Chapter 44

Adam answered his phone as he was near the door. The girls had each told him that they knew he had to work with others but he was reluctant. Things were going so well for the four of them that he didn't want to risk screwing things up.

But he still had to eat and his car insurance was due at the end of the month. So he answered, even though he knew who was on the other end.

"Hi, Melody," Adam answered.

"You saved my number," Melody Schott replied. "I'm flattered. I mean, I'm flattered that you saved it and still answered."

Melody's lilting voice and good-humor immediately put Adam at ease. The woman was known as Judy Jackem in the porn industry and was the proprietor of the first web site to hire Adam.

"I've been meaning to call you," Adam said. "But things have really been moving quickly."

"I've heard," Melody replied. "Holly and Ben Benedict over at Daystar have said some really nice things about you. I even saw where Sahara Rain posted something on your behalf. That's part of why I'm calling."

"What's up?" he asked.

"Well, two things," Melody said. She wasn't sure how to broach the subject with him so she went with honesty. Adam seemed to be one of the few people she'd met in the industry who not only professed to want the truth but actually appeared capable of dealing with it.

"There is a bit of a rumor going around about you," she said. "Is it true that you're limiting yourself to scenes only with Ashley Malibu and Sahara Rain?"

"No," Adam said. "I considered it but decided it isn't feasible at this point."

"Oh," Melody replied. She had been certain he would answer the other way. "Well, thanks for taking the steam right out of my sails. I was all prepared to beg and wheedle. So the 'Femme Patrol' people are full of shit."

"Probably," Adam admitted. "Well, maybe not. I turned them down and it was partially because I was still considering my options. It was mostly because their schedule was firm and so is mine. They wanted to shoot, uh, tonight actually. They rented some porn shop in Covina and wanted me there at four a.m. I have an exam in the morning. It just didn't work. Besides, they were talking about seven hours for $600. I'm not driving out to Covina – or anywhere – to spend that much time for $600. Not when I can work for Daystar or you for two hours and get paid twice as much per hour."

"So you'll consider working with me?" Melody wondered.

"Sure," Adam said. "Either for your site or with you personally. Whichever way you meant that."

Adam could actually hear Melody blush over the phone.

"That's really sweet," she said. "I was talking about the first but the second is gratifying to hear. I want to let you know about what's being said on PornLife. 'Robin's Quest' said you blew her off by simply telling her you weren't interested."

"Oh, they got that one right," Adam said. "It is true I blew her off and it is true that I'm not interested."

"Yeah, no harm in that one," Melody laughed. "But the 'Femme Patrol' woman said you made up an excuse because you wanted to cast the girls."

"I don't think I did," Adam said. "I got the impression that she didn't believe I had an exam but I do. I told her I was still considering working exclusively with Sahara and Allie but I was upfront about my unwillingness to work that long for that little money though."

"She does that," Melody replied. "She is like me. She was in the business and she seems to think she shouldn't have to pay the guys the going rate. Do you mind if I correct her misperceptions on the site?"

"If you're comfortable going to bat for me, I will accept any help you give me," Adam said.

"Oh, I'm comfortable with that," she said. "Let me log on. OK, how does this sound. 'I just spoke to Derrick via telephone. He told Carmen he was considering working an exclusive with a couple of girls but he changed his mind. He is a college student and the schedule for the shoot was fixed and conflicted with his classes. Also, he said he wasn't willing to offer his services for the amount of time desired for the amount of money offered, particularly since it involved travel and a shoot at... ' What time was the shoot, Adam?"

"Four a.m.," Adam replied.

"'Four a.m., '" Melody typed. "'I don't think he made up an excuse or that he wanted to be able to cast the girls. At least that is my impression from speaking to him. He also expressed a willingness to work with me and he didn't even ask about who I was planning to cast him with. I think this a misunderstanding. Derrick is one of the rare ones who tells you like it is. Carmen – like me – is used to dealing with people who hem and haw and never really tell you the truth. I would take the above posted comment with a grain of salt until you speak to Derrick directly.' Does that sound OK?"

"It sounds fine and thank you," Adam said. "Not just for doing it but for your comments. I'm glad you think of me that way."

"Well, I do," Melody replied. "OK, that is posted. I hope I haven't stirred up a pile but Carmen gets really pissy when someone tells her no. Still, people are going to flame you at some point. It's unavoidable. Now, back to business. Do you remember Jenny Cinnamon?"

Adam thought for a second.

"The girl in the first scene that morning," he said.

"Exactly," Melody replied. "Look, she called me this morning. She saw what you and Ashley did at Daystar and she said she wants to give it another go – so long as she can do her next scene with you. Are you OK with that?"

"Generically," Adam hedged. There were a multitude of reasons he wasn't sure if he was OK with it or not. "Uh, I'd need to know a little more about her. I didn't really talk to her or anything. In fact, I'm not sure we spoke at all. She doesn't, uh, she's not a..."

"Hooker?" Melody supplied. "No, but I don't think it's far off. Adam, she is a naive kid with a lousy home life who came out here to the big city thinking she could find a new life for herself. Now she realizes that there are 20,000 unemployed actresses out here who are prettier than she is or at least they are on the outside. She thought she could find work as a receptionist or as a waitress or something. But really, most of those people can barely make a living and the people who hire them are either looking for favors in return or looking for someone beautiful regardless of whether the skills she possesses match what they need. The money she made a couple of weeks ago didn't go far and she still hasn't found another job. I don't want to look up one day and see her trolling the internet as an escort. Damn it, Adam, I like the girl and I feel like I owe this to her."

Adam found himself nodding. He had regretted not standing up to Frank early enough to help Jenny Cinnamon out.

"Me, too," he admitted. "I should have put a stop to it."

Melody laughed without mirth.

"You couldn't have done that," she said. "You were on your first shoot, hon, it wasn't your responsibility to stop it. It was my responsibility to make sure it didn't happen in the first place."

"Well, I'd stop it now," Adam said firmly. "The girl hated what was happening but she was too scared to stop it. I stood up to Tate Benedict over treating people that way. I sure as hell could have stood up to Frank Whateverhisname is and Tony Fucking Armani. Over the last week, I've watched Ashley stare down Elite and Sahara force Dazzle to come to the understanding that the next wave of performer isn't going to be like the last – no offense meant, Melody."

"None taken," she said. "And I'm starting to see that for myself. There are maybe a dozen people in the business that can pull off a scene like I saw from you and Ashley. I've also heard that it will pale to what I see when 'Interludes' is released. But if you would have stood up to Frank on Karlie's behalf, you never would have gotten a shot to do those things. He and Tony would have flamed you out of the business. I'm sure Tony is already talking shit about you because your name is going to be the first one of every girl's lips when she is asked if there is someone she wants the studio to cast for her. Well, a lot of them, anyway. Some of the girls like to be treated like shit, I guess."

"How soon does she need to do this?" he asked, his decision made. He would explain the circumstances to the girls and they would understand. "I have things scheduled for tonight and class tomorrow morning. I don't want to rush through this but if she is really in dire straits I can do it tomorrow afternoon. Thursday morning is out because of the Dazzle shoot but Thursday evening is OK. Then I have class Friday morning and I'm clear until next week. Oh, I need to get my card updated. It expires tomorrow."

Melody laughed on the other end.

"She can make it a couple of more days," she said. "I'll call her back and let her know it's a go and we'll work out the schedule around yours. I'm going to direct it, is that OK?"

"Sure," Adam replied.

"I want you to really think about that before you answer me," Melody said. "I've not done any directing before. So I'll be counting on you to help Jenny along. I think you can do it but it might be different than you've done before. Ashley called the shots for you and you went along with no problem. But Jenny won't be able to do that."

"Sure she will," Adam said. "We'll go naturally, not force anything. I don't want her to feel like she is obligated to deep throat me or something."

"Good luck on finding someone who can do that," Melody chortled.

"I know a young woman, not in the industry, who can do just that," Adam said, unable to keep from boasting about Shelly's talent.

"She, I will want to meet," Melody answered, clearly impressed. "That young woman is a cocksucker of the highest magnitude and I mean that as a sincere form of flattery – being a cocksucker of secondary magnitude myself."

"Which brings to something I've been wanting to ask you," Adam said.

"Yes, if you come over I'll blow you right now," Melody interrupted, then laughed. "Well, maybe not right this minute. I still have to call Jenny back. Oh, you probably wanted to know something else."

"Uh, well, it is sort of along those lines but maybe not in those words," Adam replied. "If a role were to come along – a role mind you, in a good production directed by someone of Ben Benedict or Holly Ball's talent – would you consider returning for a scene or two."

"Sex or non-sex?" Melody asked.

"Probably negotiable and certainly negotiable if you are uncomfortable with the project one way or the other," Adam stated.

"Sex with a male or female?" she pondered next.

"Yes," Adam answered, then laughed. "It will be a male or a female depending upon your preference, I can almost assure you."

"You have something in the works, don't you?" she asked urgently. "Something really fucking huge – no cock joke intended."

"Potentially," Adam answered. "Are you familiar with what's happening at Daystar and Dazzle?"

"Rumors," Melody replied. She paused. "How are you aware of it?"

"Two ways," Adam admitted with a little reluctance. "First, Ashley and Sahara are going to be doing contract work for them, in all likelihood."

"That's great!" Melody said. "It has been a while since this industry has had a contract girl who was really worthwhile. I spoke with Holly last Tuesday. I guess you know we are taking classes together. She just raved about Sahara's maturity and her presence. The scene with Ashley and the comments Ben posted shortly thereafter lead me to believe the same is true for her. You said two ways. What's the second?"

"That is a little touchier," Adam confessed. "But since you will be approached in the future, I'll fill you in. I have recently become aware that my friends possess a multitude of talents heretofore unknown to me – as well as an interest in the adult industry. They don't want to perform, for the most part I think – but we have formed a company that will either join with Daystar and Dazzle in what they want to do or likely compete with them."

Melody considered what Adam said carefully. She knew him only slightly but he wasn't given to braggadocio.

"And I'll be approached why?" she asked.

Adam considered his response carefully. He liked Melody. She was, in many ways, larger than life. She had a great sense of humor but she also was a serious businesswoman who used her brassy nature as camouflage.

Yet she had tried her best to be honest with him and she deserved the same in return. His discussion with Sarah had been an eye-opener. In order to make the dream of starting a talent agency into a reality, Melody and her company would almost have to play a major part in helping the group find performers to represent.

In order to get Melody's help, Adam knew he and Subarctic had to be taken seriously. Still, he knew he risked coming off like the typically arrogant porn asshole if he wasn't careful.

"The first is the part I spoke about," Adam said. "Sahara has submitted a script to Daystar for their consideration. I believe that has them launching their features division so quickly. They were looking for a viable script. I believe you will be approached to play a significant role. You certainly will be if I have any input. Now, I will have to trust your discretion on what I'm about to disclose. The second reason is that this group, Subarctic Enterprises, has created a cost efficient way to completely end file-sharing and illegal downloads."

"You're shitting me!" Melody said. Without thinking, Adam responded like his father always had without thinking about to whom he was speaking.

"I wouldn't shit you, you're my favorite turd," Adam answered. He blushed when Melody laughed aloud.

"Do you realize what that would do to this industry?" she asked. "It would make it viable again. It would turn a billion dollars in profit if it only halfway works."

"From what I've been told, it works in every instance but one," Adam said. "If the person with the file is willing to install a second hard drive he can switch out files that way. Otherwise, the program lets him copy the file no more than three times. That means he can transfer it to a secondary drive or burn it to a CD but he cannot post it on a torrent site with any hope of success. If he tries to upload it to another web site – even one of his own – he will get an error message. If he persists, it will activate something that prevents the file from working at the upload site and on his computer."

"Good God," Melody exclaimed. "How much will it cost for a small business like mine to buy it from you?"

"That is the problem we're facing," Adam said. "We're not interested in selling it or licensing it to outside groups. What we're interested in doing is collaborating with those groups. If we can't reach an accord with Daystar and Dazzle, then we'll likely go it alone. We will have the financing to produce feature direct-to-download videos and we'll be the only group in town protecting our profit margin. We submitted it for patent and we will be as diligent as Dazzle in protecting our intellectual property."