Campaign for Love (14 page)

 

 

"But those girls were all gorgeous."

 

 

"That's the trouble."

 

 

"Pardon me?"

 

 

"They're too gorgeous. You see, they want to do a 'before' and
'after',
so the model has to be average, without make-up, but spectacular
with
it. They also want a brand new face-one that no one has seen before
in
connection with any other commercial, someone uniquely their own.
And
they want the whole campaign to launch as soon as possible, because
they've decided to push ahead much faster than before, and hit the
Christmas market."

 

 

She frowned. "Wow. That's a pretty tall order."

 

 

"I guess they feel they can't afford to wait."

 

 

"Well, there must be lots of undiscovered beauties out there. Maybe
they could have a contest. You know, have girls submit an eight by
ten
color photo without make-up, and one with. Or a talent search. Have
scouts go to restaurants in business districts during lunch hour.
They
could check out the waitresses and everyone else out and about.

 

 

"If they go for the contest, they could advertise. You know, 'Would
you
like to be a Femme Fatale? Our cosmetics can change you from Girl
Next
Door to Glamor Queen.' Some slogan like that."

 

 

"That sounds terrific," he said with a smile, "but the time element
is
against it. That's why they wanted to see us. They want to introduce
us
to their product so that we can start with layouts and copy while
they
find the face that fits."

 

 

"In that case, the talent scout idea is probably best. What about
co-eds? We have N.Y.U., Columbia, Fordham, Brooklyn College, all the
high schools and colleges. They should come up with someone in less
than a week."

 

 

He nodded approvingly. "That sounds like the way to go. We'll offer
the
suggestions, and they can take it from there."

 

 

"Tell me about the people we're seeing this morning."

 

 

"One is Felix Morgan, President and Chairman of the Board of Femme
Fatale. The other is his assistant, formerly a famous model, I
understand, and very knowledgeable."

 

 

"What's her name, do you remember?"

 

 

''Yes, I think it's Maxine Barr."

 

 

"Maxine Barr? She was a big name a while back. She called herself
'Candy,' Barr and her gimmick was to carry little chocolate bars
with
her name printed in black and gold foil wrapping. She'd give them
out
instead of autographs. She was tops for a few years. Then, she
dropped
out of sight. I think she married and retired. But I guess she must
be
looking to further her business interests. Who would know more about
cosmetics than an ex-model."

 

 

The taxi pulled up to the curb in front of F. F. Cosmetics. Quentin
paid off the driver and they found their way to Felix Morgan's
office.

 

 

Suzanna, who had carried out her plan to leave off her restraining
undergarments and wear instead loose dresses with a pashmina,
scarves,
boxy jackets and other means of camouflage, had made an effort to
look
a bit more attractive for Quentin, and she could see it was paying
off
from the way he kept looking at her.

 

 

She wore a heavy beige linen suit with an attractive wide-sleeved
jacket, an ivory blouse with a lace jabot, beige high-heeled pumps,
and
matching sheer pantyhose. Her hair was still up, but not as tightly.
A
few curly tendrils had escaped and wisped around her face. Her lip
gloss was pale pink, as was her blusher, and she had risked some
eyeshadow behind the fake specs.

 

 

She looked clean and wholesome, the kind of girl a man would like to
take home to mother, but not necessarily to bed, she had to admit to
herself.

 

 

As they entered the reception area, they were greeted by the
secretary,
who told them to go right in to Mr. Morgan's office. He was
expecting
them eagerly, and greeted them both with a firm handshake.

 

 

Quentin introduced him to Suzanna, and then Felix Morgan asked them
to
have a seat. He called his assistant on the phone, and just as they
were helping themselves to coffee, a beautiful woman emerged from
the
next office and joined them.

 

 

Even before she was introduced, Suzanna knew who she was. Maxine
"Candy" Barr was still gorgeous, her skin flawless, her clothes
impeccable, and the height of comfortable fashion.

 

 

Felix suggested, "Let's all go into the studio where you can get an
idea of what our cosmetic line is like."

 

 

'Candy' Barr had been studying Suzanna ever since she had entered
the
room. "Examination complete," she said, "Ms. Sills, you have an
interesting face-clear eyes, excellent bone structure, and perfect
skin. I notice you wear virtually no make-up. Would you mind if we
had
our beautician work on you? I think you'll be surprised at the
difference it will make."

 

 

"Of course she wouldn't mind. Would you, Suzanna?" Quentin asked.

 

 

She flushed to the roots of her hair and tried not to panic. "Oh, I
don't know. I think I'd feel a little foolish."

 

 

"No need for that," boomed Felix Morgan. "I bet you'll turn out
great."

 

 

That, thought Suzanna, was exactly the problem.

 

 

"Go ahead, Candy. Call Bruce," Felix said with a smile.

 

 

Candy had Bruce paged. While they were waiting for their make-up man
to
arrive, Candy took a digital camera out of a cabinet and put a stool
in
the middle of the room under a bright light.

 

 

Then she told her to take off her glasses and proceeded to snap
pictures of Suzanna from every angle despite her protests. When she
had
finished, she said, "Will you come with me, Ms. Sills?"

 

 

Suzanna cast a worried look over at Quentin, but he seemed
completely
oblivious to her dismay. She had no choice but to follow obediently.

 

 

Next they were in a dressing room with brightly-lit mirrors. Candy
handed Suzy a white terry wrap-around with Velcro side fastenings.

 

 

"Get out of your clothes and into this before Bruce gets here."

 

 

She did as she was directed.

 

 

"Not that Bruce would mind. He's not that way inclined. So don't let
yourself get hung up on him working on you."

 

 

"What makes you think I would get hung up?" Suzy asked quietly.

 

 

"Look, I live in New York. I know what it is like. Believe me, I've
had
my fair share of hassles over the years. But I think your problem is
worse than that. I can't figure out why a woman as beautiful as you
would go to such lengths to disguise it. It must be a really serious
problem. An abusive ex- or something?"

 

 

She shook her head, stunned that the other woman had guessed so much
about her with literally once glance. "No, nothing like that, just
men
in general. And I wanted to be wanted for me, making it in the
business
world, not because I am pretty, but because I have the talent and
brains."

 

 

"Amen to that!"

 

 

"You are very astute to have worked out my secret so quickly,"
Suzanna
remarked.

 

 

Candy grinned. "No, it's just that the people you've been dealing
with
are a bit obtuse."

 

 

Suzanna had been removing her clothing slowly and reluctantly. She
was
down to fetching pink teddy and pantyhose when Candy gaped, then
gave a
low, unladylike whistle. "You're incredible!" she breathed. "Take
the
rest of that stuff off and let's see what you're hiding."

 

 

Suzanna wasn't coy and had no false modesty. She had merely been
reluctant to give up her protective disguise. Now, she stepped out
of
her remaining garments without a second thought.

 

 

"Mama mia!" said Candy. "That's about the sexiest body I've seen in
years. Talk about hourglass. Thanks. Now put on that sarong before
Bruce gets here. You might make him forget he's gay."

 

 

Suzanna had just secured the fastenings under her arm when there was
a
knock and Bruce entered. Once he'd been introduced, he too gave Suzy
the double take.

 

 

Then he said, "I take it this isn't going to be the usual run of the
mill before and after. You've found your Femme Fatale, haven't you?"

 

 

"My God, yes! She is perfect, isn't she?" Candy breathed. "Suzanna,
would you do it if this make-up job turns out the way I'm sure it
will?"

 

 

Suzanna looked doubtful. "I don't think—"

 

 

"But you'd be just the right kind of woman for us! Not only are you
an
unknown now, but I don't think you'd ever give up your career for
modeling, which means no one else could ever use our Femme Fatale.
We
could have an exclusive."

 

 

Suzy shook her head. "First of all, you don't know how I'll make up,
or
if I'm photogenic," she said matter-of-factly. "Secondly, how would
I
fit modeling for you into my working day? I do have a job, you know,
helping you design the copy for the campaign. Thirdly, and most
important, how would Quentin Pierce and Elder and Rubin feel about
it?
They are going to find out just what a fraud I am once they see the
real me."

 

 

"Let Felix handle Quentin Pierce, and let Quentin handle Elder and
Rubin. Don't forget, we're a big account. I'm sure they'll
co-operate.

 

 

"As for the real you, don't you think it’s about time you came out
of
your cocoon, little butterfly?"

 

 

All this time, Bruce had been laying out colors like an artist
applying
paints to a palette. He threw a towel over her shoulders and rinsed
her
face with tepid water.

 

 

After drying it thoroughly, he applied foundation that matched her
complexion on her shoulders, face and neck. He was fast and he was
good.

 

 

A blusher came next, followed by eye-liner, mascara, eye shadow and
a
bit of pencil to the outer ends of her brows. The finishing touch
was a
deep coral-pink lip gloss. Bruce stood back to admire his work,
frowned
a bit, then removed the pins from her hair and allowed her
magnificent
chestnut mane to cascade in rippling waves to her shoulders. He took
a
comb and brush, fluffed, flipped and styled until it shone.

 

 

"Your hair has gorgeous body and texture," he said. "I could almost
go
for you myself."

 

 

Candy was as stunned as Bruce at the results. They had exceeded her
expectations, but now it was time for the acid test. Although Bruce
and
Candy saw a sensational change, Suzy was simply seeing herself as
she
always looked before she adopted her disguise. Their admiration was
good for her self-esteem, though. She'd almost gotten used to being
drab.

 

 

They removed the towel from around her shoulders, and the effect was
even better. In the sarong, Suzy looked as if she were wearing a
strapless white gown.

 

 

"Now for the moment of truth," said Candy. She walked to the door,
opened it with a flourish and said, "Gentlemen, I give you, Femme
Fatale!"

 

 

There was a moment's hush as Suzanna's eyes flew to Quentin's face.
His
expression was one of stunned amazement and admiration. Felix's was
of
pure delight.

 

 

"By Gad!" he exclaimed. "You are absolutely the most gorgeous female
I've ever seen! Sit on the stool, dear. Candy, get the camera and
take
the 'after' pictures."

 

 

Candy got the camera once more and posed Suzy just as she had for
the
'before' shots. When she had completed the duplicate series, they
placed them side by side. There was no doubt about it. Suzy was
perfect.

 

 

Candy turned, first to Felix and asked, "What do you think?"

 

 

He nodded his head approvingly. "Perfect, like I said."

 

 

Then Candy asked, "Mr. Pierce, would you allow Suzanna to be our
Femme
Fatale? No one on the outside will know her real identity, which
fits
our requirement of anonymity. She will be a new face that will be
ours
exclusively.

 

 

"Also, it will be convenient. You and Suzanna are going on location
for
us anyway, so in addition to her salary from Elder and Rubin, she'll
be
paid the same money as a top model. She'll also get to keep the
considerable wardrobe that will be custom made for her because of
her
wonderful figure and tiny waist."

 

 

Quentin smiled down at Candy. Suzanna noticed that he didn't once
look
at her.

 

 

"For the life of me, I can't see why not. Nor can I think of any
objection on the part of Elder and Rubin. It isn't as if she'd be
taking time off from her regular job. But looks as if the decision
rests with Ms. Sills."

 

 

He turned his unfathomable eyes to her then. "What do you say,
Suzanna?"

 

 

Suzy was undecided for a moment, but when she looked around at the
hopeful faces awaiting her answer, she smiled and said, "Okay. As
long
as my real name won't be used, I think it could be interesting."

 

 

With that, Candy, Felix and even Bruce shook her hand and gave her a
hug and kiss on the cheek. Only Quentin stood in the background with
a
confused and unreadable look in his eyes.