Moonlight Over Seattle

“No, but I’ve had these for years. They’re good for misdirection.”

Without makeup and in an oversized shirt, it was possible she wouldn’t be recognized, though no one would mistake her for anything except an extremely beautiful woman.

“Will I pass?” she asked.

“I suppose. You really think we’ll look like parents?”

“They can’t see how we really feel about marriage and each other.”

“I’ve been upfront about my disinterest in becoming a husband. So you feel the same way?”

She grinned. “I definitely don’t want to become anyone’s husband.”

He groaned. “Come on. Do you always misdirect?”

“Is this for the article?”

“I don’t know. Everything’s a possibility. Plenty of speculation has gone on about your decision to leave modeling. A husband and kids were large question marks.”

“Well, I’m not interested in getting married,” she answered in what seemed to be a deliberately light tone. “The advantage of having a dog instead of a husband is that they don’t think something is wrong if you aren’t wearing makeup.”

Jordan was sure there was something deeper being hinted at, but doubted she’d say more at the moment.

“Your editor mentioned wanting pictures for the articles,” she continued. “But I hope it isn’t necessary to include one of me dressed this way. Going incognita is the best way to give these kids a fair shot.”

“I understand.”

Nicole walked to her car, parked in the driveway, and Jordan knew it made sense for her to drive since she’d probably visited the school already. They arrived a few minutes before 1:00 p.m. and she led the way to the auditorium, arriving as the curtain on the stage was going up.

Throughout the performance, she watched attentively, occasionally checking the program, though without making any notes. Presumably she wasn’t seeing anyone she felt was promising. Jordan had to give her credit for appearing conscientious. His own attention kept wandering, unfortunately drawn by the scent Nicole wore, the line of her cheek, and the way her slight movements made him aware of the curves that had so often been displayed in a bikini or lingerie.

Perhaps that was the problem. Pictures were just pictures. But now she was here in the flesh and even though those curves were completely covered by a casual shirt, he’d seen enough photos of her in scanty clothes to know what lay beneath.

Shifting in his seat, he told himself the whole thing was basic human chemistry and could be overcome by rational thought.

Toward the end of the last scene, she stood and gestured for him to follow. They slipped out of the auditorium and walked briskly to the car. With the way they’d arrived and departed, he thought it was unlikely anyone would have noticed Nicole, even if she hadn’t been in disguise.

“At least you don’t have to attend tonight,” he commented as she drove from the parking lot.

“Excuse me?” She cast a surprised glance in his direction.

“There wasn’t much for a talent agent to explore.”

“Did we see the same performance?” she asked incredulously.

“What are you talking about?”

“For one, the kid who sang a song in the third act. Her role was too small to see if she has any acting ability, but her singing was excellent.”

Jordan frowned, remembering the short girl with stringy hair who had sung a few lines before getting interrupted by other onstage action.

“That kid isn’t exactly a star in the making.”

“Is that based on your prejudice against girls who aren’t your idea of sex goddesses, or because you think the agency can’t be interested in people who don’t fit the world’s limited concept of beauty?”

Whatever else Nicole might be, she was sharp enough to analyze his response and require him to define his intent.

He shifted in his seat. “If anything, I figured Moonlight Ventures would only be interested in clients they can develop as supermodels or into major acting stars.”

“Actors and models don’t have to fit a particular idea of good looks and I’m not interested in stereotypes.”

He shook his head, bemused by Nicole’s relentless logic. “Okay,” he said, deciding not to pursue the subject further, “the girl has a good voice. Is that all you got out of it?”

“The play itself was authored by one of the seniors.”

“It was?” Jordan had thought the show was well-written, despite the often excruciating performances.

“Yes. According to the principal he’s been a rebellious screw-up and had to write the play to get enough credit to graduate. I thought it was good and we may be interested in writers. Adam is exploring development of a literary division in the agency. I don’t know if that will work, but other agencies have done it and he’s been making editorial contacts. If anyone can pull it off, he can. At the very least we could refer the play’s author to one of our connections.”

“Isn’t it unusual for a talent agency to divide its focus?”

Nicole waved her hand. “Right now, maybe, since I’m still the only one working full-time. But once all of us are on board, it might make sense to diversify. We have varied interests and know there’s a wealth of talent in the Seattle area. Eventually we’ll hire other agents as well. The kid who wrote that play may have the ability to go all the way. Talent often emerges young. Walter Farley wrote his first Black Stallion book in junior high school, and there are a number of other authors who also began early. Adam is bugged by the idea that there could be a great author out there who might never realize their own potential.”

“Why is that Wilding’s special area of interest?”

“His mother is a writer, though she’s never tried to get published.”

Jordan hadn’t thought that much about Nicole’s partners. The focus of the articles was supposed to be on her as a supermodel changing her life. If he could schedule conversations with Nicole’s partners, it would mostly be for getting information that was related to her.

“So the agency might get a writing client for a potential literary division, and perhaps a singer. But do you need to go back again just to listen to amateurs reciting good lines?”

“I like to give them a second chance. It’s hard to perform at your best in front of fellow students. But if it’s too tedious for you, feel free not to attend this evening. After all, you’ve seen what I’m doing there and it isn’t world-shattering.”

“I’m going,” Jordan asserted, stung by her “tedious” remark.

One thing was clear, the assignment was turning out to be very different from what he’d anticipated.

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