Jamie stood outside the diner, a newspaper in her hand and a cup of coffee that wasn’t worth her last dollar she’d spent on it. She’d lost her job six months ago, and her two-timing boyfriend walked out on her only a few weeks later. She was better for it though. He was nothing but a mooch, a lazy good-for-nothing. Keep your cool, Jamie. You need a job. She had only a couple of weeks left on the hotel room she rented, and then she’d be on the streets. No amount of hating on her ex would help her situation. So, instead of thinking of her ex, she leaned against the paper rack, going through the help wanted section. The sooner she found a job, the sooner she could start over again.

Sadly, nothing had changed in three years. Employers wanted applicants to have an education or more experience than she currently had, and in most instances, you had to be bilingual. It was Los Angeles after all. She suspected it was only right that she did speak Spanish, but Jamie never quite got the hang of it in high school. It was only because of her parents that she had the job with her uncle’s vet clinic. Unfortunately, he closed down. Everything went downhill from there.

Not only had he not told anyone he was closing the clinic, but he never paid into unemployment. When she tried to fight for it, they couldn’t find her uncle anywhere. He’d skipped town. Some family I have. Jamie turned the page of the classifieds, and her eyes lit on an ad for a studio call. They were looking for actresses from the age of eighteen to twenty-five, no experience. They only had to be open to new experiences. The pay per hour was more than she made in a week at the clinic, but the hours weren’t specified. Well, even if I only worked part-time, I’d be set.

Jamie gazed up at her reflection in the window. She was pretty plain. Well, for L.A. she was. To her, there wasn’t anything special about her. She was a “Plain Jane.” Her brown hair was curly and unruly most days. Her brown eyes weren’t inspiring or mysterious, and she had the fashion sense of a ragamuffin, but that wouldn’t stop her from trying. All they could say was no. Grabbing her stale coffee off the rack, she started walking. The studio was only two miles away, and since she was in the middle of downtown, the miles would pass quickly.

As she crossed over Sixth Street onto Wilshire, she second-guessed her original walking plan. The temps had climbed, and as she rounded the corner to the studio, another bead of sweat rolled down her back. Her hair fell into disheveled layers across her shoulders while wispy ends clung to her neck. Oh yeah, she was really going to get the part now. The first time they set eyes on her, she’d be laughed out of the place. Taking a deep breath, Jamie stepped through the gates and was immediately stopped by security.

“Do you have an appointment?” The guard eyed her skeptically.

“N-no, I’m answering the ad.” Jamie pulled the paper out of her bag and handed it to the guy. “See?”

The guy looked down at her hands then back up at her face and chuckled. “Okay, sweetheart, whatever you say. They’re all at lot six. Good luck.”

Jamie already knew what the guy was thinking. She was a fat pig who had no chance. Well, she might have a few extra pounds on her, but she could still do the job. For all the guy knew and she knew, they were looking for big girls. There wasn’t a specification mentioned. Once she made it to the lot, she walked into the building and sucked in a breath. All the women were models, and the men were just as hot. Holy shit, every fucking good-looking person in L.A. must be here. Bowing her head and trying to hide herself, she kept going. She was already there. She couldn’t back out now.

“Ma’am, can I help you?” the woman behind the counter asked. She was older. Her gray hair was piled at the top of her head in a loose bun. Her clothing was conservative along with her barely-there makeup.

“I wanted to try out for the part,” she whispered.

The woman blinked a few times then smiled, shaking her head. “Are you sure, sweetheart? You look about as comfortable as a mouse surrounded by cats.”

Without batting an eyelash, Jamie nodded. “Yes, I’m sure.”

“Okay, fill out this form here and this questionnaire. When you’re done, I’ll give you the script and a number.” She handed Jamie the clipboard with everything she needed attached.

“Thanks.”

Jamie walked over to one of the empty chairs away from everyone and began filling out the forms. As she read through the questions, her curiosity was piqued. Why did they need to know about medical problems or her health? Why did they need to know about her menstrual cycle or STDs? None of it made sense. As she checked the last box no, she lifted her head as another woman walked into the room and called a number. The woman who sat closest to the door stood up. All legs and lean physique, the busty blonde sauntered toward the woman, a sultry smile on her face.

“Viv, I told you, you’re banned from working here. What name did you give this time?” the woman at the door asked.

Jamie watched as Viv stopped and narrowed her eyes. “I don’t have to answer that. Don’t you know who I am?”

The woman laughed. “Yeah I do. Get out of here before I call security.”

“You wouldn’t dare!” Viv screeched.

The woman’s gaze never left Viv’s as she pulled out her radio. “Bobby…” she said, pushing the button.

Viv turned from where she was standing and walked out, flipping off everyone as she went. Whatever they did there, it was obvious the woman was absolutely desperate for the job. Picking up the clipboard, Jamie headed back for the window.

“Hey, miss. Could you turn around please?” the woman who’d just sent Viv packing asked.

Jamie slowly turned toward her and held onto the clipboard like it was a lifeline. “Yes?”

“You’re perfect.”

The groans that filled the small space made her grimace. Obviously no one thought she’d be picked. “Perfect for what?” Jamie asked.

“The part, silly. Come on, let’s get you in to meet the guys.” The woman moved aside and held the door open for Jamie. “My name’s Heather, and I am the producer of the movie.”

Jamie shook her hand and smiled. “I’m Jamie.”

“Well, Jamie, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Welcome to Sky Rocket Productions.”

* * * * *

Trevor and Vance sat in Heather’s office. There was no way they would add a woman to their movies. Not that Vance minded, but they’d have to split the money three ways, and with Trevor’s college tuition, they were already skating by. When they started working for SRP, they were bright-eyed boys with too much time on their hands. Now they were more mature and knew this life was fleeting. The newer, better, younger model would take their place in a few short years, and they needed a backup plan.

So Trevor had enrolled at USC four semesters ago and was working for his law degree. Vance, on the other hand, was going through the fire academy and was only working for SRP part-time now. No one knew what they did on the side, and both of them liked it that way. The less people knew about them, the better off they’d be when they broke from the industry.

“What if she doesn’t want us, Vance?” Trevor asked, bouncing his knee out of nervous habit.

“I don’t think we’d be here if she didn’t, Trevor,” he said softly, trying to soothe Trevor.

“Not Heather, whoever they get as a third for us. What if they can’t accept us and actually try to enjoy it?” An edge of trepidation laced his words as Trevor looked toward the door and then back at the clock.

“Well, since it’s our movie, then I guess they find a new girl,” Vance simply answered. “But I don’t think Heather would do us that way. And speak of the devil…” Vance could hear the soft murmurs of Heather along with another woman as they got closer to the office.

“Has the initial shock worn off yet?” Vance caught the last bit of Heather’s question as she opened the door.

“I…well…I wasn’t expecting that answer, ma’am.” A cute, completely red-faced woman walked into the office and pushed her long brown hair behind her ear. “I thought when I saw the classified ad it was for something…”

“A little more straight-laced?” Heather finished for her, taking a seat at her desk.

“Yeah, you could say that.” Slowly, their bashful partner for the movie took the empty seat next to Trevor and glanced at them both quickly.

“Boys, this is Jamie. She’s going to be working with you on your next movie.”

Vance watched the blush of red that stained her cheeks crimson grow a shade deeper as she waved at them. Fuck. She was completely green and shy on top of it. He’d warned Heather about advertising the auditions in the paper. One of these days she was going to be either arrested or sued.

“Hi, I’m Vance, and this is Trevor.” He pointed to his best friend who’d not stopped staring at her since she walked in. “It’s good to meet you, Jamie.” Honestly, he hadn’t stopped looking at her since she walked in either. She was curvy, which he liked. She was taller than most of the girls he’d fucked on film, and she was adorable in her shy, quiet way.

“Hi.” She bit the corner of her lip and bowed her head as she turned away from them a little.

“Great,” Heather said, causing both Trevor and Vance to look at her. “Let’s get you all to makeup and costume. Then we’ll head to the set and start filming.”

Nothing like sink or swim for the poor girl.

“Shouldn’t you ask Jamie if she’s ready for that, Heather?” Trevor, the voice of reason, asked.

“I’m ready,” she said, lifting her chin. “What makes you think I can’t do this?”

Vance laughed. “Sweetheart, you’re about to get fucked three ways to Sunday. You should be nervous as hell right about now.”

“Ri-right now?” She blinked. “I thought we were going to go over the script.” She glanced to Heather then back to him.

“Going over the script means trying out the scenes. We have to see if it’s feasible and realistic.” Oh God, this was going to be a train wreck. Vance could already see it. “Have you ever watched porn before?”

“No.”

Well, at least she was honest. “Heather, this isn’t going to work today. How about we go down to the screening room and show Jamie what she’s getting herself into with us.”

Heather seemed to take her time thinking it over, and finally she nodded. “I agree. I believe I got too excited when I saw Jamie. I never took into consideration she might be a newbie.” That was an understatement.

“Come on, Jamie.” Vance and Trevor stood up, and both held their hands out to her. “After spending a couple of hours with us, if you think you can handle the job, we’ll start tonight.”

She nodded and took both of their hands. “Sounds like a plan.”

Vance glared at Heather for a moment before turning to leave the office. How she could do this to such an innocent girl astounded him. And why it mattered so much to him, he didn’t know. Walking her by the different rooms, he squeezed his eyes closed as moans and screams of pleasure filtered out of the rooms. Heather would want them there on one of the busy days.