This, That, and the Other

“Okay, girls,” the director said. “Blondie, you’ll be holding the red fox when we start shooting,” he said, “and Red, you’ll hold the white one. Got it?”

“It’s Gloria and Debbie,” his assistant, holding the clipboard, whispered in the director’s ear. “Gloria is the blonde and Debbie is the redhead.”

“Whatever,” the director said, dismissing his assistant with a wave of his hand. He turned his attention to the two teenage girls in their school uniforms. “Girls, he said,” I want you to remember that we’re shooting a commercial for a new perfume called ‘Foxy Girl.’ The two foxes have been sedated a little to keep them calm, so you don’t have to worry about being bitten or scratched. Got it?” Both girls nodded.

The director’s assistant stepped up to the director. “How about giving Debbie the red fox and giving Gloria the white one. That way the girls’ hair color and the color of the foxes’ fur will match.”

“Okay, girls,” he said, slight change of plans. Blondie, you’ll take the white fox and Red, you got the red one. Got it? Now the animal trainer is going to hand you the foxes and when I say ‘action,’ I want to see you to hold the foxes in your arms and lovingly stroke their fur. I also want to see you two with big, warm smiles on your faces. Got it?” Both girls nodded.

The trainer gave Debbie the red fox and Gloria the white one. Then the director yelled “Action!”

A moment later, he yelled “Cut!”

He walked up to the two girls and softly said, “Girls, we’re shooting a video here, not a still photo. When I say ‘action,’ I need you to caress the foxes like you would your beloved pet dog or cat. And girls, you both look like you, not just the foxes, have been sedated. I need you to smile, to look happy, to be animated, look like you’re enjoying yourselves. Got it?” Both girls nodded.

He stepped back and yelled “Action!”

A moment later, “Cut, cut, cut, dammit!”

Written for this week’s What Do You See? Challenge from Hélène Vaillant at Willow Poetry. Photo credit: Pinterest free picture.