Page 3 of Agony

“Taking a bite out of the Big Apple,” he responded with a grin.

Max sighed heavily and shook his head. It was obvious that he wasn’t completely angry. I let my eyes wander to their usual spot on the floor. I found myself wishing that this job came with noise-cancelling headphones.

“And where were you, darlin’?” Max asked me.

“I fell asleep in New York. I’m sorry,” I mumbled.

“I don’t think she’s feeling too good, boss. Maybe you should let her get out of here early,” Arsen suggested, giving me a quick squeeze.

Max was silent for a moment. If he sent me home early, I wouldn’t get a full paycheck and I really needed the money.

He looked at Arsen carefully and motioned for him to follow him. I stood there and sighed. I had never sighed more times in my life than I had when I started working at this place.

Jess came over and handed me a bottle of water. I smiled at her gratefully and unscrewed the cap. Taking a big swig, I noticed that a couple of new “actors” and “actresses” had just arrived on the set.

She suddenly took me by the hand and led me away from the set. We went outside and sat down on the steps.

“I don’t know what’s taking so long, but you looked like you could use some air,” she said with a kind smile.

“Thanks,” I mumbled.

She pushed her long blonde hair behind her shoulders and rested her elbows on her knees.

“So what do you think? About Devil’s Den, I mean?” she asked.

“Um. Well. I … um …”

She let out a tittering laugh and rubbed my shoulder.

“Don’t sweat it, honey. Most people think the same thing when they realize what we do here. Of course those same people also lock themselves in the bedrooms and secretly watch the movies, and jerking off.”

I glanced at her and she had a grin on her face.

Virgin or not, I knew I would never have the same amount of confidence that Jess had, or any of the rest of them for that matter. They took their clothes off for a living in a room full of people, had sex, and got paid for it.

I was having enough trouble just standing there while it happened.

The door opened and closed, and Max walked out with Arsen behind him. They both walked past us and Max crossed his arms.

I noticed that Arsen was looking at him tensely.

“Go home, Neve. It’s the last shot of the day and I’ll be okay without you,” Max finally said gently.

“I’d rather stay,” I insisted looking up at him.

Max put a hand on my shoulder and smiled, “I’m going to pay you for the full day, kid. Go.”

I let out a sigh of relief that Jess to giggle. I got off the steps and went back inside to retrieve my black fabric, kawaii purse and slung it over my shoulder.

“Thanks Max!” I shouted over my shoulder as I made a beeline toward the gates. I wanted to be able to catch the first bus I could take back to my place and take the world’s hottest shower.

“Neve!”

I glanced over my shoulder and saw Arsen jogging to catch up to me. I stopped walking and waited for him to catch up.

“Listen, I shouldn’t be in there too long. Just gotta do something for Max. I know you’re dying to go home, but I thought maybe if you were up for it, we could grab something to eat sometime?”

I was thankful in that moment that I was wearing my obnoxiously huge sunglasses. My eyes went through such a series of emotions that if he saw them all he’d probably retract his offer as quickly as he laid it out.

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