Page 4 of Don't Quit the Day Job

“I’m in the same boat,” I say as I play with my blonde hair. “But an audition is an audition.”

“That’s what I was thinking. Plus, I’d love to be flown to Miami and put up in a hotel.” She grins. “I need a vacation.”

“What?” I blink at her in confusion. “Are they flying the cast out on a vacation?”

“No, but Telemundo’s studio is in Miami,” she explains patiently. “Whoever gets the job will have to relocate there for filming.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize that.” I wrinkle my nose as I think about leaving New York and my brand-new apartment. “I don’t know that I can relocate right now.”

“You don’t want a free trip?”

“I’d love a free trip.” I laugh and hold out my hand awkwardly. “I’m Lila by the way, broke-ass actress by day and even broker actress by night.”

“Nice to meet you, Lila. I’m Skye Redding, and if I’m honest, I’m not really an actress. I just thought that a couple of weeks in Miami sounded fun, so when I saw the audition call notice in the paper, I decided to give it a shot.” She grins. “I really need to find a real job though. I have bills to pay and trips to fund.”

“Ooh, where are you going?” I ask because I’m hopeful that Skye and I will become friends. Now that Zara is all loved up and spends most of her time with Jackson, I need to find some new friends or I’m going to wind up bored out of my mind.

“I’d love to backpack around the world.” Her eyes light up. “Australia, New Zealand, England, France, Kenya, Peru.” She sounds wistful. “It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little kid. I just need to make a billion dollars first.”

“I feel that.” I nod as I take a deep breath and try to ignore the knot in my stomach, the one that always shows up when my mind turns to personal finances. “I just moved into my own place and need to start bringing in a paycheck ASAP.”

“You just break up with a boyfriend?” Skye asks me, and I shake my head.

“I was living with my best friend and her sister, but they’ve moved on,” I say. “I had a bit part in a play, but it got canceled.”

“That sucks.” She shoots me an apologetic smile. “Hopefully you get the role today.”

“Aw, you’re too sweet, but I doubt I will. There’s a small hiring event at a law firm next door that I’m going to swing by, too. Always good to have a backup plan, right?” I play with my hair for a few moments. “I think the building houses several law firms as well, so maybe more than one is hiring.”

“Ooh, maybe I’ll go with you.” Skye grins. “I need to make more money. The weekend work isn’t paying as great as I hoped.”

“What do you do on the weekend?” I ask. It’s probably a nosy question, but Skye seems open, so what the heck.

“I work bachelor parties and other events.” She looks me up and down. “I can get you in, if you want.”

“Oh, no thanks.” I say quickly. “I’m not?—”

“We’re not strippers or anything.” She giggles. “We don’t get naked. We just dance around and blindfold the groom or birthday boy. One of the girls also jumps out of a cake. The men love it. Some of them try to touch, but they know we’re not for sale. I mean, some of the girls will give lap dances. But you don’t have to and no one does anything more than that.” She pauses and leans forward. “Well, aside from Louisa. I heard she gives blowjobs for five bucks.”

My jaw drops as she giggles. “She’s a hoe though. Buy her a drink and she’ll be giving you a blowjob before the bartender’s filled the glass. That’s what they say at least.” Skye shrugs as if to say, you didn’t hear it from me.

“Oh, wow,” I say, surprised at the turn in the conversation.

“She doesn’t work with us anymore,” Skye continues. “If you’re interested, you can come to the bachelor party I’m working this weekend. We always need more girls.”

“I don’t think so.” I shake my head. “I don’t have the confidence for that kind of work.”

“Can you dance?”

“I’m an okay dancer.” I nod. “I took some classes for stage work. Ballet and tap though, not pole dancing.” I make a face, then quickly backtrack. “Not that I’m judging you or anything,” I say quickly. “I wish I had those skills.”

“Oh, honey, I can’t climb a pole to save my life.” She grins. “The job isn’t seedy like that. I think you might even enjoy the attention. Why don’t you see how the audition goes and then let me know.”

“Sounds good.” I nod and sigh gratefully when I see we are only two blocks away from our destination. My heart starts racing as we get closer. I always get nervous about auditions. I know the odds of being cast are awful, but there’s always a small hope in my heart that the next audition will be my breakout role. I’ve been acting since elementary school and have known since age ten that this is what I want to do with my life.

And it has nothing to do with becoming rich and famous. I just truly enjoy embodying the personality and emotions of fictional characters. I love interacting with my fellow actors and creating stories that audiences love. And while I’m still a long way from my first Oscar, I’ve already memorized my acceptance speech.

“We’re here.” Skye stops suddenly and makes a face, an expression halfway between disbelief and shock. I look to see what’s gotten to her and my jaw drops as I see the line of women outside the tall gray building. There has to be at least a hundred different girls there, all lambasting Rodrigo Alejandro Suarez. Shit! I look at Skye, who is twirling a long curly red lock of hair around her finger and looking as nervous as I feel.

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