Mask of A Legend by Stephen Andrew Salamon Page A

that was in the center of the foyer.
    “Why hello there,” Paula said, sitting behind the table as Legend looked down at the red carpet. She didn’t want Paula to see her face, but Angelica grabbed onto Legend’s chin very gently and lifted it up. “Your name’s Legend, right?” Paula asked in a smiling manner, trying to cheer her up. She looked at Legend’s face and knew she was scared of what everyone would think of it.
    The moment had arrived, Legend standing there like a wounded lamb, begging to the wolf for mercy. Face-to-face, panic and a thirst of anxiety raced around her mind, feeling her tears pressing against her eyes− the pressure was immense, intense, like a bomb balancing on a fence made of fire. This was it.
    “Yes, ma’am,” Legend’s voice answered in a child’s tone, and all Paula could do was stare at her majestic, blue eyes. They were beautiful – like a blue diamond with pieces of white lines shaded around it – gorgeous in every way.
    “That’s a beautiful name for a beautiful young girl.” Legend grew a smile. “Now, did you pay the full amount for this event?”
    “Yes, ma’am,” replied Legend. Angelica smiled toward Paula also.
    “Alright, the training for the catwalk begins at 5:00 p.m., so that gives you a good two hours to get settled in your room. Um, after the training is finished, we’ll have a few guest speakers talk to all of you and mainly pump up your esteem for the real challenge tomorrow. Make sure that you’re up by 7:00 tomorrow morning: the agents will begin looking at you girls by 9:00. . . . Mainly you should concentrate on drinking ten glasses of water today, so that your skin will be cleansed, and putting moisturizer on your skin. Don’t wear any make-up tomorrow: the agents want to see the real you. Overall, have a good time. Do you have any questions? Oh, before I forget, make sure that your portfolio is correctly checked by one of our associates. What they’ll do is put your best photo in the front, because the agents will look at those first,” Paula explained in a fast manner. Legend’s mind got overwhelmed with all the things she had to do. “If you are not called back by an agent, meaning not chosen, then make sure you leave directly after the event is finished. But, if you are called back by them, then stay and wait for further instructions by myself or whoever is going to give them to you. Now, do you have any questions?”
    A line of girls formed behind Legend quickly. “Well, I don’t exactly have a portfolio, is that a problem?” Legend asked as Paula grinned.
    “No, not at all, we sell portfolios here, you can buy one right now if you want. They cost eighty dollars.” Legend looked at Angelica with sadness in her eyes.
    “I don’t have eighty dollars, do I really need a portfolio, ma’am?”
    “Please, call me ‘Paula’, and yes it would be a good step in showing the agents that you are serious about this. I mean, they are going to watch over eight hundred girls walk by them on the catwalk while showing their photos. It’s a lot easier to carry them in a portfolio.”
    Angelica walked up to Legend’s ear. “Don’t worry, I’ll pay for it,” Angelica whispered. Suddenly the girls standing behind them began saying mean things to Legend. The demons were growing impatient.
    “Come on, zit face, there are other girls who would like to get settled in their rooms,” a girl yelled out from behind Legend. And of course, jerks following jerks, made of plastic and cologne, the whole line started laughing: followers.
    “Here’s your badge, and have a good time,” Paula said in sincerity, handing Legend her name tag. “Wear this at all times while you’re out of your room. Agents could be walking by at any time: they’re in this hotel right as we speak. So if they like your look, then this name tag will be your key to having them know who you are.” Paula then gave a saddened smile toward Legend, a crooked grin that meant