the dressing room and decided on a copper silk dress that went to just above her knees. She added some reds and browns to her makeup, touched up her lips and came out to a driving guitar solo. Ted glanced at her, then looked at her hard and went into the dressing room. He came out with a pair of high heels that perfectly complimented the dress she had chosen. When she slipped out of her sandals and into those heels, the transformation was complete. Ted led her over to the full-length mirror. She felt so excited when she saw herself. She was starting to feel all warm and tingly and the music was getting to her.
"Go in front of the lights now, Jenny, you look great!"
"What should I do?" she asked as she stood in the glare.
"Just let the music take over. Don't worry about me. I'll just be adjusting the lights and taking some test shots. Just try to relax. You look great when you relax."
The lights and the makeup and the dress and shoes were all so new and exciting. Jenny just let the music move her, slowly, at first. Ted took a few pictures for tests, then he changed the music and the lights so it wasn't so loud and they weren't so bright. Jenny had her eyes closed and was swaying to the bluesy sounds. She began to bring her hands to her breasts when the door rang and Ted said their first appointment was there.
Jenny started, then headed for the dressing room when Ted stopped her. "You can keep what you're wearing on, Jenny. You look fine for today's work, in fact you look fantastic. I'll find another outfit for the model. Wasn't I saying yesterday that we've got a clientele to impress?"
Jenny blushed but inside was really pleased she could stay dressed up.
She stayed in her heels for half the day before she pleaded with Ted to let her wear her sandals. Her feet were killing her! Ted just laughed and said she'd have to get used to them someday. But he took pity realizing they still had a large part of the day's work ahead of them.
It was almost eight o'clock when the last model left the studio. "Are you ready to call it a day?" Ted asked. Jenny actually didn't feel tired at all and asked if they could go out for some dinner. She wanted to prove to Uncle Ted that she could keep up with him. Besides she was famished. He said OK, but he wanted to freshen up a little and take a quick shower.
Jenny decided she would dress for the occasion. While Ted was showering, she went into the dressing room and chose a simple black dress and patent leather heels. A string of pearls was a perfect accessory. She redid her makeup for the evening so that when Ted came out, he couldn't believe his eyes.
"Well, milady, shall we go?" And he took her arm and escorted her into the night. They had a very wonderful dinner and Ted was all the gentleman during th evening. Jenny though excited felt very well taken care of.

Chapter 3