Lift Guy

Madison

Ten minutes, ten minutes is all the time I've got before the boss fries my arse again for being late.

Eight minutes and counting. I desperately need coffee and the line for Starbucks seems to be growing .

Ok I'll skip the coffee. Six minutes and two blocks before I have to start work. The signpost at the corner says West 45th Street. I will never make it.

I step out onto the curb and as usual the streets of uptown New York are lined with yellow. I know the streets of New York like the back of my hand. Born and raised in New York.

I stick my arm out passed the curb, Four cabs stop, the story of my life. I'm a model, it's what I do, what I'm 'good' at.

I get in the closest cab. Instruct the cab driver on where I need to go and in less than three minutes the cab stops.

"Crap!" My watch tells me I only have two minutes to get inside and up eighteen floors. Maybe I should kiss my job 'goodbye' now. I quickly skip along the pavement in my sixty dollar, sequined silver heels.

Tomorrow I will wear better walking shoes.

Yes there is one lift open.

Come on heels you can do it.

Oh no, don't close.

“Wait!" I hear myself shout. A hand pushes the lift door back just as my heels carry me into the lift.

Wow! The hand that held the door open now has a face and well, he isn't too bad. I manage a "Thank. You." before pressing the button for the eighteenth floor.

"Eighteenth huh? Designer?"

"Model," I say quickly.

He looks at me. Looks me up and down, "Of course, I should've realised."

We stand in silence. One minute. The lift door clicks open. He gets out. I watch him walk out of the lift. The lift door starts to close.

Then out of nowhere a hand pulls the lift door open.

I know that hand!

Thirty seconds.

He stands in the way of the lift door.

"I'm Dylan, Dylan Washington,"

Fifteen seconds.

He steps back into the lift and the doors close.

"I'm Maddie, Madison Johnson."

"The Madison Johnson?" What? Does he know me?

"The one and only."

"Well it is nice to meet you Ms Johnson."

"So what do you do here?"

"Ah...Job Interview."

"Really, who with?"

"Kylie Matheson..."

I am speechless. I have no words. Kylie Matheson! The big boss. Crap! I really am late!

"An interview with Ms Matheson?" My ability to speak now back.

"Yeah any advice?" He asks. Dylan grins and it just makes him hotter.

"Don't be late," I say checking my watch. The lift doors click open.

The Eighteenth floor. Home of Dolce and Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Vogue. Any girls paradise.

"I'll see you round, Mr Washington." I say stepping out of the lift.

"Yeah sooner than you think Madison." I turn but the lift doors are shut.

Damn I didn't even get his number.

Remembering I'm late I quickly direct myself to the Dolce and Gabbana office first and only shoot of the day. My heels sprint past the receptionist sitting at her desk.

"You're late, Maddie."

"I know, can only run so fast," I say pointing to my heels. She laughs.

As I run through the open door I hear one of the designers look at me and mutter. "Models, think they own the place."

"Too right," I say, joining in on the conversation. The two designers stare at me. I walk past them and see my worst nightmare, Kylie Matheson. I walk straight up to her.

"Sorry I'm late."

She looks up from her blackberry, "Ms...?" She never remembers my name.

"Johnson, Madison Johnson."

"Very well, Ms Johnson you better go and get changed before I decide not to be so nice."

"Thanks," I walk quickly over to one of the designers. They hand me an adorable pair of Gucci heels and a Dolce and Gabbana dress. I walk into the change room. Before walking out, changed and comfortable this is what I do, this is who I am. The make up team surround me. In two minutes I go from Maddie to Madison.

"Impressive Ms Johnson. No punctuality yet you can be changed in five minutes. Very impressive."

There is silence and Kylie and I simply stare at each other. Kylie snaps out of this 'trance' first.

"What is the matter with all of you, snails could move faster."

"Excuse me ma'am." The receptionist steps into the room.

Kylie ignores her, "I want this shoot over by 11.30, which give us an hour and a half, we have a deadline people," She looks over at the photographer, "Is there a problem Jack? ... Ms Johnson is ready. Why aren't you?"

I move into the camera's view and we get started. Out of the corner of my eye I see the receptionist still trying to get Kylie's attention. Kylie ignores her repeatedly, her eyes intent on me and the 'shoot'.

I see Kylie look down at her twenty-four carrot gold Gucci watch. She stands up, "Emily," the receptionist runs towards Kylie.

"Yes ma'am."

"Is my 10.30 here?"

"Yes he has been here for ten minutes."

"Well why didn't you tell me?" Kylie begins to walk out but stops. "Carry on everyone." She leaves. The receptionist follows her looking flustered.

With Kylie gone I can finally relax and do what I do best, strut my stuff.

The clock on the studio wall says 11.15. I have changed clothes fifteen times. The designers and Jack are running around madly as I change for the sixteenth time. I come out ready for the final shoot.

To my surprise Kylie is sitting in the studio with none other than the guy from the lift. I take my place in front of the camera. I'm nervous now. Lift Guy is watching my every move. Ten photos later and the clock says 11.30. I go and get changed. I take my time hoping Kylie will forget about me. Changed, I make my way back into the studio. Kylie and Lift Guy are still here! What the? Kylie looks in my direction.

"Oh, Ms Johnson, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Yes..." I say scared to think what's coming.

"Ms Johnson, this is Mr Washington. He is here representing InStyle magazine."

"I'm representing my mum, she couldn't make it," he says with a sexy boyish grin on his face.

"Yes, Mrs Washington is the CEO of InStyle magazine," Kylie explains. "They're purchasing the photos from today's shoot."

"Great" I say slightly confused as to why I'm being told.

"InStyle magazine would like to sign you as one of our full time models," he says. I'm totally shocked this is huge!

"Wow thank you," I say, but turn to Kylie, "Could I still do part time stuff here?"

"Of course" the two say in unison.

My day has turned out to be great! I sign all the necessary documents. Before grabbing my stuff and heading to a lift at 1.30.

I'm having the greatest luck. The lift doors click open just as I reach them. I step inside and the doors begin to shut just as I hear, "Wait!" I push the lift doors back to find Lift Guy staring at me. He steps into the lift. "Good Afternoon, Ms Johnson."

"Mr Washington" I say acknowledging him.

He hands me what looks like a business card. It is a business card. His!

"I forgot to give you this earlier," he says. I ask him for a pen and write my number on his hand. The lift clicks open. Fifth floor. "Well this is mine," he says stepping out, "See you Madison."

The lift doors shut before opening again on the ground floor. Four cabs stop for me once again. I step into the nearest one just as my phone blares the 'O.C' theme song. I answer it.

"Hello, Madison speaking."

"What are you doing tonight?"