Page 269 (1/2)

"Ok, we get it," Joel says "She needs to be some creature of almost mythical status"

"No, that's not it," I continue "It's real simple This next star needs to be Brittney She showed us that she had it all during her audition The s attitude It's the don't-fuck-with-me attitude She was a woman on a mission, and we can fulfill that mission Look—let's hire her You'll see what kind of porn-star material that she is And you'll feel ridiculous for ever doubting me"

Joel nods at reement, but Cheryl doesn't seem totally convinced yet

"Why was she so laser focused on you, Ethan?" Cheryl says "Doesn't that seem odd?"

"Cheryl, you're overanalyzing this," I say "It's not fucking odd at all This is a porn audition we're talking about She did what she needed to do"

"Okay, I trust you," Cheryl nods

I'ree, but do they really have a choice? Not if they still want their jobs It's nice to have thee, but at the end of the day, I don't need their approval I look down atnon-stop with e Illicit Escape announceive it a whirl—but my watch also shows

"You'll have to excuse me," I say I push hten my silk tie "This has been productive, don't you think? It's going to be a great month"

I walk out the door and continue down the hall when I feel the presence of someone behind ainst the hard floor I turn around and see Cheryl She stops, and for a wordless moment, looks at me with her hands on her hips, and her lips scrunched I haven't seen her strike this kind of pose in a while

"Do you have so you need to say to ainst the floor in irritation

"What's that supposed to mean?" I ask

"Come on Ethan I've known you forever," she says with a look of exasperation It's a look that says she didn't believe a word I said during our

"I really don't knohat you're talking about," Ito do with ourjust

now? Because everything is fine I mean it You have to believe me Cher—"

"You better watch yourself," she says, cutting me off Her brows are knitted in seriousness It rery caterpillar