How could they pass up an opportunity like that?

"Once they see us they'll want to hire us," Rachel countered with fake optimism. "Then we'll have more than enough for the rent."

And to offset the income they'd lose by taking the night off work, the less optimistic part of her reminded.

Or get fired and totally flop at the party, the pessimist in her added, completing her thoughts on the subject.

When the time came they fussed away at their clothes, each other, their hair, their makeup. They spent so much time working themselves into a lather that Katrina had to finally settle them down and take charge.

"Look, I've been to these things. I know what they're looking for and I'll get you through it." Rachel nodded eagerly, eyes latching onto Katrina like she was a life preserver. Cecilia looked more doubtful, but allowed Katrina to dress her in clothes more daring than she herself wouldn't have chosen.

The two had to admit that they both looked fabulous, but they were surprised that Katrina had chosen such revealing, dare-they-say slutty clothes and make up that was heavier than they liked.

"We look like tarts," Cecilia snapped at Rachel's friend, and snatching up a bundle of clothes stomped off into the adjoining room. The bathroom door slammed shut leaving Cecilia and Rachel alone.

"Don't worry," Katrina said to the anxious Rachel. "You look beautiful. You need to catch their attention, and I guarantee this will do it. Anyway, this is stage make-up, the kind they wear on-camera so their expressions stand out and their flaws are reduced."

"They have flaws?" Rachel asked, surprised. She knew some tabloids went searching for flaws in actresses, but somehow she found it harder to believe when out here and about to face them.

"Of course. Not many, but the make-up will hide yours."

"Mine?" Rachel frowned, and until her sister came back she dithered on Katrina's words, **** to ask what flaws she meant and yet not wanting to know.

Cecilia stormed back through the room when it was time to leave. She'd changed her look completely, going with a much more conservative look. Her black dress was body-hugging and long, but the slits at the sides showed plenty of leg while the plunging neckline revealed a generous cleavage. When she turned Rachel saw her back was half-bared.

It wasn't a designer dress, but with a few simple pieces of jewellry it made her look fabulous and classy, especially with her hair up like it was and the modest amounts of make-up.

Rachel's mouth dropped when she saw her, and turned to stare at her own rather sluttish appearance. She wore a red mini-dress, with the emphasis on mini, that consisted of the tight skirt and a neckline that plunged so low she was glad she'd waxed herself bare down below. The top was almost a pair of suspenders that looped around her neck on a tiny string, leaving at least half of her boobs exposed at the best of times.

Katrina stepped forward to block Rachel's view while murmering, "Don't worry, she'll do okay even looking like that. But you might have to do a little more to make up for her."

Rachel longed to ask what she meant but Cecilia opened the door, growled "let's go" and walked out.

Katrina winked, leading her out by the hand like she was a nervous little kid.