Preparations

The next day Maryanne came by in the afternoon. She studied Jennifer's hair, nodding with approval.

“Perfect.” She said. “Like Gretchen's hair, but a bit overgrown. It will help the audience understand that time has passed.”

“Whatever.” Jennifer said. She was pouting, arms crossed as she sat on the couch. She tried to ignore the woman.

“I've brought a few scenes from the first episode.” Maryanne explained. She then proceeded to make Jennifer run through the scenes, giving advice and critiques. Jennifer was used to this, but she was already angry with Maryanne. This made the whole process annoying. Finally, Maryanne decided they were done for the day.

“Oh, one more thing.” Maryanne said. She produced a case from her purse. Jennifer opened it. Inside was a pair of wider framed glasses. She recognized these. The Gretchen glasses.

“Get used to wearing those again.” Maryanne explained. “They're non prescription lenses, so they won't bother you're eyes.”

“Fine.” Jennifer said, throwing the glasses aside. Maryanne looked down at her sternly.

“You might want to show some gratitude.” The older woman said. “This is a great role. The studio is investing a lot in you.” With that she turned and left. Jennifer stuck her tongue out at the woman's back.

Later that week Maryanne called in the morning to tell Jennifer she had a photo-shoot. Jennifer drove to a studio downtown. As soon as she got there she was rushed into wardrobe. The wardrobe women started measuring Jennifer's wingspan, figure, and so on. When the woman wrapped the tape measure around Jennifer's breasts, she instantly started to sweat. Would the woman notice her padded bra? Not likely. She had bought special gel installs that felt just like real breasts. Still, she always worried when people got too close.

“We'll have to take out the bust of the shirt.” The woman announced after measuring Jennifer's chest. Apparently they had been expecting her to have a much smaller bust. Though her increased size was fake, it still made Jennifer beam a little with pride. After her clothes were altered to fit her Jennifer was given the outfit and left alone in the changing room. The outfit was about what she'd expected. A white blouse to be tucked into a high waited plaid skirt, which came down to her knees. Under that there was black tights, then simple sneakers. She had worn this or similar outfits one hundred times as Gretchen. Stripping down to her underwear Jennifer slipped on the clothes. Once fully dressed she sighed before pulling out the glasses she'd been given and slipping them on. Then she looked in the full body mirror. She looked different. Her chest bulged under the tight white blouse. Though she hadn't been working out she was still quite a bit toner then she used to be. However, with the clothes, the glasses and the red hair, she looked a great deal like the character of Gretchen. Jennifer sighed. This is what she was in for, she had better prepare herself.

After a quick addition of some more makeup the shoot began. The shoot was focusing on academic stress. The first series of shots was of Jennifer at a desk, piles of books, computer next to her, scribbling notes. Makeup came and tossed her wavy hair, making it look unkempt deliberately, strands in her face. The photographer kept encouraging Jennifer to look stressed, to bulge her eyes under her glasses or puff out her cheeks, or bite her lip in a nervous look.

When they were done there they went to a fake hall of locker rooms, a set designed to remind people of school. Now Jennifer was to carry a large stack of books and papers, so many that they kept slipping under her grip. Again she was told to look nervous, frantic. The photographer commanded her to lock her knees together in a pose of shyness, looking around in apparent stress. Jennifer figured these photos would have quotes to go along with them, something about the stress of school or growing up or something.

They finished quickly. Jennifer found it easy to act like this. The whole role of Gretchen had been one of frantic energy, necrotic shyness. She'd done it for so long it came easily to her. She hated to admit it, but acting like Gretchen came so easily to her it was shocking.