Can't Help Falling in Love by David W. Menefee, Carol Dunitz

through her purse for something.
“Oh, I wouldn’t have missed this for anything. There’s a lot at stake. We’ve
got so much to discuss and clarify!”
        
Karen drew near and interjected. “I didn’t realize we were going to be working
together. Although we don’t mind you being present, we’re in the middle of an
intense, private session, and I’m afraid you’ve somewhat broken the mood. Would
you mind taking a seat on the far side of the studio so I can continue?”
         Thank
you, Karen! Allison thought.
She could barely suppress her joy over her sister’s comment. Karen’s
always perceptive of my feelings, and she no doubt
sensed that I was put out at Sharon for invading the confidentiality of our work.
         Sharon fished a crumpled pack of cigarettes
from her purse and began plucking at one with the tips of her long red
talon-like fingernails. “Do I know you from somewhere?”
        
Karen answered tersely, “We’ve never met, but your office hired me to shoot the Anderson account photos last month.”
         Sharon lit her cigarette and exhaled two long
plumes through her nostrils that momentarily made her resemble a medieval
dragon. “Oh yes, I remember. We managed to find a couple of shots from the
session that were somewhat usable. I’m sure you’re finding this handsome young
singer a more interesting subject, aren’t you?”
        
Karen could not hide her icy tone. “I enjoy working on all types of accounts,
Miss Eaton.”
         Sharon seemed oblivious to the fact that there
were no ashtrays in the studio and that the management had placed a non-smoking
sign up to announce their policy due to the presence of dangerously flammable
photo developing chemicals. She practically ordered Allison, “Do find me
something I can put the ashes in, dear.”
        
Reluctantly, Allison wondered, What can I
find that will do? We don’t have any hand grenades!  
         Sharon flounced into a leather chair, crossed
her legs, and announced, “I have some bold ideas for this campaign. Tell me
what the two of you had in mind so I can determine if your ideas will work. I
don’t want you to deviate from the direction I want him to go.”
        
The sharp, cutting edge of her comment made Allison dread whatever was next in
store. She had already learned from her two awful confrontations with her that
the two of them were as different as sandpaper and silk. As she fished around
in a waste basket to retrieve a used paper cup for her to use as a makeshift
ash tray, she thought I don’t like her! Still, I’ve
worked with other people I didn’t care for in the past. I just hope I can hide
my feelings this time and hopefully bite my tongue!   
        
As she set the cup on the coffee table in front of Sharon , Karen again rallied to her defense.
“We’ve done a thorough analysis of his needs and understand the styles driving
the popularity of his band’s music. I think I’m managing to capture the essence
of his appeal quite nicely.”
         Sharon responded somewhat crassly, “I hope
you’re doing better than you did with those other photos. We could only use two
from the entire session! I just started to brainstorm on some ideas to present
to him this morning that might be more appropriate than what the two of you
came up with.”
        
“Oh? I guess you’re not the eager beaver I figured you to be. Allison already
has detailed a fabulous campaign with images carefully designed to enhance his
fan appeal. I already know that Allison has her finger on the very attributes
that he most wishes to convey to his fans, and I’m safe in saying that if you
attempt to stray too far from those ideals, Star Records might lose him as an
artist. I shouldn’t have to remind you that regardless of his contract with
them, the band is ultimately responsible for themselves. You haven’t signed an
artist management agreement with him, have you?”
         Sharon blew a