Chapter 177: An Emotionless Fish
"Melody, Rose just called," Talia Mercer said, holding her phone. "She said she’s free now and will be heading over too."
"Okay," Melody Monroe nodded.
When they arrived at the photo studio, many staff members were already bustling about.
A man in an earth-yellow vest walked over to Melody Monroe. "Melody, hello! I’m the photographer. My name is Carson Lewis."
"Hello," Melody Monroe quickly greeted him in return.
"It’s so great to meet you. I’m a big fan of yours."
"I’m so honored."
"The dressing room is this way."
"Thank you." After thanking him, Melody Monroe headed to the dressing room. When she pushed open the door, she saw several people inside but couldn’t tell which one was the makeup artist.
"Hello, everyone. I’m Melody Monroe. Excuse me, who is the makeup artist assigned to me?"
"That would be me!" a woman immediately raised her hand. A flash of awe crossed her eyes when she saw Melody Monroe, and she quickly extended her hand. "You can just call me Vera."
"Vera, hello."
"Then let’s get started."
"Alright."
Melody Monroe walked to the vanity and sat down. Vera immediately brought over her makeup case.
After her makeup was done, Melody Monroe was led by a staff member to the prepared set.
This time, she was endorsing a shampoo brand for a commercial.
Behind the main set area was a large green screen. To one side was an artificial reef, and next to the reef was a giant clamshell. She was supposed to play a mermaid.
Melody Monroe was wearing the tail part of the costume and couldn’t walk. Talia Mercer supported her as she shuffled toward the clamshell one step at a time.
After she was situated in the clamshell, a staff member came over immediately to help her get into the desired pose.
Rose Shaw stood watching from a distance, a faint smile on her face as she looked at Melody Monroe.
"Teacher Melody, look over here!"
That one word, "Teacher," instantly shattered the mood Melody Monroe had been carefully cultivating.
"Please, don’t call me ’Teacher.’ Just call me Melody, everyone. Otherwise, I can’t get into the right state of mind at all."
Everyone could see that Melody Monroe’s easygoing nature wasn’t an act. She was so cooperative, doing whatever was asked of her, and the crew was developing a very favorable impression of her.
"Alright, last shot! Melody, I need you to face the camera. I want an ethereal feeling, that sense of emptying yourself of all emotion."
"So, you mean I’m supposed to be a mermaid with no feelings, right?"
The people nearby chuckled at Melody Monroe’s joke.
"Not no feelings, but ethereal. A transcendent, otherworldly etherealness."
"Okay, let me get into the zone."
In her mind, Melody Monroe silently told herself to let everything go, to empty herself completely. Then, she faced the camera.
The camera slowly pulled back...
"CUT!" The shoot was over!
"Was that okay?"
"Okay? It was perfect! Fantastic! I can’t believe we finished two hours ahead of schedule!"
"That’s because Melody is a true professional!"
"That was seriously amazing. I can’t wait to see the final cut."
"It won’t be long. The client is pushing for it."
Melody Monroe sat in the clamshell while Talia Mercer helped her take off the mermaid tail.
"It’s definitely more convenient having two legs."
Rose Shaw walked over to Melody Monroe and knelt down to help Talia Mercer with the tail.
"Rose, when did you get here?"
"I’ve been here for a little while. I didn’t expect you all to wrap up so early."
Melody Monroe looked at Rose Shaw and noticed that she wasn’t her usual self. Her eyes were bloodshot and a little swollen. Even though she had tried to cover it with thick makeup, it was still obvious that she had been crying.
"Yeah, it’s only a little after three in the afternoon. Rose, why don’t we go grab a coffee together?" Melody Monroe suggested.