Jean Sifton - Underground model

Patricia was dressed and out of the beach cottage by ten o'clock on Monday morning. She steered her MG convertible along the hot black asphalt highway that led to the Santa Monica turnoff, grateful for the openness of the car… as usual the day was heavy with smog and humidity. The sweltering morning had been in the nineties and would probably go much higher before noon. She drove leaning slightly forward in the seat, so that her back would not touch the hot leather of the car seat; but even so, she could feel sweat gather at the back of her neck and run down the ridge of her spine.

The skirt of her dress was pulled up around her hips to take advantage of the air rushing through the ventilators, but the air too was scorching, like the day, and gave little relief. Vehicles jammed the wide highway, even though the morning rush hour had long past, and Patricia tried to concentrate on her driving, deftly switching lanes to keep up an even speed so that she would not be late for her appointment.

She had deliberately spent Sunday down on the beach, cultivating her tan in a state of blank-minded apathy, refusing to speculate on the experience which was in store for her. It was best to go into it with a completely open mind, she had decided. The important thing to remember was that she was conducting her own life now, moving of her own free will into a possibly exciting… and certainly financially rewarding modeling job.

At the studio, Ellen impatiently checked her watch for the third time, any second now the new model should be turning in at the gate. She was alone that morning because Larry had been forced at the last minute to go down to the printing company and straighten out a few technical problems, leaving Ellen to interview and appraise the now eagerly anticipated Patricia. He had left her alone with the new model with great reluctance, warning his sister repeatedly that she was on no account to make advances that would scare the new girl off.

She lit up a fresh cigarette and poured herself a tall screwdriver, adding a double shot of vodka to calm down the excitement building up in her stomach in anticipation of the new arrival. She was aware that for the last year her "afternoon cocktails" were starting earlier and earlier in the day, until like this morning, she usually began her drinking right after breakfast… sometimes she would even skip breakfast and start her daily liquid diet soon after awakening. She still managed to preserve her fresh beauty by eating expensive health foods and getting plenty of exercise before the fattening alcohol could build up in her system.

For her birthday last year, Larry had a sauna bath constructed out by the pool where they both frequently perspired in the nude, jumping back in the cool chlorine water when the heat had been more than they could stand. Twice a year, Ellen spent a week or two, depending on her time schedule, at a luxury health spa near Palm Springs. Here, she was pleasantly starved on a diet of lean meat, broth and vegetables, most of them raw, for the price of four-hundred dollars a week.

The amazing thing about the spa and its sublime dietary tortures was that she always felt so "fit" and relaxed when she left. The warm circulating baths, massages, and daily exercises were conducted on a rigid schedule, toning and trimming every muscle of the body into a supple firmness. Now, as she studied her well-toned body in the full-length mirror, she decided the money was a good investment after all, for one of her greatest fears was that someday she would lose her attractiveness to other people.

She took another sip from the tall, chilled glass, and quickly pushed the ugly thought from her mind. The present… the here and now was what really mattered to her… and right now Ellen could safely state that she was probably one of the most attractive women in town. She almost purred with self-satisfaction as she continued to pose in front of the mirror. She knew her body and beautiful face could be used in a position of power to obtain just about anyone she desired, man or woman. And right now her thoughts were fully concentrated on the luscious new model, whose arrival she had been looking forward to with mounting expectation… Not only because she wanted the new magazine to be a success, but also because she had a yen in her sex life for something new and exciting.

From time to time her sex life required the extra stimulus of an innocent young girl. One who could be seduced without too much difficulty, but who could play out her participating role with a certain enticing amount of reluctant hesitation. Ellen smiled to herself again, feeling sure that she wouldn't spoil anything by gently indulging in a few harmless fun and games with the new girl. Besides, if the new model turned out to be genuinely reluctant, Ellen had a tiny pill which was guaranteed to shed the girl of any remaining inhibitions she might possess.

The whirring electric door chimes interrupted Ellen from her sexual plotting, and she quickly set down her drink and walked briskly to the door, opening it and viewing Patricia with open admiration.

"Patricia?" she asked hesitantly, knowing full well who the girl was from the picture in Larry's portfolio.

The young girl nodded, outwardly nervous and suddenly shy in front of Ellen. She had never expected her new employer to be so beautiful and glamorous looking. Standing by her now, Patricia felt drab and unattractive… surely they would never be interested in her unsophisticated looks and inexperience… Jennifer must have exaggerated her abilities to Ellen and Larry, she thought, and she felt like turning and walking away before facing the inevitable rejection, but Ellen's manner seemed warm and friendly enough and she was talking to her now as if she had been a long-time friend, stopping by for a visit.

"So nice of you to come down," Ellen beamed at her, opening the door wide and ushering her into the house. "I'm Ellen Holmes… unfortunately, my brother Larry has been called away on business. He won't be back for an hour or so." Ellen followed Patricia into the house running her eyes professionally up and down the girl's figure as Patricia looked around her wonderingly at the beautiful luxurious interior of the sprawling ranch home.

Ellen steered Patricia into the spacious, sunlit living room and invited her to sit down on the large custom-built couch situated before the ocean-view windows.

"Even though Larry's away right now," Ellen said, "I can fill you in on what type of modeling we'll expect from you… But first, how about a tall, cool drink? I know it's still early," she added noting Patricia's surprise, "but it's the only civilized way I can find to beat this ghastly heat."

"Yes… please," Patricia accepted. She was desperately trying to act casual and aloof in front of Ellen, and the drink would serve to steady her nerves a bit.

"Screwdriver?" Ellen asked.

"Yes… fine."

While Ellen was in the kitchen preparing the drink, Patricia took time to survey her luxurious surroundings. The livingroom was a spacious, superbly furnished and decorated room, and Patricia felt suddenly overawed by the setting. She realized that the couple must be extremely wealthy to afford such a beautiful home. In the corner of the room was a large grand piano, the wood dark and gleaming in the morning sun. She walked over to it, inspecting the dustless keyboard and running her hands over the smoothness of the polished wood. The lid on the piano was closed and on the top of it was a small statue, of a jade green reclining cat. The oriental design of the intricately carved face aroused her curiosity, and she picked it up to examine it more closely. The heavy weight of the statue surprised her, for at first she thought it was porcelain enamel… she gasped in amazement upon suddenly realizing it was made of solid jade, and quickly placed it back on its velvet cushion.