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The Quintessential Q
Chapter Eleven
Sugar
Same Saturday morning. Emily's personal phone rings.
"Yeah."
"Em, wake up! I've got a rush job for you."
"What happened?" Emily sits up in bed brushing her hair out of her eyes and then rubbing her eyes.
"Model assigned to a shoot was arrested for possession last night-- damn Heroin The photographer was with her."
"Sounds like the whole thing needs to be rescheduled."
"We only have permission for this afternoon and it took forever to get it. We're on a deadline here, baby."
"Look, you know I have to have a chaperone after everything that happened with Tom-- you don't even know who the photographer is going to be!" Emily insists and then gets an idea. "I know of a photographer-- one that I could slide out of having a chaperone with-- Miss Anderson based out of here in Port Charles. She's been doing a lot of work for the family lately."
"I've heard of her; she does good work but fashion stuff?"
"Unless I can get a photographer that my family is going to trust I'm going to have to pass; it's too short of notice for me to get my sister-in-law to go."
There is a long pause. "Fine damnit. There will be tickets waiting for you at the Port Charles Airport for you and the photographer."
"I suppose I should ask where the hell I'm going." Emily sighs.
"It's in The City. There will be a car to pick you up. Haul ass, baby. The flight is in 45 minutes."
"You knew I'd give in." Emily accuses.
"You're a trooper, baby." The Agent says smugly
"Have I EVER told you how much I hate being called BABY?!" Emily finally says exasperated.
"Yeah, whatever. Just don't miss the flight, baby. CIAO." The dialtone sound fills Emily's ear. Emily glances over at her clock.
"Hell." She jumps out of bed and into the shower. She lets her hair stay wet since the stylist would be messing with it anyway. Within fifteen minutes she is on her bike and racing to the airport. She makes the flight with ten minutes to spare. She throws herself into the only available first class seat right next to the photographer.
"So am I suppose to thank you for the early morning phone call?" Anderson asks. She pushes her sunglasses to the top of her head. "I was up all night developing proofs. Your agent got me just as I was finally going to get some sleep."
"You were the only photographer I could think of. Great pictures of the Cook/Porter wedding by the way. I want copies of all them-- two actually, to make albums for my grandmother and me." Emily compliments as she is buckling up her seatbelt. "You're going to have your work cut out for you today. I was up late last night too: theater with my grandparents, then dancing at Luke's afterwords." The photographer looks at Emily carefully.
"You're still young enough to get away with it. And too young for Luke's that's for sure. So what's the deal here?"
Emily shrugs "I have no idea. We're the subs." As soon as the plane gets in the air, Emily grabs the phone in the back of the seat and calls her agent. "Okay we're in the air, what's going on? And you better not tell me some underwear ad or I'm going to tell the pilot to turn the plane around."
"No. Someone at Vogue got a wild hare up their .... Anyway it's for the February issue. They are on a deadline. The permits are on a deadline. Some hot new designer is taking things by storm; they want to showcase his spring line."
"Oh great. Are we going to have to deal with the designer too? I mean he probably had the final say on the original model and is going to be hot about the changeup."
"Look baby, I've got a call on the other line-- CIAO!" Again there is a dialtone in Emily's ear.
"I'm really going to have to look into other representation when my contract is up." Emily says ruefully hanging up the phone.
"That didn't sound too great. We're dropping into a war zone, aren't we?"
"Let's make a pact now-- we're the ones coming in to save their asses okay? It's not our fault that the original model and photographer, picked by the designer, were stupid enough to get caught buying horse by some undercover. IF they start giving us more than the normal ration of sh*t, we can go play tourist at Staten Island or something. Or FAO Schwartz, I haven't bought my nephew something really fun in awhile."
"I am trying to break into the business, you know."
"Yeah, but so is this designer. I don't need the money that bad. And if we end up having to walk, I promise I'll set you to take pictures of my brother and his partner for their business."
"I didn't think that AJ Quartermaine had a partner."
"Well if he did-- it would be his wife, Carly, but I'm talking about my other brother, Jason, and his business partner-- Sonny Corinthos. You met them at the boardmeeting photo op."
"Oh my." Anderson starts to drool planning the lighting on the shoot with the dark and dangerous Sonny Corinthos. "Can we sabotage it on purpose?" She laughs.
"Nah, but you see it is a win/win situation how ever it turns out. I can't remember the last time I took a tour of Staten island."
"How about you still set me up with your brother and his partner?" Anderson pushes.
"Depends on how good you make me look today."
"Who'll notice the clothes!" Anderson promises. The plane which seems to have just started to ascend starts it's descent into the airport in New York. Emily and Anderson get their belongings together and organized. First class is let off the plane first and they are met by the driver who has also been informed of the tight timeframe takes every shortcut he knows to get them to a huge private mansion tucked away in the middle of the island. They carry their stuff through the front doors. The photographer wows at the entryway. "Oh this is going to be fun."
"What?! I need a fashion model! Not an escapee from HOGS AND HOOTERS magazine; Not that you have much in the way of hooters." The designer descends the stairs. He glares at Emily taking in her still damp hair and the leathers that she had worn to protect her on the bike.
"Well that was a quick reality check." Anderson winces. "So are we staten island bound?"
"I said we'd put up with the normal ration of sh*t. He hasn't crossed the line yet." Emily mutters to Anderson and then smiles at the designer. "Oh since you said that needed a model you must be the designer-- what WAS your name again?" Emily quirks a brow. "Look, if you don't want to work with me; that's fine-- I can find other things to do with my free ticket to New York. Course, Anderson, that means he probably won't make the February issue of Vogue, right?"
"Or get to shoot here, Which would be a shame since it's such a nice frame for anyone's designs."
"But you know-- if he thinks a stick thin junkie with plastic tits who has to use a pound of makeup to cover the bags under her eyes and the tracks on her arms better represents his designs maybe this isn't the frame he'd prefer for his designs.. Any chance of the garbagemen going on strike?" Emily adds snarkily.
The designer's jaw tightens in fury. He is about to set the chit straight when there is a rushed voice from behind him. It was the Vogue rep. "Emily, DARLING!" The rep goes up to Emily and does air kisses by her face. "When your agent said he was getting a sub; I was SO hoping it was you. I was going to call you on Monday anyway about the new Deception ads-- you are going to renew again at the preferred rate? I saw the proofs; they are simply DIVINE. They have AWARD written all over them. And the Deception model is okay." The rep makes a soso motion with her hand. "But I really MUST know why YOU didn't take the gig yourself." The rep strings an arm through Emily's arm and drags her off to wardrobe and makeup. Sometimes designers are just be so prima donna-ish, and this guy had no idea of what he was messing with.
"Well that was fun. Want to start off on the right foot with me or did you pick the photographer too?"
"Actually I did." The designer sighs but holds out his hand. "Gary Winslow."
Instead of taking the designers hand, Anderson hands him her portfolio. "Missy Anderson. Here is a sample of my work; there are some pictures of Emily Quartermaine in there as well."
"Quartermaine?" Gary groans.
"Yeah, the model you just dissed. You know, the one that is related to everyone at ELQ, Everyone at L&B records (didn't they just take a MTV fashion award for one of their videos?), who probably COULD get a garbage strike called in this city, part owner of Deception and who just got a cover of Seventeen. The one that is here on an hour notice to save your ass, and this gig, despite the fact she makes more money when she is not working! Oh and by the way-- the leather isn't a fashion statement really-- she does ride a motorcycle. I'm sure HOGS AND HOOTERS would love to have a picture of her and her Harley. Thanks for the idea." Anderson follow Emily and the Vogue rep from the room. She finds the area where the shoot is set up and starts making her own check leaving Gary to digest the information he'd been given.
Gary takes a seat and thumbs through the portfolio. The photographer was good even if the work she'd done before seemed to be more studio than fashion. He comes across the ELQ board shot. Emily is there dressed in formal attire. The difference is striking from the fey creature he'd met minutes ago. Thumbing through the rest of the portfolio, he finds the wedding pictures where Emily showed yet another facet of her personality looking like something from another time in her classic, deep rose off the shoulder gown. His eyes narrow. Walking into the area converted into a dressing area, he walks up behind Emily as she is being made photo ready; she is dressed in a skimpy satin robe. "Stand up." He demands. Emily rolls her eyes but stands up anyway. "Turn around." Emily does a slow twirl with her hands extended. Gary walks over to the rack of clothes along one wall and starts rearranging the outfits. Gary leaves to go out to where the shoot is going to be. Emily finishes changing into the outfit he'd selected. She walks out to the set.
"Okay Emily, since both of us are functioning on short sleep-- got a little music to get the blood pumping. Bet you haven't heard these guys for awhile." Anderson drops in Def Leppard-- Hysteria into the cd player. Emily laughs.
"Oh yeah, that'll work." Her body starts undulating to the pulsing drums of Rocket. She closes her eyes for a minute and grins remembering the night before dancing with Carly and Luke. Oh yeah, just let the music take over. She starts moving in front of the backdrop. Anderson calls out brief directions that Emily incorporates into the movements.
"A little to the right, 'kay-- show the line of the dress--show 'em what they're missin'." Anderson works through a roll of film in nothing flat. As she is getting another roll in Emily quick changes into another outfit and has her face fixed. As she comes out, Animal starts playing.
"We going to go through the whole CD?" Emily jokes.
"Works for me. And this song works with that outfit." Anderson looks over Emily from head to toe. The leopard print was close fitting-- the top hugged Emily's breasts and showed a lot of cleavage. It was long sleeved and tight but bared the midriff. The skirt rode low on the hips and flared out for easy movement. "Gary? Belly ring stays or no?" Anderson asks Gary who is standing behind her.
"It stays." He says flatly. Anderson and Emily start working magic. Gary has a video camera set up on the side. This was his first major american shoot and he wanted the evidence of it. He watches from the monitor. Looking at Emily and then seeing what the camera saw. "Damn. Now I know why she got the cover." It's proved again-- Emily shines on film, even video.
"Got to reload." Anderson calls the break. "Gary, Pick out an outfit that would go with Pour some Sugar on me. For some reason I get the feeling that the best pictures are yet to come."
"Just warming up." Emily smiles at Anderson. "I need ten though to call my grandmother; she doesn't know where I am."
"No problem. I need some water. Any water around here?"
Emily goes back to the dressing room and slides out of the outfit and into the dressing robe. She speedials the mansion while she is changing. "Grandmother?"
"Emily dear."
"I didn't want to worry you. I know that we had plans for brunch today. I got called into work at o'dark thirty."
"Darling, you shouldn't be burning the candle at both ends. Did you get any sleep last night?"
"A few hours. I'm planning on being back tonight. So I'll be able to fill you in on what happened then. I have a date with my main man for tomorrow. Did the reviews come in?"
"Oh yes dear, the Herald was gushing. There was even a positive write up from the City papers. Rebirth of a small theater blah blah blah. Reginald is cutting them out for me."
"How many copies did he buy?"
"Only ten, dear." Emily laughs with Lila.
"I'll be home tonight. Love you." Emily says.
"Love you too, darling, have fun." Lila hangs up.
"Oh yeah, it's been fun so far." Emily mutters to herself taking a deep breath.
"About that-- I want to apologize. We didn't get off on the best foot this morning." Gary interjects.
"Didn't expect we would; the situation sucked. It was my day off, and I definitely wasn't what you had in mind. I'm sorry you had to find out the hard way-- when bit I bite back."
"Stick thin junkie with plastic boobs?" Gary recalls and laughs. He hands Emily the next outfit. It is a sheer gold outfit over a close fitting flesh colored bodysuit.
"It was tits. And I think I've been hanging around my sister-in-law too much. She's the one with the trash mouth." Emily takes the outfit and going behind a curtain slides into it. "Oh Jesus, my grandfather is going to kill you then me." Emily walks out from behind the curtain. Just as he had thought, when when he designed it. The outfit looked like someone had poured a cloud of gold glitter over a nude Emily.
"What he doesn't know until it's too late, won't hurt either of us."
"How did you guess the family motto?" The hair and make up put the final touches on Emily adding additional glitter to her hair and face and thick primitive looking gold jewelry to the outfit. Emily walks out to where Anderson is waiting.
"Oh yeah-- that'll do it." Anderson nods. Pour Some Sugar on Me starts pounding through the speakers.
Emily starts rocking to the beat. Anderson tells her to turn around to show the back of the dress. Emily looks over her shoulder. Smiling at the camera. She turns around again and starts singing along with the song. "I'm hot-- sticky sweet from head to my feet." Her hands follow the direction of the song pantimining pouring sugar over herself from her head to her feet. Anderson kicks up the fan that sets Emily's hair flowing back and the dress floating around her even more like a cloud.
"Hey I thought that Ned Ashton was the singer in the family?"Anderson jokes.
"I'm branching out! Think I should quit my dayjob?"
"I'll let you know if I can figure out which is your dayjob!" Anderson laughs. She is pulled aside by the vogue rep who quietly gives her a direction. "Okay, next up Armageddon It. Gary, you got something back there to set the world on fire?"
"Just the thing. Going to need a hair and makeup change though."
"That works. We can move things around out here too." Gary and Emily duck back into the changing area. Gary pulls out a deep red dress almost black in certain lights. He shows it to the makeup artist.
"I want pale almost ghostly-- dramatic eyes, dramatic lips. " Gary comes up behind Emily looking at her in the mirror. "Braids here and here..." He directs "framing her face. Part of the hair pulled up in back make it fan into a peacock like display, the rest of her hair tight to her neck. These earrings." He pulls out geometric shoulder sweepers. Gary leaves the makeup and hair people to do their thing. He'd told them what he wanted and now they had to be the ones to figure out how to give it to him. Anderson does the final checks on her cameras and on the lightening. Emily walks out from the dressing room.
"Was gypsy vampire what you were going for?" Emily asks Gary twirling around once allowing the kerchief style full skirt to spread around her. "You'd sell a million of these just by comp'ing one to Stevie Nicks. She holds the skirt out but does so showing off the sleeves that are form fitting again, tight coming down into points that wrap around the index finger of each hand-- almost gloving them. "Don't really think it's spring line though?" Emily looks at Gary. He'd been right about the hair for the dress. The braids were a medieval quality while the fanshape made it futuristic-- it all blended to be-- timeless.
"Nope, it's from my winter line but she said set the world afire. And it's for February which actually hits the stands in January." Gary shrugs. "I think it'll work."
There is a stool in the middle of the lighted area. "Okay Gary-- front and center."
"What the hell?" Gary protests taking a step back.
"Vogue wants you in some shots. To go along with the shoot, part of the interview."
"No Way!"
"Oh don't be a big baby." Emily teases. "I won't bite-- whatever you make me look like. I left my fangs at home." Emily drags Gary to the stool and pushes him down on it. The makeup people come out and quickly do up Gary so he won't look washed out under the lights. "At least you dressed right. In my home town, they'd say you look positively, deliciously... Cassadine." Anderson starts clicking shots treating them as candids as the makeup people work and as Emily teases the designer loosening him up. When she thinks that Emily has finally gotten him into the mood she nods to one of the assistants who starts up Armeggedon It. Emily slides in back of Gary wrapping her arms around him to accent the sleeves of the outfit; her blood red nails extending down his chest. Gary takes one hand and walks Emily around him she uses the length of both of their arms to show the dress, Gary spins her into him. "Dance with me."
Emily turns her back to Gary he holds both of her hands for balance as Emily shimmies in front of him. The skirt twists first one way and then the other. Anderson decides the music isn't working for what Emily is trying to do and for the first time gets something different from the def leppard. She pops in Gloria Estefan's covers of some classic hits-- if the seventies could be classic. Emily smiles and laughs when she hears the lush romantic music coming from the speakers. Gary quips. "Quite a change up there. May I have this dance?" Gary bows extending a hand. One of the assistants races out to grab the stool out of the shot.
Emily curtseys and takes his hand. "Why I'd be delighted." Gary sweeps her into his arms
I found love on a two way street
Lost it on a lonely highway
love on a two way street
Lost it on a lonely highway
They sway together looking only at each other and ignoring Anderson who circles them taking shots as she goes.
true love will never die
so I've been told
but now I must cry
it's finally good bye, I know
Gary twirls Emily out. Emily with one hand on the skirt flares it to it's advantage. He brings her in close. Gary faces the camera with Emily's back to it. The barely there back of the dress is shown really for the first time. Gary's hand is placed low on Emily's waist. "Do you trust me?" Emily looks at him quizzically then nods.
with music softly playing
his lips were gently saying
"I love you."
he held me in desperation
I though it was a revelation
and then he walked out.
Gary turns Emily around so that she is facing the camera again. Her hand wraps up backward around his neck. Throwing her head back against his shoulder. He wraps his right hand around her waist. His strong grip is the first indication that he is up to something. Emily is ready when his left hand grips her thigh and lifts her into the air. She extends her arms and closes her eyes as he twirls her around.
how could I be so blind
to give up love-- the very first time
to be fooled is a hurting pain
to loved and fooled is a crying shame
Emily runs her arm along Gary's shoulder using it for balance as she comes softly back on her feet to the floor. Her arm slides down his arm until their hands meet. Gary brings her back around and straight into a dip. "Damn you're good!" Emily exclaims even as she laughs.
while I bare the blame
while he laughs my name
with music softly playing
his lips were gently saying
"Honey, I love you."
he held me in desperation
I though it was a revelation
and then he walked out.
"Years of lessons, reluctantly attended. I never thought that they'd come in handy." Gary mutters in her ear They sway as the song comes to its final chorus.
I found love on a two way street
Lost it on a lonely highway
love on a two way street
Lost it on a lonely highway
"Over here." Anderson calls out. Both of their heads snap around to look at her. She clicks off the final shots on the roll. "I can't wait to see how these turn out. But it felt HOT-HOT-HOT." She gets a glimmer of an idea. "There is only one other thing I want to do with this outfit." Anderson looks around and sees what she is looking for-- a highbacked chair. "Emily, over here." She positions Emily in the chair. The blood red skirt flares out covering her legs. Emily's hands extend over the arms of the chair. "Regal, haughty but predatory. Chin up, no smile-- do it all with your eyes and posture." Anderson directs. Emily straightens in the chair and looks directly at the fresh camera Anderson grabbed. She takes a deep breath and exhales allowing her expression to go almost flat. "Oh yeah. That's it. It might not be a fashion shot but it's going in your portfolio, honey."
"The gypsy vampire." Gary says softly. "Perfect." Then he shakes it off. "Looks like we're going to get out of here on time. Can I talk both of you into staying in town; hitting a few clubs. I'll even provide the wardrobe. Make up for being such a jerk about you guys helping me out here."
Emily breaks her pose. "That sounds great but I really have to get back to Port Charles. I have an appointment tomorrow."
"But tomorrow's Sunday." Gary protests. "The day to sleep and kick back recovering from the night before."
"I have an appointment every Sunday-- Sorry, it's one that I can't break."
Anderson sighs. The shoot might be over but she knew that she had hours of work ahead of her. Work that she wanted to do in her OWN darkroom. "'Fraid I'm going to have to take a pass too. But if you ever get up to Port Charles. Look us up."
"We'll take you to the grille. Or even better I know this great blues club...." Emily offers.
"I'm going to hold you to that."