Artsy?

Walking into Mirage's office on monday, I felt like a real champion. I think "Eye of the tiger" was playing in my head. I had managed to keep my job and do the impossible for two weeks straight. It almost felt like nothing could stop me now.

I had just one big hurdle left. Maria. But this time, there probably wouldn't be ticking clock over my head. I'd get to plan my moves very carefully, and bring her to her knees. And I'd enjoy that. Like massively.

However, I'd start my week off a little differently. I already saw Anna-Marie in the lobby. She was clearly waiting for me. Which was good.

"Good morning, Anna."

She didn't look too happy. I think she dreaded working with me, after that one time we tried doing it. Newsflash, she binned all my suggestions and went with her own ideas. It was the most un-exciting photoshoot I had ever seen, and thanks to that, my article got very little attention. Well, the article wasn't that great anyway, but still... It could've been. But it had been very clear to both of us, that we so far off the same page, that we were in different books altogether.

"Good morning, Jack. Let's get started right away. We'll go over your article together, and talk, okay?" she said as we entered the elevator together. I think with "talk" she meant "you say what you want, I'll ignore it and do my own thing". Not this time.

"Actually, this is sort of a special case. It's not that easy to explain, so I asked if we could meet with Gretchen. She said right now is a good time."

"Oh. Okay. Special how?"

"Pointless for me to explain right now, Gretchen will probably do it better."

"...Okay. I'm intrigued."

We soon reached Gretchen's office. She was behind her desk, seemingly doing her work, and looked up as we entered.

"Oh right, you two. Come in."

I think I prepared her pretty well for this meeting. I just hoped she would act the part accordingly. I was about to ask for stuff that Anna-Marie would never ever agree to on a normal basis. I needed the authority of Gretchen behind this. Or the authority Anna-Marie thought Gretchen still had.

"Hey Gretchen. How's things?", Anna-Marie started off with small talk.

"Well... You know, work, work, work." Gretchen said and shot a sly smile at me. I really didn't want her to do that right now, so I gave her a really menacing expression. I think she got the message and got back on track. Luckily Anna didn't see anything.

"I hear that. Me too. In fact Jack already mentioned something about a 'special article'?"

"Ah yes. The thing is... Jack's newest article... it's a real special one. Like it's whole fucking attitude is different. And therefore, it's not going to be a normal shoot." it was weird listening to Gretchen trying to be her former self, like she still had that old confidence. Maybe she had? After all, all I knew was that her submissiveness towards me was a huge number. It probably didn't apply to everyone else too.

"Okay. Not a normal shoot. Which means?"

"Look, the thing is, we can't tell you what the article is about yet. All I can say is that it's going to be groundbreaking."

"Really?"

"Yes. And we don't want any chance of it leaking out. It's some real hard stuff. Only Jack, I and Maria know about it."

"So wait, how am I going to shoot for an article I know nothing about?"

"Well, that's where I come in," I said as I slided next Anna. "I'll be giving directions for you on this one."

"Umm..."

"Look Anna," Gretchen began, seeing the hesitance in Anna's eyes. "You are going to listen Jack's orders on this one. It's the only way to do this."

"Wait... This is... I mean I've never worked like this. I've always had final say in what I shoot. I don't know how I feel about this."

"Well, you're going to have to get over it. This is one of the most important photoshoots in the history of the magazine, and no, I'm not exaggerating it. What Jack says, goes". Damn. Gretchen was doing a great job. I'd had to reward her later.

Anna-Marie sat down, and contemplated the situation for a few seconds.

"...Fine. I guess if this is a special circuimstance. I'll play along." (ANNA-MARIE: +4SP) (-3SP)

"Okay great!" I piped up. "That means I'll be there with you in studio, giving orders to you and the models."

"Wait, what? No, that's not how it works. You're not talking to the models. You'll tell me what you want, and I'll communicate it with them."

Yeah no. I wanted to order the models around too. But maybe this wasn't the right time for that fight. There was plenty of time for that later.

"Okay. But for now, as for what we'll do, I'm going to give you a few very basic starting points. And I okayed all of this stuff with Gretchen, so if it sounds weird, don't worry, it's supposed to."

"It's true. Jack knows what we need."

"Okay, now. Firstly, are those three models available? The ones you had in last friday?"

"Seriously? You want the same models? Is the next issue going to have two shoots with the same three models?"

Drat, she was right. That would sound stupid. Whatever, I'd get them another time.

"You know what Anna, you're right. That's stupid. I don't what I was thinking. See I'm still an amateur at this stuff." Anna-Marie's expression said "obviously".

"Here's what we'll do. And you know what, I'll leave this up to you. I want three women with the similar attributes. What do I mean by this? It could be either three asians, three african-american, three latinos... Or three brunettes, three blondes... or three redheads?" Anna-Marie looked especially annoyed about the last one, considering her own crimson head.

"Why?"

Gretchen spoke up. "Anna, please don't ask those questions. I already explained why you can't know."

It was clear that Anna-Marie was getting more and more frustrated. "And you want me to choose? How do I do that when I know nothing about the article?"

"I'll leave that up to you artistic sense. The only criteria you should use, is which combo looks the most beautiful together". She really rolled her eyes at that one.

"Oh my God."

I should probably just push the final part now.

"And the most important thing. They will all be wearing sexy schoolgirl outfits. Also, there's going to be some bondage equipment used. You know whips, chains, collars..."

She got up from her chair. "Excuse me?!"

Yeah, I expected her to react this way. "Please calm down-"

"Are we shooting porn here? I didn't go to Rhode Island School of Design for this smut!"

I signaled for Gretchen to intercede, and she got up as well. "No, Anna, it will all be very classy. We're going for edgy here, something to really change things up."

"Change what? This magazine into porn?"

"No Anna," I got closer to her. "It'll be artsy."

Anna-Marie looked as if she was losing her mind. She had no trouble believing I would ask for this, but that Gretchen would agree?

"Just agree to it. We'll shoot it this friday. Alright? I'm sure when the article finally comes out, this will be one of the most proudest professional things you've ever done."

She honestly looked like she could throw up. What if she said no? Was it worth risking her career over?

"Anna, honestly," Gretchen began, "You're one of the greatest photographers our magazine has ever seen. But you know... I have to say it. You're stuck in a rut. You need to take chances. This is one of them. I think you'll come out of the experience... all new."

Anna-Marie's eyes darted between me and Gretchen. She was starting look more and more defeated.

"...Fine." she said, in a quiet voice. (ANNA-MARIE: +8SP) (+5SP)

"Great. Happy to be working with you. We'll talk details later?"

I said as I offered my hand for her to shake. But she was too pissed off, and just stormed out of the office, almost banging the door behind her. What a feisty artist.

Which left me just Gretchen. All of a sudden her confidence melted away, and she turned into my little kitten again.

"...Did I do good?"

"Better than good, Gretchie-slut."

There was a real look of pride and enjoyment on her face. Oh how far she had fallen.

Just as the order 'cum' was about leave my mouth, we got interrupted.

Maria came into the office.