THE PERFECT ILLUSION

u the hypocrisy of what's happening

woman. The bitter odor of nail paint remover made me feel almost lightheaded. But I remained vigilant as Raphael charged at me with a d

e bottles, only to emerge seconds later, stiff and m

dering how many pounds of poisons had j

wedged beneath something that appeared to be atte

d I found myself looking up at the ceiling. "W

twisted and pulled what was remained of my hair into a tight knot on top of my head. When he

the party. But first, let me tell you that

d-dusted lacquer. "I heard about it at that casting-you

I guessed. I had heard

he agency needs representation at thi

ionaire. "Is th

urse i

made

and he is really stunning! I wish I could land him. Bu

challenge?" I asked. "I me

t you could lasso

m not in the mood to t

thinking about that cute

just met him

lking about. But I'm certain he's a hunk. I want to say hello to him before the party

n going on abo

you

"He wa

ave bought him the

w everything up. "If I co

. Simply strike up a discussion the ne

t he's too wealthy for my tas

. Think about Lucas' lavish party. H

s like

e'll be very approachabl

oach some stud who has his

bonus. If somebody indicates they came to the agency throug

we

A from like, Nepal or somewhere, and

om every corner of the salon. "I'm sorry, it's just-is

d certainly read this somewhere credible like the Internet in anticipat

ere's a ribbon cutting at Tiffany's in the Grove, Barneys' opening on Rodeo-and no, Shay, if you make a joke about a dinosaur exhibit it won't

d my eyes. "And here I thoug

ou questioned whether that was her stage name) adjusted her locks to c

I replied bleakly

eflection in the mirror. "It's perfec

Either that, or she was truly as hungry as she appeared. "It's perfect, isn't it? Well, there will be at lea

hem as if they were crazy. I was going to remark something along

a frowned, "haven't we se

rom beneath a tangle of steam and wires. Sophia

But who's counting?" She gave Sophia a spiteful smile

in a city where that wasn

and I drew my tired gaze back to the mirror

land was the next best option. The music and arts scene was on the rise, and every picture I saw online featured at least one guy with a wizard beard. I was intrigued. But

d receive in the first two weeks of living here. Then then, maybe she would. It was difficult to tell with Sophia.

tion, "you would have gotten an invite t

eryone can rely on their parents to pay rent." I tossed a hai

tores and oxygen bars (yes, they exist). The agency that hired us as unemployed actors had set aside some money to make a good impression with the social elites at tonight's party. Since two of the four fe

t of the salon's chemical stink and back i

ke that same request a million times. We'd already had three espresso drinks and stopped "just for a bite" at two separate sus

rbucks she was sinking into. "There's so much caffeine in my

ust your heart getting aroused

zement. "You are a scientist, do you know that

seen. "Fine, if the sponsored charm is wearing off, let's get our outfits and find some

nce, still staring at an eyeless mannequin

he caught my wrist in her wiry fingers and drew

equestrian riding crop labeled "