Sid led Tori and her friends into his office...and what an office it was. The teens all gawked at the large, well decorated room. The décor was impressive but decidedly retro. Indeed, the group felt almost as if they'd stepped into a movie mogul's office from the golden age of Hollywood. The walls featured framed vintage movie posters, from CASABLANCA to THE SEARCHERS. There were also a number of display cases with iconic looking movie props, one of which caught Robbie's eye.
"Is that an actual laser pistol from FORBIDDEN PLANET?" he asked.
"You've got a good eye, young man," Sid answered. "Most of these props are recreations...but that's the genuine article. Got it for a song at an auction many years ago."
"Even these recreations are impressive," Beck commented as he and Jade looked at a well-made replica of the Maltese Falcon.
"Thanks," Sid replied. "I've always been a fan of old Hollywood. Ever since I was a boy, I always wanted to move out west and make movie magic." He smiled. "And eventually I made it, though I'm still trying to perfect the movie magic part."
"I don't think making porn is on the same level as CASABLANCA," Tori said pointedly.
Sid's expression shifted slightly at that remark. He kept a friendly smile on his face but looked at Tori more closely.
"I'm sensing a bit of hostility," he said.
Beck stepped up next to Tori to try and keep things civil. "Tori's a bit upset, as she didn't know the kind of work Trina was doing here. None of us did."
Sid's expression grew more serious, but seemed understanding as well. "Oh, so Trina never told you."
"I thought she was doing office work," Tori said.
"Well, she is," Sid answered. "That's what she was hired for, and most of her work here is clerical. But after being with us for a few months she decided to try doing some webcam work. Does a darn fine job of it too. A darn fine job."
Tori was incredulous. "She decided? Just like that my sister decides to do porn online and ruin her life? Or was she talked into it?"
Sid let out a sigh as he took a seat behind his desk. "So just how exactly is your sister's life ruined? Has she been ostracized by her family and friends? Rejected and berated by her loved ones? Treated like dirt by those that she cares about?"
"Well...no," Tori answered.
"At least not yet," Sid said. "Because you just found out about her webcam work. Well, let me tell you something, young lady. If Trina's life is ruined, it won't because of her getting naked online...it will be because you turn your back on her and don't support her the way family is supposed to."
Tori felt her anger begin to boil over into full blown rage. "Don't you try to lecture me, you...pornographer! You've corrupted my sister!"
Beck put a hand on Tori's shoulder. "I know you're upset, but try to stay calm."
"You should listen to your handsome friend, young lady," Sid commented. "And just so you know, I don't consider 'pornographer' to be an insult. Then again, I've been in this business over thirty years and have a pretty thick skin." He leaned forward and his gaze hardened. "However, since it's clear that you have a low opinion of my business, let me give you some advice. Insults don't bother me personally...but I won't tolerate the slightest disrespect for any of the people who work here...including your sister." He paused. "Especially your sister."
Seeing that Tori's anger was not abating, Andre stepped forward to try and keep things from escalating further.
"Tori's here because she cares about her sister," the young man offered. "I'm not trying to insult your business or anything, but you can't deny that when people do porn, it can mess up their life."
Sid nodded to Andre. "Now, that is true. I wish it weren't...but it is. Of course, that's something I've been doing my part to try and change ever since I started this company."
"How do you mean?" Jade asked.
Sid then went on to proudly detail how he did business...and how it was far from the norm compared to other adult film producers. He paid his performers better, but also helped them secure benefits like health insurance. He also had a list of counselors that he could steer his employees to whenever they were facing problems with anything from legal trouble to substance abuse.
"Now, I wish I could say there were lots of other producers out there that did the same," he said with a touch of disappointment. "But as long I can keep doing this, and stay profitable, the top talent in the industry will keep coming to me. And so my competitors are going to have to start doing better or start falling behind. Hopefully, over time, this will benefit everyone in the business."
"Wow," Cat said. "You seem really nice."
Sid smiled warmly at her. "Thank you, little lady. That's mighty kind of you to say. Mighty kind indeed."
"Okay great," Tori said sarcastically. "You're the Gandhi of porn."
"I wouldn't say that," Sid replied. "For one thing, I dress much better."
A few of her friends chuckled, but Tori remained angry.
"I would really like to talk to my sister now, if that's alright with you."
Sid looked at her seriously. "I'll let her know you're here, and have you escorted to her if she agrees to see you." He paused. "But she'll probably be with my nephew Bertie...so please keep things civil. Bertie feels the same way I do about treating our workers respectfully...but he's got a much shorter fuse than I do."
"Your nephew?" Tori asked. "I thought his name was Gil?"
"It is," Sid answered. "I'm the only one who calls him Bertie."
******'******
Meanwhile, Trina and Gill were relaxing in his office and causally discussing names that would be fitting for a movie studio.
"How about 'Brilliant Pictures'?" Trina suggested. "Because you're brilliant."
"That's sweet, but it doesn't sound right to me," he replied. "Maybe...'Apex Productions'."
"That makes me think of an ape."
Gil laughed. "Not exactly the image I'm hoping to convey."
"Why do you need a new name for the company anyway?"
"It's not actually a new name for the company. It's a branding thing," Gil explained. "We're still going to be Gorman Productions...but we'll release our mainstream films under a different name. Like Disney releases it's more mature stuff under the Touchstone label because it's going for a different kind of audience than their usual family fare."
"That makes sense," Trina agreed. "So Gorman will still be known for adult films and your new brand will be for the non-porn work."
"Exactly. Now if we can only come up with the right name." He paused. "How about 'Miracle Pictures'? That way our slogan can be, 'If the movie is good...it's a Miracle'."
"That sounds like one of your Uncle's jokes," Trina laughed.
"Nah, that joke was ancient before he was even born," Gil replied.
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of Trina's phone. She saw the call was from Sid and quickly answered.
Gil watched his girlfriend's expression shift suddenly from happy to alarmed. As soon as the call ended, he asked her what was wrong.
"Tori's here," she said. "What am I going to do?"
Gil hugged her, trying to offer some comfort, though his face wore a slight frown.
"Well, it looks like I'm finally going to meet your sister," he said in a tone that was notably lacking in enthusiasm.
******'******
When Tori and her friends entered Gil's office, they couldn't help but notice the contrast from Sid's. The room was almost as large but a bit more utilitarian. There were some classic movie posters on the walls, but they were nestled between shelves full of DVDs representing a wide variety of genres.
In the center of the room stood Trina, looking nervous, with Gil right next to her, looking protective. He appeared to be in his mid-twenties and was more than a bit imposing. He was as tall as his Uncle Sid but with a beefier build. He was wearing a black tee shirt emblazoned with the ominous question: DO YOU EVER FANTASIZE ABOUT BEING KILLED?
Oddly enough, that dire saying proved to be something of an ice breaker when Jade stepped forward.
"RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD reference?" she asked as she pointed to the shirt, causing Gil to give a quick nod.
"Nice," the Goth girl said approvingly.
The brief exchange caused Cat to speak up next. "Hi Trina," she said sweetly. "Oh, I love your hair!"
"Thanks," the older girl replied with a smile. "I just had it done the other day."
Unfortunately, that pleasant exchange was followed by a long awkward silence. One that was eventually broken by Gil.
"You Beck?" he asked as he looked to the dark haired acting student.
"That's me," came the answer.
Gil then turned to the short, smiling redhead. "And you must be Cat," he said in a warmer, more friendly tone.
The girl nodded. "Hi."
Gil looked from Cat to Beck and back again before saying. "It's nice to meet you both."
He made no greeting to anyone else.
Trina took it upon herself to try and make further introductions.
"Everyone, this is Gil, my boyfriend," she said.
"And I'm her sister, Tori," the younger Vega said as she stepped up to Trina and Gil.
"I know who you are," the man answered coldly.
Tori was a bit surprised. She had expected Gil to try and get on her good side, but he seemed almost scornful of her. This made absolutely no sense to the young woman. Tori felt she had every reason to be disapproving of him, but how could he possibly have a negative view of her?
"Uh, look," Trina said in a worried tone. "I know this is all super awkward, but let's try and...uh...make the best of it."
"MAKE THE BEST OF IT?" Tori exploded. "YOU'RE DOING PORN!"
Trina shrank back behind Gil, who was now glaring daggers at Tori. Indeed his demeanor was so hostile towards her that Beck and Andre both moved to her side and gently pulled her back slightly.
"You can speak in a normal volume, or I'm having security throw you out," Gil warned.
"Tori please," Trina pleaded. "There's nothing for you to be so angry about."
"NOTHING TO-" Tori started to yell again but Beck squeezed her arm.
"Inside voice, Tori," he advised.
Taking a breath to try and calm herself, Tori spoke again. "What do you mean nothing to be angry about? You're doing porn!"
"Just a little webcamming," Trina replied. "And there's nothing wrong with that."
"Nothing wrong with it?" Tori said in disbelief.
"That's what she said," Gil stated. "If you disagree, why don't you tell us exactly what is wrong with it?"
Tori was momentarily speechless. She wasn't sure exactly what to say. To her, it was obvious that there were a billion things wrong with Trina doing porn. She felt shocked that she was being asked to explain it.
"Mom and Dad are going to be livid," she told Trina.
"To hell with your Mom and Dad," Gil snapped back with more hostility than he'd shown up to that point. His words, and the angry glare that accompanied them, shocked Tori.
'"How dare you?" Tori gasped.
"I've met your parents," Gil said. "And the way they treat Trina sickens me. So their opinions are less then worthless as far as I'm concerned."
There was a moment of stunned silence from Tori and her friends, that was finally broken by Rex.
"Oh man, the chizz just hit the fan," the puppet said
author's note: Please review.