My dream was finally coming true, only now it seemed more like a nightmare.
For years I labored trying to get a break in the theater. I worked dinner theater, summer stock in godforsaken places, small community theatres and even off-off-off Broadway. I eked out a living doing the usual waitressing and temp jobs. Sharing a rat-hole apartment in New York with three other struggling actors, I was the guest at more pity-on-me dinner parties than I could count. My small circle of friends tried to make sure I wouldn't starve. One thing helped me maintain my sanity—my ability to talk with my best friend, Max.
My plight began when my excuse of an agent called about a major role in a real off-Broadway production. It was a new play by a Tony award-winning playwright. The producer was a top Hollywood star who, according to him, wanted to assure the world or herself that she was a true talent. This same woman would be playing the lead. My agent was sketchy on details, I think his feeble mind stopped working when he heard about the director and producer/star— and that he might actually make some money off me. He told me to show up at the theater at 10 for an initial read.
I asked him if this was going to be a cattle call. He laughed and said, "No, sweetie, the part is yours if the read goes well."
I screamed and just about wet my panties. I was going to be on Broadway—well, Ok, off-Broadway—but still freakin' good. I was also going to get Equity pay and I might actually be able to buy something to wear and have food in the cupboard. God, if the play had a good run, I might get out of the hellhole I lived in.
"Slow down," I told myself, "this is only a reading. You probably will screw it up and not get anything."
I pressed my agent on what the storyline was, but he just mumbled something about a love triangle. "You'll be great, sweetie. You'll kill 'em."
I asked how they chose me.
"Not sure, sweetie," he said and I knew he was puffing on his ever present stinky, cheap cigar. "The production manager called and said Miss Big Fucking Star wanted you. Maybe she caught you in one of your summer stock things."
I should have realized that my so-called agent wouldn't have busted his ass trying get me work. I recall reading that the producer/star lived in Connecticut and I did do a couple shows there last summer, so...
I didn't sleep a wink and the next day was showered and dressed in my best clothes, which I and everyone else knew were crap, and headed to the subway for the ride to mid-town. Arriving at the theater over an hour ahead of time I splurged my last ten dollars on a latte and a scone at Starbucks. "If I get this role, I can have this every day."
I entered the open lobby door and made my way down to the stage where a small group was casually standing and talking.
As I neared, I saw her, Abbie Evans. She looked so small and normal. Next to her was Rice Peters the writer. He looked like a playwright, with a black turtleneck, black pants, black-rimmed glasses and his trademarked shaved head. A couple others were there.
Abbie Evans turned and saw me, breaking into her universally recognized smile.
"Chloe, come here and meet your team."
I tried not to trip down the aisle and reached out to accept Abbie's extended hand. She introduced me to Rice, the director, the stage manager and production manager, all of whose names I immediately forgot. I was still stuck on "Abbie Evans knows my name."
Abbie then looked over my shoulder and smiled again.
"Ah, our leading man arriveth."
I turned to see Joe Quinn, the current star of one of TV's top cop shows, making his way to us. I felt weak in the knees. These were all A-listers and I felt like the skunk that wandered into the garden party. What the hell was I doing here?
Joe shook my hand and Abbie urged us onto the stage. We sat around a long rectangular table and the stage manager passed out scripts.
"So, Chloe, what do you know about 'The Pose'?"
I should have said something that might cover my total ignorance, but my mind was a blank.
"Not a frigging thing," I gushed.
They all laughed.
"Ok," Abbie said, "here's the Reader's Digest version. Joe is major artist. He's had mega shows at all the top galleries and his work hangs in all the right penthouses in Manhattan, plus some decent museums. His last show was, however, less than spectacular and the critics were getting their claws out and speculating he may have lost his edge. I am his wife, a bit older, obviously, and long-suffering, of course. I used to be his muse, but after we married the muse part slipped away and my ability to earn a paycheck as a successful art agent took its place. When I stopped modeling, he also began his slow spiral. So, he finds an ingénue, the lovely Chloe, who will be his model, his muse and the centerpiece of his new exhibition."
Abbie paused for effect. She knew how to hold an audience.
"So, I am jealous of you and pissed at Joe. I come to his atelier and find that you are not some succubus, but an innocent, engaging and beautiful young woman. I am drawn to you--your personality and your appearance. Joe, as men are want to do, also has desires on you. The rest is a tug-of-war to see who will win you, if Joe can complete his work and regain his status, if he and I will reconcile. And, if you will remain the unsullied maiden. All very 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolff meets A Star is Born' between Joe and me with a bit of sex to juice things up."
I nodded all through her recitation. And smiled when she smiled. In my mind I'm thinking, "Holy Shit, this is a three person play and I'm going to be sharing most of the audience time with two of the biggest stars in the business. I see my own Obie waiting for me in the wings."
My bubble burst with Abbie's next statement.
"I'm so glad you don't have a problem with the nudity or the love scene. You're a brave girl."
The Obie just fell off the table and smashed into a million pieces.
"Nudity? Love scene?" I couldn't even make a sentence.
"You mean your agent didn't tell you?"
I shook my head.
"Oh, Chloe, sorry. I would have told you differently if I had known. But, you must know that you play Joe's model and will be totally nude for a good part of your time on stage. And, you will have a rather explicit love scene at the end of act one."
Now, I am not a prude, well, Ok, I am a bit of a prude. Shit, make that a major prude. But, I recognize that actors sometimes have to make sacrifices for their craft, and to get a role. I thought about standing naked in front of theater full of people and my insides started to turn to Jell-o. I imagined my parents in the audience. Yikes! I thought about my favorite teacher being there, Sr. Mary Ann, who encouraged my acting and tried to see every play I was in. Double yikes!
I nodded slowly, pretending that I was comprehending what I had to do.
"So, you can do this, Chloe? You can handle the nudity?"
I again nodded, but didn't think it was my most convincing performance.
I said, "Sure." I giggled and said trying to be as lighthearted as possible, "But, I don't know about the love scene with Joe. That could be a challenge."
Abbie laughed. "Oh, don't worry about that. You don't have a love scene with Joe."
She paused and I looked confused.
Smiling she continued, "You have it with me."
I am not sure if there is really such a thing as a brain meltdown, but I think I had one at that moment.
"And, Chloe, just to ease your mind about being nude, I will be nude, too."
Yep, total meltdown. I thought I felt my brains oozing out of my ears and fought the temptation to stick my fingers there to prevent them from dripping onto the table.
The rest of the meeting occurred in a blur. We did a read-through, I think. Breaking around four we agreed to meet again in the morning for a discussion about the staging and another read-through. The director asked us to go through the play and make notes and questions.
Abbie walked me out of the theatre.
"Chloe, don't worry, you're going to be great. I saw you last summer and you've got the chops to carry this off. I'll be right here with you all the way. Call me if you want to talk." She handed me a card with her name and cell phone number.
I thanked her and wandered in the general direction of the subway stop as she stepped into the back of her huge Mercedes with a liveried driver holding the door.
My head was reeling. I needed to talk to someone. I had to see Max. I knew by the time I navigated rush hour and got to his place, he'd be home.
Max and I grew up in the same town in New Hampshire. He's years older than I am, and we had a low-key connection from being in the theater group in high school. He was a senior when I was a freshman. We both worked at the same ice cream place in the summers. That's when we hit it off and found we could easily talk with each other.
Now being in the city at the same time, we reconnected and became friends. We still had the ability to just talk. He really listened, a quality I was finding rare in the guys I met in the city and especially among fellow actors. Most of the actors were totally psychotic and wanted only to talk about themselves, the roles they had, the roles they almost had and mostly about the roles they should have had.
Max was doing pretty well, working for the public radio station as head of fundraising. He had a small, but decent, apartment on the West side. The doorman knew me and let me go up to Max's, saying he'd call up to let him know I was on my way.
He answered and welcomed me in. I rushed past him, flew to his fridge and pulled out a beer.
"I am totally fucked," I announced as I downed half the can.
"Well, nice to see you, too, Chloe."
I smiled and went to give him a hug.
"Sorry, I'm a bit worked up."
"So, I noticed. Want to share?"
"Share! God, you need to get out of non-profit and into the real world."
"Oh, acting is the real world? Interesting concept."
"Whatever," I shrugged. "Yeah, I need to 'Share', but first I need to pee."
I finished my beer and asked if Max would get me another and made my way to his bathroom. I rushed in and plopped down on the toilet. As I relieved myself, I looked around and almost shit instead. On the floor was a girl's bra and panties in a pile, next to a pair of girl's shoes. Now I noticed the bathroom smelled of a recent shower and the scent of a woman.
I finished and bolted out. Picking up my coat, I headed for the door.
"Hey, what's up?" Max called. "Where're you going?"
"Max, sorry. I gotta' go. I didn't mean to barge in like this. I shoulda' called. I hope I didn't mess anything up."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"I know you have a girl here. I saw her things in the bathroom. Sorry."
Max took my arm and led me back to the kitchen.
"Chloe, I opened a beer for you, and I definitely do not want to waste it. Besides, we haven't shared yet."
"But the girl..."
"Oh yeah, the girl. Well, I'd better go get her. I hope she's dressed by now."
I didn't know what to do, so I froze where I was and sipped the beer.
In a minute I heard a scream from Max's room. "Oh, Oh, this could be trouble," I thought.
The door flew open and out charged a tiny, beautiful blond, wearing a flimsy tank top and bikini panties. She rushed toward me, screamed and jumped in my arms.
"Sydney, what the hell are you doing here?" I yelled.
Sydney hugged me and then stood. "Just visiting my big brother and getting a taste of city life."
Syd is four years younger than I. She and I were close friends, despite the gap in our ages. I met her when Max and I got to know each other. The three of us hung together for most of our summers. Syd and I enjoyed the same music, movies and a taste for fried clams.
Another thing we had in common was we both looked up to Max. He was the best big brother in the world for her and for me, well, he was half big brother and half secret love. I knew he was never interested in me sexually, and just saw me as another little sister. I didn't care. I carried a big thing for him for a long time.
Even now as adults, I still had a well-buried crush on him, but had been able to overcome it and forge a really good friendship.
Max fetched beers for Syd and himself and led us into the small and neat living room. He furnished it in early IKEA, but it was comfortable. I sat in the oversized arm chair and the other two settled on the leather couch.
He suggested that Syd might want to get dressed. She looked at him as if he was from Mars. "Like the three of us never hung out at the lake in our bathing suits. I've got the good parts covered, so chill, Big brother."
Laughing, he looked at me and asked, "So, what is the crisis de jour?"
I knew he was teasing and trying to relax me. I admit I tend to get over-dramatic. Actually, that's not a bad quality for an actress.
I told them about getting offered the part in the play and who the main actors were as well as the superstar writer.
They congratulated me and said they knew I was going to make it.
"Wow," exclaimed Max in mock amazement, "I'm going to be able to say I knew you when. Maybe you can take me out to dinner for a change."
"Don't pay attention to the asshole," said Syd. "This is fantastic. But, what has you freaked out? You must know you have the acting ability to be on the stage with those two."
I snorted, choking on my beer. "I am not so sure. I mean she is a freakin' two-time Oscar winner and he won an Emmy. The playwright has two Pulitzers. But the real reason I'm in full panic mode is simple."
Max and Syd hung on my next sentence.
"I have to be nude for almost the whole damn play."
Both my friends stared in silence.
Before they could even comment, I added, "And, I have to do a freakin' nude love scene with freakin' Abbie Evans. A love scene! Jesus, I am totally flipped on this."
Max and Syd sat in silence for a bit.
Finally Max softly said, "Wow."
I got up and grabbed another beer. I didn't think there was enough alcohol in the entire west side to help me relax.
"What am I doing to do? How can I have my parents come to see me? Screw that, how can I parade my sorry naked ass around a stage every night in front of hundreds of people? I have to turn this down."
"Are you out of your mind," asked Syd?
"This is the chance of a lifetime. So, if you have to shake your booty. Every critic on the East coast will be flocking to see this play. They will want to see the fabulous Abbie Evans in the nude and making out with a woman. You could not get better exposure."
"Exposure seems to be the right word," I said.
Syd and Max tried to reassure me. I listened but was not convinced. I tried to explain my anxiety.
"Ok, here's the thing. I am shy. I mean really shy. I hated gym class. I was always the last one out so I didn't have to change in front of the other girls. I don't have much of a love life. No, let's make that truthful. I have no love life these days. My last boyfriend never really saw me nude, I always insisted on the lights off, did the deed and then pulled on a t-shirt. And, I can't believe I am even talking about my love life in front of you guys."
Max grabbed his chest. "My god, you're not a virgin? What is this world coming to?"
I flipped him the bird and continued.
"So, I think you understand that being nude will be a big deal, a really big deal. And, despite this being the age of blended sexual identities, I have never done anything with a girl. Hell, I just about understand my own anatomy, let alone finding my way around another woman. I don't think I'm that good an actor to be realistic in a love scene. Fuck, a love scene with Abbie Fucking Evans! I am so not going to be able to do this."
Syd said, "Chloe, you cannot pass this up. All you need is to rehearse and get used to it."
"How am I going to rehearse, Syd? I can't ask Abbie for private make-out lessons."
Syd blushed a little and said, "You don't have to ask Abbie."
"Then who," I whined.
"Me," she said in a soft voice.
The silence in the room was deafening.
"You?" I said.
"Yeah. Look I am a normal, healthy, well-balanced college girl. In other words, I've had my share of walking on the other side. You know, playing for the other team. Vacationing on the island of Lesbos. Enjoying Sapphic delights. Getting the picture."
"So, you and I will..."
"Rehearse, Chloe, just rehearse. I can give you a couple tips and mostly just let you get over your fears. It's no big deal. We're best pals and it probably will be a lot of laughs."
I thought about it. It seemed so bizarre thinking about doing anything sexual with Syd. I mean she is really cute. She has a trim and fit figure, so it's not like she's repulsive. But, actually kissing her, touching her, that's plain weird.
"I don't know, Syd."
"Chloe, where else will you get any practice. This will be the least threatening way to break through."
I looked at Max, who had a bemused expression. "What do you think?"
He laughed. "No way are you getting me to weigh in on this. I am still processing that my s*s is into girls."
"Not exclusively, b*o. I still dig guys a lot. But, I do like a pretty girl now and then."
He nodded and added, "Well, besides my sister's sexual openness, I am not going to comment on the two of you practice having sex."
He smiled at me, and continued.
"The only thing I'll say, is that if you really want this part, Chloe, then maybe Syd has a point. You guys can practice, or whatever you want to call it, here during the day."
Syd grinned and asked, "You don't want to watch?"
He stared her down and said, "Behave, Syd."
While Syd and I discussed the logistics of how to move forward, Max ordered out for Chinese. When the order arrived, we put aside the thoughts of naked bodies, girls kissing girls and total humiliation to enjoy our friendship along with sesame chicken.
The next day at the theater, we did a couple read throughs and found a number of spots where the dialogue didn't seem to work. Rice took the comments well and adjusted some things on the spot and promised us new dialogue for tomorrow. Abbie started a discussion and then we all agreed that there was a big plot problem toward the end of the first act and the ending was too abrupt. Rice admitted he struggled with both. We all tossed ideas around and they even liked one of my suggestions. Rice said he'd work on the problems.
We broke around 1:30 and had lunch that was brought in. Afterwards, the production manager said I should meet with wardrobe.
I chuckled to myself thinking this could be the shortest wardrobe session in history.
The wardrobe mistress, Marge, was a Broadway veteran, probably in her 50's. She acknowledged that there were not a lot of costume changes. She explained she needed my sizes, including underwear. I did have to undress on stage in the first act. She said she needed to get about 10 of everything. Marge said she would get front closing bras.
"I don't want you fumbling for a couple minutes trying to get your bra off. I think we'll just go with bikini panties, nothing too sexy like a thong. Actually, I might even go with some granny-panties. I like the contrast between modest undies and your naked body. Jeans, a cotton pullover and flip-flops will complete the ensemble. Very easy to deal with. I'll pick up a bunch of short robes that you will wear at times. Also, you can put one on during, if you don't mind the pun, 'dress rehearsals' so you don't have to be showing everything all the time."
"Marge, do you think I'm crazy doing this?"
"Honey, I've been doing this most of my life. I've come to understand nothing in the theater is crazy. I think the play is powerful. I listened to the read through and you have one hell of a juicy part. My advice, forget your tits are hanging out and act the shit out of this role."
Her reassurance made me relax, at least a tad.
We wrapped at three and I was at Max's apartment at three-thirty, knocking on the door.
Syd opened it. She was wearing a t-shirt of Max's and it appeared nothing else.
I entered and dumped my purse on the kitchen table, opened the fridge and grabbed a beer.
"You're looking a bit casual," I said to Syd.
"Chloe, we very well can't practice being in the nude without being in the nude."
The beer in my stomach almost started coming back up. "Am I really going to do this?" I thought.
"Syd, I have to admit I am still freaked about this."
"Yeah, I know you are. But, listen, we can do it. We are like best friends, almost sisters, actually."
"Great, so now you're adding i****t to this ordeal?"
Syd laughed and took a sip of my beer. "You are way too wound up. Go take a shower and relax. I'll put one of Max's big denim shirts in the bath. When you're through, just put that on. That will be one step. Then we will just read through the love scene part a bunch of times, Ok."
I nodded and we moved on. I was letting the hot water soak into my muscles when the bathroom door opened and I heard Syd call out.
"The shirt is on the back of the door. Hey, you look great naked, Chloe." She giggled and slammed the door.
I realized the clear shower curtain probably left little to the imagination. I finished, dried and pulled on the shirt. I desperately wanted to pull on my panties, but finally decided against it. I was brushing back my damp air when I noticed the faint, but distinct, scent of Max wafting from his shirt. The image of me standing naked with his shirt wrapped around me made my thingie tingle.
Syd was reading through the script, sitting on the couch. She smiled as I approached.
"This is great stuff, Chloe," she said. "I think it will be a super hit."
"Well, it's going against the trend of musicals and comedies," I offered. "Everyone bemoans the lack of serious drama on Broadway, but the crowds turn out for the big productions, special effects and catchy tunes. If this didn't have Abbie in it, I doubt it would even get a try-out."
"Abbie and the fabulous, beautiful, talented and naked, Chloe, might I add," Syd put in.
"I was loving it up to the naked part," I moaned.
"Well, speaking of which, hon. You will never get over being afraid of going naked if you are wearing clothes. So, let's get naked."
She stood and peeled her shirt over her head. I think I actually gasped.
Syd is about 5'3". She has short blond hair, with some henna streaks, giving her a pixie look with a bit of punk thrown in. The punk also comes from her nose piercing, multiple ear studs and rings, and, to my surprise, her left nipple piercing.
Her face is cute with a slightly upturned nose and great smile. She is slight of build, but her breasts are larger than I imagined, not that I really ever imagined them. They looked about the same size as mine, although she is three inches shorter. Syd is fair-skinned and her breasts are white, which makes a striking contrast to her dark areolas and nipples, which are about the same shade. The pierced nipple looked erect and hard.
Syd sported a belly-button ring. She had narrow hips and thin legs. I was slightly shocked that her pubic area was clear and smooth.
"Ok, your turn," she said with a wide grin.
I gulped and slowly unbutton the shirt. With a strength I did not think I had, I let the shirt slip off and drop to the floor. I mightily resisted covering my parts with my hands.
Syd looked me up and down, pausing at all the strategic spots.
"You're very pretty, Chloe. The audience will dig you. Although you might want to clean out Sherwood Forest a bit."
I looked down at my untrimmed and wild blond bush. I never even considered doing anything with it.
"Nice tits, by the way. I like them a lot," said Syd.
I blushed deeply and tried to smile.
"Don't freak out. I am being objective. It's not like I'm drooling over them, but they are very, very attractive. They look to be around the same size as mine, but they have more of an attitude. They like stand up and call for attention. And don't like faint, but your nipples are super erect and that is super hot. You look like this on stage and you could read the fucking phone book and get a standing ovation."
Syd asked me to turn around and I slowly complied.
"Great ass, babe. Your legs are long, which is what all the guys love. All in all an awesome package."
I faced her and moved for my shirt. Syd put her foot on it and shook her head.
"Part of what we are doing is getting you used to going bare-assed. So, leave the shirt off and let's read the part about your love scene."
I relented and we stood next to each other with the script on the kitchen table and read. The scene called for Abbie, or Helen in the play, to come upon me alone in Joe's, or his character's, Alex, studio. I am wearing my robe. She confronts me about having an affair with Alex. She attacks me verbally and then rushes me and pulls off my robe. I stand naked facing her, she has her back to the audience. We stare at each other for a time and then she moves to me, pulls me toward her and kisses me. I resist and then slowly respond and we embrace. She then steps back and starts to strip. Neither of us has spoken a word since our kiss. She sheds her clothes, exposing her naked rear to the audience. We embrace and kiss again. The stage directions indicate we are to passionately touch each other and go to the couch, where we have sex.
Rice is still working on how to close this scene and end act one.
"Well," said Syd, "not a hell of a lot to go on here. Let me be explicit for a second. In the sex on the couch part, what are they expecting? Is one of you supposed to go down on the other? God, that would be something. Shit, I am getting all wet thinking about eating Abbie Evan's goddamn pussy."
"Syd, you are not putting me at ease."
"Sorry, but do you think that's what they're looking for?"
"I don't know. We never talked details, but I don't think so. I am supposing it's mostly going to be kissing."
Syd thought about it. "Kissing, like kissing boobs?"
"Oh God, I don't know," I moaned.
"Well, until we hear differently, let's assume you will kiss each other on the lips, probably run your hands up and down each other, getting a handful of butt, and most likely feel each others' boobs. If you find out more, we can practice more. Listen, Chloe, it will be fine. I know you're acting. So, let's try it out."
"Now?" My heart sank below my knees.
"As good a time as any. Besides we have about an hour before Max plans to be home. Let's make the most of it."
We faced each other and Syd stepped up to me. She was shorter than Abbie, but I figured that made no difference. I was about to kiss my first girl.
She smiled and gently rubbed my upper arms. I relaxed a tad.
Syd pulled me into her arms and hugged me gently. I appreciated her gesture. We had hugged hundreds of times before. I admit I had never felt her hard nipples press into me on those occasions.
She stepped back and said, "Kiss me."
I closed my eyes and moved my face forward. I ended up kissing her nose.
We both laughed.
"Close, but not what they're looking for," Syd said.
"Keep your eyes open. Come on, you can do it."
This time I moved my face toward hers, looking into her eyes. She tilted her head and I let my lips come to hers.
I was not prepared for the sensation. Her lips were soft, warm and, I must admit, erotic. Kissing her was nothing like kissing the guys I had dated. She broke the kiss, slid her hand to my cheek and then kissed me. With just a tiny bit more pressure, she pressed her mouth to mine. She then covered my lips and chin with soft caresses. I closed my eyes and to my shock began to enjoy the sensation.
Syd stopped and I opened my eyes.
"What's the matter?" I asked. "I'm not a good kisser, am I?"
"No, it's just you're a little stiff. Try to loosen up."
"What do you mean?"
"Your neck seems to have a steel rod in it. Your shoulders are like a wound spring. Let it go, Chloe. This is going fine."
I rolled my head, shrugged my shoulders and tried to relax.
Syd came to me and kissed me once more. Again, the sensation was sweet and enticing.
"Chloe, touch my cheek. Run your fingers through my hair. Do something besides stand there like a freaking statue."
She kissed me and I slipped my hand onto her cheek. She put her hand behind my neck. All the while, she was placing soft kisses on my lips. I put my other hand behind her head and ran my fingers through her short-cropped hair.
I kissed her back and felt her take in breath. She slipped her hand around my waist and pulled me tight against her. I felt our breasts press into each other and our thighs touch. She kissed me and I kissed back more urgently. She next kissed my cheek and neck, pulling me tight to her. She returned to my mouth and I willingly, no eagerly, accepted her lips to mine. We kissed for several minutes.
Syd let go of me and we parted. I was breathing hard.
Syd smiled and took my hand.
"Chloe, that was much better. I almost felt for a second you were enjoying it. Remember the audience has to believe you are really, really enjoying it."
"Thanks, Syd. I have to admit I did relax more. It's just I am such a klutz at sex. Really, I know I suck at it. Figuratively speaking, that is."
We both laughed and used the moment to get a couple beers. For a brief second, I forgot I was naked.
"Chloe, you are overplaying your lack of sexuality. You are extremely sexual, bordering on hot. You are beautiful, have a knock-out bod, and move like a dancer. Just let all of this natural allure carry you. They will love you."
We finished our beers and practiced kissing some more. After that session, I was aggressively, well, mildly aggressively, kissing Syd. After our last embrace, she stood back.
"Whoa. Chloe that was hot. You could turn me on like that."
"Right," I laughed.
Just then we heard the lock turning. We both screamed and scrambled for our meager clothing. Syd shouted out to wait, "one freaking minute" and we dashed into Max's bedroom.
We looked at each other and fell on his bed laughing our asses off. Syd dressed and got my clothes from the bathroom. When we both were decent, we headed to the living room.
"Well, I guess you two were, what's the term, method acting."
"Don't be such a dweeb, big brother. We were making out like crazy," said Syd.
The look on Max's face was worth the embarrassment I felt.
He took us out for sushi and I left for my rat-hole after dinner.
The next day at the theater, Rice passed out new pages for the end of act one. We went through them, making notes and comments.
As we broke for lunch, Abbie pulled me aside.
"So, how's it going, Chloe?" she asked.
"Fine for me. I should ask you, how am I doing?"
I knew that no one had actually confirmed that I had the role.
"You're doing great, Chloe," she said, flashing her million, or multi-million dollar smile. "Everyone loves your reading, your ideas, your enthusiasm. The part is yours if you want it."
Instinctively I hugged her and shouted, "Yes. Thank you."
Abbie laughed and said, "The only concern we have is how you will do with the nudity and our love scene."
I nodded and told her I was confident I could do both. I confided that I was working on them.
"Really? How so."
I explained about my friend Syd. She nodded and agreed it was one way to prepare.
She suggested we take a little walk outside. The afternoon was bright and we strolled down the street.
"Chloe, I remember the first time I had to do a nude scene. I was younger than you, eighteen actually. Since I had been a c***d actor and grew up on screen, I knew it would be a shock to many that I was now a woman and would be doing adult parts, including nudity. We rehearsed the scene clothed and then the day came to shoot it. Mind you it was, and I've clocked it over and over again, thirty-three seconds long, but it took over a day to shoot it.
"My co-star was older, you know Billy Gormley. He had really bad breath." We both giggled at that admission.
The scene called for me to seduce him.
He is in bed and I come into his room, strip and climb in with him. We kiss, he plays with my boobs and the camera pans away to let imaginations take over.
So, Billy's in bed. He is wearing shorts since he will be shot from the waist up. I am dressed in a blouse, short skirt and underwear."
We stopped waiting for the cross light. Abbie asked me if I'd ever been on a movie set. I answered no.
"Well, there are like dozens of people around. The director cleared everyone not involved in the shot, like the craft people, caterers, hangers-on, personal assistants, and on and on. Nevertheless, there are the lighting people, sound people, assistant directors, the co-producer, wardrobe, make-up, hell, a lot of people.
"So, we're ready for my big scene. As you can guess, we have to shoot multiple takes and multiple angles and then hope we have it right for the editor to make sense of it. I go in say my lines and start stripping. I do the whole thing, buck naked, with the camera shooting me from behind. I have to do the strip ten times from that angle. In between takes, make-up is dusting my ass to remove a glare, the focus-puller is putting a tape on my ass to measure the distance from the lens. And, I'm standing there nude. Then, we change angles and I strip facing the camera. I have to admit I thought I would throw up. But I did it. Again, multiple takes and multiple dusting my boobs with make-up, adjusting my hair, etc.
Abbie slipped her arm through mine and leaned in to talk softly.
"Here I was, the golden c***d of cinema. Winner of an Academy Award at f******n, darling of the big screen, standing nude in front of a bunch of people I hardly knew. A little secret, I was still a virgin and had virtually no experience with men or sex. I think one person, outside my mother and doctor, had ever seen me without clothes. Yeah, I was weirded out."
Abbie explained that they have something like a modesty shield that they can put over your most private parts.
"They tried one with me, but I had to make a move to get into bed and it kept showing. The director asked if I minded if they could get rid of it. So, I had to show my sweet, innocent pussy to the mob.
"Anyway, we do the strip scene from the front. Then we shoot the part of me getting in the bed a dozen times. It's was like, 'Abbie, don't pull the covers down so far, we can see his underwear and he's supposed to be naked.' Or, 'Abbie, turn your butt more toward the camera.' 'Abbie, don't spread your legs, what we can see will get us an NC-17.' God, Chloe, it was stressful and humiliating.
"By the end of the first day, I hadn't even gotten into the damn bed. I was drained physically and emotionally. I had convinced myself that I was making the biggest mistake of my life."
Abbie pulled me into a small Italian bakery and bought a couple pastries and two cappuccinos. We sat at a small round table in the window.
"So, the next day we pick up where I'm now in bed with Billy. I could wear panties, since just my top was going to show. The director had gone over the scene with us dozens of times, blocking every move. It was, "Abbie, kiss Billy like this." "Billy, rub your hand up and down her back." Abbie, roll over on your back and Billy you kiss her breast. Lick her nipple and then cover it with your hand."
Abbie finished her pastry and wiped the crumbs from her lips. She smiled recollecting that scene.
"Chloe, that was the first guy who ever kissed my boob. Strange, no? Anyway, we run through the scene and the first thing I notice is how bad his breath is. I mean I wanted to pull away and retch. But, we are paid to act, so act I did. We shot that kissing part so many times from so many angles, that I thought I would never get the smell off me. We did the playing with the boob thing. And finally, I get on top of him, he kisses my boob once more and I start moving like we are having sex, after the director told me what to do. I had no clue how to make people believe we were having sex. The camera pans down our bodies and the scene is over."
Abbie ran her fingers through her luxurious ginger hair and smiled at me.
"The really worst part, Chloe, was dear old Billy had a monster hard-on. I mean it was huge and I had to rub up against it. God, that was so difficult. He loved every goddamn minute of it. He even had the balls to ask for extra takes because he didn't think he was looking in the right direction. A major fucking pig, excuse my French."
She reached across the table and took my hand. Looking me directly in the eye, she said, "So, was it worth it?"
After a short pause, she continued, "Well, I did get a nomination for my role. Did manage to get a few more films, another Oscar, and now I produce and direct. So, yeah, I think it helped me prove I was more than that adorable c***d star. I was grown up and I was a force. I did a couple more nude roles. It never gets easy, but it does get easier."
She squeezed my hand and I returned the gesture.
"Thanks, Abbie. I still have a bunch of butterflies every time I think of it, but you have helped me enormously."
We stood and left the bakery. On the street, Abbie pulled me to her and kissed my cheek. "You will be great, Chloe. And, I will do everything I can to help you through this."
Back at Max's that afternoon, Syd had us undress in front of each other. Her reasoning was that I had to do it on stage, so get used to it. I relayed about what Abbie told me earlier. She said maybe we should take her up on her offer.
"What are you talking about?"
"Maybe you two should rehearse before you have to do it in front of the crew."
"Right," I laughed sarcastically, "why don't I call her up and say, 'Abbie, how about we get together, get naked and have sex. Sound like a good idea?' I think not, Syd."
"Just a suggestion," Syd replied. "So, I guess you'll have to do it with me. I think today we should work on tits."
We did. She instructed me how to rub her boobs and not look like I was afraid my hand would fall off. She demonstrated by fondling mine. As with our kisses, I first was scared, but soon began to enjoy the sensations. I was shocking myself to find dampness seeping between my legs.
"Chloe, you really have fantastic tits," said Syd. She was running her hands over my breasts and teasing my nipples, which were now rock hard. She leaned in and kissed me as she tantalizing pinched my nipples. I moaned and kissed back.
We broke looking at each other.
"Is this what you do with the women you're with," I asked?
"Usually," Syd replied brushing the backs of her fingers over my super-sensitized nipples. "And, a lot more."
She smiled and turned to go and get us beers.
"Like what," I said to her naked back.
She came to me carrying the beers and guided me to the couch. She set the beers on the coffee table and shifted her body to face me.
"Like this," she whispered.
Syd bent and took a nipple between her lips. Holding my breast with one hand, she licked it until it was stiff and dark. She then sucked it into her mouth, eliciting a guttural sound from me. She sucked and licked and squeezed. Finally, she had most of my breast in her mouth.
I was in a semi-daze, but found the strength to ease her off me.
"That, would be one thing I do with another woman," she said.
"Holy cow," was all I could say.
We sat on the couch, silently sipping beers.
"Syd, what's it like to kiss a girl down there?"
Syd laughed and asked, "Are you asking out of curiosity or asking if I will do that to you?"
"Curiosity," I murmured, but inwardly wondering if that were the truth.
"Well, has a guy ever kissed you there?" she asked.
"Once, but it didn't feel that good."
"Probably didn't know jack shit about pussies," she said.
"Well, it really is a powerful feeling," Syd continued. "Done right, you can make a women beg for relief and have ultimate control over her. I love that part and I also love the sensation. A woman's most intimate and secret part opening before you is intoxicating. Putting your second most intimate organ, your tongue, on her is mind-blowing. The scent, the taste, the moisture and the heat blend together to create the most erotic combination possible. I love it, Chloe. And, I love when a talented woman or man does it to me."
"Do you think Abbie and I will have to do that?"
"Can't say, Chloe, but I kinda' doubt it. It's one thing for you two to be naked, to kiss and even play with each other's tits. But, I still think straight America gets freaked out if they think that the two women are eating each other. Kissing and tits are fine, but the other is crossing some unwritten line."
I nodded and surprised myself by almost regretting that I wouldn't be doing what Syd just described.
The next couple days of rehearsal went well. Rice kept doctoring the script and we all felt much more comfortable with it. We still did not resolve the ending.
I had a couple wardrobe fittings with Marge. She had me take my top off and inspect how the bras fit. I was a little shy, but tried not to show it. She cupped my boobs in the bra and felt all around.
"I think I'm going to try just a size bigger," she announced. "These fit you, but they squish your boobs too much. And, you end up with really deep lines. You have very nice boobs and we want them looking as good as possible. Now, slip off your bottoms and try on these panties."
I couldn't believe she asked that, but again I complied. I pulled off my jeans and bikini briefs. She looked at me and shook her head.
"Chloe, seriously, you have to trim that mess. God, have you never done anything with it."
I shook my head.
"I discussed it with our fearless director..."
"You talked about my pubic hair with him?"
"Not exactly, I asked him what he was looking for. You know, bald as an eagle or something else."
My mouth hung open in wonder.
"He said bald would be too much. People might be too shocked by it and it would not show up under the lights. He suggested a nice landing strip. It will certainly affirm that you are a real blond. Believe me, honey, they all wonder about it. I can give you the name of a cosmetician who can help, or you can do it yourself or have a friend lend a hand."
I said I thought I knew someone who could assist.
That afternoon I broke the news to Syd.
"Cool, I love grooming pussies," she cooed with mock enthusiasm.
"Seriously, Syd, if it's too gross, let me know."
"Nah, nothing to it. My last girlfriend and I did it all the time."
Sitting on a towel on the couch, I spread my legs, the first time I was ever so exposed before a woman. Syd snipped away at my tangle and then used a disposable razor to clean up and make nice straight lines on each side and the top.
Wiping the excess cream away with a towel she looked up and said, "Want to find out what it's like to have it licked by a girl?"
I felt a rush of blood surge to the area in question, and experienced a blossoming dampness. I stroked Syd's hair as her face hovered mere inches from my wide open sex.
Before I could say anything, Syd leaned in and kissed my pussy. She put her lips on my sex lips and gently ran her tongue up and down my slit, ending with a tongue lashing of my clit. I was shocked and turned on more than I ever had been in my life.
She next softly placed her fingers on my damp slit and held them there for a few seconds, before sliding one finger inside me. I jerked with surprise and took her wrist to guide her finger back out.
Sighing, pulled her hand away, cleaned me up and we practiced lines and the make-out session for a while. This time I took her breasts in my mouth for the first time. I marveled at the feel of her nipple between my lips and the texture of it against my tongue. I think I was doing something right because of the reactions from Syd.
"Shit, Chloe, you are turning me on. Anytime you want to stop play-acting let me know. Damn, I need a cold shower."
She trotted off and I slipped my hand between my legs, sampling the wetness and rubbing my clit. "God, I am so turned on. What is going on?" I forced my hand away and went into Max's room to dress.
The next week at the theater we spent on run throughs and blocking. We were still reading our lines and the director would position us here and there until he felt it worked.
He would call out directions like, "Chloe gets undressed now, facing down stage."
Thankfully, I was able to do all this clothed.
We got to the part where Abbie and I have our big scene. The director called out and now Abbie and Chloe kiss, make-out, get naked and have sex, yada, yada, yada.
Again, thank God it was just yada, yada, yada.
At the end of the week, the director said that next week we will work on the love scene and block it out. He said Joe was going to be out on a location shoot for his TV show, anyway.
Rice said he had redone the ending. Instead of Joe's character just watching me and Abbie lying on the couch together and then turning away to leave. Abbie and I get up, undress Joe and take him to the couch to be with both of us. The three of us start to make love. The stage goes black. The audience will think that we three will stay together, but still wonder if Abbie will eventually mess everything up.
As the rehearsal was breaking up, I asked if I could speak with Abbie.
"Abbie, I don't know how to ask you something," I stammered.
"Honey, just ask me," she smiled and patted my arm.
"Well, how will we, you know, well, how far do we have to go in our scene? I guess we'll be kissing or something, but like do we, uh, touch or what?"
Abbie smiled again. "I'm not sure. We've sort of talked about it, but I think we will work some of that out next week. I can say for sure that we will both be naked, will kiss and will probably touch each other. Will we kiss other parts than lips or where we will touch each other, let's just say we'll work it out together. Chloe, you will do fine. I am so impressed with your interpretation. Everyone is raving about you."
I blushed and thanked her.
I filled in Syd that night.
"Well, that sounds cool, Chloe. She seems so supportive."
"She is," I replied.
Syd looked away and then back at me, "Chloe, I've been thinking about our rehearsals. There's a problem."
"What? I thought we were doing great."
"That's just it. You and I are doing great. You seem really relaxed being naked around me and you have totally loosened up with the sex part."
I blushed remembering her mouth on my pussy. I pushed that thought away and said, "So, the problem is..."
"So, the problem is you and I are cool. Chloe, you will be naked in front of the whole crew whom you've come to know and then in front of thousands of other people. I think we need to prepare you for that."
"How? What are you talking about?"
Syd put her arms around my neck and touched her forehead to mine. "I mean we need to have an audience for you to rehearse in front of."
"You're shitting me."
"No. Think about it. How long did it take you to relax with just me? Do you really think you can go from here to doing it in front of all those others and not flip out? I say get it over with now."
I hoped I was not hearing Syd correctly. But, in the back of my mind there was a growing thought that she was right. I had become almost comfortable walking around nude in Max's apartment. But, would that comfort transfer to the stage? My insides were turning jell-o again.
"What do you suggest," I asked?
"Simple, you have three roommates and I have Max. We invite them over for a run through. I'll play Abbie's part."
"You want me to get naked in front of my roommates. Fuck that, you want me to get naked in front of Max. No way."
"Hey, rockhead, do you think that your roommates or Max are not going to see the show? Duh, like they wouldn't miss it for the world. Not because you'll be nude, but because they love you and support you. And, okay, because you and Abbie will be nude. But, anyway, do it now, Chloe, believe me it's the right thing."
"But, Max. He's like my, well, my brother. And, well, I just couldn't."
Syd laughed and pulled me tight for a hug. "Chloe, it's ok. I know you've had a crush on Max. God, it's so obvious. But, you gotta' do this."
"You know I had a crush?"
"You may be a fabulous actor, Chloe, but you suck at hiding your true emotions."
I broke free from her and sank into the couch. What a jerk I am. I couldn't believe I was that obvious.
"Does Max know that I..."
"I think he suspected you did a while ago. But, now I think you and he are just best buds. He loves you, Chloe, he really does. But, it's sort of how he loves me."
"Ah, fuck," was all I could muster.
That night in my smelly mattress on the floor in my dark, shared room, I thought about what Syd suggested. Logically it made sense. Emotionally it made my insides turn to liquid.
In the morning, before I headed out to the theater, I asked my roomies if they were willing to be my mock audience. I think they all reacted the same way—wanting to help, but not wanting to be appear to be too anxious to see me nude.
I have two guys and one girl as roomies. I know Annie was gay or at least bi-. She made some casual passes at me when we first started sharing the room, but I politely let her know I was not interested. She usually never wore clothes in our room and even sometimes where the guys could see her. I wasn't sure if she were trying to entice me. As for the guys, they were normal horny young men and I'm sure had mentally undressed me more than once.
They agreed to come over to Max's that evening. I then called Syd and broke the news. She squealed with delight and said she'd break the news to Max.
"Shit," I thought, "What have I got myself into now?"
That day I was distracted with the anticipation of the evening. I missed a couple cues and the director chewed my ass off. At the end of our run-through, Abbie pulled me aside and asked what was up.
I tried to brush her off, but she was too perceptive. I told her about performing in front of people, including my best friend, Max.
"Chloe, I think you're being both brave and smart. I was a little worried how it might be when we get to, shall I say, "dress" rehearsals. This way you might work out some of the butterflies. Good idea."
Her little pep talk helped take some of the edge off and I impulsively hugged her
She responded and hugged back, patting my back reassuringly.
She then whispered in my ear, "Let me know how it goes and maybe you and I should do our own run through before next week. As a matter of fact, I think there is no way around it."
I was not sure I just heard one of the biggest stars in Hollywood offer to do a practice nude scene with me. God, this thing is getting way too weird.
I made my way to Max's in a fog. I could not even remember getting on or off the subway. Syd greeted me with a hug. She said my roomies called and said they would be there around 6 and would bring pizza. Max would pick up the beer and be here around the same time.
"Pizza and beer?" I said. "This is not a freaking football game."
Syd smiled and said, "No, it's going to be more like nude wrestling."
"Shit," was all I could respond.
Syd suggested I dress in a robe similar to what I would wear on stage and she would wear a skirt and blouse. We had done the scene so many times, that we both knew our lines.
Max and my roomies arrived and started in on the beer and pizza. Syd and I had pushed the furniture back in the living room to give us some space. We set up a chair for a prop.
Syd and I got ready in Max's bedroom and with a high five entered the living room.
The mini-audience broke into applause. I was grateful for the noise because it probably masked the sound of my knees knocking together. I was overcome with stage fright at the thought of stripping before these people I knew so well.
Syd saved the day by plunging right into the dialogue. The verbal cues brought me around and I began playing my role. It was soon the moment that Abbie attacks me and rips off my robe.
Syd moved so quickly I was knocked off balance. She grabbed the belt of my robe and pulled it. The robe opened and I was exposed to Max and my roomies. They were totally silent.
Syd slid the robe off my shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. For the first time in my life I was standing naked in front of more than one person. My biggest surprise was that I was not throwing up. My second biggest surprise was how hard my nipples were. I wondered if my audience noticed.
Syd crossed and pulled me to her arms. She kissed me and ran her hand down my back, cupping my ass. I kissed back and wound my arms around her.
Breaking our embrace, Syd quickly stripped. We then held each other and kissed passionately. Our hands found each other's breasts and Syd pushed me back onto the chair, knelt in front of me, and kissed my breasts. I moaned, not really acting, and finally pulled her face to mine for a long kiss. This was the end of act one and we broke apart, with Syd sitting back on her heels.
The silence surrounded us. Syd and I looked at each other and smiled. The four people watching us started clapping and then shouted their approval. Syd and I stood, clasped hands and took a deep bow. I did not even have the faintest urge to cover my naked parts. We kissed and still holding hands sauntered back to Max's room. Inside, we squealed and hugged.
Syd told me to stay and still naked ran back into the living room to retrieve our clothes. I pulled on the robe and Syd put on her panties and bra and we joined the adoring crowd in the living room.
All four said it was a great performance. Annie said she totally believed we were getting it on. "Too fuckin' hot," was how she put it.
The guys were a little more reserved by agreed it was sexy. They both admitted to getting excited.
Syd asked if that meant boners?
I turned crimson at her bluntness. Dave laughed and said "Oh yeah!"
Zack shyly nodded in agreement.
We broke into laughter and then finished the pizza and beer. My roomies left to go to a party down in the village and Syd and I got dressed.
Syd, Max and I sat together on the couch. The silence got a little heavy. Syd broke it by asking, "Max, did you get excited?"
I was so taken aback I could hardly breath.
Was Max going to be completely offended? Would he think Syd and I are tramps? Would he never want to speak to me again?
"Ladies, I was hard as a rock. There will not be a straight guy in the audience who is not turned on."
"Or, a gay gal," added Syd. "And those two categories cover most of Manhattan."
We laughed, breaking the ice.
We chatted for a bit longer and I then headed home.
The next day Abbie asked how it went and I gave her a big thumbs up.
The director had to cut rehearsal short due to some problems with the theater that needed to be addressed.
Abbie asked if I had plans for the afternoon. I was free and she invited me to join her at her spa.
"Chloe, let me treat you to a first class session. It will make you feel great and give us some time to talk."
We took her car and the driver expertly wove in and out of traffic until he pulled up in front of a brownstone. Abbie led us into the lobby which was subtly decorated. The receptionist warmly greeted Abbie and welcomed me.
She used the phone and in a minute a tall black woman emerged from a door. She was dressed in a light blue outfit in a soft material that accented her striking figure.
She led us back into a changing area with individual cubicles. Abbie said we should get undressed and wrap a towel around and put the robe the spa provided on top of the towel.
I followed her instructions trying to imagine what lie ahead.
Abbie knocked and asked if I was ready. I joined her in the common space. The black woman, whose name I learned is Jamie, lead us to a room that contained two comfortable chairs. After we were seated, two women came in and began to do a facial, while another started on a mani-pedi. An hour later, Jamie returned and brought us to a massage room with two tables. She was joined by another woman, a blond with a Swedish accent. Jamie asked us to remove our robes and lie facedown on a table. The blond moved to Abbie and Jamie stood next to me.
"Can you loosen your towel, Chloe?"
I reached underneath and undid the soft terry and Jamie adjusted it so it d****d over my body.
With warm oil and strong fingers she began to work my legs. She folded the towel up so my legs were exposed. She kneaded and rubbed away some aches and a lot of tension. I turned my head and looked over to Abbie's table. The blond was on the far side also working on her legs. The difference was Abbie's towel was gone. I gasped looking at her small, taut butt and her naked back.
She opened her eyes and just smiled at me. The blond moved her hands to Abbie's butt and began massaging it deeply.
Jamie finished my legs and softly asked if she could work on my derriere. I nodded and Jamie slid the towel off me. Abbie let her eyes move over my naked back and smiled encouragingly.
Jamie moved between the tables and obscured my view of Abbie. She had me turn on my back. Abbie's masseuse told her to do the same. I imagined how it must look having the both of us totally exposed to these women working on our bodies.
Soon, Jamie erased all thought from my mind save the pleasure of tension melting away. When she had finished working every square inch of my body, she covered me with the towel. The two masseuses left the room.
"So, good?" asked Abbie.
"Fab," I replied.
"Let's go for the final step," said Abbie as she sat up and fixed her towel around her.
I did the same and followed her out and down a corridor to a wooden door. She opened it and we stepped into a sauna. The dry heat immediately opened my pores and the sweat started rolling.
Abbie faced me and said, "Chloe, we have to get naked with each other at some point. I figured this would seem more natural than doing it on stage."
Smiling broadly, she undid her towel and dropped it to the floor.
I did the same and we regarded each other. Abbie was glistening with perspiration and her body shone. Her breasts were smaller than mine, but were firm and tight. She had a narrow waist, wide hips and a closely trimmed auburn patch between her legs. She grinned and spun around so I could see her dimpled cheeks, almost boy-like in appearance.
She looked me over and I provided a view of my backside.
"You are quite beautiful, Chloe," she said and held her hand out for mine. I took it and felt her reassurance flowing from her firm grip.
"Give me a hug," she said softly.
I stepped forward and for the second time in my life embraced a naked woman. Our breast mashed together, our thighs touched and we lay our heads together, feeling the moisture on our cheeks and temples.
Abbie ran her hands up and down my back, brushing my butt and finally encircling my waist, pulling me tight.
I wondered if this were a rehearsal or if she were putting a move on me. I had heard all the rumors about Abbie being in the closet.
She loosened her grip, kissed my cheek and stood back.
"Let's sit here a while and enjoy the heat," she said as she stooped to retrieve both of our towels.
We each took a bench facing each other with our towels under our butts and our backs resting against a wall.
"Chloe, do you think I'm hitting on you?"
I panicked thinking that my expression must have betrayed my thoughts.
I stumbled for an answer.
"It's Ok. Let me give you the quick back story of Abbie Evans and then you can decide."
I began to protest, but she cut me off.
"Chloe, I know all about the rumors, the gossip the celebrity websites. I know people think I am a raging lesbo trying desperately to remain in the closet. Just let the heat relax you and listen for a bit."
I nodded.
"You know my story, at least the part the publicists push. c***d star at eleven, workaholic, producer, Hollywood legend, blah, blah, blah. Yeah, a lot of it is true, but it's far from the complete picture.
"After my big hit when I was just a k**, my parents tried their best to protect me. They had taken control of my earnings, hired a business manager, gotten a respectable agent and worked hard to let me be a k**. And, for the most part it worked out. I got other great roles. My business manager was a wiz who invested my money well. My parents were supportive but not pushy stage parents. They let my agent do all the negotiating. My mom would come on set with me to be sure I was not overworked and got my school assignments done.
"I made three major pictures before I was eighteen. I wanted to go to college and was accepted at Stanford. I only acted during the summer and made it through college mostly unscarred. Did the usual stupid college k**s stuff, but managed not to get arrested or to land on the front pages.
"And, yes, I experimented a bit with d**gs and drinking. Being an Academy Award winner, I figured the rules did not apply to me. I got wasted a few too many times, but, again, never ended up in a scandal.
"In senior year, I got an apartment off campus with a couple other k**s. The movie where I did my first nude role had been out for over a year and now I was feeling quite grown up. I told you I was a virgin for that movie, but now I had my aim on fixing that.
"My first lover was a guy I met in Creative Writing class. He was totally fucked up, but I saw him as romantic. We did it in my apartment on a Wednesday afternoon. He was not particularly good, as I later realized. We did it a couple more times until I found out he was writing about it and intending to try to sell a screen play about our little affair. So, lesson learned about people wanting to fuck stars.
"I was totally bummed on guys and next hooked up with my roommate. She was already out and when I opened the door a crack, she rushed in. Sex was good, better than my writer pal. I enjoyed being on the wild side of things. She also loved d**gs and drinking hard. Many a night we ended