One thing that I always hated was being an annoyance to people. This was especially true to people who were going out of their way to help me. Right now I was struggling to make it up yet another flight of stairs leading up to the office I was supposed to go. Turning up the curve, I opened the door on the twenty third floor and stepped into the hallway to lean against the wall. Panting out, I closed my eyes and steadied my fears. After allowing myself only a minute to rest, I went back inside the stairway area and continued to climb as quickly as I could. The twenty fifth floor. The twenty seventh floor. The thirtieth floor. Finally the thirty-third door was opened and I almost collapsed into the hallway and panted. The wide open space with windows for walls made me feel immediately better. Precia was waiting for me, having taken the elevator, and was giving me a concerned look. With a smile I eased her worries and walked over to her while straightening the dress suit I was wearing. A gray dress skirt and top complete with a tie. Black stockings and fancy feels, all of which I had borrowed from Fate-chan. With my hair in a proper ponytail for once, I looked, amazingly, like an adult. Precia straightened out my tie and adjusted my collar for me before nodding and guiding me down the maze of cubicles and ringing phones.
Saved by the Bell VIII
By: Satashi
“Good morning,” Vash greeted the two woman after a secretary allowed them entrance to his office sectioned off from the rest of the floor. “Hope you made it okay?”
“Just fine,” Precia replied in such a casual way that Nanoha felt a little nervousness lift from her shoulders. “Thank you again for scheduling us in.”
Vash grinned and shook their hands before motioning for them to sit in the chairs in front of his desk. “Oh, believe me, this helps me out just as much. We lost a lot of our models and actors thanks to the contract with Hollywood in the States. The tryouts were a group effort from a few leading corporations but I have never gotten along with them. I prefer to see the big picture and they only see... how you say, the here and now. But that aside,” Vash sat in his chair and picked up a stack of papers. “Nanoha-san, correct? You're here to apply for a job? What specifically do you have in mind?”
Nanoha took a breath and tried to speak clearly through her nervousness. “A model, lingerie specifically but not limited to.”
“Interest on being an actress?”
“If it comes to it, I wouldn't mind.”
Vash nodded and started filling out the paper. “So that's a yes on video as well as photography?”
“Yes sir.” Nanoha felt her heart pounding in her chest. 'Modeling for a commercial!?'
“Okay then,” turning the page, he skimmed down. “Do you agree that by signing a contract with us you are giving your permission willingly to be photographed and or video taped for the purpose of mass release?”
“Yes sir.”
Vash put a sticker on the paper that tabbed out to say 'sign here' and continued to read. “Do you fully understand that your body is the tool for this job and as such, you are signing a contract that takes this tool for use and therefore must be treated properly and with respect? Also agreeing to this means that you may not alter your body without prior permission from your direct superior. Do you agree?”
Nanoha looked over at Precia nervously with a scared look. “He's telling you to take care of yourself, stay in shape, and not to do anything to change your looks without getting permission.”
“Oh!” Nanoha blushed and turned back to Vash. “Yes sir, I agree.”
Vash bit back a smile and tried to stay professional in front of the innocent nervous girl. “Do you have any piercings or markings on your body, or do you plan on getting any?”
“Well, I kind of thought about a tattoo but I'm kind of nervous.”
“Oh what and where?”
Nanoha laughed nervously. “Angel wings, on my back.”
“Oh, that's quite nice.” Vash leaned back in his chair and thought about it. “Angel wings... hmmm... I like that. Cute, innocent, and playful. Do you seriously want them?”
Nanoha flushed. “Um... yes sir, I think it would be cute.”
“Get them.” Taking a business card, he handed it to the girl. “There is a place downtown, Precia knows where it is, give them my card and you can have it done for free.”
“Wha-really?” Nanoha took the card with a shaking hand. “Is that okay?”
“Perfectly,” Vash went back to the contract. “I'll make a note here that you altered your body for the sake of the job. That will look really good on your resume when people go about hiring you. Okay, these next questions may be a little embarrassing. Just answer as if you are over eighteen. Do you give consent to be photographed or video taped partially nude in clothing, i.e. Lingerie and or swimsuits?”
“Yes sir.”
“Do you give consent for partial nudity without clothing, i.e. images without clothes but not exposing the nipple, crotch, or buttocks?”
“Yes sir.”
“Do you give consent for full nudity of the chest area, including exposure of nipples in revealing or sheer material clothing and or topless?”
“...Can I turn an offer down?”
“This is only for the jobs offers. If you do not like the product or ad then you can turn down anything you wish. Right now this just allows us to filter out the offers you get. If you say no here, you won't be hired for these shots. If you say yes, then they will ask and you can turn down.”
Nanoha nodded. “I give consent.” He cheeks colored darkly when Precia looked over at her with a mix of amazement and a little pride for her bravery.
“Last one. Do you give consent for full nudity of crotch area including-”
“Um,” Nanoha felt her face getting warmer. “Just no on that one.”
Vash nodded. “Consider it done then.” After signing his name a few times on the paper he handed it over to Nanoha. “Just sign your name where the tabs imply, be sure not to sign anywhere besides where I marked, and your contract will be started. One year contract with me directly, after that you will be given an offer to renew or you may go to another cooperation. You will be required to take no less than two jobs a month for the first two months and then you will be required to take three. Any more than that is completely up to you.”
The girl looked at Precia, who nodded at her. “Okay.” Her name was written down several times before handing it back. “Here you are.”
“Congratulations.” Vash stood and shook her hand again. “You are now officially employed for our agency.” He grinned at her amazed look and took Precia's hand as well. “You will be emailed weekly about jobs offers or you may come to the office any time to check here. Precia, as her temporary manager, you have full control of her jobs.”
“Thank you,” The two girls bowed out of habit before saying their goodbyes one more time and leaving the office. “Congratulations, Nanoha.” Precia couldn't help but smile as the girl shakingly walked down the hallway and gave the papers to the secretary, who welcomed her to the business. “So,” She continued after the small conversation. “As your manager, I have your first job lined up for you.”
“What? Already?” Nanoha looked as if she was going to faint already.
Precia nodded and crossed her arms happily. “I would like you to pose for my first advertisement in a teenage magazine."