This meeting had just gotten even more interesting.
I followed her inside and sat on the dark wood chair across from her desk. She settled into a brown leather one.
“I assume Cory gave you the short version of why you’re here?”
I nodded, even though I still really didn’t believe it. There was no way Cory had successfully gotten this approved. I was sure I was here to get a talking-to, to be told that only a fiend would think a respectable college would allow their students to intern in porn. Why else would I have to meet the head of the film studies department?
Without even looking at me, Professor Hughes said, “Although he’s only in his first year, Cory has already proven more experienced than the rest of the pack.” She slapped a stack of papers on her desk, letting them sift through her fingers to even them out. She placed them in a pile on the edge of her desk and finally looked at me. “Cory is eager. Hardworking and has real vision. His entrance film was light-years ahead of the other first year students so I had him enroll in a few third year courses to keep him engaged.”
“Your idea of keeping him engaged is with porn?” I scoffed. “There’s a first for everything.”
“I’ve worked really hard to get this program to the top. It’s close to becoming the best in the country.” She sat back in her chair, like a queen sitting on her throne addressing her subjects, and I had to stop myself from squirming under her stare. I was the VP of a multimillion-dollar company, for Christ’s sake.
Professor Hughes was all business, and her office was just as uptight—white walls, no pictures or decoration, and a couch that looked like it’d been rescued from a war zone and offered asylum in her office.
/> “Part of the reason why there is a list of hundreds of students waiting to get into my program is because I’ve made the effort for flexibility, tailoring a student’s education plan, making it their own.”
My teachers in high school had been eager to get rid of me. And my instructors during the one and only semester I’d attended college had been mediocre at best.
“While I think the decision might raise some eyebrows with our alumni, I’m ready to take the heat.” There was no flinch. Her hands were clasped on her desk so there was no way she was crossing her fingers behind her back.
“You do realize he’ll be watching people have sex. Auditioning people to have sex for money. Viewing film where people…have sex.”
She nodded.
I blew out a hard breath and ran my hand through my hair. “I really don’t know what to say.” This woman was too good to be true, and so was her outlook. “I’m a little shocked. We’ve had interns, but never have they been affiliated with any type of school curriculum. Most people frown upon what we do.”
“I’m not most people, Mr. Lockwood.” She sat forward, letting her forearms rest on the desk. Her blond hair fell over her shoulders and hung limply. “I’m willing to sanction Cory’s placement as long as you can agree to a few conditions.”
Here we go. I was wondering when the “conditions” were going to make an appearance.
“Lay them on me.” I sat back, getting comfortable.
My seeming disinterest didn’t go over well and she pursed her lips and raised one eyebrow, immediately forcing me to sit up straight.
“I’m really not concerned on the ‘what’ but more the “how.” I expect that you’ll deliver on the five principles outlined in this packet. It details each module and the components we’d like you to include in your program.”
She slid an envelope across the desk. I flipped through it, focusing on terms like “composition” and “sequence.” And that’s when it hit me. This was so not going to work. I didn’t know any of these principles.
Professor Hughes continued, “We want the students to get a sense of what your real day is like. Don’t shelter them from issues, and wherever possible don’t load them down with fun and creative make-work projects.”
“Professor, look, I don’t have a program. I was a bad student. I wear jeans to work. In the summer it’s shorts. I have no education. These students are almost my age and have more credentials than I do. I just point the camera at people having sex.”
“You are more than a director, Mr. Lockwood. Are you not Vice President of White Lace Productions?”
“I…” Yes, I was, but I still didn’t think of myself as such.
“Someone saw enough in you to put you in a position of power. In a position to make decisions. A man who is trusted with these things is no hack.”
I still didn’t know why Hirsh had trusted me enough to take over Max’s position. Maybe he’d had no choice. Actually, that was becoming more apparent every day, as he missed meeting after meeting. His no-show status was seriously affecting my ego. I’d never been the smart one, that was all Max. However, I had taken solace in the fact that I was creative. But Max’s endeavors into the hotel business had proven that he also had vision, creativity. So once again I was struggling with trying to measure up.
“Mr. Lockwood. There’s one more thing.”
Of course there was.
“Every mentor participates in a speakers series sponsored by the program.”
Just like the terror that had taken over when I’d walked into this office, once again I was struck with fear. “You want me to speak in public?” I was never the center of attention. At least not in a business capacity. I hated doing interviews. I hated accepting awards. I hated anything that took my eye away from the camera.