Chapter 6 – Flash the camera guru
Dot stepped out of her car and immediately cameras started flashing. The crowd cheered like she had never heard anyone cheer before. She looked around, but she couldn't see anything because of all the flashing, so she simply posed. Some people were even starting to struggle to get to her between the security guards while some were only trying to touch her. Of course, no one got the chance. She was just too well protected. All she could hear people say was "Dottie!" "Dottie!" Dottie!"
"Dottie!"
"Dottie! Wake up!"
"Huh? What?" said Dot. She was lying on Hello Nurse's lap while they drove to some agency the nurse knew. Dot had been so tired from the day before, and she kept dozing off. Working out in the middle of the night and then spending a good ten minutes in the bathroom is definitely not a good idea if you want to hold out the next morning. Nevertheless, that's what Dot had done. And somehow, it felt nicer to do it in someone else's house. The water tower only made her feel guiltier, so she had moved to Hello Nurse's place.
"Where are we going again?" Dot asked. She had dozed off so many times, she kept forgetting about their journey in the cab.
"I told you like a kajillion times, we're going to Cable's model agency," said Hello Nurse. "He's the one who encouraged me to participate in the beauty contest. He's a great photographer and respects his models. You may find him a little weird when you see him, but I can tell you he's a very nice man."
"Cable, huh?" said Dot. "He sounds more like an electrician to me."
"Well, his dad was a TV repairman," said Hello Nurse. "But his mom was a model and when he was young, she would let him take pictures of her just to practise his photographic skills."
"Spew! Taking pictures of your mom sounds like . . . incest!" said Dot, pretty grossed out.
"Hey, it turned out good for both of them," said Hello Nurse and shrugged, as if she didn't find it disturbing at all.
"Alright, miss Nurse," said the cab driver. "This where you were going?"
"It is. Thank you," said Hello Nurse. "Dot, you coming?"
Dot looked out the car window. They were parked in front of a wide building that had a huge banner on top. 'Cable cameras – and don't think it's a shop!' it said. Dot chuckled a bit before she stepped out of the car. Hello Nurse paid the driver and then they went inside the house. The front door slid open as the girls walked in. But the second they stepped on the floor, a security bell rang. Dot was startled and it didn't ease when a guard appeared right in front of them from above. He was much better built than any guard Dot had seen, and his black hair covered most of his face.
"Alright, missy!" he said to Hello Nurse. He then looked at Dot. "Uhh . . . missies! What do you guys think you're doing here? I don't think you have Mr Cable's permission!" He aimed a club at Hello Nurse. "Cough it up!"
"Well, well. If it isn't Duke Zody," said Hello Nurse and reached out her hand. "It's been a while, hasn't it? Still suspicious as ever, are we? Remember me?"
Duke slowly lowered the club. He flipped his hair from his now visible blue eyes and looked at the nurse. "Hey, now I remember. You're Hyooka, aren't you? Great to see you again!" he said and took her hand.
"You too," said Hello Nurse.
"So, are you going to a meeting with Cable? Are you coming back?" said Duke.
"No, but I called him earlier to tell him I was coming," said Hello Nurse. "I brought a candidate along. Her name is Dot Warner, but her model name is Dottie."
"Dot Warner? The Warner sister? She's a model?" said Duke. He looked at Dot. At first, she thought he was going to laugh or make fun of her, but it turned out the other way. "She's become so good looking! I think Cable will love her!"
"He will?" Dot accidentally said out loud.
"Of course he will!" said Hello Nurse. "Duke, I think we'll go see the big guy now."
"Right," said Duke. "I'm sure you know the way by now?"
"Through the lobby; down the corridor; first room to the right? Yeah, I've got it straight," said Hello Nurse and smiled. "Just follow me, Dottie."
Dot did so. As the two walked down the corridor, she saw numerous photos on the walls. They were all very well taken and the models looked so pretty; so perfect. She wondered if she could be like them one day.
Soon, they were standing in front of a big door. There was a label on it that said: 'I'm busy! Professional photography takes time! (or the model doesn't understand my body language)'. Dot giggled. This Cable guy was definitely humorous. Dot fixed her hair and bit her lip before Hello Nurse knocked on the door.
"What's this?" Dot heard someone say from the inside. "Who dares to interrupt the great Flash Cable on duty? Who is responsible for making me miss the button on my camera? Who just stood in front of my door and didn't read the label?" With every word, the voice drew nearer. "Who is not polite enough to come later? Who wants me to lose another great model because of a dull photo? And further more: who is making me ask myself all those questions?" Finally, the door opened and Dot saw the famous photographer Flash Cable for the first time.
He was a tall guy, pretty skinny and wore a long, black jacket. His flaming red hair was drowning in hair gel and formed quite nicely. Even though he didn't have the happiest grin on his face, he sure looked nice! Dot couldn't help but shout "Hellooooooooooooooo Flash!!" and leap into his arms. Unlike many, he didn't drop her immediately, but started to measure her weight with his hands. "I can tell you how much I weigh to spare you time," Dot pointed out."
"No need," said Flash. "I'm just trying to figure out a way to drop you without breaking your possibly fragile bones."
Dot raised an eyebrow, but then smiled at Flash. "Hey, I can't help it if I'm --
"Oh dear mother of Lancôme!" Flash interrupted. "If it isn't my little Hyooka!" He dropped Dot like she was trash and hugged Hello Nurse. "I haven't seen you in ages! How have you been? Have you been working out? You look so much better than before."
Hello Nurse chuckled. "Thanks, I guess."
"So, what brings you here? Have you recovered from that stab the beauty contest gave you and now running back to me to work with you because you know you want to show off your now so hot body in public and earn a lot of money for it," Flash gasped for air, "or are you simply saying hi?"
"Yes, I'm saying hi; and no, I'm not going to work here," said Hello Nurse. Dot noticed that Flash's face became a little downer. "But I brought someone who wants to."
Flash brightened up instantly. "Really?" he said in a high-pitched voice. "Who might that be?"
"You just dropped her," said Hello Nurse and pointed at Dot.
"You mean to tell me that she wants to become a model?" said Flash. "That's . . . that's . . . that's . . . " He had a better look at Dot. "Stand up, dearie." Dot stood up and posed a little. "That's brilliant! Why didn't you think of this before? You totally should become a model! You've got the body, you've got the face, and I'm sure you have the talent too! What's your name, anyway?"
"You don't know who I am?" said Dot. "I'm Princess Angelina Contessa Louisa Francesca Banana Fanna Bo Besca the third, but you can call me Dot. Call me Dottie and we're talking business!"
"Wow . . . I just love a model with a catchphrase!" said Flash. "I have one too: Flash will press 'FLASH' in a flash!'" There was a short silence and then he cleared his throat. "Anyhoo, what's your alias? I'm sure it's something out of this world!"
"Um, it's just Dottie," said Dot, hoping it would be good enough for Flash.
"Why Dottie? It sounds so . . . I don't know, foreseeable?" said Flash.
"Her old catchphrase was 'call me Dottie and you die', so it's something highly unexpected," said Hello Nurse.
"Oh, I get it!" said Flash. "So it's not foreseeable, okay! Fine by me! I like non-foreseeable aliases anyway. They make me feel all warm and squishy inside."
Dot giggled yet again. What was it about this guy that made him so zany? She soon snapped out of that thought when there was a tap on her shoulder.
"Hey, she didn't collapse!" said Flash. Dot frowned at him, but he simply smiled. "Listen, Dottie. If you're going to work with me, you're going to have to be able to understand every single thing I tell you. Got that?"
"That depends," said Dot. "What do you mean?"
"Okay, I'll tell you exactly what I mean," said Flash. He snapped his fingers and all the lights in the room turned off. Soon, though, a spotlight turned on, revealing Flash standing in front of a microphone.
"This is his first big speech," Hello Nurse whispered. "It's really boring, but you might want to listen very carefully."
"Okay, I'll try," Dot whispered back. "But I'm not famous for paying attention, you know. Why is this so important?"
"Because he's going to tell you everything you need to know to work for him," said Hello Nurse. "Just listen."
"When I was a young tyke – about five years old or so – I got my hands on a camera for the first time," Flash began. "I had seen those things a lot of times, but never held one. Anyhoo, the very first photo I took was actually an accident. You see; I was playing around with the camera when my finger slipped and I took a picture. I would describe it for you right now just to brag, but it hangs on the wall so you can just have a look at it when I'm done talking."
"Can we skip your early photograph days, Flash?" said Hello Nurse.
"Shush, I'm doing my speech," said Flash. "Now, being a photographer isn't as easy as it looks – especially when you're working with models. Most of them are so dumb; it's hardly enjoyable. The thing is: only two models have been here for longer than four years, but every model I get seems to want to quit eventually. I know it's sad, but it's a fact. I think the main reason is that they're too stupid to understand my body language. You see, when I take pictures, I tend to use my body to show them what I want to see in the photo. Sure, some models have been experts in understanding this, but mostly they give up eventually. But I know that since you're a cartoon star, you'll understand me perfectly. So, are you ready for the demonstration?"
Dot nodded. "Go for it."
"Splendid!" Flash said in a high-pitched voice again. "Okay, you have to imagine I were really taking photos of you. That way, you'll get the feeling. Okay, let us begin." He cleared his throat and began stretching his body. He cracked his knuckles and shook all over. Then, he began. "If I do the twist while waving my hands and then stop suddenly with my hands pointed out like guns; it means you have to stand on one leg, point your hip out, put one hand on the leg and give me passionate eyes. I normally use this one for swimsuit photos." While talking, Flash did exactly what he was saying. "With me so far?"
"Uh huh," said Dot. She was watching Flash's moves very carefully, trying not to miss anything.
"All right. Then there's the next step," said Flash. He breathed heavily before starting. "If I pretend to be riding a horse, kick out in the air, and end in a kung-fu pose; it means you have to squat, put your hands on the ground between your legs, keep your back straight and smile. That's the pose for shampoo, nice pants or a shirt. You catching my drift?"
"I gotcha," said Dot, while writing everything down on a notepad.
"Great. Now the third step can be done in three ways," said Flash. "First: I do a wave with my body and stare wildly at you; that means you have to pretend to be surrounded by hands groping your thigh. That's a great pose for a shoe ad. It's a little disgusting, I know, but the picture will rock the viewers' world! Second: I do a few Egyptian-like moves; you lie down on your back and do some mean stretching. It always gets people to buy perfume. Now for the third version: if I kneel and bend my back like a limbo dancer while twirling my upper body; you sit down in the sexiest pose you can think of. Most clothes designers love those photos."
"I can imagine why," said Dot.
"So, what do you say, Dottie?" said Flash, panting a little. "Too hard for you, or does it sound like piece of cake? Come on, you can say."
"You know, I'm not the best person to be following orders, since I never obey anyone, but I think I can handle this," said Dot. "After all, it's going to make me a star, right?"
"You bet your fanny it is," said Flash. "So, are you ready for part two?"
"What do you mean, part two?" said Dot. "I thought you said there were steps."
"I did, yeah," said Flash. "But the thing is: there are two parts. Part one has three steps and part two has two. The second part is a little harder, but believe me, it's a lot hotter! You ready?"
"Shoot," said Dot, waiting for Flash to prepare.
"Okay, here goes," said Flash. He took a deep breath again. "If I slowly but firmly imitate a mime but end in a knitting-my-muscles pose; you let your hips dance around with your legs completely straight, while giving the camera a very hinting look. I've seen people's reaction to this, and it ain't pretty. Sure, they love it, but what they do when they see it is not suitable to describe in a story rated T."
"I don't think I want to know anyway," said Dot, though she was starting to picture things . . .
"Right! On we go!" Flash exclaimed, snapping Dot out of her inappropriate thoughts. "It's time for the last step. This is for some reason the pose most of my models have used when they're leaving me. Also, it's the only pose I've named. I call it 'the final shot'. This is how it goes: I cross myself, dance around like a showgirl in a bar to the left, then to the right, and then do a little tap dance; you just improvise but make it look so hot and appealing, the photo will become a man magnet. It never fails. My models always want to leave with style . . . and they do." Flash looked up to the ceiling in a dramatic way, as if his models were dead and he was actually looking up to heaven.
"You are one strange man . . . but I like you," said Dot. "I have no taste, but I like you."
"I know, right?" said Flash. "Anyway, now that you've seen the language, do you think you're ready for the first tryout?"
"I was born ready, tiger!" said Dot.
She had hardly let go of the word when a phone rang. Flash picked up a cell phone from his back pocket and answered. While he spoke, Hello Nurse pulled Dot to her.
"So, what do you think?" she said. "Isn't he something?"
"I'll admit that you were right: he is a little weird," said Dot. "But he's still one hyperactive photographer. I think I could actually work with a guy like that."
"Really?" said Hello Nurse. "But he's so zany. Don't you think it'll remind you of your brothers?"
"Ugh, don't mention them!" said Dot. "And no, he won't. He actually has a job. My brothers are just stupid."
Hello Nurse sighed. "You have got to stop this. It's gotten out of hand."
"Oh, Nurse, not you too!" said Dot. "You're the only one who really understands me. Don't take their side, please?"
"Fine, fine, I won't," said Hello Nurse. "But I still don't like it."
"Guess what!" Flash suddenly yelled. The girls turned around and saw that he looked extremely happy. "I just got a call from a perfume company. They need a photo for their newest ad. I told them that I had some fresh blood up my sleeve and they can't wait to see it! So, how about it, Dottie? Are you up for making your first try be an actual ad?"
Dot was shocked. She was going to pose for an ad already? She had just arrived! "Uhh, isn't this a bit sudden? I mean, I've never done anything like this."
"What?" Flash exclaimed. "You mean you don't want to become a model? After all I showed you, told you and did for you; you still say no? Is that what you're saying? You're not willing to work with me?"
"Well, I really don't think I could--Okay!" said Dot happily.
"Phew! For a moment there I thought you meant it!" said Flash. "Okay, Dottie. Let's get ready to rumble!" He skipped off and came back with a bottle, some clothes and a camera. "Are you ready to rumble?"
"What's with the clothes?" Dot had to ask.
"Surely you're not going to wear that school outfit in a model shoot," said Flash. "Put on this yellow top and these jeans. I think the jeans may be a little tight so I brought this belt too. Go on, dress up! There's a changing room in the back."
"Um, okay," said Dot and took the clothes. She then went to the changing room and switched. While doing so, she glanced at herself in the mirror. Hmm . . . my figure actually looks pretty good by now. But hey, I can always do better. When she was done, she went back to the big photo room. Flash gave a low whistle.
"That is one good-looking toon," he said to himself, though loud enough for others to hear. He picked up his camera and took a picture. "Sorry, I have to do this to every model. You know, see if she can handle paparazzi without looking ugly." He looked at the photo and his eyes widened.
"That's right, I'm a toon," said Dot. "I'm faster than you'll ever be."
"Well, at least now I know that you're a quick thinker," said Flash. "Now step on the white-screen."
Dot did so. Soon, lights blinded her eyes and she was having a hard time seeing Flash and Hello Nurse.
"This is your first try, but I've demonstrated everything, so let's just get jiggy with it!"