Maria Meets Monica, Part 2

(This is Part 2 of 3 of Monica meets Maria)

The following morning Monica and Becky arrived at JFK and were
expeditiously limousine to the Dynatech World Headquarters building in
Manhattan. By 9:05 both sat in Maria DuBois's waiting room waiting for
their appointment. Becky, feeling a little intim ated by the whole
experience, whispered to Monica, her mom,  "..sure wish I could have a
cigarette about now..". Monica smiled knowingly and replied "Your in
the Big Times now honey, don't blow it". Soon, Maria's secretary told
them, "Ms. DuBoise will s you now, you may go in.". As they entered Maria's
plush office, the fragrant smell of cigarette smoke laid heavy in the air.
Maria introduced herself and explained "Welcome to the Big Apple, hope you
had a nice flight. Let me get right to the point. We elected you from
the demo tape your agent submitted to our firm and would like to know
if you would be interested in doing a commercial spot for one of our
pharmaceutical division's products, Dente'Blancha?" Monica spoke up
hesitantly saying, "that's why we're here. Becky would love to have a
chance!". Maria, now speaking in a more personal tone, spoke directly
to Becky this time. "The product we want you to promote is formulated
to remove tea, coffee, and bacco stains. The scenario we envision would
involve you smoking and your mother offering you the product to whiten
your teeth. We are talking about a nationally televised spot, carried
on all the major networks, in which you openly smoke, a definite ta o
in this industry, but at the same time, fitting nicely into Dynatech's
REAL LIFE, cutting edge advertising. Are you still interested?". Becky
thought for a moment, then reflexively reached in her purse and quickly
lit up a VS120 replying "you've got t be kidding, I would love to do
it, that is, if mom doesn't have a problem...". The tension in the room
seemed to melt away as Maria reached in her top drawer and took out an
ash tray and cigarette case and proceeded to light up a Salem 100.
Then, pushin the ash tray to the center of her large, oak desk,
commented "That's what I hoped you'd say." as she exhaled a long stream
of smoke into the air between Monica and Maria, then saying "I'll need
to see some ID to establish that your 16, the legal age in ur state. I
checked with our legal department and they say the ad spot is not in
violation, since technically, we are not promoting smoking, but rather
a product for smokers." Monica took her queue and eagerly lit up a
VS120 as well, telling Becky, "See honey, it's like I told you, you
have nothing to worry about. Seems like everything has gone Right since
you started enjoying smoking. Mother knows best afterall, huh?". Becky
ust smiled and took another deep, satisfying, drag from her cigarette.
Maria asked about the comment "..since Becky started smoking?". Monica
responded rather sheepishly  "..you see, Becky was a 'Late Bloomer',
she only started smoking a few months ago, at my urging, even though
most of her friends started to enjoy smoking round age 13. But since
she has started, a lot of positive changes have happened in our
lives.". Maria thought about Monica's statement for a moment and
realized that allot of positive things had happened in her life as well
since she began smoking. Her usband, John, seems to be "Turned On"
almost all the time now, and she dearly enjoys the weekly Bridge
parties with Liz and her friends, all of whom are smokers. Yes, Maria
knew full well what Monica was referring to, but did not dare reveal
what a "Lat Bloomer" she was herself. Maria handed Monica the script
and warmly suggested that they check into the Suit at the Waldorf and
begin practicing immediately. Becky, appearing very relaxed and mature,
taking a long draw on her VS120, assured Maria that sh had nothing to
worry about. Monica thanked Maria with a friendly hand shake as they
exited the office. This was the stuff dreams are made of, she thought.
After they had left, Maria called John and spoke excitedly about
Dynatech's next REAL LIFE commerc l spot, with Becky and Monica playing
the real life roles. John agreed that it was about time for America to
"wake up" to the pleasures of smoking once again, and that Dynatech
should lead the way into the new era with their Real Life advertising.
"How d did you say she was?" John asked Maria again; "This is great, I
can't wait to see it!".  (Part 3 of 3 comming soon)

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