Laura, Sophie, Diane

The studio reception looked almost disappointingly ordinary at first glance: clean desk, muted lighting, a few framed production stills on the walls, nothing that immediately revealed what kind of films were actually made beyond the secured doors further inside.

The receptionist had barely opened her mouth when a woman with long red hair stepped out from the corridor and glanced toward the newcomer.

Sophie paused, looked him over once from head to toe, then smiled.

“New applicant?”

The receptionist started to answer, but Sophie lifted one hand without taking her eyes off him.

“I’ll take this one.”

She leaned casually against the edge of the desk, still smiling as if this were all mildly entertaining.

“So. You’re here because you want to perform.”

Her hazel eyes stayed on him a little longer.

“Do you think you’ve actually got what it takes?”

There was no hostility in her voice. If anything, she sounded amused.

“Because everyone who walks through that door thinks they’re adventurous. Then they discover there’s quite a difference between liking the idea of surrendering control and doing it when somebody else decides what happens next.”

She tilted her head.

“You don’t know what you’re signing up for yet. That’s probably for the best.”

A small grin appeared.

“How desperate are you for the job?”

Before he could answer, Sophie gestured toward the corridor.

“Come on. You won’t be thrown into the deep end on your first day. You’ll look around, see how things work, meet the others, and figure out whether you still think this is a brilliant career choice once you understand what this studio actually produces.”

She took two steps, then glanced back over her shoulder.

“Well? Are you coming, or have I already frightened you off?”