Caught In His Web (Closed)

[AnnieD]

That's a picture of me, all over television and all over billboards here in Los Angeles. My name is Tina Bell, a nineteen year old actress who suddenly made it big about a year ago. I suppose that I was known especially for one thing; my looks. Yes, I was a sex icon for all of Hollywood, mainly because every role I played involved some skimpy outfit. Especially the upcoming series "Beholder" where I'm to play some survivor in a post-apocalyptic Earth. Somehow in a jungle...and in a two piece bikini. I had to tell you, it's hard as hell to run in that outfit, especially when you have heavy, large breasts like mine.

Anyway, it isn't so much of the shows' sloppy plot that bothered me, as so much the attention I was getting. My god, the papparatzi. It was a miracle that I managed to escape them now. I was in the downtown area, dressed in a white hoodie and denim shorts, walking in heels without any direction. It was nice, I think, having left my cellphone at home and just disappear like this.

My walk was interrupted, as I passed by a condo with a sign saying:

"Open house party - 14th floor! Everyone's invited!"

I thought about it for a second, fearful that somebody might recognize me if I decided to go at such an event. But then, my own adventurous side took over and before I knew it, I was in the elevator and making my way up...

 

[Bevatoria]

It was a good crowd at this party. Sure, it'd said open house, but there wasn't a single person who was born in the 60's at this party. I was a little close in that regard, I'll grant you, but being a little older with some charm can work wonders. I was grateful the ladies had decided to leave charm entirely out of the equation; they were all counting on their age (not a single one over 30 in the bunch, I reckoned) and their lack of clothing to garner attention. I was listening amicably to a young woman babbling on about her dead end job; exactly the kind of target I was looking for.

In my smart suit and tie, I looked the part of a suave gentleman. I, Mike Quade. I called myself a 'Agent', and had cards that said it. Business cards never lied, right? I didn't have any clients at the moment, but that only meant I had more time for the ones I did find. Or the one. I'd made some money with an online business back in the day, but it was drying up fast and I found myself a salesman with nothing to sell. It's not that I couldn't work for a living...I just didn't have the drive or ambition to. Especially when there were ladies to be had and parties to be enjoyed.

"Well, I think I can help you..." The room was fairly crowded, but despite that we had enough privacy. "I'm an Agent, you see, and if you're willing to sign on with me I can try to promote you. Get you some parts." Even as she squealed with glee, I sighed inwardly. It's not that I minded having to do actual work for a beautiful woman, to see her dress up in dresses, skirts, or whatever the modeling agency wanted them to...it's just that she didn't seem right for what I really wanted.

A bit of silence fell over the room, and we both stopped; complete lulls in the conversation were rare. Her eyes going wide were the first hint, and I turned around to see what she was looking at.

"ohmygosh!" She gasped. "That's Tina Bell!"

It was then I decided to replan my evening. "Who's Tina Bell?" I asked, and I kept one eye on the beautiful blonde as my soon-to-not-be conversation partner answered

"You've never heard of her? She's in that series 'Beholder'. The survival one...".

I could only hope the hosts had the good sense to keep things discrete - she'd obviously come here to get away. A part of me wondered how much she wanted to get away from...

 

[AnnieD]

The party was pretty damn quiet, I had to admit. I was expecting loud music, voices and the like; instead, I was greeted by discreet whispers and stares. Wait a moment... Oh god, this meant-

"ohmygosh! That's Tina Bell!" I heard over the distance.

Well, so much for my cover. Hopefully, however, if I played it cool enough, that no one would believe that I was Tina Bell? After all, plenty of people look like celebrities, right?

Luckily for me, that was all that I heard in regards to my name. Pretty soon, I could hear the party get a bit louder and I let out a sigh in relief. It seemed as if I dodged a bullet. My eyes casually glanced around the room, noting that the party was a bit more formal than I would have anticipated. That said, as I walked more into the room, a few people attempted to strike conversation with me.

"God, where are the drinks..." I muttered to myself, seeing numerous people walk by with glasses of champagne in their hands. I could definitely use some alcohol...

 

[Bevatoria]

I quickly excused myself from my not-so-bright brunette partner, scouting out Tina as she was accosted from many directions. She was a looker even in the outfit she'd chosen today - the shorts rode up her legs nicely, and her breasts still bounced beneath the hoodie, regardless of what was containing them. She was polite to everyone, but clearly she had something else on her mind. Getting away, perhaps. And what better way to lose one's troubles then to have a drink in hand?

She didn't. I'd already grabbed a couple of glasses of wine and made my way over, striking at the first opportune moment when she seemed to be looking for something. "Might I offer you a drink, Miss...?" feigning ignorance as to who she was as I handed her a glass.

"Charmed, Tina." I kissed her hand delicately. "I'm Mike." I smiled at her. "I'm here just checking things out..." My gaze didn't linger on her too long. "This seems like a strange place for you to be...not because of your attire, I mean, but for someone like you...a celebrity."

 

[AnnieD]

I underestimated the number of people, and the sheer size of the room, as I looked left and right, desperately looking for wherever these people were getting their glasses of wine. I know that alcohol isn't the solution for anybody's problems, but numbing my brain, and along with it this anxiety, would be utter bliss. That said, when an older man approached me with two glasses of wine and said

"Might I offer you a drink, Miss...?"

I couldn't help but go along with the conversation. "Tina." I said simply. Mike, as he later introduced myself, seemed...charming, I guess, in his own way. I mean, not many people would have the boldness to take my hand and kiss it the way he did...

"This seems like a strange place for you to be...not because of your attire, I mean, but for someone like you...a celebrity."

My facial expression must have changed, from me smiling to staring blankly in shock. I half expected him to tell everyone that Tina Bell was in the house, but he surprisingly kept quiet. I nodded and asked "How'd you guess?" before chuckling a bit nervously. "Look, could you please not tell anybody? I'm trying to keep a low profile..."

 

[Bevatoria]

"How'd you guess?" she asked nervously. She seemed out of place in a crowd; just someone who preferred to be alone, yet still wanted to get away. I could respect that. Okay, I could take advantage of that. Same thing, right?

"I've got some contacts on your upcoming show...." It wasn't a total lie; I did know people on the show, even if it was just the person doing the lights and one of the camera men. Friends in low places, as it were. "I've seen some of the shots and I'm impressed by it." Sure, it was a shot of a nipple slipping out of her bikini top, but still...

"Look, could you please not tell anybody? I'm trying to keep a low profile..."

I smirked, taking a sip of my wine. "Don't worry, Tina. There's a reason this kind of party stays open...." I nodded around her. "Nobody here wants some slimeball paparazzi here any more then you do. I imagine you might get a couple of googley eyed fans, maybe an autograph request...but I think folks here will be able to respect your privacy." Another smile. "We're all people, after all."

I took a wider gulp. "So I guess I'd better take advantage of you while you're here. What made you decide to come to this little gathering tonight? No charming actors to take you on their arm to some premeire?" I let my eyes run down her body under her trying-not-to-flatter clothes. "You could have fun and promote yourself at the same time...."

 

[AnnieD]

I wondered if he was as important as he was making himself out to be? From my (albeit few) years of experience in Hollywood, the majority of people inflate their importance in order to either satisfy their own egos, or seal a deal. On a few rare occasions, however, you could find people speaking only the truth. I wondered where Mike fell into these categories. Anyway, as he talked I couldn't help but start sipping on the white wine. Not bad.


"Nobody here wants some slimeball paparazzi here any more then you do. I imagine you might get a couple of googley eyed fans, maybe an autograph request...but I think folks here will be able to respect your privacy. We're all people, after all."

Well, that was nice to hear, I guess. I suppose that I was too used of being swarmed by the paparazzi that I forgot that not everybody wants to ruin my life. I smiled back as I took a second sip from my drink, happy to see that this Mike person wasn't a slimeball or anything of the like. He seemed so incredibly well mannered.

"So I guess I'd better take advantage of you while you're here. What made you decide to come to this little gathering tonight? No charming actors to take you on their arm to some premeire?"

I laugh and shake my head, not really noticing how his eyes run up and down my body as I did so. "No, that's not it. I just figured that I could spend a day away from my manager. He can get so controlling sometimes." I admitted.

"You could have fun and promote yourself at the same time...."

Now nearly done with my drink, I asked "What do you mean? Normally I have to be insanely careful, because the wrong kind of publicity can get me into trouble. Well, that's what my managers says. What do you think?"

 

[Bevatoria]

She'd gone through her drink quickly as she asked a question of me. "What do you mean? Normally I have to be insanely careful, because the wrong kind of publicity can get me into trouble. Well, that's what my managers says. What do you think?"

Again, I smiled. "Well, as an agent myself..." I let the sentence linger, as if I was deep in thought. "...I'd agree with him. But as a manger, he should be able to get you into situations where the publicity is good." I looked at her sternly. "That shouldn't be on you to decide, Tina...you're a young actress just breaking into this big, grand world of hollywood. You've got a lot of assets at your disposal," I tried my best not to grin at the obvious double entendre, "and you should be put in a position to put those assets to work."

"Not that there isn't a place for a night or two on your own." I nodded at the ground. "Like tonight. But all in all, do you really think you've been able to promote yourself as much as you want to? Or has it always been someone else calling the shots, claiming they'll handle it while you're idly sitting on your thumbs."

"How easy would it be for you to just hang on some big actor's arm for a few evening a month? Free publicity, and it gives you credibility as well." I took another long draw on my drink. "I can get you something other then wine, if you want...as long as you don't mind more of my company."

 

[AnnieD]

So, he was an agent and a manager? Who would have thought?

Though as our conversation continued, I noticed that his demeanor began to change. I can't explain it really - his eyes began to look at me more sternly for a while, and his tone showed authority. I simply stood there and listened attentively, nodding with each passing sentence, almost as if it wasn't my turn to speak. It was odd. It was only when his tone got softer, that I felt 'safe' to reply.

"That shouldn't be on you to decide, Tina...you're a young actress just breaking into this big, grand world of hollywood. You've got a lot of assets at your disposal, and you should be put in a position to put those assets to work."

"I see what you mean." I answered bad, taking in what he was going on about "I guess you're right."

"Or has it always been someone else calling the shots, claiming they'll handle it while you're idly sitting on your thumbs."

"Honestly? It always has been someone else calling the shots. I don't know, maybe I'm a bit of a pushover." I said with a laugh "I guess maybe I should change that."

"I can get you something other then wine, if you want...as long as you don't mind more of my company."

"Oh, I don't mind at all. It feels like I'm learning a lot from you already." I replied with a smile.

 

[Bevatoria]

"Oh, I don't mind at all. It feels like I'm learning a lot from you already." Her smile was alluring, perfectly formed white teeth, soft lips. It didn't keep me from thinking about what she'd said about being a pushover; it's be a shame if someone unscrupulous took advantage of it. Unless that person was me, of course.

"Follow me." It came out a little sharper then I'd intended, so I smiled a bit as I led her to the bar. "Let's try something different." I went for a couple of bottles; ones I'd bought, actually. "What's your poison?" Since it was a house party, it was all self serve, but I'd had a bit of experience mixing. Plus, it wouldn't be too much of a shame if hers was a bit stronger then mine; I needed her judgment a bit more impaired. Eventually, I finished mixing them and handed her what she'd asked for.

I clinked my now full glass to hers. "To new connections." I sighed, looking down for a moment before turning back to her. "Look, Tina, there's nothing wrong with letting others make your decision for you in certain aspects of your life - that's why they're there. Managers, agents, directors, and so on..." I gave her another 'concerned', hard stare. "I'm just getting the sense, from talking to you and from what I'm hearing, that they're not doing their job for you. You need someone who will do what's in your best interest - not just whatever is the easiest way for them to make a quick score."

Oh, if she only knew what I had in mind...

 

[AnnieD]

I followed him around the room, nudging through people on the way (the room was a bit crowded) until soon enough, we reached the bar. "Oh hey, here it is." I said out loud with a chuckle "I was looking for this place before we bumped into each other". And once I looked to his direction, I saw that he took a few bottles "Are you sure that you should be doing that?" I asked, as I was always prone to run away from danger.

"What's your poison?"

"Well...anything with vodka in it really." I said shrugging my shoulders a tad "But I doubt that you could make an Bellini Cocktail with these, so I'll take whatever you can give me." I added with a smile before he handed me a drink.
We clinked glasses and took a sip off our drinks.

"To new connections."

"To new connections!" I repeated.

I saw him looking down for a moment with a sigh. So, naturally, I asked "What's up?"

"Look, Tina, there's nothing wrong with letting others make your decision for you in certain aspects of your life - that's why they're there. Managers, agents, directors, and so on..."

And with a stare from him, I knew that I should wait for him to finish...

"I'm just getting the sense, from talking to you and from what I'm hearing, that they're not doing their job for you. You need someone who will do what's in your best interest - not just whatever is the easiest way for them to make a quick score."

Quick score? Well...everyone in Hollywood seemed to be after what they wanted, agent, manager or your common street thug. So having someone do things for my best interested sounded nice - but I doubt that I could find an individual like that.

"Yeah...I do." I admitted "But easier said than done, no?"

 

[Bevatoria]

"Yeah...I do. But easier said than done, no?"

I nodded fervently. "Yes." A serious look came over my face. "But all the agents that work for the firms, the big corporate groups, they might claim to be working in your best interest...but that's only until you're off the phone. Then they're working on the next client of theirs, whatever their company wants. Like an assembly line."

I gave her a look before continuing." They do just enough to get you through to the next phase. They treat you like a clone, not an individual, because they have so many clients, so many things to juggle. You need a manager who's only interest is your best interest. To find you the perfect roles, the best public appearances, the right auditions...not just what makes them the most money while you're their client."

Again, I hesitated. "I mean...I'd do that for you. If you were my client." I smiled sadly. "If only things had worked out a bit differently..."

 

[AnnieD]

I guess that made some sense. I mean, who was I to think that Frank, my manager, was only working for me? Like any manager, he had a plethora of clients. For all I know, maybe he failed to point me at certain opportunities because he reserved them for somebody else...?

Then as if he was reading my mind...

"They do just enough to get you through to the next phase. They treat you like a clone, not an individual, because they have so many clients, so many things to juggle. You need a manager who's only interest is your best interest. To find you the perfect roles, the best public appearances, the right auditions...not just what makes them the most money while you're their client."

"I can't argue with that logic..." I thought to myself.

"I mean...I'd do that for you. If you were my client. If only things had worked out a bit differently..."

Awh.

"Well...thank you. I mean, with that speech, I'd be glad to have you as my manager. But with a contract and everything, I don't think that it's possible." I said with a warm smile, now half way through with my glass "But again, thank you."

 

[Bevatoria]

"Well...thank you. I mean, with that speech, I'd be glad to have you as my manager. But with a contract and everything, I don't think that it's possible." I took another swig, noticing she was making quick work of the drink I'd gotten her "But again, thank you."

"It'd take more then a speech to make me a good manager, Tina." My smile disparaged as I looked at her sternly, taking a conspicuous look around to see if anyone was listening in. "I want to know, though...were you serious when you said that?" I blinked a couple of time slowly. "About having me as your manager, if circumstances permitted it?"

As I 'pretended' to judge her seriousness, I looked up and down her body, her long, smooth legs, and the way the hoodie framed her torso. Even in this, she could sell a TV show or movie, just by the way she moved, her subtle movements...the way her eyes bowed submissively whenever any kind of suggestion was made to her. I leaned in a bit closer, as serious as ever as I spoke again. "I can make this happen, Ellie. If you want to make the most out of your career, I can be your manager."

Another easy smirk at her reaction. "I could meet you tomorrow morning, at your apartment building...that'd be quick enough for you, I'm sure." I sighed. "Of course, we could do it tonight at my office, but I'd hate to drag us away from this party..."

 

[AnnieD]

"About having me as your manager, if circumstances permitted it?"

I was caught a bit by surprise as he moved in closer, almost as if he was judging me now. It took me a moment to think of what to say; I mean, this might be getting serious or something - what if Frank found out about this? However, I eventually caved into the pressure...the way he was looking at me was a bit too much, and he was rather convincing...

"I can make this happen, Ellie. If you want to make the most out of your career, I can be your manager."

"I guess so." I responded after a few seconds "Yeah, sure! Why not?" I then added, with a bit more enthusiasm.

"I could meet you tomorrow morning, at your apartment building...that'd be quick enough for you, I'm sure. Of course, we could do it tonight at my office, but I'd hate to drag us away from this party..." he said with a sigh.

I smiled and responded "Hey, it's no problem. We can go to your office, I mean, you're pretty much the only person that I want to talk to here." with a chuckle, continuing "But if getting there is a problem, we could meet tomorrow. I'll be at the set of my show though, if that's a problem. I mean...I'll be in that small outfit and all, so it won't be as professional..."

 

[Bevatoria]

"Hey, it's no problem. We can go to your office, I mean, you're pretty much the only person that I want to talk to here." chuckled Tina as she continued. "But if getting there is a problem, we could meet tomorrow. I'll be at the set of my show though, if that's a problem. I mean...I'll be in that small outfit and all, so it won't be as professional..."

I actually had a dilemma. As much as my urges were to get her to sign something as soon as possible, seeing her in that skimpy outfit on the set, with her sweating and taking orders, was too tempting to pass up. "I've got a better idea. How about I meet you near the end of your shoot tomorrow, and we can make sure this is what you really want to do? I mean, obviously you want someone who cares for you and your career...but it never hurts to sleep on a big decision like this." I smiled.

"Don't worry about looking professional. I could use a chance to see you at work anyways...let me know how long you'll be on set for and I'll show up for the last hour or so." I took a swig of my drink. "I'm a regular around there, so they won't question why I'm there unless you give them a reason to." I extended my hand to her, to shake on it. "What do you say?"

 

[AnnieD]

Huh.

Normally people here in Los Angeles, especially those that have something to gain, waste little time pressuring individuals like me to make a quick and rash decision. The fact that this man was recommending that we not only postpone any agreement on the matter, but that I should sleep and think about it, made him seem all the more convincing to me.

Maybe he wouldn't be all that bad of a manager?

"Don't worry about looking professional. I could use a chance to see you at work anyways...let me know how long you'll be on set for and I'll show up for the last hour or so. I'm a regular around there, so they won't question why I'm there unless you give them a reason to. What do you say?"

"I say that we'll see each other tomorrow." I said with a grin, reaching out for his extended hand with my own "I'll be there from nine in the morning until twelve doing some takes. Are you sure that won't be a problem? Honestly, it's refreshing to see someone so nice."

 

[Bevatoria]

"I say that we'll see each other tomorrow." Her hand was soft in mine as she took it; her smile infectious, and oblivious to what was coming.

"Sounds good." I smiled. "I look forward to seeing you in action..."

"I'll be there from nine in the morning until twelve doing some takes. Are you sure that won't be a problem? Honestly, it's refreshing to see someone so nice."

I sighed audibly, pretending to be mock-annoyed before smiling again. "I'll make the time for you, since you've said you're serious about this...I trust that you won't let me down." My look was intense even as the smile remained; a contrast of pressure and staying back. "I'll probably show up around eleven or so." Truthfully, I had nothing going on that morning but it'd be no sense in telling her that I could easily be watching her from start to finish; she had to think I was sacrificing as well.

I looked around. "Well, I was planning on staying a while...but I guess I have some contracts to draw up." I chugged back the rest of my drink quickly. "I hope you enjoy the rest of the party, Tina...if there's nothing else, I'll see you tomorrow."

After we said our goodbyes, I adeptly made my way past her. I would be drawing up new contracts, although they would be...'slightly' altered from my standard ones, seeing as how she was so agreeable. I tried to keep the spring out of my step as I imagined her moving and strutting around in the bikini she'd been wearing for all of those promotional shoots, and that soon she'd be working for me.

 

[AnnieD]

After we said our goodbyes, I adeptly made my way past her. I would be drawing up new contracts, although they would be...'slightly' altered from my standard ones, seeing as how she was so agreeable. I tried to keep the spring out of my step as I imagined her moving and strutting around in the bikini she'd been wearing for all of those promotional shoots, and that soon she'd be working for me.

Wow, I had no idea that I was damaging his schedule. Honestly, I felt pretty bad about it, but I figured that there was no use lamenting about it now. Instead, I thanked him softly after he told me to enjoy the rest of the party. I didn't stay all that long, however. Some woman had spotted me and wouldn't leave me alone after figuring out who I was. She wanted connections, or something of that sort, and I couldn't have been more happy to leave when she wasn't looking.

Oh well.

I got home in about forty five minutes and was greeted by the answering machine, telling me that I had about eleven unheard messages. Most of them were from Frank, and as you can imagine, he gave me hell. I didn't stay on the phone with him too long, partially because I was tired, partially because I already thought that I found a replacement for him.

The morning was pretty mundane. I was being filmed, doing the exact same scene for the past three days, due to someone screwing up, one way or another. Thank goodness that it was rarely me. I couldn't stand being lectured. Of course, how could I screw up? No one said anything about it, but I knew that I was the eye-candy, the sex symbol for everyone to stare at. I mean, look at this bikini. It barely held my heavy breasts in place, as they bounced wildly as I ran through the so-called jungle in the set. I felt so...exposed in the flimsy top and bottom - not that anybody was complaining though.

"Okay, that's a wrap for now people." the director said, as we took a breather. I checked the time and it was about 11:05 AM. I wondered if our rendezvous was going to happen or not.

 

[Bevatoria]

It had taken some doing, but I managed to cajole my way past security, hoping that it was the last time I'd have to do so. Once I was officially her manager and agent, I wouldn't need to, or so I hoped; I had spent most of my time before going to bed drawing up her contract. One of the advantages of having a law degree was being able to draw up incomprehensible legalese. As a 19 year old actress I didn't expect her to be too wise in the ways of the world but it never hurt to be too careful.

I caught the eye of my lighting friend, and nodded at him; he made his way over to me. "Mikey." He slapped my hand, and I smirked. "How's business?"

"Looking up."

"I can walk you over to the set you want...where you headed?"

I smiled wider. "Same place you are." He looked at me disbelievingly, but he also knew that if I was lying that I'd be blacklisted. I was a schemer, sure, but I wasn't entirely ignorant of consequences. With my suitcase in hand, and dressed in a grey suit, I followed him inside.

It was about five to eleven when I made it to the set; my friend, Brian, walked off to do his actual job while I prepared to do mine. I stayed in the shadows, watching the takes with several other people who were likely directors, camera people, producers, etc. So I wasn't alone in ogling Tina as she worked; it was a survival series, after all, so the focus was on her. That gave me plenty of time to observe her body, barely covered in the flimsy bikini as her body moved and bounced in the jungle setting.

Eventually, the director called for a quick break. Somehow, she was left alone and I discreetly made my way over. "Tina?" I asked hesitatingly. "It's Mike, from the party last night..."