TEN REASONS
Chapter 4 – Why I love Modelling
"Good luck," Tyson wishes as I abandon the car and enter the building of Garnier Beauty Products. I wore a long sleeve white top with slits down the arms revealing my flesh, black short shorts and black doll shoes. My hair was in a high pony fastened by a black ribbon. I take a deep breath in and begin my walk to the service desk.
"Good Morning, My name is Mariah Wong and I'm here for the ad audition," I inform courteously.
"Your manager's name and number please?" inquired the blonde haired lady with grey regrowth with way too much make up on. Typical, I don't have a manager and when Mr Namoki asked me to audition he didn't take down my name. I open my mouth to plead my defence but am interrupted by Mr Namoki himself.
"Don't worry about it Sue, she's with me," the lady dubbed Sue nods and fiddles with some files. "By the way, what is your name Miss?" asking the question which should have been asked yesterday.
"Mariah Wong," I state as we enter a giant room with about fifty women, most of whom were checking their make up. Anxiety rushing through my body, pounded my veins as the one solitary thought ran through my mind, I didn't even wear lip gloss!
"Ladies!" Chad yells with everyone immediately zipping up and edging closer to hear what he is about to say. "Now ladies today we are looking for fresh new faces to promote our products, not some glamour queen who would faint if she broke a nail. Let's begin! Line up in two rows facing each other about three metres (ten feet) apart." We answered what he commanded and he then proceeds to march between the two rows much like a military officer and kicked out people as he pleased. "If anyone else has dyed their hair or has regrowth please leave now before I make you. And don't register the idea that I can't tell because I do have eyes. We are here to promote real healthy hair," About fifteen girls huffily make their way to the exit.
"Now I want the remainder of you to smile. Come on happy, gleeful smiles people. Think of your husband, boyfriend, crush or even a hot, saucy superstar and yes, even girlfriend so I am not being racist or something."
Tyson's face pops in my head. "That's better girls! Now I want you to smile like drugged up bums. Remember that person in your head? Now I just want to say one word, NAKED!" A few words, Tyson, mental images and naked. I blushed, no my cheeks were on fire! Where in hell is the fire extinguisher? A few of the other girls broke out in giggly fits but I noticed that all of us including myself were smiling like sugar high maniacs. I heard two girls conversing that went along the lines of, Guess who I thought of? Who? Kai Hiwatari! Get out of here, me too! Guess Kai is still a hot little god with the ladies. I too joined some of the others in a fit of laughter hopefully covering up my embarrassment from earlier.
"That's enough ladies," Chad informs causing the sniggers to die down and our attention was once again with Chad Namoki. "I'm glad that what is left of you knows what toothpaste, mouthwash and for some what braces are." Since when did he walk past me? I didn't even notice… a serious crush in two days. Wow that's a new world record for you Mariah!
"Now ladies we will lead you into another room and drill you through some dance steps as their will be some dancing in our commercial." I mentally slap myself a huge high five to an imaginary person. Honestly I can dance. I use to dance in front of my mirror all day long and the martial arts are a style of dance choreographed to protect and defend yourself. Also I know a bit of gymnastics like back flips from my martial arts training.
"Remove your shoes girls and if you happen to be wearing a skirt there are some gym shorts in that drawer. If you have a problem with the shorts, find the door with a green and white light above it stating exit." The girls needing to change into skirts went of and changed with zero complaints. I removed my shoes and noted where mine where amongst the 29 other pairs of shoes.
The choreographer took us through our warm up and our stretches. Then she showed us the dance routine and we copied. The song 'Who Said' also known as 'Stuck in the UK' a fast beat dance tune was pumped out of the speakers. The routine was fast and on many levels, from rolling on the floor to squatting and standing. Some struggled, me I danced my pants off. Before I knew it we were finished with dancing and the clock had strike twelve, our start of our hour long lunch break. Chad informed us though as we left that we were regrouping at the indoor sports complex around the corner straight after lunch.
I dialled Tyson's work number, which I've already half memorised, at a pay phone and in five minutes we were having lunch at a cute little café. And yes when I first saw him in the car those naked mental images ran through my head, luckily my hunger shook them off. We chatted about my audition so far and what he does at work. The lucky guy only has to go into the BBA office once a week and train the junior team and himself. Though he also informed me that he does also teach Kendo lessons in his spare time. As quick as Tyson had picked me up, he dropped me off at the indoor sports complex. Once again he wished me good luck and told me to call him when my audition had finished.
"Excuse me are you Mariah Wong who used to blade with the White Tigers?" I turn to face a lady a little taller than me and around my age. She had shiny, almost fluorescent light blue hair that went just past her shoulders and her front bangs parted to the right. She had red/pink eyes like the flesh of a watermelon. Her attire was a yellow boob tube with a cherry cluster on the front bringing out her eyes and on the back it stated 'Cherry Pie, $3.80' She had denim hot pants hanging from her hips and sporty white trainers.
"Yeah, that's me," I reply curiously.
"The Mariah Wong!" she queries with raised eyebrows.
"Yeah…" I reply anxiously.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Aneki Miansho and I use to beyblade on the Singaporean team, Hot Ice. We were supposed to battle your team in the Asian Championships about six years ago." She introduces with a grin hanging from each ear.
"Mmmmm… That's right," I answered recalling the situation, "but one of your team mates got the flu and pulled out and you guys couldn't blade."
"Truth is she fell pregnant," she whispered lowly. I go wide eyed at the phrase.
"Wow talk about the dramas of the Beyblade Tournament," I reply once I've let out my nervous chuckle.
"Yeah, they should make the Beyblade Tournaments into a soapie series with that and the whole thing of some team managed by a secret organization trying to take over the world." She states. I sigh in agreement knowing just how true it is.
"So you still blade?"
"Every now and then,"
"Same," I replied, struggling to think of a more lengthy reply. The conversation was now officially dead and we were now asking each other 20 questions to keep our chatter alive.
"So why are you trying out for an audition for a hair ad?" she rescued.
"See I'm staying with a friend of mine and I want to pay him back for all the expenses. What about you?" I asked curiously.
"I need it for my Uni fees,"
"What are you hoping to become?"
"A… vet, but right now I study at Uni and work part time," She answers.
"Ladies over here please!" motions Chad in the middle of the indoor stadium field. I sigh and just when I was really starting to get into my conversation with Aneki. "I hope you have your sports bras on cause we are going to play some football otherwise known as soccer. Now break up into pairs and we will start some drills." Aneki snatched me the moment it slipped out of his mouth, whispering, "I don't want to be paired with someone worried about wrecking their hair."
Once we had found a pair of soccer shoes that fitted us in a pile of about one hundred pairs we began. It turned out that Aneki was a talented soccer player performing difficult tricks with her quick feet and she soon notified me that she moved to Japan when she was younger to compete on their national women's team. I wasn't too bad and mentally thanked myself for hanging out with all the guys in the village instead of all the girls. Chad marched around again, like some proud peacock observing and taking notes. Two of the girls had a go at him for not telling their agents about having to go to a soccer team tryout. He soon crossed their names off the list with a big black X.
"Ladies in your pairs name yourself A and B," I mouthed B and she nodded and mouthed A. "Team A to the left side, Team b to the right." Once both teams had walked to the sidelines he yelled, "You have ten seconds to prepare for a soccer game!" There were of course a few groans, but I let out a laugh and assumed he was just messing us like with the whole naked thing to find out if we were whiney bitches and easy to get along with. I started on the left wing and not one second after I had positioned myself the whistle blew. A few girls on both teams were all sissy and laughed when they had to kick the ball, though the rest of us just wanted to have a good time… and kick the other teams buttocks.
I kicked; head butted and even boobed the ball when I was put in goalie. Rule 1, never boob ball Aneki's kicks. Let me assure you, it is not a pretty sight. Though in true Mariah style I kept playing only this time they but me back on left wing only to have Aneki opposing me. I had the ball in my possession and she slid to get it off me, we went smack, bang and collapsed in a tangle on the wooden floor. Everyone gasped, Aneki and me? We pissed ourselves laughing our heads off till our stomaches ached. We helped each other up and arms supporting one another limped over to the bench. We complained about our injuries to each other for a bit but then picked up from our conversation and our aches were soon forgotten. Soon enough the game ended 4-3 in Team B's favour and we were all gathered around the benches.
"Ladies I'll cut straight to the chase and announce the ten girls I want to come back with me on the courtesy bus to the studio and they will have a bit of a make over. First does anyone NOT want to star in this ad," Everyone stayed ghostly frozen, "Good. Those not on the list can go home." I totally just lost it and went out of focus from there. I heard the names being read out as if Chad was speaking gibberish. "… and last but not least, Mariah Wong. Congratulations to those ten that made it and thank you for those that didn't for your time. The final ten please remove your soccer boots and met me back at the bus."
"Mariah, we got in," Aneki cheered. Did I just here her correctly?
"I… we did?" I reply gradually fading back into reality.
"Yep. Oh my god you were so nervous a few moments ago. I thought that your skin would have made snow look grey." I shake myself out of it and regain my normal composure. I never thought I would react like that. "Come on Mariah get those boots off, we have to hop on the bus," my bluenette friend reminds me.
We slumped our way to the bus and sat right at the front of the bus discussing our match. In no time flat we were back at the familiar building and were in a make up room standing in front of a group of ten make up artists.
"Oh I've got the pink beauty," spoke a gay sounding man with spiky red and yellow hair and thick black glasses.
"Don't think so mate, Mariah's mine to make over, I shot gunned her when Chad had them lined up as army soldiers, Adam," pestered an Australian accent belonging to a brunette lady.
"Oh dumplings, Sheila," the gay very poorly tried to curse. I was very grateful that Sheila was styling me not because I'm homophobic or anything like that but Adam's hair cut was scaring me and I didn't want my hair to end up looking like a vacuum cleaner had teased it all, complimented with a whole big lump of car grease.
"Hi Mariah, I'm Sheila." I greeted her back. "I was planning to layer your hair as it would create more volume and give it just that bit of bounce. Cutting your hair short would be a crime as it has a beautiful length. Is that alright with you, darls?"
"Yeah," I reply, inwardly sighing that she didn't want to cut it all off. Sheila layered my hair and gawked and compliment numerous times of the condition that my hair was in and how she didn't have to put a single thing in it. So many times in fact it just got plain annoying. After my hair was done she applied a pale pink lippy to my lips, eye shadow which faded from bronze to gold just below my eyebrows bringing out my golden eyes, black eyeliner and mascara which made my eyelashes feel like butterfly wings. I was proud at myself for staying statue like when she applied the eyeliner to my eyes. Not to mention foundation, concealer and blush but that's all the boring stuff. Finally that was all done and to finish it off Sheila glued a gold star sequin to the corner of my left eye.
She then asked me to change into a one-sleeved dress that had bronze, gold, pink, and pastel pink rough edged patches messily sewn together from my right shoulder to half way down my thighs. From the hem of the dress a light, both in colour and weight pink material gathered around the hem to just above my knees. When I stood it hung but when I twirled it spiralled like a whirlpool. I then slipped on a pair of pink stilettos and I secretly wished I had worn my pink heels so I could have swapped the shoes and taken these babies home. I walked out of my changing room and peered into the mirror that took up one whole wall, making the room appear twice as big. I look HOT! I winked at myself and walked out to show Sheila.
"Honey, well you look sweeter than honey!" Sheila complimented.
Another stylist with a gothic like appearance waiting for her model to come out of the changing rooms gasped, "Boy would a camera love to capture you!" I smile, my mind oozing with confidence at the compliments and at how good I looked.
"Go out there and knock them dead," she speaks pointing to the entrance of the catwalk. I breathe in a deep breath and proceed to walk constantly reminding myself to place each foot exactly in front of the other. With one hand on my hip I made my way out on the catwalk with a facial expression clearly stating, I'm queen of the world, MOVE OVER! The stereos pumped 'Crazy in Love" by Beyonce Knowles and I strutted out in beat with the music, the light blinding my eyes.
The whole world was a blur around me thanks to the bright lights But I just kept walking until I reached the end where I did a little turn, swivelling my dress bottom and tossing my hair. I then finished in a pose where my eyes met with Tyson's. Why is he here so early? And how come I care, I just want to stay there forever just gazing into his eyes. Yes those beautiful ruby eyes. Then something snapped inside of me and spoke, forever is a long time and I turned walking back up the catwalk. Sheila congratulated me once again and gave me permission to change, I may look good but this dress is uncomfortable.
"Hey Mariah you really knocked the crowd out," compliments Aneki on my way out of the change rooms. She has her hair in one pony to the side, a fire truck red leather jacket zipped to show some serious cleavage, a black mini skirt and black high heeled combat boots that laced up to her knees. To top it off she had dangly silver tear drop earrings and a bright red lippy on her lips.
"Thanks and you make sure you leave the crowd breathless," I advise…Everyone except for Tyson of course.
"Got it," she registers and salutes me military style.
"Aneki you're on!" Her make up artist screeches. I mouth to her one more good luck before cocking my head in the direction of the TV to watch her. Put it this was, Aneki took my advice. Once all the girls had strutted their stuff and changed into their normal attire Chad literally rounded us up like sheep to announce who got in.
"Now ladies you are all extremely beautiful and talented women but we have narrowed it down to four who will star in our ad. Now our ad is aiming to portray real, active women with busy lives and how they keep their hair in good nick with our products. The four we picked of course we feel live up to this standard and are not your everyday beauty queens. The four who are starring in our ad are Mariah Wong, Rosemary Kennedy, Sonna Kawasaki and Aneki Miansho. For those who didn't make it in I wish you the best of luck in your life and a good day."
I literally jumped for joy. I, Mariah Wong get to star in the Garnier Hair Care ad. All my nervousness converted to excitement and Aneki had gotten in too which was totally hip. So had Rosemary, a very sweet shy girl with lavender hair and fairy floss pink eyes and Sonna, a busty gal with blue eyes blonde hair with a sassy attitude, but I had this feeling that once I got to know them we would get along fine. The four of us gathered and congratulated each other. Chad then called us over to lecture us and for us to sign the contract. Basically he said that they would be filming it next Tuesday and recommended us to take an acting class that was being held tomorrow, gave us the name and address for that and congratulated us in one extremely long speech. I said goodbye to the girls and ran off to find Tyson.
Ten Reasons why I love modelling…
1. You get to try on clothes and shoes and jewellery and make up…
2. The make up artists make you look amazing
3. You can get paid millions just to model a designer's fashions
4. You met new people
5. My cat like attributes is perfect for a catwalk
6. It's a competitive industry and it's not all about looks but physical abilities too
7. I'm photogenic
8. It opens up opportunities to travel
9. They give you free beauty products!
10. Tyson saw me done up like a goddess and he didn't take his eyes of me!
"Congratulations!" Tyson beams.
"Thanks!"
"You looked really stunning on the catwalk," he compliments. I blush and am thankful that I have foundation, concealer and blush plastered on my cheeks. "So do you want to celebrate?"
"No thank you, I love to but I am really tired," I state. As much as I would love to go to a restaurant or something with Tyson I am just way too tired.
Tyson ponders at this with a rather cute expression on his face and suggests, "How about we watch a movie at home then and I'll cook us up some dinner," I nod and we head back and I recount my day to Tyson. Not one second after Ty and I had put a foot through the door the phone rang. Tyson bolts to pick it up. "Hello… Oh hi Emily!" Emily then spoke, "Yes Mariah is here," that's right she did say she was going to ring me.
Tyson eyed me and mouthed something like 'Do you wanna speak with her,' Well I think he mouthed something like that… I am kind of half asleep, so I just raise one eyebrow and wear the 'who me' look reflecting my confusion. "Emily I think Mariah is half dead and can't speak," he replies to her which triggers a spark of energy in me causing me to playfully whack him as I attempted wrestled the phone of him.
"Give me that," I demand crankily, snatching the cordless phone once I had him backed into a corner. Ty then goes off to cook dinner as a good houseman should, pretending to sulk at his imaginary wounds as he left. "Hey," I greet.
"Hi Mariah, what have you been up to?" For the second this time this evening I recount my audition. Emily praises my success.
"So what have you been doing lately?" I ask, asking her question from earlier.
"Basically finalizing the party arrangements while not letting Max find out and working out who is coming and who is not."
"So who is coming?"
"All the old beyblade teams, the All Stars, Majestics, Demolishing Boys, White Tigers, Saint Shields…" I so hope I didn't just here that.
"…White Tigers?" I interrupt. This is not good. Not good at all.
"Well sort of… funnily enough there is another thing I want to talk about." She knows, about me running away and about me being in Japan. Bile magically appears in my throat and in hopes of removing it I swallow, it feels as if sandpaper as been grated against me throat. The bile stays put and not wanting to swallow again I make a rathe raspy gargle.
"You haven't spoken to Kevin or Gary by any chance?" My voice resembles an earthquake and the phone shakes picking up on the aftershock of my voice.
"I've spoken to both Kevin and Ray but luckily I spoke to Ray first and told me your dilemma before I spoke to Kevin," I let out a gigantic sigh of relief and my body calms down with each word my orange haired friend speaks. "Are you okay with it all Mariah?"
"Are they coming to the party?" I poorly answer her question with a question.
"Ray is but Kevin and Gary can't come because they are trying to hunt you down." I grunt in disgust, can't this guy just get over me? "So are you still going to come to the party?"
"I suppose so seeing only Ray is coming from the White Tigers and I can just tell everyone about my problem and they won't tell Kevin."
"Right I can assure you that the rest of the guests believe in marrying for love and don't like the idea of arranged marriages. Why they would probably march over to China and give your village more than an earful if you asked them." I smile at how true her statement probably is.
"Mariah! Dinner is served!" bellows Tyson from the TV lounge.
"Hold on Mariah can you ask Tyson to pick Max and I from the airport pretty please?"
"Yeah… wait a second can you hear him?"
"Unfortunately…" she mumbles. I walk out to Ty and ask him Emily's question.
"To I look like a Taxi Driver," I shake my head. "Too right! Damn it I'm hot!" he cheers complimenting himself. I arch an eyebrow and ponder why I have a crush on him… cause I think he is hot my other half answers. Tyson notices my confused look and replies, "Yeah I'll pick them up, just ask Em what time they want to be picked up at?" I nod.
"You still there Em?"
"Yeah… God one would think he got the job to star in The Garnier ad."
"I know…" We speak still kind of freaked by Tyson's actions, well more Em then me but hey!
"Oh you can pick Max and me at ten o'clock, terminal 43."
"Cool I'll catch you later then, dinner is ready."
"Okay then bye!" and the familiar clunk of the receiver is heard and repetitive beats follow and press the 'No Talk' button.
"Hope you feel like fish," speaks Tyson on sofa. I smile and nod and we begin making our nests of cushions and blankets in the lounge chair. I get the thought stuck in my head to smash my nest and help make his, but that would probably start a pillow fight and I am way too tired.
"What did you and Emily chat about?"
"My audition and the party. The White Tigers were invited, did you know?"
"They are? They aren't coming are they?" Explodes Tyson.
"No, thankfully only Ray is. I'd hate to imagine though what would have happened if Kevin and Gary would do if they found me at the party." I speak voicing my worries.
"You would unfortunately become their extra luggage."
"Fortunately though, there is no way they can find me if everyone keeps quiet," I smile stating the positive fact.
"Hang on Mariah what about that ad?"
"What about it?"
"Well it could be televised over there once it has been filmed and they could track you down." My eyes and mouth form perfect circles resembling small dinner plates. Tyson picks up on my reaction. Hell a bloody pick up truck would!
"You could always pull out of it," he suggest in hopes of comforting me.
"I can't… I've signed the contract," I reply while caning my brain for a solution to my new dilemma I sigh, there is no uses worrying, I'm tired, exhausted and have no energy to think with. Now if only my brain would take that advice. Argh! I'm going to give myself wrinkles. I feel a hand on my shoulder and look up to its owner Tyson.
"Look Mariah no matter what happens; I'll be there for you. Got it and if Kevin, Gary or your entire village fly over here and declare war they'll have to go through me first. And by same miracle that the Devil granted that they do get through me, I'll chase them and steal you back."
I stand up to face him, eye to eye, "Thanks," he smiles.
"That's what real friends are for," and he hugs me… and I hug him back…
"Mariah what ever you are feeling just let it out. I know form experience it is no good to keep it bottled up inside." Let it all out? I don't want to cry… or do I? A single tear runs down my cheek and halts on his shoulder. Someone has obviously smashed one of my water pipes because my eyes flood and my tears race each other down my cheek to the finish line, Tyson's shirt.
Life is so unfair anything good that happens to me turns out bad. My family, I loved them all so much and their lives were stolen, my village I always believed they did the best job looking after me and bringing me up but they didn't. They hid me from the world and took advantage of my innocence and moulded me to become a typical housewife like every other women in my village. Even Mum, did she become what she wanted to become. How many dreams did she dream and never got to fulfil? From the moment she was born to the moment she died she had been forced to live as our village council ordered and never be just herself.
I cry and cry for what seems like days but somehow I fall asleep, it must be Tyson's warm, comforting embrace…