Girls “work” their way through university, Part 1

[sail away]

This is the first of a multi-part SRP. The theme is about young girls on their own for the first time, away from home, faced with the daunting task of university study, and struggling to make ends meet. Although they may live in a dorm and with a roommate, it seems that the money just doesn’t seem to last as planned. The price for text books is unreal! Then there are meals, school lab fees, you mane it! Some of the girls have a part time job to help pay for things, but the jobs pay peanuts and the time spent working cuts into homework time. What’s a girl to do!?

The good news is; there are some high paying local jobs that don’t take too much time away from school work.
The bad news is; (Yes you guessed it!) The jobs require that the girls sell their bodies in some way.

Each part of this thread will get progressively more erotic. In part 1, “Sally” is very good looking, shy girl and still a virgin. She doesn’t date much. She’s in the middle of the semester and finds that she doesn’t have money to pay the rent, due in 5 days. Her room mate suggests that she look for a temporary job at the universities job bulletin board. She finds a molding job for the universities art class. Sally thinks that it might be fun working as a model. The add says “Life Model Wanted”. Sally wonders what ‘life model’ means. She finally finds out when the art teacher tells her! What will sally do?! There is no sex in this part, but it is a good character study of a young girl faced with the decision to model nude in front of 50 or so strangers.

So that’s the setup. I’ll play the art teacher, and I need a lady to play Sally.

At the completion of this part I’ll start Part 2, in another thread. It will focus on a different character performing at a strip club. Later parts will focus on a porn web site, lay out in a porn magazine, porn video, and some prostitution.

 

[Lateral]

OOC

Hi.
I like your idea, and I'd love to be involved. Alas, I don't feel very confident in my ability to play the role of a female, so I was just wondering if the thread is open to other characters in addition to Sally and the art teacher. Perhaps one of the art students who falls for Sally?

Anyway, if you only want the two characters in your thread, I understand - so feel free to say no. If you like the idea, I'll post some character information after getting the all clear.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

If no one else is up for the part of Sally, I will take it. PM me or post here to let me know.

 

[sail away]

OOC: HI, BlueEyedLady!

I haven’t seen you around since our last SRP, “Trailer park love bunny”, if I remember correctly. I thought were awesome. To bad we had to cut it short. I’ve love to restart that SRP with you again in the future.

Regarding this SRP: I think it would be great if you played Sally! And Lateral, would you like to play a student in the art class? Maybe your two characters “go for coffee” after class.

I think we can get the DRP started as follows:

Remember, Sally is desperate for money and has been looking for a good job for days. She is scanning the on campus job bulletin board and sees the following ad:

Life Painting Model wanted for art 101.
$125/hr No experience needed.
Contact Professor Richards, room 205

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Sally Barton

OOC: Description: about 5'5" tall, well built without being too skinny, wears glasses for reading and sometimes wears them just to run off the guys because she is too shy and embarrassed when they arpproach her. Light brown hair that has blonde streaks in the summer and is usually pinned up in a ponytail or bun. Very studious as well as being shy but faced with a situation that may mean she can't study anymore.


IC: Sally sat at her desk, her books laying open but ignored beside her, a copy of a flyer that was on the student bulletin board laying in front of her. She sighed and ran a hand through her hair that was coming loose from her ever-present ponytail. She had asked the library to copy the flyer so she could study it in the privacy of her apartment. Her apartment that had the rent due in five days and no way for a struggling student to get the money.

The money her parents had given her was gone long ago, the money from her grant as well. Her outlook on the expense of a college education had been, shall we say, short-sighted, and now she was stuck in an apartment she loved but couldn't afford with the items in her pantry dwindling and smack dab in the middle of the semester. The outlook wasn't too bright.

Her roommate, Michelle, had suggested that they both look for part time work and had gone off to do just that. Sally had tried and been turned down time and again. She guessed it was because she had choked on the interviews. She couldn't help it. She was almost painfully shy and stammered when she got flustered. It had pulled the rug rught out from under her. Maybe she should take a self assertion class. But that wouldn't help her right now. Right now she needed the money and this flyer that had caught her eyes seemed to be the solution. Well, sort of.

The flyer read:


Life Painting Model wanted for art 101.
$125/hr No experience needed.
Contact Professor Richards, room 205


That much money would certaintly pay her part of the rent that was due, especially if she modeled for more than one....what did they call it? session? Sally shrugged to herself. She wasn't really knowlegeable about the art world and didn't exactly know what a 'Life Painting Model' was but the 'No experience' part was right up her alley. Though very pretty, with high cheekbones and large brown eyes and a natural slimness that most girls would have killed for, she never thought of herself as model material. But desperation sometimes called a person to act in ways that they don't normally act. And so here she sat, actually considering the job.

She had been fuming and fussing over whether to go for the job for an hour now and it occured to her that many other students would be trying for the job. The thought of going for another uncomfortable interview was not fun but the thought of getting kicked out of her apartment and not being able to finish school was what drove her to stand up and grab the flyer and head out the door before she could change her mind.


At room 205 she finally slowed down enough to catch her breath. Trendils of hair were falling out and around her face and she only just remembered to take off her reading glasses and shove them into a pocket of her sturdy and parctical dress jacket that she had been wearing for all those other job interviews. She knew that her face was a bit red along the cheek area due to her hurried pace but she didn't have time to stop and think of that now. If she stopped for any length of time she would decide to turn around and go back home and not go through with the interview.

Getting up all of her courage, she knocked on the closed door. When no answer came, she tried the door knob and, seeing that it was unlocked, opened it slowly and poked her head in.

"Hello?" She called, thinking he must be in a back room and couldn't hear her,"Professor Richards? Are...are you there? I came about the job. The model..." She let the sentence trail off feeling a little foolish for talking to an empty classroom when she didn't even know if he was in here. For all she knew, he could be in the teacher's lounge or off somewhere else.

 

[sail away]

General info:
Frank Richards is about 6’, 200lb, long hair in a pony tail, wares jeans and a T shirt most of the time. Usually needs a shave but never to scruffy looking. He’s kind of the typical artist bohemian type. He’s informal and generally a low key and likes to be called by his first name.

There are 5 two dimensional (painting and drawing) art studio rooms in the university’s art building. Each room is rather large with an elevated platform in the middle of the room for still life or models. Surrounding the platform are about 40 easels and stools for the students. There are large windows on the North wall for indirect light. There is a store room and a separate small dressing room for the models. The studio rooms are on the second floor.

IC: I was in the store room rummaging through some props for my life painting class today. Most of the models are students or other local people. The problem is that it’s hard to find people willing to stand naked in front of 30 or 40 complete strangers. Yes this is “art”, but most people are still shy about it especially the guys. Besides many of the students have ever changing schedules. They need to cram for tests etc. Often they just don’t show up. So I’ve learned to have a contingency ready for each class. I have some fake flowers or a bowl of fruit setup just in case. But my students still get POed when there is no model. Today Cindy, one of my regular student models should be here. I say “regular” but she’s the kind that will just not show up and then later she’ll say, “But Mr. Richards I had this big ass test in math and I had to cram,… you know!” Well, it’s ten minuets before class and no Cindy, so I’m looking for props!

Just then I hear a timid sounding female voice calling my name and saying something about molding. That got my attention!. I call out, “Yes, I’ll be right their.” I walk out of the stock room and see a nice looking girl holding a sheet of paper. I walk up to her and say, “Hi I’m Frank Richards. How can I help you?”

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Sally was just about to leave when she heard someone in the back room. She stepped into the classroom and shut the door behind her, looking around and trying not to think about how nervous she really was. When she heard footsteps coming from behind her, she turns around to face Professor Richards and she swallowed as she watched him walk her way and greet her.

Whatever she had expected from an art teacher, this wasn't it. Tall and pretty handsome, just the right combination to get her tongue twisted around her teeth. Opening her mouth to say something and not getting anthing out, she snapped it shut and then tried again.

Shoving the flyer out in front of her she stammered out. "M...My name is Sally...Sally Barton. I...I saw your ad on the bulletin boards...and...and, well, I kind of need a job right away. I'm...I'm not sure what...what kind of modeling you need done....but..."

Great, she was really giving a great first impression. Taking a deep breath and determined not to let this job slip away, she rushed out,"Look, I really need this job. I can work whatever hours you need around my schedule. And I'm a good worker. I show up when I am scheduled and I do my job to the best of my abililty"

Okay, so she showed her despiration, hopefully he would understand a struggling student who needed a job as the bottom line and give her a break.

 

[sail away]

As I walked up to the girl I saw a kind of glazed look in her eyes. Then she shook like a leaf as she tried to talk. I took a deep breath and let it out and made a bit of a displeasing look on my face. ‘Another nervous Nelly. This’ll never work’, I thought to myself.

After her first try she seemed to compose herself and made a bit of a desperate plea for the job. I fell sorry for these kids. I see this happen every semester. Away from home for the first time, scared, not enough money for the rent, working till midnight to make ends meet--a hell of a life.

Just then one of the male students comes into the classroom carrying his paint kit and a blank canvas. He nonchalantly says, “Hi Frank. Cindy gona be here this time?”, as he walks by to his easel. I respond, “Um… Well we’re still early, but we might have a contingency plan just in case.” The student glances at girl then moves on.

I turn my attention to Sally. Most of the people who ask for a modeling job are pretty confident, they have to be. The one’s that act nervous almost never work out, so I figure this was the case with this kid. But I didn’t want to turn her away ether. Kind of a no win situation for the kid. I took a deep breath and told her the situation in a quiet, comforting tone. “Well, the situation is that the art department has a pool of models that we call on as their needed. Today we have a model who is supposed to show for this class, but she’s mist classes before. All I can suggest is to hang around for about 15 or 20 minuets to see if she shows. If not then you’ve got the job for today, ok?” I continue, “Now today’s class is three hours long so the university will pay you,…umm…that’s $375. $125 for three hours. Is that ok with you?”

Now for the big thing. I have the impression that kid is one of the ones that might not know what a ‘life model’ is. So I ask in a soft tone, “Now you do know that this is a second semester Life Painting class. Do you have any problem posing nude?”

Just then two female students walk in to class chatting to each other.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Sally's job dropped as she heard the amount they were willing to pay her. She was totally stunned. $375 for three hours of work? It was a dream come true and an answer to her prayers....until she heard the part about posing nude.

"N...N...Nude?!" She managed to get out in a strangled whisper, her eyes round as she gaped at the professor. He wanted her to pose in front of students for three hours without any clothes on? Of course she had heard of it being done before. She had been to the museums and had heard the discussions about whether nude artwork was really art or just pornographic. Had seen the pictures of the Masters that included that very subject. But this was not some model with one of those Barbie doll figures that men swooned over. Okay, so her body wasn't bad. In fact it was pretty good and she always got compliments from the guys that actually managed to chase her down to talk to her. And she got glares from the girls which meant pretty much the same thing.

But this was her posing nude in front of God knows how many people! A professor was asking her to pose for money without any clothes on. The thought whirled in her mind and she could see that Professor Richards was about to move away. The chance to make enough money to pay her rent and buy some neccessities were slipping away. She had to decide and she had to decide fast.

Grabbing his arm, she said,"Sorry. I...I just wasn't prepared for...well, I didn't know...." She swallowed and looked around the room at the gathering students. It was a mix of both males and females and that should make her feel better but it didn't. Still, it was either this or eviction and going home minus her education.

Swallowing again, hard, and nodded before she could change her mind. "Okay...Yeah...I'll do it. If...if the girl doesn't show up, I'll model for you." Sally just hoped they had enough red paint in the class to give her body the rosy color she was sure it was going to have if she had to go through with this.

 

[sail away]

Yep! This kid didn’t know what she was getting into! Her face turned red as an apple! As a few more students filed in I said to Sally in a soft tone so others could not hear, “Look, are you sure about this? It can be scary for some people modeling for the first time, but they get used to it quickly. If you really need the money, the financial aid department might lend you $50 on an emergency basis.”

I pause and look at the clock. Then I say to her, “Look, it’s just after 1. Class starts at ten after. I’ll give the other girl until fifteen after. If she doesn’t show by then, it’s your option, ok?” I pause and continue, “Why don’t you have a seat for now. By the way I need to see your ID. You need to be at least 18 for this job.”

Students start filing steadily. They don’t seem to pay much attention to the new girl, as they mingle and set up their paints and canvas.

Time goes by. Five after… Almost ten after…

I start calling the class to order. One student asks, “What we’re doing today?” But before I can answer, another says, “Well, we might be painting flowers again. It’s Cindy’s turn today.” Many of the other students groan. I interject, “Now now, let’s give her some time. Besides I have a possible new model here to day.” The students all look at Sally, and I wonder if she’ll run just from the attention.

It’s fifteen after, and the students are preparing their paints.

I walk over to Sally and say to her, “Ok, the job is yours.” I point to the dressing room and say, “There’s a dressing room there. You can undress there and put on the robe that’s hanging their.”

 

[Lateral]

Daniel

OOC: Great. I'll play Daniel Kellen, 18 years old, 5'10", long brown hair and green eyes, with a lean build. Usually dresses fairly trendy, with lots of colour.

IC: "Shit, quarter past..." Daniel muttered to himself as he pushed open the door - nice and gently, so as not to anounce his last arrival. Sneaking to the nearest easel, Daniel unslings his backpack and places it on the floor near his feet, glancing towards Mr. Richards, hoping he hadn't been spotted. Well, its not like the professor was the type to say anything about his students being five minutes late, Daniel thought.
Noticing the empty platform, Daniel leaned over to the student next to him, and said with a grin, "Cindy today, right?"

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Sally handed over her ID and went to sit down, shifting a bit uncomfortably in her chair and, occasionally, wiping her sweating hands on her skirt. She didn't know whether to hope the other girl didn't show up ro not. It didn't matter. At fifteen after there was no sign of her and Sally knew she would have to either gather her courage and do this or loose out her most inmportant plans for her future. It was that thought that made her get up and walk, a bit stiffly, to the dressing room.

Inside the dressing room, she took a deep breath and tried to steady her nerves. Undressing slowly and folding her clothes into a neat pile, she reached up to undo her hair from it's ponytail, letting her hair, which reached the middle of her back, to fall over her shoulders and frame her face. Reaching into her purse, she pulled out a brush and combed through it until it shone softly. Not finding anything more to delay her entrance into the art room, she put on the robe and stepped outside, hesitating a bit as she saw all the students there waiting for her to appear.

For a minute panic filled her and she almost ran back into the dressing room and hid. She could feel the blush start in her cheeks. But the reminder that she had her rent to pay urged her to finish walking to the raised podium and standing there waiting for more instructions.

 

[Lateral]

Daniel

Daniel's eyes followed the gesture of the student next to him, and fell upon the form of Sally. The art student was quite taken aback by her beauty; and he found that it was enhanced, rather than the opposite, by her clearly apparent hesitation. Something about her timid demeanour appealed to Daniel, and he felt instantly attracted to her. Still, he couldn't help but smile a little upon seeing her cheeks begin to burn scarlet.
Just another model, he reminded himself, shaking his head and reaching into his bag for his materials.

 

[sail away]

I watched as the new girl walked to the dressing room as though she was walking to the dentist chair. While Sally was in the dressing room I stepped on the platform and called the class of 40 or so students to order, “Ok, lets settle down…lets settle down people…” (Finally the chatter quiets down, and I continue.) “Ok, Cindy is scheduled for today, but as you can see she’s not here. Fortunately we’re in luck. We have a new model for today, her name is Sally.” I continue, “Now, today I’m looking for shadow, and color blending, so we’ve got a buissy three hours, so let’s get to work.” “I’ll be coming around to each of you during class like usual.”

Just then the dressing room door opens and I look in that direction with some anticipation, not knowing if the new girl will appear in the robe, ready for work, or in her street close, ready to run out! She’s in the robe! I think to myself, ‘Well I’ll be damed!’

Trying to move things along because of our late start, I motion for Sally to join me on the platform, and I say to the class, “Ok, this is Sally.” All the students look in sally’s direction. Then I nonchalantly say to her, ”Ok, if you’ll just give me the robe we can get started.”

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Breathe, just breathe Ran through Sally's mind. It became kind of a mantra as she stepped on the platform and looked around at all the students. Was she seeing things or did one of the guys just smile at her? Okay, she was nervous and she was seeing things. No one was laughing at her obvious embarassment. At least not openly.

When Professor Richards asked for the robe, Sally slowly undid the belt and let it slide from her shoulders. She kept telling herself that this was for her rent, that there was nothing unnatural about it and that lots of models posed nude and that this was just a job. It didn't help but she did manage to hand the robe to the professor and then clasp her hands in front of her, forcing herself not to cover her exposed body with them.

Her breasts were not overly large but were not non existant either. They were nicely sized C cups and still had the firmness that comes with youth. Her nipples, as soon as the air hit them, hardened and perked up, which added to Sally's embarrassment though it was a natural reaction that any woman had when exposed to different temperatures.

Though a virgin, her pubic hair was shaved for comfort. Now Sally wondered what everyone would think of that. It had been her one concession to her femininity and now it was exposed for all to see.

Forcing herself to lift her chin up and meet the gazes of the art students, she asked in a quiet voice. "How...how do you want me to pose?"

 

[sail away]

It was now almost half past 1 and we were late with class, so I was trying to move things along and I was not as considerate with the new model as I could have been. The new girl nervously stepped onto the platform her hands clasped together in a death grip. When I asked she slowly untied the belt with trembling hands and opened the robe revealing her budding teen breasts. Her nipples became erect which was an important feature for life painting. I didn’t want to ask this terrified girl to use an ice cube--just one of the “tricks of the trade” in modeling. I nonchalantly took the robe from her as I have with so many other models. I was rather proud of her will, but she seemed to have a nervous tendency to cover herself with her hands.

I whispered to her, “Are you ok?” She rose her head up and asked how to pose. I gently put my hands on her shoulders and positioned her in the middle of the platform and turned her a bit. There were students all around the room, but most were to one side, and I turned her body in that direction. Then I took a lock of her hair from behind her and draped her long silky hair to the side of her budding right breast. Then I gently touched the sides of her face and said, “Look over your right shoulder and a bit down.” I just happened to glance in the direction that Sally was now facing when I saw a student that must have just sneaked in. In a half humorous and half stern tone I said, “Why Mr. Kellen! How nice of you to join us!” I paused for a moment and using the same tone I introduced the two, “Daniel this is Sally. Sally this is Daniel.” I turned my attention back to Sally and said, “Keep your hands to your sides”, as I unlocked her hands and placed them to her sides.

I walked off the stage taking the robe with me and walked to the panel of light switches. There are a number of spot lights on the ceiling for illuminating the models. I flicked a few switches on and off in quick progression until I found the one I was looking for. It illuminated her face and right shoulder. I looked at our new model and paused a moment to view one of God’s greatest creations. The light on her innocent looking face seemed to glow. The light caused sensual shadows on her back. And her delicate lags and arms. An angel!

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Sally was startled that the professor would introduce her to only one of the students. Daniel. He was the one she thought was laughing at her embarrassment. Blinking, she let Proffessor Richards move her in the way he wanted her to be and found herself looking right at Daniel as he began to paint.

She thought that she would be upset seeing as how he had found amusement at her uncomfortable position but she quickly found out that by concentrating on what he was doing instead of what she was doing, she was able to get through the session better.

So she kept her eye on his brush strokes, the way his hand moved almost hypnotically over the canvas, the way he looked up and studied her before directing his attention back at the canvas. And even this didn't seem to bother her. It was almost as if he were studying an inanimate object instead of her body, though at times she thought she caught something behind the anylitical gaze, and she realized that she didn't have a problem with being viewed in this way and soon she began to relax as the students gathered around her worked, bent over their canvases with Professor Richard's voice droning in the background.

 

[Lateral]

Daniel

Daniel ignored the muffled laughter of the student next to him, smiling at Sally in greeting - and then, admiring her form for a moment, immediately began to paint.

He had done this several times before, so he had become accustomed to viewing naked forms, and also to view them neutrally despite any physical attraction he might feel. For a while, this trick worked, his brush flowing effortlessly over the canvas, sparing Sally the necessary glances, but no more. But there was something about her - particularly about the way that she was watching him - that made him falter more and more as he progressed with the painting. Eventually, he paused, leaned back in his chair, and gave his canvas a frown - before staring at Sally's form for a longer moment, tapping his lips thoughtfully with the back of his brush.

And then, he continued.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Sally's eyes widened as she saw Daniel sit back and frown at the canvass. She wondered what it was. Did he find her shape unpleasant? Or was it just the fact that he didn't like how the painting of her was coming out? She watched him with more intensity now, not realizing how much it was affecting him, simply knowing that by watching him, she was not thinking about posing nude in front of all these people.

 

[sail away]

Professor Richards makes his rounds going from one student to the other making remarks about their work. Most of the students are women, but there are about ten men in the classroom of about 30 to 40 students. Some of the students are young, others middle aged. The room is about a quiet as a library. Just Professor Richards’s low voice can be heard along with the students’ questions. A number of the questions that the students ask refer to the models body parts. They talk about the model in an almost clinical way.

From Sally’s point of view she can just make out some, but not everything, that is being said by the students and instructor. Some remarks are bound to attract Sally’s attention more than others.

Professor Richards looks at mans painting and says, “I think that’s too much red in the cheeks.” The student whispers something to Professor Richards. Richards responds by saying, “I know she is, but you have artist license, remember.”

Then Professor Richards steps to a young lady and she whispers to Richards, “She doesn’t have any…....” Richards says in a low tone, but just loud enough for everyone in the room to hear, “I know she doesn’t. But you have two options. You can ether paint verbatim, or add it in.” The student turns to Sally and looks at her midsection.

Next Richards steps to Daniel and notices that he’s taking a long look at the model as though considering something. Richards asks, “How are we doing?”

 

[Lateral]

Daniel

"Huh...?" Daniel muttered, snapping out of his reverie and turning to see Professor Richards standing over him. "Oh, Professor! Ah... its going well, I guess, but..."
The young man paused for a moment, looked for a moment at Sally, and then looked back to Richards. "It feels like I'm missing something. But I don't know what it is, its frustrating. Do you have any idea?"

One glance at the painting and any art-conscious viewer could tell that the young man had considerable talent; nevertheless, he frowns at it skeptically.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Sally

Sally tried not to frown at the comments about her. She knew that she was blushing and hoped that the three hours would go by very soon. She needed the money but that long naked in front of a group of people, not being able to move, gave you lots of time to think and lots of things to think of. Things that Sally would rather not think about, thank you.

She wondered what the girl was saying she didn't have any of. As far as she knew she had all of her necessary body parts. The only thing that she didn't have at the moment were...ohhhh! Sally remembered the girl looking at her...well...and realized she was talking about the fact that Sally was clean shaven, an acceptable fashion but she supposed not a natural one.

But then Professor Richards and Daniel began talking and some of the anxiety returned. The student was unhappy with something and she wondered if it was the subject. She didn't know why she would care if he liked her body and wanted to paint it but the thought that he might not disturbed her more than she wanted to admit. She gave a frown and then remembered that she was supposed to pose in the way that the Professor had told her and cleared it from her face though the nagging thoughts still bothered her.

 

[sail away]

Professor Richards looks at the clock and then steps to the stool where he put down the short thin white cotton robe that Sally was warring and picks it up. Then he steps up to the stage handing the robe to Sally while saying to her, “The models get a five minute break every half hour so you can relax, or mingle with the students and see their work.”

Then Professor Richards whispers to Sally, ”Your doing great sweetheart!” And he gives her a warm smile.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Sally

Sally accepted the robe and slipped back into it with a sigh. Had it only been a half hour? She tried not to groan and tallied up the times she would have to get undressed once again in front of everyone. Three hours...Six half hours...Six times. For a fleeting moment she wondered if the money was worth it then she thought again of going home without her degree and decided it was and she would just tough it out.

When the Professor said she could mingle with the students, her eyes widened. Go and talk to all the people who had stared at her and painted her in the buff? Not likely.

Then her gaze went over to Daniel and she hesitated. She was aweful curious about what he was finding wrong. Deciding that asking was better than wondering, she stepped over to him and cleared her throat.

"Hello," She began in a timid voice,"I...I couldn't help noticing that you were not happy with your painting. Could...Do you think it would be alright if I looked at it? If it's not too much of an imposition, that is."

 

[Lateral]

Daniel

"Oh, hi... Sally, yes? Um... yeah, I suppose you could have a look," Daniel responded to Sally, turning to face the girl. He glanced down momentarily at the robe, adjusting to the fact that she was once more clothed, before remembering his manners returning his gaze to her eyes. "Most of the models usually want to know how we paint them, so I guess its fair enough... though I'm not finished..."
Daniel then turned his easel so that Sally could see his work, and then he scratched nervously at the back of his neck. He knew he was pretty good at what he did - he had had enough feedback over the years to suggest as much - but was always worried when it came to showing anyone. "Its not that I'm unhappy with it, its just... well... there's something missing... I can't put my finger on it."
For a moment both were silent, and then Daniel remembered something. "Oh! By the way, I'm Daniel."