Modern Girls

by Gary S. Griffin

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Ask him. Tell him I saw them while he was standing in the tub and Edie was lying on the concrete. Plus, Edie told me later that it wasn’t the first time.”

  Clearly outraged and horrified, Lana asked, “Why are you telling me this?”

  “Because things aren’t as they seem. Something Sid did or Andi did or they both did, led some one to kill Sid and try to frame Andi. I don’t know what or who, but if people know the truth of what’s really happening, maybe they’ll tell me the truth they know.”

  “Well, I don’t know anything about your Andi or her relationship with Sid. Sid didn’t tell me what he did with women, before or after our divorce.”

  “How close are Troy and Edie?”

  “I didn’t think they were that close at all.”

  I responded, “Well, she was his babysitter, and I gather he saw her a lot, probably daily ever since you three moved into the mansion after Sid’s parents’ deaths. That was what, twelve years ago?”

  “Garrett, she was the maid’s daughter. And, she’s six years older than Troy. I’m sure he’s not having an affair with Edie.”

  “Lana, face reality. Edie is a hot 25 year-old actress, living in the pool house at your ex-husband’s estate. And, Troy knew Sid was sleeping with her, off and on, for the past three or four years. And, on Sunday, I saw her sunbathing topless, right in front of Troy. Apparently, she’s done it lots of times when Sid was away from home working, being with Andi, Bambi and others in the past few years, when Troy and Edie were alone together at the mansion. The maid and the groundskeepers are only there a few hours each week.”

  Lana replied, “I didn’t know anything about this.”

  I paused and slowly nodded my head.

  “What are you thinking, Garrett?”

  “How well did Sid and Troy get along?”

  “Well enough. Troy loved his Dad.”

  “What did he tell you about life at the mansion?”

  “Look, Garrett, I know what goes on there. But, Sid had joint custody and things worked out well for Troy.”

  I paused and thought of that statement from Lana. She was learning a lot from our conversation, but I wasn’t. So, I decided to end this interview. “Yes, they have worked out well for Troy. At 19, he owns a Beverly Hills mansion, three cars, lots of property, art and money, and he has a hot, older woman, living in his pool house.”

  With that response, Lana got up and walked out of the restaurant, leaving her half-drunk vodka tonic behind. And, she left me with the bill. I didn’t play that too smartly.

  On my way out, I stopped at the hostess station, borrowed the phone book and looked up the exact location of my next planned stop. I decided to call ahead from the public phone to Modern Girls, the strip club that Edie mentioned, to see if Bambi Deer was working. No such luck. Monday is one of her days off. But, I did learn that she’d be at work the next day. So, by 3pm, I was on the Pacific Coast Highway, heading back to Torrance, with my wallet a little lighter. I arrived before 4pm.

  After I parked, I went to find Andi’s friend Shayna. I looked up her apartment number in the lobby and walked to her apartment. She wasn’t home. I pulled out one of my business cards, wrote a quick message on back, and stuck it between the frame and the front door of her apartment. Then, I headed back to Andi’s apartment and saw Andi walking there from the opposite direction. She was just getting home too.

  As Andi approached, I again noticed that she is such a gorgeous woman. She looked beautiful, sensual and happy. She strutted slowly, wanting to be seen, and kept eye contact once she saw me. She was wearing a little black dress. It was a sleeveless slip dress cut six inches above her knees, made of a light, silk-like material. She also wore stylish black pumps with chunky, four-inch heels and sheer white hose. The short dress, high heels and hose highlighted her long, shapely legs. Andi also smelled wonderful – sweet, flowery and fresh. Her lipstick and nail polish were an attractive, bright red. She wore a string of pearls that rested on top of the dress. With her light, but knowing use of makeup and her hair falling way down her back, she couldn’t look better.

  God, Andi was totally enticing.

  As we hugged, I could feel Andi’s bare back and uncovered breasts under the thin nylon of her dress, and wondered in amazement that Andi would go to such an important event without a bra. Maybe that was a factor in her success in the audition that day? I guessed she just lived without that undergarment. I hadn’t seen her wear one in the past three days.

  She pulled close and held me tight as she kissed me and whispered, “You’re my honey, Stevie”.

  Andi held my hand as I turned to unlock the door.

  Andi was nearly ecstatic. Her audition went well; so well that the director scheduled a follow-up reading with the star the following week. The audition began well because the director recognized her name and face from her modeling days. He complimented her on her appearance and said she was exactly the type of woman he wanted for this role. He was very encouraging during the reading and actually cancelled the auditions for the remaining women in the waiting room. He even sympathized with her about Sid’s death and her ordeal.

  Now, Andi knew some other women did read before her, and wasn’t sure if they were called back. She was very happy and didn’t want to get too optimistic - but thought this could really work out.

  She wanted to do something, and I suggested that we take a swim, as the temperature had soared in the afternoon. She agreed and we quickly changed into our suits. While I did laps, Andi sat in the hot tub. After finishing twenty lengths of the pool, I joined her.

  “Stevie, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

  “Well, I think I’m about as grown as I’m going to get, but, I like what I’m doing now.”

  “Oh, I know that, I guess I was wondering if you want to be married and have kids and a home, you know the family scene?”

  “Sure, I do, in a few years. How about you, Andi?”

  “Oh, I want that, very much. I was an only child and my parents were so old when they had me, that I worry that I’ll never have what I want either. Look at me; I’m 29 now and not even close to getting married. So, I guess I’ll be in my mid-thirties at least before I have my first child. But, I’m living such a stupid life right now that I can’t even see how I’ll meet Mr. Right. And, I’m spending all my money on my looks and clothes. God, why can’t I find someone like you, Stevie, who will marry me and take me away from this?”

  She began to cry and turned and hugged me. I let her cry.

  “Andi, you can have it all. I’m sure of it. You’re just trying to start a new career and it sounds like this movie could be your big break. Don’t worry about getting married yet.”

  She lifted her head and kissed me, and said, “God, you are so optimistic. I wish you were around me every day.”

  After a few more minutes, we walked hand in hand back to her apartment.

  starring role

  After our swim and time in the hot tub, we made salads for dinner and wanted to watch a movie. I opened a bottle of white wine and poured us a glass. I was in my boxer briefs and Andi was wearing a knee-length nightgown and we really didn’t want to get dressed and go to a video store. So, with the TV off and the apartment quiet we hugged on the couch and talked and talked.

  I briefed her on my visits with her attorney, Sarah, and Sid’s ex, Lana. And, I told her of my misses with Bambi and Shayna. Andi seemed distracted and didn’t ask me any questions.

  Andi was still glowing from everything, I guess; how well her audition went, her second glass of wine, the warm air. She really felt good about her chances for the movie role. She said this could be a big breakthrough in her career. The conversation went like that for a while and then we started talking about her other, earlier movies. Andi said that she liked her first movie, Dress for Success. She said it was kind of sappy at the end, but, thought it was the best of her movies.

  Andi started giggling
and said, “I can laugh about them now, but those movies were pretty bad.”

  I admitted that I saw a script for one movie, Naughty Girl, that morning.

  Andi replied, “Oh that was a cable TV series. I had the starring role in two episodes - that was the second one.”

  I asked, “You actually made that one?”

  “Yes, I sure did. Would you like to see it?

  “You have the video?”

  Andi answered, “Yeah, sure, I have them for all four movies I made. Well, the last two were like movies, but were shorter and part of this cable series on TV.”

  “Well, OK, that might be fun. But, didn’t you say you were embarrassed about the graphic sex?”

  “Oh, Stevie, I didn’t actually film an X-rated movie. I auditioned for them, but backed out of the two or three where they wanted me. My four films are R-rated and there isn’t graphic sex. There’s a lot of nudity in some, and most of the stories are so stupid, and some are degrading to women, but their pretty harmless, brainless movies, really.”

  “I see. Did you have a premiere or an opening night party?”

  “Oh, Stevie, I wish there were premieres. But, the two movies went direct to video, you know, they go straight to the video stores, or, at least some of them, mostly here in LA. I don’t think you’d find them in Blockbuster back in Philly. Plus, the other two cable shows were shown this year - one in January and the other in May. But, there were cast parties the night the videos are released. We all got our copies then.”

  I answered, “OK, I didn’t know. That sounds cool though, I mean, you are a real movie actress, Andi. Let’s watch Naughty Girl. I’ll make some popcorn.”

  Andi asked, “Are you sure you want to? I’m going to be so embarrassed.”

  “Don’t be, I’m sure it will be OK.”

  “Oh, you are so upbeat and positive. Thank you. I just hope you don’t think I’m a jerk to be in these movies.”

  Then, she gave me a big kiss.

  “Stevie, like I said, this wasn’t a movie. It’s a 30 minute episode of Sensual Stories, a cable TV drama series with soft-core sex. The story was silly and I wasn’t completely happy with it. Let’s watch and you’ll see why.”

  Andi pressed play on the remote. “So, Stevie, here’s Naughty Girl!”

  When the tape began, we heard Andi’s sensual feminine alto voice as the narrator of the show. At the beginning and end of each scene, Andi filled us in on her feelings and the off-screen action…

  It all began with my boyfriend’s company Christmas party. That’s my boyfriend, Rock. He told me to look my best as he wanted to show everyone his gorgeous girlfriend. And, so, given Rock’s compliment and challenge, I did.

  I decided to wear my new outfit; a black cat suit. I loved how it felt, so tight against my skin. Plus, I looked great in it; sexy, beautiful, sleek, super tall and athletic. And, this is the most important part; I thought I looked very classy, not slutty.

  All began well. Rock and I were the center of attention. Then, things went wrong, very wrong. I started to drink. I guess I was nervous. I got lightheaded and started acting foolish.

  The movie shows Candy dancing, sitting on several men’s laps, standing provocatively, not listening to the leading man, named Rock, and reluctant to leave. Finally, she was pulled out by Rock. Rock gets mad.

  I didn’t realize how angry Rock became and how much I screwed up. Rock drove me to his town home and I fell asleep on the couch and slept there all night. He had time to simmer through the night. Rock woke me early to talk. I had a hangover and Rock was not happy. His temper boiled over in the morning.

  Next, the movie showed the scene I read in the script the day before.

  Rock began by saying, I’m angry with you, Candy.”

  I replied, “What did I do wrong?”

  “You were a naughty girl.”

  “I try to be good.”

  “You’re good most of the time. But, last night you misbehaved. Plus, you dressed like a tramp!”

  I was getting upset. “Well, I’m sorry, but you said to wear something nice. This catsuit was new, very expensive and my best outfit. It makes me look great! Plus, I don’t have conservative clothes.”

  He answered, “I don’t think you fully understand. You cost me that new job. My boss told me he wanted a mature person, not someone hanging out with a wild child. I was humiliated!”

  I did feel bad at what happened, but didn’t like how he was lecturing me. Even still, I said, “I said I was sorry.”

  Rock answered, “I may need to reconsider our future.”

  I asked him, “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t know if I want to be married to a tramp, and I really don’t want to have children with an unfaithful woman.”

  “Rock, you can’t be serious.”

  “I’m very serious. I don’t know if I can trust you.”

  I answered, “Yes you can. I love you and want all we’ve talked about. I’d do anything for you.”

  He replied loudly, “Prove it.”

  “How?”

  Rock answered, “I need to test you. If you pass, we’re still a couple. If not, we’re finished.”

  “I’ll take the test, please let me.”

  “Do you swear?”

  I replied, “Yes, believe me.”

  That’s how the test started. The first night’s plan was simple. He wanted me to be embarrassed. Rock made me look like an ugly old maid and took me to hip places where he was sure I would be seen by people I knew.

  The video shows Andi slipping out of a t-shirt and shorts into the old lady clothes. Then, they went to a fancy restaurant. Later, they danced at a club.

  I hated how awful I looked. When the night ended I said, “I’m completely humiliated. I really do feel like an Old Maid.”

  Rock said, “Good, that’s what I wanted. Your next test will tell me if you can be faithful.”

  I worried about that comment. I would be dressed as the sexiest girl in town, showing all my assets. Rock even mentioned that we would end up at a special place.

  The second night was an extreme the other way. It happened two weeks later. We would go to dinner at a conservative French restaurant and then view a new exhibit at the new art gallery. Rock went all out on this one to try to top the Old Maid night.

  The movie shows Andi getting dressed in a red mini dress and high heels. Then, they have dinner at an upscale French restaurant. Andi was on display as they sat at a center table. Everyone’s eyes focused on Andi and her barely covered body.

  I relaxed more as dinner progressed. During dessert, Rock reminded me that we were going to the art gallery tonight. This worried me, as I realized other women would be in ball gowns and I would look very provocative compared to them. I wanted to go home, but Rock insisted we were going.

  We walked three blocks to the art gallery. On the way, men couldn’t keep their eyes off me. It was a huge boost to my wounded ego. Rock even said out loud that I was great-looking; the sexiest babe he’d ever seen. However, I could only imagine what the art museum crowd would think.

  When we arrived Rock and I began our tour. Rock really did surprise me. My favorite works were on display; the French Impressionists and they looked spectacular. Waiters carried hors d’oeuvres and champagne on silver platters to the select audience. The galleries were beautifully lit. The floors were richly tiled and carpeted. I loved walking and standing and posing in each room.

  I got into the moment and felt free and beautiful. I loved all the attention from the crowd, and soon it seemed like I was part of the show.

  There were several photographers who, at first, sneaked photos of me. Then, they asked me to pose standing by the masterpieces, or sitting on the benches with my legs crossed, or in profile near the colorful surroundings. I asked and Rock approved these requests.

  The movie captured Andi and a beautiful, modern gallery. She looked irresistible and sparkled in the flash of photographer light. This was a great role for her a
s she could be free to strut and pose using all her supermodel skills.

  We both reveled in the attention I was getting. I was so turned on. But, I acted so well-behaved with all the focus on me - I was humble, polite and grateful for all that Rock did for me. Later, three of my photos made the local Los Angeles monthly magazine in a beautiful glossy spread of this special night in this fabulous museum.

  Rock loved it too and he laughed because his plan backfired - I was not humiliated after all, but praised, and it was all due to his efforts. It was the best possible outcome for us. We both felt great and were so in love.

  The night ended so well and we concluded that the second test was a turning point. It was a dreamy start to the rest of our lives because Rock proposed to me later that night.

  Andi stopped the tape and said, “So, what did you think, Stevie?”

  “I liked it. I was expecting something really weird or bad at the end, but it turned out nice.”

  “I guess it did, didn’t it?”

  I said, “Yeah, it was cute. It sure had some bizarre moments early on. But, you looked great in those art gallery scenes.”

  She smiled and answered, “Thanks, I really liked that too. That’s my favorite scene ever.”

  “I agree.”

  Then, Andi said, “Well, that’s my film career so far. Thank God I didn’t do any of the porn. I think I showed enough of myself in these four tapes.”

  “Andi, you’re a good actress. I love your timing and think you could really have a career here. I hope you get that new part. It could be the breakthrough you need.”

  She said, “I hope so too.”

  I then said, “Guess what?”

  “What?”

  “Tomorrow’s my birthday.”

  “Really?”

  I answered, “Yeah, really, I’ll be 29.”