The Pop-up Girl
“Hello mum. Mum, please don’t call me baby.”
“Darling, you’re always going to be my baby. Has your dad phoned yet? He told me he would probably be away most of this weekend, on business again. You will come, won’t you Alicedarling. I do hate being on my own, especially since dear little Pingles passed away last year. Oh, I do miss him.”
“Yes mum I will come. It gets a bit crowded in the flat over the weekend and I also have some laundry and ironing to do.”
“Yes darling, bring it all along and mumsie will get everything nice for you. We have to keep you looking at your best. Shall I book up the hairdresser for you darling?”
“Thanks, but no mum. I need to go mum. Got a message from my agent to go and see him straight away.”
“Oh, I hope you get a good part. I still haven’t seen you on that domestic advert. You really need to get a part in a good play darling. Something we can all be proud of.”
“Bye mum.”
“Hi Al. It’s just dad. Has mum called you today?”
“Hi dad, just got off the phone from Mum.”
“Did she tell you that I’ll be away this weekend? Sales conference, presentations and things. I’ll be back Sunday afternoon but you’ll have probably gone by then, especially being alone with mum. She’ll have driven you batty by then. How are you off for money Alice? I can send you a cheque if you like dear.”
“Thanks dad, but I don’t need any cash. I have to stand on my own two feet.”
“Yes darling, I know that but I do realise that that there are hundreds of candidates for each job in your line and until you get known, you are going to struggle.”
“I’ve just had a call from my agent and I’m on my way to see him. Something has turned up I think.”
“Well, I hope so for your sake but let me know if you’re short. We could call it a loan if you like and you can pay me back when you’re famous.”
“Thanks dad but I’m getting by with bit jobs until something big comes up.”
“OK Al, but the offer is there. I know your mum wants you to get a big part in a Shakespeare play so she can crow to her friends but don’t just take any job.”
“No dad I won’t. The advert jobs are good money and it’s just supporting some big names.”
“I hope you’re networking with these people. It’s who you know that counts in your profession.”
“Yes of course, I’m trying to get to know the big names but we don’t get much opportunity to hob-nob with these top guys. They keep them apart from us.”
“Anyway darling, don’t take any sink jobs. Your mother and I would be disappointed to see you spread eagled on a centre fold with a staple through your belly button.”
“Dad, I didn’t know you were into reading such things. Bye dad, must go.”
“Alice, where’ve you been? Been trying to get hold of you for hours.”
“Hi Mandy, what’s up? I’ve just been busy on the phone and I’m off to see my agent just now.”
“Well Alice it’s just that you are weeks behind in your rent and the other girls are getting a bit anxious. You know how they get! And Jane is trying to get her friend into the pad with her. The thing is that they are ganging up on you to get you out. I thought I’d just warn you.”
“Thanks Mandy. I didn’t realise I was so far behind.”
“Alice, it’s over £500 you owe and none of us has much to spare. We’re all in the same boat you know.”
“I’ve been called by my agent so something has turned up and if not, dad will send me a sub.”
“OK Alice but I reckon you’ve got until the end of the week. Bye Alice and good luck!”
“Hi Gordon! Have you got some thing for me? Got your message.”
“Hello Alice. Sit down a moment. We need to have a talk.”
“Can’t afford just talking Gordon, I need work to pay the bills.”
“Well things aren’t easy at the moment and we’ve all got to tighten our belts. Jobs are getting thinner on the ground. In fact, I called you in to give you some bad news. The old boy upstairs has told us to reduce our books and concentrate only on our regulars. I’m afraid we are going to let you go.”
“Gordon, you can’t do that. I’ve been on your books for over a year now. Aren’t I counted as one of your regulars?”
“Sorry Alice but you have only had a few jobs in that time and no repeat work. I’m concerned about that and look at that last washing powder fiasco.”
“That wasn’t my fault, Gordon. I don’t control the Underground Unions. I just couldn’t help being late.”
“Time’s money to these people and they weren’t very pleased when you turned up over an hour late. We probably have lost the account because of you.”
“That was just very unfortunate Gordon, but I’ve never been late for any others, have I?”
“Maybe not Alice, but they are not giving you repeat bookings so there must be something at fault.”
“Gordon, you must keep me on. You came so highly recommended and once you give me another chance I’ll do well for you, I promise.”
“Sorry Alice, that’s it. We have to sever this relationship. You need to consider your next career move. I don’t think you’re suited to this. Just a minute let me answer this phone it’s from the old boy upstairs. Hi Maurice.”
“Gordon! We have a problem. Extatic Promotions have been on the line. The girl we sent them has called off with flu and her replacement has had a car accident this morning and is badly bruised and shaken. We need a girl to fill in and all the others are in work or not suited to this type of job. Have you anybody?”
“Not really my scene Maurice but give me some time and I’ll check around.”
“Can’t afford to check around Gordon. Need to get back to Dan this very minute or we lose the contract. You know how it is. He’ll go to another agent and that’s the last we will see of them.”
“Just hang on a minute, I may have some one. I’ll buzz you in a second.”
“Alice, maybe your lucky day! That was the old boy on the blower. We’re short of a girl for Thursday. It’s Extatic Promotions and they provide entertainment for conferences and such things. The pay’s good, about 500 quid plus a hefty bonus if they get a repeat booking. It’s money for old rope really and if you do well for them, they’ll take you on as a regular. Good clients of ours. The job simply entails a lovely young girl jumping out of a cake, cavorting about on the head table, swinging her tits and ass for a few minutes and disappearing with the money. Are you at all interested? If you are, the rehearsal is in the late afternoon today before the show tomorrow. No costume required!”
Alice was hunched up and crouching in a box, in a cake fabrication, parked in the wings of the conference room. All she could hear was occasional laughter and hand clapping. She was more concerned about not crushing her feathery head gear and not dislodging her six-inch high-heel red shoes. The boy had super-glued them to the soles of her feet, promised her that the insole would soak off in the bath and that all the girls did that.
A fanfare sounded and the music got louder as the cake was rolled out into the conference room. She could hear the clapping and shouting of the male delegates at the arrival of the cake. The cake was positioned in front of the head table and she was to spring out as the speaker announced, ‘The lucky winner of the first prize gets this gorgeous cake’. The room went silent as the speaker started his announcements. Alicegot into her starting blocks and listened carefully for her cue. The voice was strong and clear and uncomfortably recognisable. She looked through the peep hole in the side and saw her father raising his arm pointing to someone and announcing, “The lucky winner…………………….!”
