Thursday, October 29, 2009

Drop Dead Gorgeous: Act Five

Cordelia strolled down the hallway, before reaching Deidre’s dressing room. She tried the door, realising it was locked.

CORDELIA: Miss Locwood, are you in there? You have to be packed up and gone before the end of the day.

She knocked on a couple of times and then called again. Still no answer. angry, she pulled out her cell phone and punched in a three digit number: 911.

CORDELIA: Hello. Yes, I’d like to speak to Agent Stephanie Bosworth.

***

Stephanie and Dan’s squad car parked up in the car park, and the two climbed out, strolling inside to meet Cordelia.

STEPHANIE: Which room is it?

CORDELIA: Deidre Locwood. It’s just down here. I don’t know what’s going on but the door is still locked and she isn’t answering.

STEPHANIE: Alright, we'll take a look.

DAN: Do you know how long she’s been in there?

CORDELIA: Since last night, I presume. She was eliminated from the competition, and then she went straight to her dressing room. I don’t suppose she’s even left yet.

Stephanie nodded and she and Dans began down the hallway until they reached Deidre’s room. Stephanie knocked twice.

STEPHANIE: Ms. Locwood, it’s Stephanie Bosworth. I’m with the police. If you don’t answer the door, we’re going to break it down, it’s your choice.

The two waited a couple of seconds. No answer. Stephanie nodded to Dan, taking her gun from her holster. Dan did the same and then stepped in front, slamming his foot into the door. It didn’t budge, so he tried again. This time the door came swinging open and the two officers rushed inside. Daria gasped as she noticed the broken window. Swinging her gun in every direction, she checked the room to make sure nobody else was in there. Once realizing she and her partner were alone she flicked her finger indicating Dan to approach the window, she slowly stepped to the window his shoes cracked the pieces of glass scattered on the floor. Peering downwards he saw Deidre's body lying on top of a full trash carrier, her body was crumpled like a doll dropped onto the floor, he could faintly see blood surrounding her body, he sighed heavily and nodded to Stephanie, Deidre was dead. she placed her gun back in her holster. James also put his weapon away.

DAN: Jesus Christ. Suicide?

STEPHANIE: I don’t know. Looks like it, but after everything that’s already happened, we have reason to believe not. We’ll have to wait, get the building evacuated now, I want this fucking room dusted.

***

In Callum’s apartment, Mia slowly wakes. She stretches her arms and groans before her eyes finally flutter open. She rolls over to see Callum lying next to her. Gasping, she immediately sits up, covering her breasts with the cover.

CALLUM: Whoa, chill.

MIA: Chill? Don’t tell me to chill! Oh God, I can’t believe I slept with you.

CALLUM: Wow. Thanks for re-assuring me of my performance standards.

MIA: Shut up! What time is it?

Callum yawned and checked his watch.

CALLUM: Just gone nine.

MIA: Fuck! I’m gonna be late.

CALLUM: What time you gotta be in?

MIA: Half ten.

CALLUM: You’ve got another hour and a half, why rush?

MIA: Because I have to fucking get home first.

CALLUM: I’ll give you a ride, just take a shower or whatever here and we can swing by your place.

MIA: Yeah, and then do my hair with your straighteners and put on your make-up.

CALLUM: Good point. You could always do that at work. You do have a dressing room, you know.

MIA: I’d have to get their first.

CALLUM: And?

MIA: And people would see me.

CALLUM: Alright, I really don’t see where you’re going with this.

Callum rolled his eyes and threw back the bed sheets, he pushed himself to the side of the bed and slowly reached into a draw, grabbing a white pair of clean boxer shorts.

MIA: Can you imagine the embarrassment?

CALLUM: Who cares what the other models think? They’d just be jealous because you don't need make up, dude, compare you to that Paris Hilton dead beat Kasia, she looks like a Miss Tween finalist.

MIA: Oh, you know what, don’t even try and butter me up, because I’ve had about enough of you already.

CALLUM: Jesus, sorry for sleeping with you.

Mia rolled her eyes and then reached down to the floor, grabbing her bra and jeans from the floor. Spinning round so that her legs were just poking out of the cover, she pulled the jeans around her waist and then whipped the bra around her chest still holding the sheet against her flesh. Climbing out of the bed, she searched around until she finally found her shirt. She quickly pulled it over herself, and reached round, straining to do the zip.

CALLUM: Let me.

MIA: Just leave it.

CALLUM: So you’d rather stand there twisting your arms around than have me quickly zip it up for you?

Mia sighed.

MIA: Fine.

With a smile, Callum climbed off the bed and zipped up the back of Mia’s shirt. Mia felt his toned abs rub her back as he pulled the zip up. Callum turned her round and began to kiss her softly on the lips. She gave in for a moment, but eventually pulled away.

MIA: No! I am not repeating this whole thing all over again. Trust me, this was a one night thing, a fucking mistake!

Spotting one of her heels, she slipped her foot into it and then began to hop around, searching for the second one.

MIA: Where’s my other shoe?

CALLUM: How should I know?

MIA: It’s your room, Callum!

CALLUM: And? This is only a tad messier than usual.

Mia raised an eyebrow and then huffed, rolling her eyes as she continued to search for her shoe. She pushed Callum’s jeans aside with her foot and eventually spotted her other shoe, slipping her foot into it and glancing in a near by mirror..

MIA: Finally. Now how about that lift home?

CALLUM: Sure, but can I get dressed first?

Mia let out a long breath and then dropped down onto Callum’s bed again.

***

Fay rolled over and stretched, finally waking from her sleep. She crawled out of bed and, upon hearing someone humming a tune outside her door, threw on a dressing gown and strolled out into the kitchen, where Alice was stood, cooking something which smelt amazing.

FAY: Al? What are you doing here? What time is it?

ALICE: It’s nearly half nine, and I’m here because you got so wasted last night, I had to drag you home and then stay with you to make sure you didn’t get yourself killed in your own house.

FAY: That bad?

ALICE: No. Worse.

Fay chuckled lightly and sat down on a small wooden chair at a dining table.

FAY: On a scale of one to ten, how much of a fool did I make of myself?

ALICE: Eh. Four. Most of the embarrassing stuff wasn’t in public. Such as locking yourself in the toilet cubicle and refusing to leave.

FAY: Oh God, I am never drinking again.

ALICE: As if anyone’s gonna believe that one.

FAY: I’m serious.

ALICE: No you’re not.

FAY: No, I’m not. How did you get so good at knowing when I’m lying?

ALICE: I didn’t. You’re just really bad at it.

Fay shrugged and nodded, as Alice placed a plate in front of her, with a fried egg and two pieces of bacon on.

FAY: You expect me to eat this?

ALICE: Yes. And if you don’t, I’m gonna scream down your ear until you cry. Understood?

Fay whimpered for a second

FAY: Understood.

Resigned, she began to tuck in to the breakfast her friend had prepared for her.

***

Callum’s car parked up in the Studio Car Park. Mia, now showered, with her perfect hair and her make-up applied, climbed out of the car and strolled up the path, followed shortly after by Callum.

CALLUM: You do realise we’re like a half hour early, right?

MIA: Nothing wrong with an early start.

Callum laughed and went to put his arm round Mia. As soon she felt him close, she jumped aside.

MIA: What the hell are you doing?

CALLUM: Putting my arm around you. What’s the deal?

MIA: The deal is, you don’t come anywhere near me when people are watching and you tell nobody what happened. Do you know what people would say?

CALLUM: Is what people say supposed to bother me?

MIA: Yeah, it should.

CALLUM: Well it doesn’t.

MIA: Well, it bothers me, so bye, Callum.

Mia walked ahead and Callum sighed, stopping and taking a seat on a wall just outside the doors.

***

Inside, Mia strolled down the hallway to her dressing room. Just one room down, she noticed yellow tape across the door. Deidre’s dressing room. Raising an eyebrow, she began to approach. She reached the room and glanced inside. She began to panic, she pushed her way past the yellow tape, before she could an older man held her back, Mia glanced at him.

MIA: That's going on?

***

Stephanie, Dan and Cordelia to come rushing down the corridor, upon hearing Mia screaming sat on the floor by Deidre’s dressing room.

The three dashed over to the model and Dan pulled her away from the door. Upon hearing the scream, Callum had rushed inside. He came hurrying down the hallway and noticed a crying, screaming Mia being pulled away by the cop. He hurried over and grabbed her.

CALLUM: Mia, what’s going on? What is it?

Mia could not speak, her eyes stung and she felt like she could not breath, like somebody had punched her in the gut.

Callum looked over at Stephanie and Cordelia, Stephanie started as his eyes darted from her to Cordelia, she caught her breath and spoke.

STEPHANIE: Deidre Locwood was found dead this morning. I'm so sorry.

Cordelia quickly walked away as Mia sobbed loudly.

CALLUM: My God.

Callum slowly began to stumble away, before finally turning round. He hurried back to Mia and took her into his arms, letting her sob into his shoulder.

4 DAYS LATER

Around mid-day, several people were huddled around a brown wooden coffin. Most were wiping tears from their eyes or keeping strong. Many of the models were dotted through the crowd, as well as some other faces, such as Cordelia James and a handful of the volunteers.

Mia was close to the front, near to Callum, but not close enough for anyone to get any ideas. She was sobbing into a small piece of tissue, constantly wiping her eyes and sniffling. For someone with a constant toughness and nonchalance about her, this was a side that nobody had seen before. Mia was broken and everyone knew it.

An older woman was also amongst the crowd, in the arms of a male around the same age. She is crying uncontrollably, letting the tears flow down her face without wiping them away.

Her husband pulled her close and let her sob into his jacket, as he fought against his own tears. He watched as the coffin was lowered in an empty hole in the soil. The woman stepped forward and scooped up a handful of soil, holding her hand over the coffin and let it filter through fingers.

The woman, Jeanette Locwood, suddenly collapsed to her knees, tears rolling down her cheeks at increased speed. She sobbed as she said goodbye to her beloved daughter. Mia's chin shook as she tried to force back tears streaming down her face.

Jeanette husband George quickly reached out and grabbed her, helping her onto her feet and cradling her as they walked away, Jeanette continuing to cry and beg to know why Deidre would do this.

The attendees of the funeral all looked on sympathetically, before turning to face the coffin once more. Mia suddenly leaned into Callum and cuddled up to him as the crowd of black suddenly began to disperse, separate people walking in different directions. Callum stroked her black hair as they walked away towards his’s car.

Kasia Dunn watched on as Callum led Mia away, she scoffed loudly and turned to Vanessa and Melanie, she glanced at Mia once again and laughed to herself coldly.

KASIA: That is all for show, she never gave a shit about that dumb bitch, seriously!

Vanessa gasped as Kasia said this, suddenly Tiffani pushed past Kasia and stood face to face with her.

TIFFANI: You cold, fucking bitch. Why don't you disappear back up your mothers snatch.

Tiffani walked away before Kasia could reply, closely followed by Vanessa. Melanie simply walked away leaving Kasia standing on her own.

***

Fay and Alice were sat on their bench in the courtyard.

ALICE: I can’t believe it.

FAY: I know. It’s just awful, isn’t it? That’s the second model dead. Maybe Daniel was right. What if the models are all getting picked off, one by one.

ALICE: Shut up, Fay. We fall into that category too, you know.

FAY: Oh, well. You’ll live. Virgins always do.

Alice frowns and Fay curses under her breath.

FAY: For once, that actually wasn’t intended. I'm sorry.

ALICE: Figured. Besides, didn’t they say Dei committed suicide?

FAY: Duh! Cordelia said that to save reputation. Do you really think that one model is murdered and then another dies not long after and it’s just coincidence, or suicide?

Alice sighed and shrugged jabbing her pasta with the metal fork in her hands. Not more than 2 minutes later, Ryan and John approached and sat down.

***
Melanie, Kaisa and Mika were all sat in the dining hall eating lunch, Kasia watched as Vanessa gave their table a wide berth and joined some other people to eat her lunch.

KASIA: So they said it was suicide ?

MELANIE: Uh-huh.

KASIA: What do you think?

MELANIE: I think it’s the biggest load of crap I’ve ever heard.

KASIA: Same. So you think she was murdered?

MIKA: Definitely. It’s not just a coincidence that two models got murdered in their dressing rooms between such a short period of time. I think there’s some kind fucking crazy going down.

KASIA: Thanks, bitch. I’m a model too, remember!

MIKA: Sorry.

KASIA: Better be. Anyway, what’s happening tonight?

MIKA: Tonight I am going home, getting into a nice, hot, bath and then falling asleep to Glee.

MELANIE: Same, I can't even. Relatives are coming over this weekend.

KASIA: Ugh, boring. You know you so wanna come to the bar with me!

MELANIE: Sorry, gotta pass on that one. Got to get my beauty sleep, you know.

KASIA: Boo! You coming? I'm bored, lets go watch TV or something.

Melanie and Mika nodded and the three girls headed back to the dressing room.

***

Tyler Hemsley strolled down the hallway, where he bumped into Tiffani. He stared her up and down and smiled at her.

TYLER: Ah, you again.

TIFFANI: Move along, boy.

Tyler sighed and shook his head, continuing down the corridor.

TYLER: (sotto) Women.

Just a little further back down the corridor, Tiffani was strutting along. She saw Stephanie and Dan coming down the stairs, and she quickly smiled at Dan.

TIFFANI: Hey.

Dan stopped to face her as Stephanie continued on. Noticing Dan was lagging behind, she stopped and turned back, realising he was talking to Tiffani.

DAN: Hey wild thing, I heard about that fight you got into.

TIFFANI: Yeah well, I'm tougher than most pageant sweet hearts.

Tiffani smirked and leaned forward, she twisted a lock of her peroxide blonde hair around her finger. Stephanie, who had noticed the whole thing from afar, rolled her eyes.

STEPHANIE: Dan, you coming?

Her partner instantly raised his index finger, signalling he’d be one minute. Stephanie sighed and then continued on outside, leaving the pair to it.

***

Tyler was fiddling with his camera he looked through the lens momentarily and clicked a snap, he took a step back and admired the space.

He was done for the day and he could finally go home. He turned and headed for the ladder down onto the stage. Reaching the bottom, he sighed and then walked to the end of the stage, dropping off and making his way up the steps, past the seats to the door.

However, before he reached the doors, he heard the sound of someone running between the seats nearby him. He instantly turned back and glanced around the large room.

TYLER: Hello? Is somebody there?

No answer. He shrugged, turning around and continuing on. Until he heard the same sound once again, this time louder, indicating whoever was running around was closer than before.

TYLER: Who’s there?

Like before, there was no answer. Just the continued sound of running.

TYLER: If you think I’m scared of you, you’re wrong. Come out!

No answer yet again. Tyler sighed and shook his head. He didn’t have the time, or patience to bother with stupid things like this. Turning round, he made his way for the door and exited.

Tyler strolled down the corridor, when he suddenly heard the sound of glass shattering, followed by a thud. He furrowed his brow and glanced down the hallway. He was sure it came from Cordelia James’ office. Thinking for a second, he eventually shrugged and began to approach the door. Finally reaching her office, he knocked twice and waited.

TYLER: Ms. James?

No answer. He knocked again, and called out again.

TYLER: Ms. James? You in there?

Once again, no answer. He reached out for the handle and grabbed hold of it. He slowly turned it. The chances of the door being open were close to none. And even if it was, she’d probably just be sat there and then bite his head off for entering without permission. But, he was wrong. The door pushed open and he exhaled. The light was off and it was dark outside. He couldn’t see a thing. He reached around for the light, patting the walls and running his hand along. Finally, he reached a switch and flicked it.

Light flooded into the room and he sighed. But his calmness was short-lived. In the middle of the room was an unconscious, maybe dead, Cordelia. Her hair was matted and damp and a pool of blood leaked from the back of her head into her hair.

Tyler gasped dramatically and dropped to his knees, hurrying to his boss’ side.

TYLER: Cordelia!

He scanned the room and noticed the glass on top of Cordelia's desk was shattered and blood smeared all over the table and a note sitting in the blood.


Tyler gasped as he stared at the note, he quickly pulled his phone from his pocket and dialled a number.

TYLER: Hello? I need an ambulance, fast!

***

An ambulance and a squad car were parked up outside the studio. A moment later, two paramedics exited, with Cordelia on a stretcher. They placed her into the back of the ambulance, and one climbed in with her, whilst the other walked round and climbed into the front. The ambulance began to reverse and the paramedic in the driver’s seat waved to Stephanie, who was stood by her squad car, as he drove past.

Meanwhile, Stephanie and Dan were by their squad car, speaking to Tyler.

STEPHANIE: Alright, just explain exactly what happened from the beginning.

TYLER: I had been taking pictures of the stage area for press, I got down from the stage and started to make my way out. And, this may sound stupid, but I heard footsteps, like there was someone running around and hiding behind the seats in the audience. I waited for a while to see who it was but I just left in the end. It was probably just one of the cleaners playing a stupid joke or whatever. Anyway, so as I was making my way out, I heard this smashing sound, like glass shattering, and then this loud thud. I thought it came from Cordelia James’ office so I made my way up there and knocked on. She didn’t answer so I tried the door, and it was open. But when I went inside, I found her on the floor, then I saw the desk and that note.

Tyler hesitantly retrieves the note from his jacket pocket and hands it to Stephanie who unfolds it and reads. She frowns and shows Dan, who looks surprised.

STEPHANIE: Thank you.

Tyler nodded and then turned, strolling away from the scene and leaving Stephanie and Dan alone.

STEPHANIE: So that’s 2 murders and a death threat. Looks like someone’s targeting these models. Question is: who?

DAN: A model?

STEPHANIE: Huh?

DAN: Well, models, you know how they get: jealous, competitive. They’d do anything to get what they want, and what they want right now is to win, maybe somebody's competitive streak took a fucking brutal turn?

STEPHANIE: You think one of the models is killing to be the winner?

DAN: It’s a theory.

STEPHANIE: Could be an accurate one. Interviewing the models wouldn’t work, though.

Dan frowned, curious.

STEPHANIE: They would have all been here. If our assumptions are correct, Deidre Locwood was killed around 10-30 minutes after the show in which she was eliminated, which would mean all the girls would have been getting changed in their dressing rooms.

DAN: And that would give none of them an alibi, unless they had someone in their dressing rooms, watching them get changed.

Stephanie sighed and glanced down to a picture of the girls, more generally towards Tiffani Horrowitz, that could be a distinct possibility with that one she said raising her eye brow and staring at Dan.

STEPHANIE: We are missing something, fuck!

Dan smirked as he strolled round the side of the squad car and climbed in. Stepahnie waited a moment, before climbing in herself.

***

The sound of water running was drowned out by the sound of music blasting. A moment later, the water stopped running. The shower door opened and Tiffani climbed out, wrapping a towel around herself. She hit the stop button on the stereo and then strolled away from the shower and out of the bathroom.

Downstairs, she switched on the TV and then strolled to the mirror, plugging in her hair-dryer and then aiming it in the direction of her hair. Tiffani glanced at the TV as her hair dried slowly.

REPORTER: Following the death of model, Deidre Locwood, there has been yet another incident at the Studio where both she and another model, Ellie Watson were found dead, only a few weeks apart. Last night, Cordelia James was knocked unconscious, reports are think on the ground put an inside source claims in her dressing room their was a message left, one which could indicate these deaths could be murder. Terrorist extremists are said to be...

Tiffani’s jaw dropped. She grabbed the remote and turned the TV off again, dropping the hair-dryer and racing back up the stairs.

***

ALICE: Do you think Cordelia’s okay? And that message, I’m really worried about it.

FAY: One: I don’t care. Bitch had it coming. And two: It was probably just some little shits trying to be clever or she spoke wrong to one of the minimum wagers. Don’t worry about it.

As the two continued discussing, Tiffani marched by in the near distance. She headed into the building and up to the main desk. Fay nudged Alice to watch as Tiffani slammed her hands on the desk before a stern looking receptionist.

TIFFANI: Tell Cordelia I’m out.

WOMAN: Excuse me?

TIFFANI: This competition, I quit. There’s no way I’m staying here to get my ass killed. I don't need this shit and I'm not staying here to die.

WOMAN: Um.. would you like to speak to Brittaney, she can help you, I'll call her for you Miss Horrowitz.

TIFFANI: Fine.

The woman nodded and picked up her smart looking phone, she tapped in a small code and waited a few moments, she stared at Tiffani.

WOMAN: Brittaney is currently unavailable...

TIFFANI: Just tell her. Them. Whoever you have to tell, I'm done.

With that, Tiffani then turned around again and strolled away from the desk. The woman began typing something on her computer. She marched past Fay and Alice, Alice tutted as Tiffani stopped to talk to the girls, Alice was somehow upset, she felt like she had just found a friend in Tiffani and now she was just walking away.

ALICE: Tiffani, come on you don't have to quit, it's nothing.

Tiffani sighed heavily and scrunched her blonde hair in the palm of her hand, she looked like a rocker chick out of her pageant clothes. She smiled weakly but apathetically at Alice.

TIFFANI: This is so fucked, I hate doing this but something crazy is going down and I really do not want to be part of this. I can't be here, you guys should do the same, I mean it. This whole place is just, just be careful, yeah?

Tiffani quickly pulled a ring from her pocket and threw it towards Alice who caught it quickly, she glared at the ring and thrust her hand back at Tiffani.

ALICE: Thank you, it's beautiful but I can't take this from you, we all know what it means to you.

Tiffani shrugged her shoulders and shook her head.

TIFFANI: It's for luck, if you are staying then I think you are going to need it more than I do.

She quickly hugged Alice and ran towards the huge glass paneled entrance, she skipped down the steps, looking back one last time at Fay and Alice, she held the ring close to her chest as Tiffani disappeared down the stairs.

***

Kasia and Vanessa strolled up the path towards the Studio. Tiffani marched past them, totally ignoring their presence as Kasia rolled her eyes.

VANESSA: Whoa. What’s her deal? She looked pissed.

KASIA: She was probably just going for a walk, trying to lose all that extra weight.

Vanessa rolled her eyes, barely listening to her friend.

KASIA: Fuck, it’s boiling.

The blonde peeled her jacket away and sighed, as she and Vanessa arrived at the entrance, heading inside.

VANESSA: It’s not that warm.

KASIA: Shut up!

Vanessa smirked at the blonde.

VANESSA: You’re such a drama queen.

KASIA: (sarcastic) Oh my God! I so totally and completely am not! How could you say that?

Vanessa and Kasia both laugh as they continue walking along.

***

Brittaney sits in her office, typing something on her computer. There is a knock at the door and a petite, ginger girl stands in the doorway.

BRITTANEY: Ah, Ginger Snaps, come in.

The girl rolls her eyes and enters.

ASSISTANT: Here’s your coffee.

BRITTANEY: Just leave it on the desk there. Thanks.

The assistant places the coffee on the desk and then turns and leaves.

BRITTANEY: Oh, Emily.

The girl stopped. Did he just call her by her name? She slowly turned round, a confused expression painted on her freckled face.

EMILY: Um.. Yeah?

BRITTANEY: Take 10, get yourself a soda or something. You deserve it.

Emily smiled and nodded, before turning round and walking away, happier than she was a second ago. Brittaney smirked and then turned back to her computer, continuing to type.

***

John and Ryan were stood in a large room, arranging dresses onto the right racks.

RYAN: Dude, this job is so boring.

JOHN: Eh. It passes the time.

RYAN: So does partying. Let’s go do that instead.

John laughed and continued his job.

RYAN: So, I’m thinking of asking Alice out.

JOHN: In your financial position, she should consider herself lucky if she gets Burger King.

RYAN: She's not that type of girl, I bet she could not care less where you take her so long as she has fun.

John chuckled to himself as he continued hanging dresses onto racks. Ryan sighed.

***

Tiffani’s car parked up in her driveway. She climbed out and strolled up to her front door. Sighing, she dug into her bag and fumbled around for her keys. She eventually pulled them out, but dropped them to the floor. Groaning, she reached down and scooped them up. Behind her, she heard someone running past. She glanced back, but nobody was there. Frowning, she ignored it and unlocked the door, heading inside.

Once inside, she shut the door again, strolling down the hallway and entering her living room. She grabbed the remote and switched on the lights before heading through to the kitchen. She rooted through the cupboard, before pulling out bottle of Vodka. She was about to open the bottle, when she was disturbed by a knock at the door. Sighing, she headed back through the living room and down the hallway, pulling open the door. She looked through the spy hole and quickly swung open the door, she peered left and right but there was nobody around, she quickly kicked the door shut and put the dead lock across, fucking kids she said to herself as she walked back to the kitchen.

Then, she heard a loud crash coming from upstairs. She didn’t have any pets or anything to explain the noise

TIFFANI: Who’s there?

Obviously, there was no answer. She began to walk slowly down the hallway, reaching the stairs. She started to ascend. As she reached the top, she warily looked around. There was nothing out of the ordinary. Then a second crash was heard. It was coming from her bedroom.

TIFFANI: Hello! Who’s in there? Tyler if you are fucking around I swear to god I will castrate you.

She looked around for something to use as a weapon, eventually grabbing hold of a small pointed paper weight that was sitting upon a book case by the stairs. It had belonged to her father.

TIFFANI: I'm not fucking kidding!

She began to advance towards the room. Then she stopped to think. Was this a good idea? Two of the models had been murdered, and that threat. What if they’d come for her?

Tiffani took another step forward towards the room. She reached out and pushed the door open, instantly hopping back and raising the ornament in the air, ready to hit out at anyone, or anything, that emerged but there was nothing.

She paced forward, entering the room, still holding the paper weight in the air, ready to strike at any second. She glanced around the dark room. It was impossible for her to see a thing. Scaling the wall, she searched for the light switch, listening intensely for any slight sound. As she reached the light, she reached back and flicked the switch. Light instantly filled the room and she squinted her eyes, adjusting them to the brightness. Still nobody to be seen.

Maybe she was just hearing things? Nerves had got to her, perhaps. She picked up a golf club cluttering her bedroom floor and tossed the paper weight to her bed. Once her guard was down she smiled faintly and laughed at herself, so paranoid! Suddenly she heard a whirring sound down stairs, she furrowed brow and turned to exit her bed room. As she turned the corner somebody wearing a black hooded cloak wielding a large knife lunged at her, she squealed and ducked, the knife swiping over her head and slamming into the wooden frame of the door She swung the club, catching the attacker in the chest, and turned, dashing out of the room.

She hurried to the stairs and the intruder quickly followed. As she began to hop down them, the masked stranger reached out and grabbed hold of her hair, slamming her head against the banister and then releasing. She slipped back and rolled down the stairs, landing into a heap at the bottom, before climbing onto her feet and dashing to the front door, she pulled at the door and it partially swung open but she had forgotten the dead lock and the door refused to open.

Pulling at the door, she was interrupted by a knife slashing into it just next to her head. She gasped and ducked out off the way as the attacker came crashing into the door. The attacker tore the knife from the door and spun on their heels, speedily making chase.

Tiffani hurried into the kitchen and slammed the door behind her, pushing a small, wooden chair from the dining table in front of it, keeping the handle in place so it couldn’t turn.

Then she turned and hurried to her drawers, reaching inside and pulling out a large kitchen knife. She turned to the door as the handle began to wobble, unable to turn for the chair blocking it.

The handle suddenly stopped shaking and Tiffani sighed. Maybe they were gone. Still, she wasn’t going to make the same mistake as those stupid bimbos in horror films and open the damn door. She turned and spotted her bag on the counter top. She raced to it and whipped it up into her hands, she tipped it's contents onto the floor and reached for her green iPhone dialling 911 and pressing it to her ear. Suddenly the kitchen door boomed and the wooden panel fell out, Tiffani picked up the knife she had laid down and waited for the operator to take her call.

TIFFANI: Go away!

She ran her hands through her hair and glanced back at the door, waiting for the killer to burst through at any minute. However, she was still shocked when the back door, which was located behind her, shattered and the attacked dived inside, shoving Tiffani to the ground, her head slammed onto the floor and blood trickled onto the floor, she picked up her phone and dashed towards the whirring sound, the pushed open the door leading to the garage and slammed it behind her, she held the iPhone to her ear as a woman spoke to her, she barely paid attention before she started shouting into the phone.

TIFFANI: Oh fuck, please help me, there is somebody in my house trying to kill me, they have a knife!

Tiffani slowly glanced around the room, the whirring sound was a circular power saw, sitting on the floor of her garage, it was sat by an opening which had been kicked through the side of the building, Tiffani glanced back at the door handle, the saw had been used to gain entry, Tiffani pushed various items aside and tried to reach the opening just as the masked attacker burst through the door, their eyes glanced around the room looking for their prey, but Tiffani was nowhere to be seen, the stranger walked slowly around the room, they groaned heavily, angry and turend to leave, as they did Tiffani grabbed the saw from the floor and lunged at the person, she swung the saw at their head but missed as the person grabbed her wrist and punched her in the face.

She groaned as she slapped against the tile floor. She kicked the attacker and sent them rolling backwards and Tiffani quickly climbed onto her feet, flinging a small tire iron at them, she ran to the door, however, before she could open it fully, the attacker grabbed her hair and spun her round, throwing her against the wall. She groaned, and turned round, and the disguised stranger grabbed her once again, this time head butting her in the face, Tiffani yelped in pain as her nose exploded with blood, she tried to get to her feet but she over balanced and fell back to the floor, she gasped hard and tried to pull herself from the ground, the vicious attacker kicked her in the face as she did so and again Tiffani slumped to the floor, she spat up a partial shard of her smashed teeth and again rolled over trying to escape, she clawed the tiled floor as the person grabbed her by her left ankle, her finger nails ripped from her bare skin as she tried to stop them dragging her back, she screamed and gurgled as blood shot from her bleeding mouth, the attacker dropped her ankle and Tiffani cried and whimpered as she again tried to drag herself away, she could hear the person rusting around as she pulled herself to her feet by the wall, as she did so she felt the attacker grip her by her hair, whoever this was they had a lot of strength, they pulled Tiffani over the the work bench and held her over it, they pulled at her hair and forced her to lean over the work bench.

Suddenly Tiffani realized the loud screeching was not sheer pain, the attacker was pushing her face towards the circular saw which they had lodged inside a vice, Tiffani screamed as loud as she could as blood and tooth shards fell from her mouth onto the fast moving saw, she pushed her hands against the table as she weakly tried to pull her head back. She gasped loudly, her strength was no match for theirs, suddenly her arms gave way and Tiffani's face dropped down onto the saw, blood splattered all over as the saw ripped at her face, Tiffani's body shook as the killer rolled Tiffani's head back and two into the saw, viscera and blood decorated the room as the saw switched off and the killer held Tiffani's hollowed out head, they looked at it with glee in their eyes, admiring their work for a moment.

The killer smiled and dropped the body, they pulled out a black distressed piece of paper from their robe and threw it down next to Tiffani's unrecognizable body before dashing out through the back door and into the night.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Drop Dead Gorgeous: Act Four

A leggy brunette stood at the corner of the stage, lights shone and saxophone music, which is a staple she though as she slowly make her way across the stage holding a magnificent diamond look-a-like microphone, the woman was Analeigh Tipton, she had won this very contest three years before and been in America's Next Top Model, coming third, all the girls adored her on set, she was always helpful and guiding them whenever she could.

ANALEIGH TIPTON: Hello and welcome back. We’ve already seen the girls performing their talents, and now it’s time to ask them the question of the night. ‘If you could change one thing about the world we live in, what would it be?’

The audience and the judge’s quietly discussed the question.

ANALEIGH: It’s time to ask our first model: Tiffani Horrowitz!

Tiffani strutted onto the stage wearing her glistening Roberto Cavalli flowing dress with a deep neck line. She smiled sweetly and shifted her weight onto one leg, placing her hands on her hips and extending her rear. She gave a flutter of her eyelashes and looked towards the audience.

ANALEIGH: Tiffani, if you could change one thing about the world we live in, what would it be?

TIFFANI: Well, personally, I would make the penalty for murder a lot harsher. What ever happened to a good old-fashioned hanging?

Tiffani smiled sweetly again, as Analeigh furrowed her brow and tittered slightly into the microphone..

ANALEIGH: Okay, thank you.

Tiffani smiled again and exited the stage basking in the warm lights.

ANALEIGH: The next model to answer our question is Alice Kappa.

Alice appeared on the stage, and gave a gracious smile. her dress was her own pick, a gorgeous Oscar de la Renta gown She turned to Analeigh, who smiled back. Analeigh liked Alice, she saw a lot of herself in this pretty young thing.

ANALEIGH: Good evening, Alice. If you could change one thing about the world we live in, what would it be?

Alice paused for a few seconds to think, she had to say something good and not the old hat of 'world peace'.

ALICE: I would change the way that parents raise their children. I’m not saying that everything should be old fashioned, but I seriously don’t think it would hurt if parents still told their children no. It seems like now-a-days kids do whatever they want to do because no one has restricted them from anything.

Analeigh smiled sweetly at Alice.

ANALEIGH: Thank you, Alice.

Alice smiled and exited the stage, she saw the other girls standing around the back stage area, she saw Vanessa standing next in line, she looked so beutiful in her non designer dress, she had been away for rehearsals, she had gotten a shoot in New York and jumped at the chance.

ANALEIGH: Now for our third model, here is Vanessa Aleba.

Vanessa, rather arrogantly, onto the stage, and grinned at Analeigh.

Kasia stood in the model pit willing her to fall, she looked on as Vanessa approached the host.

VANESSA: Hello there, Carmen.

Analeigh smirked and turned to the audience, then back to the Vanessa.

ANALEIGH: Vanessa, if you could change one thing about the world we live in, what would it be?

Kraig smiled confidently. He had obviously rehearsed his answer before going on stage.

Vanessa: Poverty. There are too many people dying because they have no food or anything to keep healthy. Then people wouldn't starve to death and people would be able to live happy lives. I believe that can be done quickly if we all donate.

ANALEIGH: Good answer. Thank you, Vanessa.

Vanessa nodded and strolled off-stage.

ANALEIGH: Please welcome, Kasia Font...

***

Above the stage, Ryan and his boss Greg Foree were stood, controlling the lights.

GREG FOREE: Hey, Ryan I got this, would you go get wipes for this lense? it's looking a bit frazzled

RYAN: Sure.

Ryan nodded. He’d do whatever his boss told him to, he loved his job and intended to keep it. He walked away as Greg peered over the balcony, down at Analeigh, Kasia and the judges. As he continued to observe, two hands suddenly wrapped around his throat. He tried to call for help, but he couldn’t breathe. The hands tightened, and eventually swung him round. They forced him onto the floor and he groaned, through his gasps. The life quickly faded from him, until his head slumped back. The attacker released his head and he flopped down. As colour began to fill his cheeks again, the attacker quickly stabbed a pair of scissors into his stomach. The attacker then dragged his body away, leaving no traces of a struggle. Moments later, Ryan returned.

RYAN: Greg? Dude, what's up, we need to keep these lights moving!

***

Mia walked over to Analeigh, her dress was more sexy than the other girls and more expensive, her mother had provided the dress to the pageant for her daughter, Mia had always gotten what she wanted and she felt winning was what she wanted and deserved, she strutted over in her skin tight Dolce & Gabbana couture gown brimming with confidence she knew exactly how to answer this question, Analeigh smiled at her and began to speak when Mia clutched the microphone from her lips and began to speak.

MIA: I personally belive that we need to befriend those who appose us, my brother was in the army and he lost his life...

Tiffani and Alice stood by the curtains listening to Mia's voice break as she held back tears, age gasped loudly and reminisced of her dead brother and how his life could have been spared, Tiffani huffed and retreaded into the dressing room, Alice sneered and watched on as Mia softy spoke to the judges and audience, Vanessa moved in by Alice and smiled at her.

VANESSA: Wow, she's really got this all planned out, I almost admire her being brave enough to be that fake.

Alice stared at Vanessa, she never understood the distain for Mia, sure, she was never the nicest girl you could meet but she was hardly a bitch and she had taken Deidre under her wing when nobody else would have. Vanessa frowned at Alice, surely she knew? Obviously not!

VANESSA: You don't actually buy this do you? The girl is full of shit, her dead brother was a step brother, who died before she even got the know him, she hated him, she hated anyone coming between her and her mom, sure, the sentiment is there but all this talk of love, she never loved him, she never even went to his funeral, she was busy preparing for this, who would do this over remembering somebody they loved?

Mia smiled and headed off stage, she got a standing ovation from the crowd and judges, could that have really been an act Alice thought. Mia walked behind the curtains and immediately her 'tears' stopped, she strode past Vanessa and Alice with a devious smile upon her face.

***

The sound of Analeigh chatting to the audience could still be heard from the preparation room. All of the models hurried into their separate areas, and began to change into their evening attire.

***

ANALEIGH: Now for the big finish to tonight’s show, we welcome the seven models to the stage once again, to model their evening attire.

The models re-entered the stage, and flooded around, showing off their evening gowns. This was it, the final time to impress the judges and crowd, Alice was paired with Tiffani, they both walked down the runway laid with cherry red carpets, suddenly Alice felt her dress tug at the back, her heel had caught in her dress, she stumbled for a second and began to fall, she quickly felt a hand stop her from falling to the grown, Tiffani had grasped her arm and stopped her from wiping out, nobody seemed to notice as they both stood at the fore point being photographed and cheered at, they quickly retreated and headed back stage, Alice sighed in relife, she turned to Tiffani who had already began to unpin her hair of bobby pins.

ALICE: My god, thank you so much, that could have been bad.

Tiffani turned to Alice as her blonde hair fell down around her shoulders.

TIFFANI: The other day, when that bitch took me from behind, you had my back, I don't forget shit like that.

Tiffani walked away as Alice smiled, Alice nodded in agreement as Tiffani disappeared into the dressing room.

Fay ran up to Alice and hugged her.

FAY: This time tomorrow night one of us will have a scholarship!

***

It was around 2 hours after the show, and all of the models had left the studio. Only a few of the crew had stayed back to get everything back in order. Analeigh Tipton strolled down a long corridor, lined with staff dressing rooms. She reached her own, and pushed open the door.

Once inside, she closed the door behind her and quickly began to remove her dress. She let it slide to her feet and then she stepped away, wearing nothing but her heels and her underwear. She kicked off the heels and then scooped the dress from the floor, hanging it onto the dress rack. Then she quickly grabbed her informal attire, and slipped her feet into a pair of comfy ugg boots. She slung her hair into a ponytail, and then exited her dressing room, locking it. She had to get out of here quickly if she was getting to her date on time.

ANALEIGH: (to herself) Shit!

Analeigh quickly spun round again, unlocking the door and pushing her way back inside. She left the door wide open, as she headed for the drawer at the far wall, and began to fumble through. With her back turned, she didn’t notice a masked figure slip out of the room. Once she had retrieved her car keys, she sighed and hurried out of the room again.

She locked the door for the second time, and then began to make her way down the exit. Behind her, a darkened figure slowly began to approach, completely unbeknownst to her. A hand suddenly slammed down on Analeigh’s shoulder and she screeched, jumping around.

ANALEIGH: Christ. Dave, you scared me!

It was only Dave, one of the cleaners. He chuckled and Analeigh smiled awkwardly.

DAVE: What you doing here this late?

ANALEIGH: Oh, I don’t know. I just ended up staying behind a little longer than expected. I’m actually taking off now.

DAVE: Oh, I see. Well don’t let me be the one to stop you.

Analeigh smiled and nodded. Dave suddenly froze. His face retained the same smile, and his eyes were glazed, staring into space. Analeigh furrowed her brow.

ANALEIGH: Dave?

He didn’t stir at all.

ANALEIGH: Dave, are you okay?

She slowly lifted her hand and gently shoved Dave’s shoulder. He suddenly slumped onto the floor, and she gasped. She looked down at him, noticing the shard of glass protruding from the back of his neck. She screeched and looked up again, finding herself face-to-face with a masked figure, armed with a large, red, fire-safety axe.

ANALEIGH: Oh my God!

The masked figure, refraining from using the axe just yet, grabbed his voctim by the hair and slammed her into the wall. A small trickle of blood dribbled from her nose, as she dropped to the floor. The attacker raised their axe above Analeigh, as she gasped. They brought it down with a great force, but she quickly pushed herself back and out of the way. The axe slammed into the ground making a loud clinking sound.

She climbed onto her feet and sped off down the corridor, only for the attacker to promptly make chase.

***

Ryan slowly made his way down the road. He sighed, wondering just where Greg could have gotten to. It wasn’t like him to just leave like that. Especially not with his job. He was very passionate about it, leaving the lighting unattended was not a trait Ryan had noticed on him. He sighed and continued walking, until he eventually took out his phone. He punched in Greg’s number and hit dial.

***

Analeigh scurried down the corridor, sobbing. She glanced forward and backwards, keeping her eyes peeled for the unknown assailant. As she continued to run, a faint vibrating sound could be heard. She slowed down, as it got louder and louder. She turned left, to a small storeroom, and began to walk towards it. The vibration was loud and clear now.

She quickly pulled open the door, only to find Greg’s dead body. She quickly clamped her hand over her mouth, to stifle a scream, as she silently sobbed. The vibrating continued, and she quickly dropped to the floor. She dug into the man’s pocket and retrieved his mobile phone.

RYAN: (O.S.) Hello? Greg?

ANALEIGH: Hello! Please help me! Oh God, help!

RYAN: Who is this? Where is Greg?

Two hands suddenly clasped around Analeigh’s throat. She gasped as she was dragged back and flung across the floor. The masked figure lifted their axe and slammed it down onto the phone, shattering it instantly.

ANALEIGH: No! God, help me!

Analeigh wasn’t exactly a religious person, but at a time like that, she was willing to pray for anyone. The figure approached her again, and struck her in the face with their fist. She slumped down, sobbing violently. Blood trickled from her nose heavily, and she began to push herself backwards down the corridor.

ANALEIGH: Please don’t hurt me!

The attacked proceeded to lift their axe, ignoring their victims’s pleas completely.

ANALEIGH: Please!

The killer stomped their foot down on her chest and she groaned, struggling to breathe. The killer, their axe still high in the air, panted heavily, groaning under the solid white mask that covered their face.

The axe suddenly came crashing down towards Analeigh. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped as she was certain of her imminent fate.

ANALEIGH: No! Help!

The axe met her neck, and blood sprayed ferociously all around her. Her eyes were still wide with terror, as faint gargles came from her mouth. She gasped as more blood poured out of her wound, spraying all over her body, and all over the killer’s robe and mask.

Her head slumped down and her eyes flickered. The killer finally brought the axe completely down, and her head separated from her neck and the rest of her body. As blood spread out across the floor, her eyes continued to flicker, her mouth moving as she groaned and gargled. Mere seconds later, the gargling stopped. Her eyes remained still and all that was left was silence.

NEXT DAY

The front doors to the studio swung open and several models and volunteers flocked inside.

***

Inside Cordelia James’ office, Stephanie and Dan were speaking to her.

CORDELIA: Like I said, Analeigh has not turned in today. We already have a guest host lined up, unfortunately this means the pageant must run a little longer than expected. I have the go ahead and consent from all the girls managers.

STEPHANIE: May I see?

CORDELIA: Of course.

Cordelia handed a sheet of paper over to Stephanie who skims it and nods, handing it back.

STEPHANIE: And David Williams?

CORDELIA: I’m sorry, David Williams?

STEPHANIE: He was the cleaner.

CORDELIA: They works for an outside cleaning firm. They send new faces every now and again. We never see the same employee for over a month. The last man was here for around 3 weeks, if I remember rightly, so that’s hardly suspicious. I really do not see why you are here disturbing me, his wife reported him late home from work? the man is probably drunk somewhere soaked in his own urine. Hardly my problem is it, agent?

STEPHANIE: OK, thank you for your time, Ms. James.

CORDELIA: Goodbye.

Stephanie nodded as she and Dan headed to the door. Stephanie suddenly stopped and turned.

STEPHANIE: Wait, what about Greg Foree?

CORDELIA: The light technician? He is not always in at this time, his shifts and shedual depend on our shedual and as you gather we are behind, so if you're done with this interrogation I'd love you to leave me alone to continue with my job.

Stephanie frowned, a little suspicious. She nodded to Dan and they both swiftly exited the door as Mrs. James picked up her phone and started dialing away.

DANIEL: What do you think?

STEPHANIE: I wish I had an idea.

JAMES: I don't buy the janitor gig, I've seen some of the girls talking with that guy, they seemed to know him pretty well, like they have known him for more than a couple of weeks.

Stephanie looked on wistfully as Dan bit into a sugary snack.

***

In Kasia’s dressing room, she was sat in front of her mirror, applying make-up. Melanie was behind her, reading some trashy celeb magazine.

KASIA: I bet it's Tiffani, I hope it is, the slut!

MELANIE: What now?

KASIA: The elimination! Who do you think will go!

MELANIE: I don't know, this was supposed to be a straight up competition, not some Big Brother experiment, one girl going every two days.

KASIA: Who cares, neither of us will go first, It will be Tiffani or Alice.

Melanie rolled her eyes.

MELANIE: Maybe Deidre? she's dumb but they might find that endearing?

Kasia had stopped caring, she only really wanted to be horrible about Tiffani and Alice, who she had taken note at their recent friendship.

KASIA: Oh, favour! Do you mind going through my dance routine with me? I need it to be perfect for next week.

MELANIE: Eh, sure. Not much better to do.

Kasia smiled and finished her make-up, before standing and heading out the door with Mel.

***

Mia and Deidre were outside the studio. Mia was sat on a wall, with a cigarette hanging loosely from her mouth. Deidre was stood next to her, staring blankly at a piece of chewing gum on the floor. Mia took a long drag of her cigarette and then removed it from her lips as she inhaled and then exhaled, grey-white smoke filtering into the air. Deidre turned to her and frowned, noticing the cigarette.

DEIDRE: I didn’t know you smoked?

MIA: I don’t.

Dei looked confused, but shook her head and continued staring at the chewing-gum. Callum spotted the girls from afar and grinned, hurrying over.

CALLUM: Mia! Hey, Mia!

Mia turned and spotted him running other. She sighed and rolled her eyes, taking a final drag of her cigarette, before dropping it to the floor and squashing it with the sole of her converse sneakers.

MIA: Camera-boy. What a surprise. Can I help you with anything?

CALLUM: As a matter of fact, yes, you can.

MIA: (irritably) What is it?

CALLUM: So, I got a few nice shots last night, but I was wondering if you’d mind taking a few more tonight?

MIA: Same pay?

CALLUM: Yep. And all the best ones will still go on the site, so you in?

MIA: Why not? Can I get a ride with you after tonight’s show?

DEIDRE: And me!

CALLUM: Yeah. Whatever. I’ll pick you both up tonight.

Mia nodded, and Callum smiled, turning and walking away, leaving the two girls to follow him back inside a moment after.

***

Alice, Fay and John were all sat in the cafeteria. John was wolfing down a huge sandwich, Fay leaning in and taking the occasional bite. Alice was sat in front of them, eating off of a small plate of pasta. Ryan approached from behind and sat next to her.

RYAN: Hey, Alice. Hey, guys.

A chorus of ‘heys’ ensued as the three others greeted their friend.

RYAN: So, what’s planned for tonight, everybody?

FAY: Well, there’s the show of course. After the rule change!

ALICE: Which I’m so nervous about! What if I go?

RYAN: Don’t be stupid. Of course you won’t go, you’re beautiful and talented. It’d be their loss.

Fay and John turned to each other and smirked, as Alice began to blush.

FAY: And moving on. So, after the show, I’m getting straight to bed. I can’t even remember the last time I had an early night, I’m so tired. I have to wear about a ton of make-up on just my eyes to hide the bags.

JOHN: I think I might do the same.

ALICE: Me too.

RYAN: Wow. So it’s early nights for all of us, then?

JOHN: Looks like it.

ALICE: Besides, I need to practice my talent for next week’s show.

FAY: Oh, what are you doing?

ALICE: Singing, I guess. But my voice is pretty bad.

FAY: Get out. You totally rocked that karaoke the other night!

Alice giggled nervously.

ALICE: Anyway, what are you thinking of doing?

FAY: God knows. I have no idea yet. I never thought we had to perform a talent.

ALICE: Why don’t you do your impressions?

FAY: Oh, yeah, how model-like.

JOHN: It’s different, and unique. I think the judge’s would love it.

FAY: Shhh. Your opinion doesn’t count, dweeb.

John chuckled and Fay turned back to Alice.

ALICE: You should go for it.

Fay sighed and nodded.

FAY: Maybe.

RYAN: So, who do you think will go tonight?

ALICE: I don’t even want to think it about it.

FAY: Eh. Vanessa. She's nothing special.

JOHN: Anyway, I think that Deidre chick. Or Mia. That girl is such a bitch.

RYAN: Anyway, I gotta run. Places to go, people to see.

FAY: You? Places to go? People to see?

DANIEL: Yes.

FAY: What, your mom at the care home?

RYAN: Funny. Bye, Alice. Cya, John.

FAY: Aw, do I not get a hug and kiss?

RYAN: (laughing) Bye, Fay.

Ryan walked off.

Alice smirked to herself and turned to see what else was going on around her.

***

Tyler strolled down the corridor to his dressing room, bumping into Tiffani.

TYLER: Tiffani, hey...about the other day...

TIFFANI: Can I help you?

TYLER: I just wanted to explain myself, really.

Tiffani slowly rubbed her index finger across her smooth unmade-up lips as she narrowed her eyes.

TIFFANI: What about it?

TYLER: I should have never said what I did, I was being a jerk, you know that's not me, babe.

Tyler slowly pressed his body against Tiffani, forcing her against the cold wall, his hand gently stroked her thigh up to her waist, she looked into his eyes as Tyler slowly leaned in to kiss her, Tiffant kept eye contact with him as his lips gently touched hers, suddenly she pulled back.

TIFFANI: No, thanks.

Tiffani stooped under his arm resting close to her against the wall and stepped aside and walked on down the corridor, leaving Tyler’s ego bruised. Keeping up appearances, he signed and watched as Tiffani strutted away.

***

At the Wright Residence, Merio slipped out of his bed. He checked the alarm clock as he strolled past. 6:27. Opening her bedroom door, he marched out and turned into his bathroom, reaching down and turning both the hot and cold taps. Water began to flood into the large, white tub, as he spun round and exited the room again, heading back to the bedroom.

He pulled a pair of jeans and top of his draws and then returned to the bathroom, stopping the water from flowing and then slipping his underwear off, before stepping into the water and sitting down, pushing himself down onto his back and soaking up the warm water.

***

Smash!

FAY: Fuck!

Everyone in the back-stage area suddenly turned to Fay, raising eyebrows and frowning.

Fay: Sorry. Dropped my drink.

The other models look down to the floor, where the remains of a smashed glass lay, in a puddle of water. They all sigh and turn around as one of the nameless volunteers steps forward to clean up the mess, scooping up the glass as a second volunteer wipes up the clear liquid.

ALICE: God, Fay, you’re such a clutz.

FAY: Eh. Not every one can be perfect like you.

ALICE: Oh my God, I am far from perfect, Fay. Why does everyone always say that. I mean, I’m not that smart or that pretty and I really don’t have that much to offer. How am I perfect?

FAY: Jesus, Ally, I was joking. Don’t have an aneurism.

Alice suddenly began to blush, combing her hair behind her ear..

Fay smirked before she was disturbed by the sound of Brittaney’s voice.

BRITTANEY: Cordelia wants everyone to make their way to Hair and Make-Up.

The girls sighed and began to file out of the room and down the corridor, towards Hair and Make-Up.

As they walked along, Mario strolled past them towards Cordelia’s office. He entered and took a seat across from Cordelia.

CORDELIA: Ah. Mr. Fortuna. What a surprise. You decided to turn up today.

MARIO: Wow. I’ll be sure to get you a medal for stating the obvious.

Cordelia scowled.

CORDELIA: So, care to actually explain why you were absent the past few days?

MARIO: I was ill, as I told you over the phone.

CORDELIA: Mario, if you keep up this behaviour, I’ll have to fire you. We can’t tolerate it here. Especially not mid-way through the competition.

MARIO: Do it then. It’s not as if I can’t find another job.

CORDELIA: Don’t test me, Mario.

MARIO: It’s a little late for that, isn’t it?

Without any further comments from either, Mario stood and exited the office, strolling back down the corridor and into his room.

***

In Hair and Make-Up, the models were seated at separate chairs, having their hair curled, straightened, whatever, and make-up applied. Tyler was stood in the corner of the room, having had his hair gelled in a matter of minutes. Mika approached him and began to speak.

MIKA: Do you have your stuff ready in your dressing room?

TYLER: Yeah.

MIKA: Then, I suppose, just go and get ready.

TYLER: Alright.

Mika smiled as he turned and strolled to the exit of Hair and Make-Up. She then approached Kasia, who was sat in a chair, staring at her reflection in the mirror.

MIKA: How the hell do you get more than three words out of that guy?

KASIA: Who?

MIKA: Tyler Hamsley.

KASIA: Ah, you don’t. Been there, done that.

MIKA: By done, I assume you mean you did.

KASIA: Eww, don't be a trip. He was screwing around with that slut, do I look like I would ever be sloppy seconds?

MIKA: So there is somebody in this competition you haven’t slept with?

KASIA: Wha-what?

Mika chuckled to herself and stepped aside as a hair stylist approached and began to mess with Kasia’s hair. As she walked away she heard Kasia say...

KASIA: Ruin my hair and I’ll ruin you, okay?

HAIR STYLIST: Got it. (mouthing) Bitch.

Kasia caught her lip movement in the mirror and scowled.

KASIA: I’m sorry, what was that?

HAIR STYLIST: A sigh. Keep still or your hair will be ruined.

KASIA: (sighing) Whatevs.

***

Later that night, the girls were waiting backstage: their hair curled, straightened, or styled, their make-up applied and their dresses on. A few moments later, they began to file out onto the stage, where a petite blonde was stood, microphone in hand.

AUBREY O'DAY: Welcome back, girls! I'm excited to be your guest judge tonight!

The models smiled, glancing at the three judges sat a small glass table just in front of the crowd at the bottom of the stage.

AUBREY: I’m sure you’re all so nervous, so let’s just get going with this thing, shall we?

Aubrey, the guest host stepping in for Analeigh, took a slip of paper from the small white envelope in her hands.

AUBREY: The judges have decided that the bottom two tonight are...

The models all looked at each other nervously, feigning a smile or fidgeting with clothes.

AUBREY: Deidre and Tiffani. Could you two please step forward?

The girls looked surprised as they stepped forward.

AUBREY: Judges, can you now reveal the model who will be leaving the competition tonight?

JUDGE #1: Well, after some careful thinking, we’ve decided that the model who no longer deserves to remain in this competition is...

Tiffani looked to the ground, her blonde straight hair fell around her ears. Deidre looked back at Mia who actually looked a little upset, she turned back as the judge began to speak.

JUDGE #1: Heather.

TIFFANI: Oh, god.

DEIDRE: No!

The other models looked either surprised or disappointed. Most would’ve preferred for Tiffani to have gone. She was the competition. Deidre would’ve been easily beaten had she stayed on.

AUBREY: Oh, Deidre. Congratulations on getting this far, I'm so sorry. Girls, you may now leave the stage.

The models began to file off the stage, as Deidre ran ahead, crying and whining like a child. Once back-stage, Mia pushed past the others and began to follow, only to be stopped by Callum.

CALLUM: Hey, so you ready to leave?

MIA: Yeah. Just hold up a sec, I gotta get Dei.

CALLUM: Ah, yes. I forgot about her.

***

Further on up, a sobbing Deidre burst into her dressing room and slammed the door behind her, locking it. She moved over to her vanity table and slumped onto the seat, placing her head down, burying it into her arms.

A sudden banging at the door caused her to lift her head. She turned and frowned, looking at the door.

DEIDRE: Hello?

The banging continued and the door wobbled slightly in its place. As the banging went on, the door handle began to move. Someone was trying to get in.

DEIDRE: Who is it?

No answer. The banging just went on and on and the handle continued to move up and down.

DEIDRE: Go away! Who’s there? What do you want?

Once again, there was no answer. Deidre clasped her hands over her mouth, then moving them up her face and running them through her black hair.

She scans the room, trying to think of what to do.

DEIDRE: No...

She spun round quickly, thinking and searching at the same time. Her eyes locked onto the closet and she made a dash, whipping the doors open and jumping inside, kicking aside her several pairs of shoes and sliding her dresses along so she could fit behind them. She felt safe for the moment. Until a hand suddenly wrapped around her mouth. She gasped and screamed, but it was muffled, so the squeals barely made a sound.

MIA: (distant) Dei, open up. It’s me!

DEIDRE: (muffled, quiet) Help! Mia!

DEIDRE: Come on, we gotta go!

Dei began to struggle in the closet, unable to pry the hand from her mouth due to the arm wrapped around her body, trapping her arms by her side.

MIA: Whatever. I’m leaving. You can sit here and cry all night for all I care.

Dei heard Mia’s footsteps as she moved along, fading into silence once again. Tears streaming down her pale cheeks, she knew she had to do something. Pushing her head back, she slammed it into her assailant’s nose, causing them to fall against the back of the closet, releasing Dei from their grip. She quickly pushed open the doors and jumped out, dashing to the door. The masked attacker quickly recovered and made chase, tackling the model to the floor.

DEIDRE: Help! Someone please help me!

She lifted her elbow, slamming into the attacker’s face several times before climbing onto her feet and reaching the door. She began to fiddle with the lock, only for her attacker to grab her hair and smash her face into the door, then dragging her away.

DEIDRE: Get off me!

The attacker quickly pulled a thick piece of rope from inside their robe, wrapping it tightly around Dei’s neck. She squealed, and began to pry at the rope, gagging for breath.

DEIDRE: (choking) Please don’t kill me!

The masked figure tightened the rope and Heather groaned, gasping for breath.

the rope tightened for one last time and Deidre pushed herself away, they both fell forward and the rope fell from the attacker grasp and knotted onto the radiator it fell onto, her body suddenly fell limp. He let her slip to the floor and then began to tie the rope in a knot around her neck. Deidre tried to prize the rope from her neck but as she did so the masked stranger pushed her at great strength towards the open window, Deidre fell into the open space and dropped a few feet until the rope tightened and her neck snapped at the force of her fall.

The killer peered from the window, Deidre's body swung in the wind, the killer pulled a knife from inside their riobe and cut quicklt at the rope holding the body and withing a few moments Deidre's body fell several stories below, landing in an open skip full of waste.

Outside, Mia was leaning against Callum’s car. He was sat inside, watching the numbers on the digital clock as they changed every minute. He sighed and took out his cell phone, checking for any missed calls or messages. None. Sliding his phone back into his jeans pocket, he glanced through the window at Mia, who also took out her cell phone. She pulled up Deidre’s number from her contacts and hit ‘Call.’

Mia sighed as she heard the voicemail message.

DEIDRE: (over the phone) Hey, it’s Dei. Leave a message after the beep-y thing.

MIA: Dei, it’s Mia, you’ve got 5 minutes. We’re waiting for you in the car park. If you’re not here, we’re going.

Then, she hit ‘End Call’ and slid the phone back into her pink tweed quilted Chanel purse. Callum climbed out of the car and upon hearing the door shut, Mia turned around.

CALLUM: Are we leaving yet?

MIA: Just 5 more minutes and then we can go.

Tobey sighed.

CALLUM: So, how come you and Dei are so close? You don’t usually see that in two competitive models.

DEIDRE: Ha. Long story.

CALLUM: Did you two know each other before the competition or something?

MIA: Sort of. My Dad was dating her Aunt for a while a couple years ago. Nothing serious, it was just after my Mom and Dad had this huge argument. They broke up when my Dad got back with my Mom.

TOBEY: Oh.

MIA: Anyway, 5 minutes is up. Let’s go.

Callum nodded and walked around the back of the car to the driver’s seat. He climbed inside as Mia hopped into the passenger’s side. He put the key into the ignition and then reversed out of his parking space, taking off out of the car park and down the road.

***

Callum’s car pulled up outside a rather large house. Mia glanced through the windows and smiled. It wasn’t the first time she’d been, but it made her smile every time. It was the kind of house she wished she lived in.

Callum opened his door and climbed out and Mia followed suit, closing the door behind her as Callum did the same, pressing a button on the keys to lock the car afterwards. The two made their way up the path as Callum retrieved the front door key from his pocket, sliding it into the key hole and then pushing open the door. Mia followed him inside, closing the door after herself.

CALLUM: I’m just gonna make myself a drink before we start? Do you want a coffee or a tea?

MIA: You got anything stronger?

CALLUM: Um, I have Jack Daniels.

MIA: Eh. That’ll do. I need my daily dosage of alcohol.

Callum chuckled to himself and pulled the JD out of the alcohol cupboard, pouring it into a small glass. He shrugged and poured a second glass for himself, before screwing the lid back on and placing the bottle back in the cupboard. Grabbing both glasses, he headed over to Mia and handed her a glass, keeping one for himself. He began to sip from his as Mia took a long swig and placed it down on the coffee table.

MIA: Alright, let’s get these pictures done, shall we?

CALLUM: We shall.

Mia smiled and followed Callum to the staircase, where they descended into the basement, which Callum had arranged into his own personal studio.

MIA: Do I get to wear a pretty dress?

CALLUM: Yes, you do. It’s over there by the door.

Mia spun on her heels and smiled, glancing at the short, silver dress, hanging on a metal rail by the door. She strolled over and took it off the rail, holding it in front of her figure whilst standing by the mirror.

MIA: It’s gorgeous. Now I just gotta get in it.

CALLUM: Alright, cool.

MIA: I hate people who can’t take hints. Turn around.

CALLUM: Oh! Sorry.

Mia chuckled a little and then slipped out of her own dress, flipping her hair back as she pulled Callum’s over her figure.

MIA: You can turn around now. Zip it up for me?

CALLUM: Sure.

Mia strolled over to Callum and then turned around again, pulling her hair over her shoulder, giving Callum the space to do the zip. He pulled it to the top of the dress and then Mia released her hair, glancing backwards at Callum.

MIA: Thanks.

CALLUM: No problem.

Mia stared into Callum’s eyes and bit down on her lip. Finding herself unable to stop herself, she reached out and wrapped her arms around the back of Callum’s neck, pulling his head towards hers and pressing her lips against his. His eyes shot wide, and he wrapped his arm around her, grabbing hold of her hips. She smiled whilst still kissing.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Drop Dead Gorgeous: Act Three

(Guest starring Style_Magazine as Cordelia and Britneys07 as Britteny)

Britteny Schalanger walked quickly down the corridor, her insanly expensive Christina Loubutin heels clacking at the floor hurridly She glanced left one of the female volunteers as they walked past walked past.

BRITTENY SCHALANGER: Hey! Ginger Snaps! Coffee, my office. Thank you!

Britteny continued down the corridor, as she passed the competition manager’s office. Inside, the manager, Cordelia James, was sat at her desk. Officer Stephanie Bosworth was stood in front of her.

CORDELIA JAMES: Please, take a seat, officer.

STEPHANIE: I’ll stand.

CORDELIA: So, what do you need?

STEPHANIE: What do I need? Do you even have a conscience?

CORDELIA: I’m sorry?

STEPHANIE: One of your models was murdered last night, Ms. James, and you show little sign of remorse.

CORDELIA: I, personally, believe that incident to be suicide. The girl you speak of had a history of illness.

STEPHANIE: Suicide? You expect me to believe that girl stabbed herself several times in the chest with a pair of scissors, strangled herself, and then slit her own throat?

CORDELIA: Assisted suicide.

STEPHANIE: Either way, assisted suicide is just a fancy term for murder.

Officer Bosworth turned and walked to the door.

STEPHANIE: I will find out who did this, Ms. James. Don’t you worry.

Cordelia stared ahead at the Officer. She didn’t move a muscle. A smile crossed her lips. Daria opened the door and walked out. Cordelia waited a second and then picked up the phone from her desk. She punched in a number and waited for an answer.

Daniel waited by the door to Cordelia’s office. He had two coffees in his hands, as he had just returned from the hot drinks machine. Stephanie exited the office and smiled at Daniel weakly. She took the coffee from him and fained a grin at her partner.

STEPHANIE: Thanks, James.

Daniel smirked and hurried after his partner.

DANIEL: So, what have we got?

STEPHANIE: So far? One dead body, and one cold-hearted bitch of a pagent co-ordinator. In fact, I’m not too sure she even has a heart.

DANIEL: My guess is you’re referring to the
lovelyMs. James. She may be a bitch, but she's been in this industry for years, she's a huge name.

Stephanie grimaced at Daniel.

STEPHANIE: How do you even know that? You into fashion now?

Officer Stephanie Bosworth shot her partner a sarcastic look and paced on ahead of him.

DANIEL: Well aren’t you just a barrel of sunshine and rainbows.

STEPHANIE: Quite.

As they walked through the white hall ways Daniel rushed to keep up with his partner, Stephanie was well known in the department, she was a ball breaker who's opinion was rarely kept to herself, to some she was irritating but to Daniel she was an amazing cop who was fantastic at her job, even if she was a bitch to him sometimes.

They reached the exit of the building and walked quickly past the gates to the studio and past the baying reporters, they pushed cameras in their faces as they made their way to their car, Stephanie knew the drill and she was inside the car in a matter of moments, Daniel struggled to heave past the people in their expensive suits shouting questions at him, he remained quiet and jumped into the car, Stephanie scowled at him and quickly sped away onto the free way, leaving the reporters and the pageant in their wake.

***

Melanie was stood by Kasia, who was sat in a chair, her blonde hair curled, and pulled back into a bun resting on the top of her head. The long green dress that Mario Fortuna had previously sewn, was covered by a large, white overall, to avoid any spillages pre-rehearsal. Mika, the newest assistant pressed some scarlet-red lipstick across Kasia’s lips. Kasia puckerd her lips and admired her reflection longingly.

KASIA: Thanks, bitch. I look beautiful.

MIKA: No problem.

Kasia stood and took off the white overall. She smiled at Mika and then headed away. A hand dropped onto Mia’s shoulder and she glanced back, to see Brittaney.

BRITTANEY: Hey Mia, so, all I’ve been hearing about is Mario today. Tell me the gossip, honey!

Mia grinned.

MIA: OK. So, I went to borrow some scissors from him, and he completely went insane. He snatched them back out of my hand. Vanessa told me he locked them away in some drawer. The guy is a psycho.

BRITTANEY: Tell me about it. Just last week, I asked him to get me a coffee, and he completely ignored me. I shouted, ‘Hey, I need a coffee!’ and she turned around and snapped. He was almost crying. I had to lock myself in my office.

MIKA: Oh. My. God. I heard some story that when he was a kid, he had a sister called Missy. Something about his mom taking his sister to all these beauty pageants, and Mario felt excluded. Apparently, he’s now got major issues.

Britteney’s eyes widened as she noticed Mario stood behind Mika. Britteney was in charge and she knew this would never get her into trouble but she feared for Mika, she was new and although Mario was evidently crazy he was also a magnificent dress maker and artist and Cordelia doted on him and no doubt could he get Cordelia to cut Mika's new career short.

MIKA: He’s still a total freak, anyway. I mean, what's up with that box thing he carried around everywhere?

Mika looked up at Brittaney and sighed. She immediantly saw Britteney darting her eyes behind Mika, Britteney pouted and strightened out her blazer jacket, for once she had no idea what to say or do.

MIKA: She’s behind me, isn’t she?

Britteney gave a subtle nod and Mika spun round.

MIKA: Hey, Mario.

Mario glared at Mika for a second and then scowled.

MARIO: Bitch!

MIKA: I’m so sorry!

Mika shyly looked from under her brown highlighted bangs which rested neatly above her beautifully made-up eyes, she could tell Mario was furious, even if what she had said was true she knew he would not hesitate in telling Cordelia about what he had heard her saying, three other assistants had been fired in a matter for months and Mika needed this job.

MARIO: You will be!

Mario stepped face to face with Mika and he looked into her eyes, Mario looked around, a few people in the make-up room were watching, suddently he pushed Mika sharply and she fell into Britteney's arms

BRITTENEY: Whoa, calm down!

Everyone stopped and turned to Mario as they heard Mika and Brittaney struggle to stay on their feet.

MARIO: You’re all idiots! You can talk behind people’s backs in your little groups, and you can gossip all you like, but you’re all conniving, two-faced whores! All of you!

Two security guards suddenly rushed in.

SECURITY #1: Calm down, Sir.

Mario ignored the security. He was beyond reason now, he was so angry. He hated everyone and everything in the damn pageant and he was finally venting off some steam. The guards rushed at him and grabbed his arms.

MARIO: Get off me!

The guards pulled him away as Mika looked on, shocked, and still clinging to Brittaney.

MIKA: That guy should be locked up! What a nut job!

Mika screamed as the security team escorted Mario from the make up room.

BRITTANEY: Fuck, I think I just peed a little.

***

Deidre came rushing into the room seconds later with foil scrunched in her hair and a half make-up coverd face, she was totally oblivious to what had gone on and she rushed over to Mia, who she had somehow become attached to, even though Mia found Deidre insufferable.

DEIDRE: I found him in the phone book! I totally have his number now!

MIA: Why didn’t you just ask him?

DEIDRE: That seems desperate. He’ll think I wanna have sex with him, and get married, and have kids.

MIA: Well, do you want to have sex with him?

DEIDRE: Yes!

MIA: What’s the big deal then?

DEIDRE: I don’t want kids!

MIA: If he’s willing to wrap it, let him tap it.

DEIDRE: Wrap what? Tap what?

Mia stared at Deidre for a second, the girl was as dumb as a rock, she could not be bothered to explain herself as Deidre looked on, with a puzzled face.

MIA: Ugh, never mind.

Mia got up from her seat and walked away from Deidre, she walked past Britteney and Mika who were still gossiping and probably making fun of somebody else by now, Mia hated Britteney, she had no idea how much an OC reject had gotten a job at such a great pageant. Suddenly Deidre was right behind Mia once again, chattering away as Mia thought of how idiotic Mario had been.

DEIDRE: So, did you get your pony?

MIA: What?

DEIDRE: The pony. The one your mom got you. Did you get it?

MIA: Oh, yeah, whatever.

DEIDRE: Cool! Can I see it?

MIA: Huh?

DEIDRE: Can I see it?

MIA: No.

DEIDRE: Why not?

MIA: It died.

DEIDRE: What? How?

MIA: I didn’t feed it.

DEIDRE: Oh, that’s awful. When’s the funeral?

MIA: Thursday.

DEIDRE: Wow. Am I invited?

MIA: Uh, yeah. Whatever.

DEIDRE: Yay! Will there be mini quiches.

MIA: Yeah, sure.

Heather grinned and turned to face forward as Callum Sonney, an intern with a bit of an obsession with cameras and a big obsession with the girls, stepped out, camera in hand. He grinned at the sight of the two models and aimed the camera at them.

CALLUM SONNEY: Smile, ladies!

Deidre gave a cheesy smile as Mia put up her middle finger. Callum smiled, moving the camera away from his face.

CALLUM: Nice shot, Mi. That’s going to look great on your portfolio.

MIA: You’ll have a nice portfolio of injuries if you ever call me Mi again, jackass.

CALLUM: Ah, Rebecca. Sweet as a rose. I’d expect nothing less.

MIA: Ugh, shut up, you're so fucking stupid.

Mia shoved past Callum and strolled away.

DEIDRE: Hey, Callum.

CALLUM: Hi, Dei.

DEIDRE: So, you gotta girlfriend?

TOBEY: Nope.

DEIDRE: You wanna go on a date?

CALLUM: No, I’m into someone else. Sorry. You're beutiful but, yeah...

DEIDRE: Oh, who?

CALLUM: Alice.

Callum pointed out across to where Alice, Fay, Ryan and John were seated.

DEIDRE: The virgin?

Callum sighed, he watched Alice laughing as Ryan joked around with her.

CALLUM: You just assume that, Dei. Even if it is true, I think it's great, at least she's not a slut.

DEIDRE: I’m not a virgin. Am I a slut?

CALLUM: You know, I think that question is better left unanswered.

DEIDRE: Cool!

Suddenly another photogrpaher walked past and he caught Deidre's ever wandering eyes. Deidre gasped and quickly chased after him.

DEIDRE: Hey! hey, wait up!

***

Alice, Fay, Ryan and John were all still seated around the fountain.

ALICE: I still can’t believe about Maria. I mean, who would have thought something like this would have happened around here?

FAY: Me. My mom and dad always used to tell me that before I was born, there was a serial killer that lived here.

JOHN: Yeah, I think I read about that.

FAY: He used to kidnap people and then kill them in horrific ways. A couple of days after they were reported missing, their bodies would turn up.

Alice' face looked worried, John smiled as she squirmed.

RYAN: You guys are so full of shit.

ALICE: I am so not gonna sleep tonight.

JOHN: Don’t worry, he was sentenced to death in 1942. If he ever comes back again, you’re seeing things.

ALICE: Nice to know. Have you not seen the films? Serial killers always come back as ghosts!

RYAN: Yeah, in films. Not in real life.

FAY: Still, crazier things have happened.

RYAN: Like what?

AURELIE: Man walked on the moon.

FAY: What?

JOHN: Fay, that’s nothing special.

ALICE: It was when it first happened.

FAY: So just because a man walked on the moon years ago, that means a serial killer from 40’s is gonna come back as a ghost. Alice, your head is officially screwed up.

Ryan glanced at his watch, his sunglasses obscuring his view, he pushed them on-top of his head and stood up.

RYAN: Don’t you girls have to get to rehearsals?

ALICE: Gosh, how bad is it I forgot?

John laughed as Alice hurried away her bottle of water and celery sticks into her shoulder bag.

FAY: What a subtle way to get rid of us, Ryan.

RYAN: (laughing) I didn’t mean it like that. Just looking out for you.

FAY: Well, as a matter of fact we do, so come on, Alice.

Alice stood up and brushed her pretty floral dress down, it was peach and light green and fitted her well. She and Dominique made their way back over the grassy knoll and into the side entrance to the studio. The two girls headed inside as Ryan and John slowly followed.

JOHN: Daniel, I have something to tell you.

RYAN: What?

JOHN: I think I’m falling for Dominique.

RYAN: Oh, thank God.

JOHN: Thank God?

RYAN: Yeah, because I’m falling for Alice.

John laughed as the two guys headed into the studio to help out with rehearsals.

***

Cordelia James palmed around her office. She creased her forehead, and brushed her fringe back. She checked her watch and sighed. Quickly grabbing her bag from the desk, she exited her office bound for home.

Officers Stephanie Bosworth and Daniel Walker were sat in their car, parked outside the modelling studio. Stephanie took a sip of her coffee and then placed it back on the dashboard as she licked the froth from her lips. Daniel grinned at Stephanie, shook his head, and then took a sip from his own coffee.

DANIEL: Jesus, what time does this woman finish?

(Stephanie smiled but then suddenly sat up.)

STEPHANIE: Here we go.

She pointed ahead and Daniel followed her finger to see Cordelia exiting the studio. A cigarette hung loosely from her mouth, as she took a long drag whilst rooting through her bag. She dug out her keys, and then quickly removed the cigarette. She exhaled, letting the smoke drift out into the open air again. She gave a little cough, and then held her keys at arm’s length. She hit the small button in the middle, and her car, which was parked up ahead, made a beeping noise as the headlights flashed. She reached her car and climbed inside.

DANIEL: Do we follow her?

STEPHANIE: Not, Dan. Not just yet, we wait until she’s ahead. We don’t want her to catch on.

Dan nodded and averted his gaze back over to Cordelia’s car as it pulled out of the parking space and sped off out of the parking lot. Dan took a final sip of his coffee, and then strapped his seatbelt on. Stephanie placed her coffee in the small compartment beside her so it wouldn’t spill, and then pressed her foot down on the accelerator.

***

Fay sat in the driver’s seat of her car. She checked the clock and sighed.

FAY: It’s way too early to settle down and watch TV for the night. Who’s coming for a drink?

She looked into the passenger seat at Alice, and then into the back-seat at Ryan and John, who had been fighting over the latest FHM magazine.

JOHN: I’m in!

RYAN: I don’t know.

FAY: Come on, fag. One drink. Be a man, for once in your life.

RYAN: Fine. For one drink.

FAY: Aurelie?

ALICE: No, not me. Sorry.

FAY: Whatever you say. I’m going straight to the bar so you can walk home bitch.

Although she was joking Alice knew Fay would let her walk home alone rather than change her plans.

ALICE: Fine. I’ll come.

Fay grinned and turned the cars ignition over.

***

Kasia, Mika and Brittaney all exited the studio.

BRITTANEY: I wonder if she’s at the station. Do you think she’ll lock her up?

MIKA: He needs to be locked up, alright. In an asylum.

KASIA: They won’t arrest him. They’ll probably suggest anger management. Imagine Mario in anger management. He’d probably murder the therapist.

Mika and Brittaney chuckled, and then Brittaney turned and started walking the other way.

BRITTANEY: Bye, girls!

Kasia waved meekly and Mika smiled as Brittaney walked away.

MIKA: Bye, Brit.

Mika giggled and shook her head. She and Kasia continued chatting as they headed off the premises. Brittaney stopped by her car and pressed the button on her key. The door unlocked and she climbed in.

***

Kasia and Mika continued down the road. The sound of a car horn caused them to look back as Brittaney waved from her car window. They waved back as she turned and sped off.

MIKA: God, I just wanna get home and get in bed.

KASIA: Screw that, hon. I’m stopping at yours. It’s a girl’s night in.

MIKA: Oh God, Kas, I wanna sleep.

KASIA: Not a chance.

Kasia giggled and ran up ahead. Mika smirked and continued following her, walking at a steady pace.

***

In the backseat of a small black car, Deidre and her newest catch were making out. he rolled on top of her, and began to unbutton her shirt. She continued to kiss him, as she grabbed a handful of his hair. He moved his lips down to her neck as she moaned in pleasure. A sudden knock made them both jump up and turn to the window. Mia, who was stood by, smiled at the pair.

MIA: Hurry up, or I’ll leave you here.

Deidre sighed, and mouthed ‘okay’, stretching her mouth as wide as she could. Mia rolled her eyes and then spun round, leaning on the car. Deidre slipped from under the guy and opened the back door, as she finished buttoning up her shirt. She climbed out and straightened her hair with her fingers.

DEIDRE: Let’s go.

Deidre walked ahead as Mia gave a little snigger. She turned back to the guy and shook her head, then headed off after Dei. Kraig, the model sighed and put on his shirt. He shut the back door, and climbed into the front seat.

***

Mia’s convertible parked up outside a large block of swanky apartments. She climbed over the seat and Dei opened the door and got out. She noticed Mia hopping over the unopened door and giggled.

DEIDRE: I wanna try!

Dei jumped back in and shut the door. She jumped over the door, but caught her foot and slipped. She slammed face-first into the concrete and groaned. Mia chuckled and then headed inside, as Dei got to her feet and skipped after her.

***

Inside, Mia headed over to a small desk. She smiled at the man behind.

MIA: Can I have my key? I left it with you this morning.

The man nodded, staring at Deidre who's hair was everywhere and her make up smudged all over her face..

MAN: Uh, sure. Yeah.

(The man grabbed the key from under the desk and handed it to Mia, still staring at Dei.)

DEIDRE: What?

MAN: You, um... You have... Gravel on your face.

Dei sighed. Her eyes suddenly went cross-eyed, as she tried to look at her own face.

DEIDRE: I can’t see it!

Mia gasped and tried not to laugh as she turned to Dei. She brushed the dirt away from Dei's face away and then smiled at the man, as she turned and headed over to the elevator. Deidre smiled at the man, he's cute she though before noticing Mia had gone, she hurried after her.

Mia sighed as the elevator continued to clim floors slowly. Deidre fidgeted next to her, gawking at the buildings she could see. The elevator finally stopped and the two girls stepped out, into the Penthouse apartment.

Mia smiled and dumped her bag on the sofa. She took off her coat and dumped it on the top. Deidre giggled and ran over to the glowing aquarium fish tank embedded in the wall.

MIA: Do you want a drink?

DEIDRE: Yes!

MIA: Well, what do you want?

DEIDRE: Um...Diet Coke!

MIA: Coke? Whatever.

Mia shook her head and walked over to the built-in kitchen area. She took out the vimto and the vodka. She poured the vimto in and then filled it with vodka. Then she poured herself a glass of just vodka. She headed over to Deidre and handed her drink over to her.

DEIDRE: What’ve you got?

Mia sighed.

REBECCA: Water.

Heather grinned and started sipping the vodka and coke mixture.

***

Inside a small, dark hallway, a door was pushed open. A shadow stood in the doorway, until the light was eventually flicked on. As light flooded into the hallway, Mario could be seen. He sighed and dropped his bags on the floor. He took off his coat and hung it up and made his way into the lounge.

As he reached the doorway, a tiny, three-legged cat exited the lounge. The cat ‘miaowed’ at Mario and he smiled, crouching down and stroking its neck.

MARIO: Are you hungry, Tripod?

He smiled and then headed through to the kitchen, Tripod following at his feet. he grabbed the small cat bowl, labelled ‘Tripod’ and set it on the floor. he picked up a small sachet filled with cat food from the cupboard and emptied the content into the bowl. The cat made a ’purr’ noise, and began to scoop up with the food with its tongue.

Mario smiled and then turned to the next cupboard along. he took out a small glass, and a bottle of scotch whiskey. He poured the drink, and then stored the bottle away again as he moved back into the lounge. He placed his glass on the coffee table and headed over to the TV hitting the power button.

On top of the TV were two photos. One of his mother, and one of his mother and sister. Mario stared at them for a second, and his face suddenly flushed a shade of burning crimson. He roared as he swiped the photos off of the TV, smashing the glass and cutting his hand. He quickly recoiled, as blood seeped out of his hand, and dropped onto the couch. Tears cascaded down his cheeks from the pain, as he grabbed hold of the glass that was lodged in his hand. Mario tore it out, screeching at the same time, and dropped it onto the floor.

Mario stood over the sink. He moved his hand from under the cold water, after rinsing out the cut, and wrapped the towel around it. Once dry, he grabbed a bandage from the side and wrapped it around his wound. He sighed and turned off the top as he headed out of the kitchen. Whilst heading up the hallway towards the Living Room, he noticed something small and white by the door, he stopped and walked over to it, crouching down and scooping it up into his hands. It was an envelope, with his name across the front in delicate handwriting. He snarled, as he tore the envelope away, to reveal a letter, he clearly knew who it was from. He shook his head as the read the last few words:

’With love, your sister, April.’

Mario bit down on his lip, and tore the letter down the middle, without reading any more of the letter. He headed back into the kitchen and instantly disposed of the both the letter, and the envelope. He turned and walked back into the lounge. The TV was still on, and a movie played in the background.

Mario dropped down onto the couch, and grabbed his drink from beside the TV. He sat still for a moment, the glass tight in his firm hand. Then seconds later, he took a sip. he sat back in the chair, getting into a relaxing position. He took another sip and settled down for the night

***

Tiffani’s pink car pulled up outside her house and she yawned. She undid her seatbelt, and climbed out, closing the door behind her and making her way up to the front door. She slotted the key into the key hole, and pushed the door ajar, stepping inside and closing it beside her.

She made her way down the hallway, dropping her key onto a small table and throwing her fur coat to the floor.

TIFFANI: (to herself) What time is it?

She strolled through into the lounge, and checked the clock. She nodded her head gently and sighed, dropping onto the couch. She grabbed the remote from the arm of the chair and switched onto the TV, flicking through the channels before landing on some cheesy hospital drama. She yawned, and rested her head on her hand. She didn’t feel the gemstone of her ring pressing against her cheek, and she pulled her hand away. Upon realisation that her hand was free of any kind of ring, she jumped up from her seat.

TIFFANI: WHAT THE FUCK!

She dropped to her knees, and grabbed the cushions, flinging them aside. The ring still wasn’t there. She dug down the back of the couch and felt around frantically. Once she had gripped it, she sighed, pulling it back up. It was her ring. The one her father had bought her for her 12th birthday. It helped remind her of him whilst he was away fighting for the country. She wiped a tear that had began to form in her eye, and slipped the ring back onto her finger.

TIFFANI: Thank God.

***
Tyler made his way down a busy street, people tended to notice him in a crowd, he walked on by and stopped outside a large house. He smiled and walked up the patch quickly. Tyler headed though into kitchen, where his mother was cleaning the dishes.

Inside he immediatly headed to the stairs down to the basement and opened the door.
***

Outside the bar, Les Doux Alice, Fay, John and Ryan stumbled across the road. Fay was singing some 80's rock ballad loudly.

FAY: ..And I will love you, baby, Always...

As Fay finished singing, she suddenly dropped to the floor. John, who was laughing hysterically helped her up.

RYAN: I thought you said just one drink?

FAY: (burping) One, four, what’s the difference?

Fay laughed, her footing becoming even more unsteady, as the four of them continued walking.

FAY: Raise your hand... if you think Tiffani Horrowitz has slept with at least two of the judges.

Fay laughed hysterically as she raised her hand, John raised his hand to and Ryan tried to stop Alice from falling on her face.

ALICE: No, no, guys. That was mean. Don’t be so horrible!

Everyone laughed again as Alice suddenly hurried over to a lamppost. She dived onto the lamppost and swung around it, only to slip and land on her ass on the floor. Fay dropped to her knees, laughing hysterically as Ryan collapsed against the wall. John, in a fit of giggles, hurried over to Alice. He extended his hand, sniggering loudly, and Alice grabbed it, pulling herself up.

ALICE: (laughing) Thanks!

She laughed again, as the rest of the group slowly calmed down. John fell against Ryan.

RYAN: Okay, I’m getting him home.

Ryan grabbed John, and began to support him as he walked. They stopped by a long line of taxis, and Ryan pushed John into the backseat as he climbed in after him. John waved to the girls as he tried to get comfortable Ryan turned to Alice quickly and smiled.

RYAN: Are you gonna be okay?

ALICE: Yes, thanks we will.

Alice soberd up for a split second and stared at Ryan as he headed back inside the taxi with John.

***

Cordelia walked slowly across a darkened avenue, glancing left and right as she walked. She reached a small house, and strolled to the front door. Once there, she unlocked it and stepped inside.

Dan and Stephanie watched from their car.

STEPHANIE: Great.

DAN: I had fun tonight, Daria. A second date, perhaps?

She relented for a second and laughed at him, although she was then straight back to business.

STEPHANIE: Shut up, Dan. Let’s get back to the station. These wild goose chases tire me out.

***

Alice was stood at a long table, which was covered by plates of random little bits of food. She sighed as she grabbed a handful of chips and stuffed them into her mouth. Once swallowed, she grabbed a glass and poured water into it. She slipped a paracetamol into her mouth and took a swig of the drink.

Fay approached and grabbed a sandwich from the plate. She placed it in her mouth and leaned over.

ALICE: What’s up?

FAY: I have the worst hangover.

ALICE: And who’s fault is that?

Alice smired at her friend.

ALICE: (half playfully, half serious) In fact, whose fault is it that we all have hangovers?

Fay rolled her eyes.

FAY: You guys chose to come.

ALICE: Correction: I was forced to.

FAY: (playfully, in pain) Ugh, shut up.

Fay lowered her head into her hands as Mia approached She suddenly groaned and recoiled as her headache grew even more painful.

MIA: Hey, Fay. You gotta hangover?

FAY: Indeed I have. (beat) What do you want?

MIA: Oh, me? Nothing, of course. However, I suggest you go home. You’ll never make it through the day with that killer headache.

FAY: Suck my big toe, Mia.

Mia scoffed and then scowled at Fay. She flipped her hair back as she spun 180 degrees and then strutted off. Deidre stayed put for a moment and grinned at the girls.

DEIDRE: TTNF!

FAY: What the fuck are you saying? you're such a retard Dei, go follow your owner, bitch.

Deidre looked at Fay shocked, she quickly followed Mia out of the room.

Fay laughed to herself as Alice grabbed a large yoghurt and plastic spoon. She and Fay then promptly headed back over to a small table, at which Ryan and John were sat.

JEREMY: Hey, Fay.

Fay smiled. She took a seat across the way from the guy’s next to Alice.

ALICE: Hi, guys.

Ryan nodded as Alice removed the paper lid from her yoghurt. She grabbed the plastic spoon and buried it into the pinky-white, creamy substance. She scooped it into her mouth and moaned quietly. It was beyond delicious. Fay ran her hand over her head again. The agony was unbearable. The paracetamol should kick in soon enough. She scanned everyone at the table, and as she glanced at Alice, her eyes flung wide.

She suddenly snatched the yoghurt pot from between her best friend’s hands as Alice gasped.

ALICE: Jesus, I'd have shared!

FAY: Oh my God, guys. Listen to this.

Everyone turned to Fay as she scanned the back of the yoghurt pot. There was a small ad, informing them about an artwork competition.

FAY: So, all I have to do is enter my artwork to the address here, and if it’s good, it gets featured at the back of the next issue of the Naruto comics.

ALICE: And that’s good?

FAY: Hell, yeah, I gotta go start drawing!

Fay hurried off with the yoghurt pot as the rest of the group watched as she ran from the room.

ALICE: Funny how her hangover just seemed to disappear. Same goes for my yoghurt pot.

***

Dei skipped after Mia along the outside corridor. She grinned and leaned over, plucking a handful of flowers from the flowerbeds. She hurries to Mia and plonks them into her hands.

DEIDRE: I picked them for you. They should cheer you up.

Mia smiled, obviously annoyed, as Dei skipped ahead. She sighed and chucked the flowers into the bin beside her.

***

Callum watched Dei and Mia and grinned. He picked up his camera and bottle of coke and headed after them.

CALLUM: Dei! Mia!

Mia spun around and frowned. She groaned and rolled her eyes as Callum rushed towards.

CALLUM: Hey, Mia.

MIA: Bye, Callum.

Mia turned and walked away, but Callum followed.

MIA: I said bye, Callum.

CALLUM: And I said hi, Mia.

Mia suddenly stopped in her tracks, she could not see Deidre anywhere around.

MIA: What do you want?

CALLUM: I was wondering if you’d be interested in being my subject for my next batch of shots.

Mia furrowed her brow.

CALLUM: Of course, you’d be paid. Plus, they’d be going on my website, so you’d get noticed.

MIA: Really? When do you want me?

CALLUM: I’ll pick you up tomorrow night, after the show.

MIA: Fine. Bye, Cal.

Mia strolled away as Callum grinned, cheering softly at his success, he walked in the opposite direction. He spotted Alice exiting, and heading over to the grassy knoll. He smiled and began to approach her. He suddenly stopped as Ryan hurried up behind Alice and placed his hands over her eyes. She giggled, and shouted his name.

ALICE: Ryan, I know it’s you!

He let go, and the two hurried up to the fountain, with John. Fay finally joined them, trailing behind and sketching onto a sheet of paper.

Callum sighed and turned to the side entrance. He entered, but bumped into Tyler.

TYLER: Move, photo boy.

Tyler shoved him aside and Callum scoffed. Under his breath he cursed Tyler.

TOBEY: Dick.

He moved inside, and headed into the cafeteria. Inside, Tiffani Harrowitz was sat, eating a small stick of celery. Callum smiled and sat down next to her. Tiffani looked at him bemused.

TIFFANI: Hi? What's up?

CALLUM: Nothing much. want to chat?

TIFFANI: Erm. Thanks and all but I've got to go get ready, sorry Jason.

Tiffani threw her celery stick in a close by waste bin and smiled at Callum, he watched as she walked away, she smiled weakly and looked sad, she looked to her feet and whispered to himself.

CALLUM: It's Callum.

Tiffani exited the cafeteria and moved across the hallway. She approached the corridor to the dressing rooms, at which Officer Stephanie Bosworth and Officer Daniel Walker were stood. They were pulling away the yellow tape as Holly watched. She walked forward and snapped the tape away, strolling down the corridor and entering her dressing room.

STEPHANIE: Prissy little bitch.

DANIEL: Sometimes I wonder how you still have a job.

Stephanie glared at Dan.

***

Tiffani closed her dressing room door and sat at her vanity table. She sighed, flipping her hair behind her shoulders, and pressed the rich pink lipgloss across her lips. She pouted and then faked a smile.

TIFFANI: Come on girl.

She stood again, pushing her chair back, and moved over to her dress rack. She began flipping through, until she stopped at a long, beautiful Stella McCartney dress. She took it off the rack, and moved towards the mirror. She held it in front of her body and smiled. That’d do for tomorrow night’s show. She hung it back up and sat down at her vanity table again. Grabbing a bottle of vodka from down the side, she pressed it to her lips and took a long swig. As she swallowed the clear liquid, she shook her head and blew out air through her lips. There was a knock at the door, and Tiffani quickly screwed the cap back onto the bottle and placed it back in it's hiding place.

TIFFANI: (calling) Come in!

The door swung open and one of the faceless female volunteers entered.

VOLUNTEER: Miss Horrowitz, you’re needed in rehearsals.

TIFFANI: What? What for? I’ve been rehearsing all day.

VOLUNTEER: I’m sorry, but they said they need you know.

TIFFANI: Oh, arlight, thanks for letting me know.

Holly stood and hurried out of her dressing room past the volunteer. The volunteer smiled and followed.

***

Stephanie and Dan pulled away the last strip of yellow tape and Dan sighed.

DANIEL: Finally done.

STEPHANIE: Come on, we best get back to the station.

As the two began towards the exit, Tiffani strolled past. Stephanie sighed.

STEPHANIE: There she goes again.

DANIEL: Uh, leave her alone, she's pretty cool.

Stephanie smiled.

Daniel looked back as Tiffani strutted down the hallway.

***

Tiffani continued down the corridor, until she bumped into Tyler.

HOLLY: What do you want, Tyler?

Tyler glared at her. At least she’d stopped calling him Ty. That’d have to do right now, he needed to get back to the stage so he could do his job. He pushed past her and continued on as she grinned, and continued on her own way. She reached the models’ entrance to behind the stage and strolled through. As she did, Kasia turned to her and rolled her eyes and said something under her breath.

KASIA: Fat ass.

Tiffani spun around and glared at Kasia.

TIFFANI: What did you just say?

KASIA: I called you a fat, ugly slut.

Tiffani lunged at Kasia and shoved her into the wall. Kasia squealed and began to cry.

TIFFANI: Back off, bitch!

Tiffani turned away as somebody walked over to see what was going on, Kasia shoved Tiffani and she tumbled onto the floor. Kasia climbed over her and began slapping and pulling her hair. Fay collapsed onto a bench, laughing, as Alice hurried over to try and break it up. Deidre was standing over them, screaming every time a blow was dealt and Mia was ignoring the whole thing, filing her nails. Melanie watched on and rushed to help Alice break up the cat fight. Tyler appeared at the door and grinned.

TYLER: Hot.

Deidre screamed loudly and totally over the top as Kasia slammed Tiffani's face into the floor, As she spotted Tyler, she jumped up and raced towards him, burying herself in his arms. Tyler sighed and rolled his eyes, looking over her shoulder at the fight. Brittaney and Mika peered through, stood at the door, chatting about what was going on.

BRITTANEY: God, it’s like wrestle mania every day up in here.

MIKA: We’re dealing with models here, remember?

Brittaney scoffed and looked at Mika, she had been working these pageants for 8 years and never come cross a bunch like the ones there now, half of them were crazy and the other half raging sluts who only did this to become the next reality TV star.

The two continued to observe the cat fight until two security guards suddenly rushed in and began to break it up, pushing Alice and Melanie aside.

***

Cordelia was sat at her desk. She sighed, as she checked up on who was absent from work.

CORDELIA: Mario. Mario? Where is he?

Cordelia reached for the phone. She opened up a document on her computer and then punched in a number.

CORDELIA: Hello? Is this Mario Fortuna?

MARIO: (O.S) Yes.

CORDELIA: This is Cordelia, you know, your boss. Care to explain why you are absent?

MARIO: (O.S) I’m ill. Goodbye.

The phone clicked, indicating he had hung up and Cordelia sighed. She placed the phone down, and typed something into the document. She stood again and exited her office.

***

Brittaney and Mika strolled down the corridor, both with a coffee in their hands. Afterwards, Kasia hurried over, in her dress.

KASIA: Hey.

MIKA: Hey, super bitch. You so kicked her fat ass.

Brittaney chuckled lightly.

MIKA: Isn’t the show in like half an hour?

KASIA: Yeah.

MIKA: Shouldn’t you be there?

KASIA: Yes. And I will be. I just have to go and sort my makeup out. That bitch smudged it.

MIKA: Alright. Hurry.

Kasia smiled and nodded as she hurried towards her dressing room.

BRITTANEY: Models, eh?

Mika smirked.

***

Outside, Stephanie and Dan’s car pulls up.

DANIEL: It’s beginning to feel like we live here.

STEPHANIE: We might as well move in. Boss called us down here for the show. Make sure everything stays in order.

DANIEL: Alright, whatever. Let’s just get inside, it’s freezing.

STEPHANIE: Tell me about it.

The two climbed out of the car and then headed inside.

The pageant begins...