Chapter 108

The group left it to Mary to explain the intricacies of the program she had developed. She refrained from a technical explanation, sticking solely to the high points.

"Good God!" Katey said. "That is huge. I can see why you think it will make you a lot of money."

"Made us a lot of money," Mary replied. "Last week we got an offer from a Japanese company to purchase the patent for $250 million."

Meredith's face, already ashen, turned even paler.

"I am sitting with a group of people who have that much money?" she asked.

"More," Mary said, gesturing proudly to Adam. "The rest of us would have taken the offer and ran for the hills. In fact, I tried to do just that. Adam knew the company in question and he convinced us we should make a counter-proposal. We did and they notified our attorney this afternoon. They paid $750 million for the patent rights."

"Holy shit," Meredith muttered. "I felt bad about eating so much at the restaurant."

"Well, they haven't seen the money yet," Rebecca joked, elbowing Meredith in the ribs. "Besides, I think Rachelle paid for that out of her personal funds."

"Dad paid for it," Rachelle corrected. "He told me to take you guys somewhere for supper. That was just the first place I thought of with a room big enough for all of us. Look, it doesn't make us any different than who we were yesterday. At least I hope none of us start acting that way."

"Are you and Sarah quitting the business?" Katey asked Allie.

"I don't plan to," Allie answered. Sarah agreed. "We already made a decision to scale back what we do. But we're still willing to work on good projects with good people. Do you have something in mind?"

"Not really," Katey said with a shrug. "I was just thinking about all of the talent sitting around here. I saw the scene Jenny did. I was impressed with the opening segment almost as much as I was with the middle and the end. I know Rita and Cassie do a good scene if they are paired with the right partner. Derrick is a top-flight talent. I've worked with probably a couple of dozen male performers. From what I've seen, he is far better than any of them. I would put him on par with Trevor Taylor as far as the way he works a scene. I was particularly impressed with how he was with you, Ashley. I'm not sure how familiar everyone is with the industry, but little girls and big guys are a bad mix in most instances."

"You're not kidding," Leslie said. She explained her scene at "Florida Funhouse."

"I heard rumors about that," Katey replied. Meredith was sitting stock still, her face still pale. "I know others who have had something similar happen with other sites."

"Which is what we're hoping to get across to the new performers," Shelly said. "You know how this started? Derrick was set for a shoot with Goldwall last month. Jenny Cinnamon was cast right in front of him. Judy planned for Derrick and Jenny to work together – in almost the same format as Daystar used for him and Ashley. One of her assistants decided Adam was a threat so he cast him with Amber Weaves and Jenny got stuck with Tony Armani."

"Oh, yuck!" Katey said, making a sour face. "On both fronts, actually."

"We all play a character when we're on screen," Shelly continued after nodding at Katey's reaction. "Adam and Derrick are pretty close to the same. There are a few differences but Derrick treats his on-screen partner the way Adam treats us off-screen – with respect. He got royally pissed off at Tony Armani for how he treated Jenny. It was Jenny's first scene and she didn't know any better. That is why we wanted to be there for you, Meredith. We didn't expect Rita to treat you like dirt but we wanted to be there to explain what you could expect from your next scene, if you have one. Adam decided he didn't want to work with Amber because of her personal hygiene and her activities after she got her AMS card."

"Amber Weaves is a huge star!" Meredith said. "She must have 30 features to her credit. Are you telling me she is a dirtbag?"

"She is a dirtbag," Adam said. "She works as a hooker in Reno and, in fact, drove down from her second job for the shoot. She smelled horrible. She chain smoked continually. I have nothing against smokers. My parents both smoked. But I think it is only common courtesy to refrain if you're going to be intimate with someone. And regardless of what anyone tells you, there is intimacy in sex. For the record, I did not refuse to work with her. I only insisted that I would wear a condom during the scene."

"Bet you guys were thankful for that," Katey said.

"We hadn't even met him yet," Sarah said. "Well, Shelly had but they weren't dating. That's another story for later."

"Adam left the shoot and decided he just couldn't work in the industry," Shelly continued. "He needed the money – and why is another story for another time, too – and Judy convinced him to give 'Interludes' a shot. Have you both got the chance to watch his scene there?"

Katey nodded but Meredith shook her head.

"It was amazing," Sarah said. "I mean, it was a great set. Holly Ball and Randy Readywood were working it. Derrick arrived and he was just so, I don't know, easy to deal with. We got along great. He asked me questions – which is really unusual for a guy. Most of them in this business like to pretend they know it all. He even had a suggestion for a different set up. It worked extremely well. Katey, you saw the chemistry we had. Tell me, have you ever experienced something like that on screen?"

"No," Katey answered with a frown. "Meredith, this isn't meant to scare you. But Sarah is right about how most of the guys act. It's particularly bad with the young guys. If you get the chance to work with someone in his 30s or 40s, it's a lot better."

"Except for the fact they're in their 30s and 40s," Meredith said.

"There is that," Katey replied. "But you'll learn to generally ignore who you're working with. The young guys have it drilled into their heads that an adult video is about treating a female like a sub-species. I'm not sure where this idea evolved."

"The gonzo movement," Trinity said. "When 'Rump Jumper' made a ton of money and that guy started to get top-flight talent involved, the rest of the industry moved right along to that side of the tracks. I can almost tell you the moment it happened. Believe me; I've been over so many 2257s in the past week that I know this business inside and out."

"Not yet you don't," Sarah said, reaching over to tweak Trinity's nipple. Trinity's mouth dropped but she didn't look angry. "Sorry, had to be done."

"What are 2257s?" Meredith said. "I was told I'd have to bring ID to complete one but I'm not sure what they are."

"Federal forms that prove a performer is over the age of 18," Rachelle answered. "Studios are required to keep them on file for every scene or feature they shoot. They have to keep a file with a copy of the performer's ID, a model release, relevant tax information and a copy of your AMS card. It was before any of our times but there was a huge star in the 80s who was doing porn when she was like 14."

"Kandy Kane," Rebecca said. "I'm sure you've at least heard of her. I have to keep the same thing for my site – even for myself. I have a fire-proof box with all that information in it. When I bring in outside talent – as I did recently with Derrick, Cassie, Ashley, Sahara, Jenny and Michelle – I have to complete the paperwork for each of them. If anyone wants to look at it, I have to provide it. I don't just mean federal agencies either. I mean if you contact me and want to see the 2257 for Derrick Driller, I have to provide it. I am permitted to redact his true name and any personal information – such as his driver's license number and Social Security Number – but his picture, his date of birth and his model release are open to anyone's inspection. It can be a real pain in the ass when you get some nut job who makes it a point to contact every studio once a month for them."

"Wow, I didn't know that," Meredith said. "I mean, I knew I had to prove I was older than 18 but I didn't know it was so involved. This is a real eye-opener."

"Good," Karlie said. "That was our primary purpose – to make sure you don't find yourself in a situation like I was in. Our secondary purpose is to help bring new performers – particularly new performers who Ben or Melody thinks have real potential – into joining us."

"Joining you, how?" Meredith wondered. She hated to think this group of people was some sort of cult or something.

"In helping to turn the business into something halfway decent," Leslie answered. "We want to get rid of the Rabbit Holes. We want to present a product that is not unsavory and that doesn't contain humiliation or debasement. You saw the scene Derrick and Ashley did. That was a sexy, stimulating performance that didn't feature a single second that was demeaning to Ashley as a character or Allie as a person. When you see the scene the six of us shot in Vegas, you will see the same thing. You can see the same thing in what I plan to do tomorrow with Jason Rader. You can see the same thing in what Derrick did with Sahara and with Jenny."

"Wait!" Katey said. "You six did a scene in Vegas? I bet that was hot, hot and hot!"

"Try three more hots and you have it," Adam said.

"It's not for public knowledge yet," Walt warned. "We're going to be hosting Rita and Cassie's web sites for them when they reopen in June or July. This and a scene Rita and Cassie shot with Derrick are the grand opening extravaganzas."

"Derrick isn't who you usually work with, is he?" Meredith asked.

"No," Rebecca answered. "That was my 'former' webmaster. Believe me, Derrick is a huge upgrade."

"Just remember your new web mistress if you plan anything like that again," Mary said with a smile. "I mean, the guy's face was never shown. It could tie in with what you offered for our reduced credit card fees."

That led to another explanation for Katey and Meredith.

"So you're basically going to corner the market on this end of the business," Katey said, nodding approvingly. "Did someone mention a production element?"

"We have an agreement in place with Daystar," Adam admitted, "and possibly Dazzle, too. We're going to work together to put forth a high-end series of features in the coming months. The first is likely to begin production in or early or mid-June."

"No kidding," Katey said. "When you say high-end, what do you mean?"

"High-quality production values, a top-notch cast and serious storyline," Adam replied. "Sarah is a top-flight writer. She gave Ben a script to look over and this sort of took on a life of its own. Shelly is studying cinematography at USC. She did the lighting for my scene with Ashley. Walt is working toward a degree in mechanical design and engineering. He has a plan to keep costs in line. Rachelle has done two or three marketing campaigns for her father's companies and can be expected to give this a push rarely seen in the adult industry.

"Allie is a wonderful artist. She designed the DVD cover for 'Interludes' and I think it will translate well to set design. Sean knows how to set a budget and stick to it. You already know that Mary is perhaps one of the top computer experts in Los Angeles. Karlie is a natural organizer and can be counted on to keep us on track. Trinity is a writer, too, but she plans to do public relations. I think she is helping Sarah do research for her next script – a western. Erin does excellent still photography. You should see some of the art she took for Ashley's site. Ben and Tate bring experience behind the camera and with the industry itself. Jerry Goldsmith at Dazzle has top-notch equipment and skilled operators. I think this is going to be a very lucrative portion of Subarctic in the coming years."

Katey hated to ask but she did anyway.

"Have you set the cast?" she asked with a touch of embarrassment.

"Beat you to it," Leslie said. "And the answer is no. They were supposed to talk that over with Ben tonight. But we've already discussed a future project that is going to require a large cast."

She stopped suddenly.

"Hey!" she said, gesturing toward Meredith. "I think she would make a great Princess for 'Dragon Lore.'"

"That is a discussion for down the road," Adam said. "I think we should let Meredith get used to being Shawna Young in any manner she chooses. When we get to that point, if she is interested in the part and she is comfortable with what it might entail, I'm sure she'll be considered."

"What do you do for the production side?" Meredith asked. She was happy that Adam had stepped in before she was cast in a feature she knew nothing about. If that night was any indication of the future, she was positive she would be interested in the role. But now was not the time to discuss it. She was surprised when Adam blushed at the question.

"I don't really know," he admitted. It earned him dual slaps on the arm from Rachelle on one side and Shelly on the other.

"I think you can see what he does," Mary answered. "He keeps us from getting ahead of ourselves. He is the driving force behind not only the production side of Subarctic but the entire company. He is the one who netted seven huge web accounts for us – we're also hosting Dazzle's site come June. He is the one who got us in the door with the studios. He is the one who got us thinking about how females in the business were treated and how we could make a huge profit by eliminating that from our products. He is the one who is able to introduce us to Betsy Hamilton and Cassie Charms and Rita Looker – and to Shawna Young. I know that sounds simplistic but our approach to things is fairly simplistic."