"Barney! How are you? Look at you all suited up and stuff. Looks like you are doing well here," Natasha greeted enthusiastically as she saw Barney entering the coffee shop.
Barney, for his part, paused for a second looking at the enthusiastic Natasha. His eyes roved over the other occupants in the coffee shop surreptitiously. When he saw that most of them were looking over at their spot, he groaned inwardly. Still, he managed to put on a bright smile and hugged back an enthusiastic Natasha.
"Hey Nat," Barney said sliding into the seat opposite to her. "You took your time coming from New York to Los Angeles. I almost forgot about your arrival. If not for your call yesterday, I would have completely forgotten about it."
"Ah, I made it a road trip from New York to Los Angeles. That's why I was delayed a bit," Natasha said brightly waving off his implied question.
"Huh, good for you," Barney said shaking his head. "So, where are you put up? I hope you aren't staying in your car. This city may look very peaceful on the outside. But, trust me, the crime rate here is one of the highest in the country."
"Oh, you don't need to worry about me. I rented an apartment and moved in two days ago," Natasha replied with a small smile.
"What? You rented an apartment? Nat, are you serious? If it is just for a few days, you can stay in my place. The rent in the city is not small. I am sure I can adjust for a few days," Barney said frowning.
"No, no, no… I decided to stay in Los Angeles for the foreseeable future. So, I think finding an apartment for rent is a good idea."
"Really? You aren't kidding me, right? I thought you were here just to visit and tour places."
"I am not here to visit Barney. I have decided to become an actress. So, Los Angeles is the right place to stay in," Natasha said cheerily causing Barney to choke on his coffee.
"What!!!"
"I want to be an actress, Barney."
"You are joking, right? I mean… You…"
"Oh, why do you think I am joking," Natasha narrowed her eyes. "You think I am not beautiful enough to be an actress?"
"Nat, don't take this wrong. But, being an actress is not something you decide on a whim. Moreover, it isn't just about beauty. Do you know how many people come to Los Angeles dreaming to become a star every year? If you think all it needs is beauty, then you better look around. Even in this café, there are at least five women as beautiful as you," Barney said seriously.
"I know," Natasha said turning serious. "That's why I came to you. You are an agent, right? Can't you sign me under you?"
"Nat, it is not that simple," Barney said letting out a loud sigh. "Even among agents, there are differences. There are grades among us. Different specialties. Connections and whatnot. It is not that simple."
"I understand, but you can at least get me some jobs, right? I am not asking for anything big. I am willing to work hard. Please, Barney, I don't know anyone else apart from you in the film industry," Natasha said earnestly.
"Nat, even if you are serious about this, I advise you to think about this. Becoming an actress isn't that simple. Apart from being beautiful, you need exposure to this industry as well."
"As far as I know, you haven't acted in any drama or some play. You don't have any acting skills. You just woke up one day and decided to become an actress. The world doesn't work like that. So, I am begging you to think about this once more."
"Barney, I have thought this through. I am nineteen this year. I barely passed high school. I can't go to college and shit. That is not me. I don't have anything left over from my parents, apart from my looks. I don't want to waste my life being a waitress for the rest of my life," Natasha said holding Barney's eyes.
"This is the only way for me to change my life. I can't sing or dance. But, I can damn well pull off some acts. As for my acting skills, I think I might even surprise you. You think it was easy for me to survive on the streets. No, Barney, you don't know what it takes to survive the streets as a teenager. All I am asking you is to give me a chance. For old time's sake," Natasha implored.
"Nat, even if want to sign you, I can't," Barney grit his teeth and replied. "I don't have enough free time to manage another artist. I am currently managing three TV actors and one B-level film actress. I can't sign another artist under me."
Natasha felt the world squeezing in around her. She never expected Barney to refuse her. At most, she expected him to give her a few opportunities for old times' sake. She was confident enough in her skills to grab at least one of those opportunities.
"Fine," Natasha grit her teeth, "In that case, can you introduce me to someone else?"
Natasha knew that the only connection she had was Barney. Even if she can't be signed under him, she must use his connection to find at least another agent. If not, then she would have to roam the city in search of opportunities like everyone else. That was not a good idea.
"Nat, like I said, you don't have any performance experience. Everyone thinks their acting skills are good until they actually need to perform. No agent will sign someone like you who has no performance experience," Barney said frowning seriously.
Natasha felt a bit irked to hear Barney's answer. She could already see that Barney had no confidence in her. But, she understood where he was coming from. So, she could only endure this kind of treatment.
Currently, the important thing was to enter the circle in some way. She knew that the first step was always the hardest. Especially in this circle. So, it was always better to find a way through connections, instead of searching blindly. And Barney was the only connection she had.
But, it looked as if Barney wasn't willing to help her out like she imagined. She could already see him becoming guarded towards her. It was clear that Barney was planning to distance himself from her.
Well, if that was the case, it was time to go all out. If asking him genuinely as a friend isn't going to help her case, then she can only use other methods.
"Is there any way you could help me, Barney?" Natasha made her voice a little desperate. "I do not know anyone apart from you in this city."
"Look Nat, I advise you to forget about this," Barney said a little impatiently. "I do not joke around with my job. And someone like you with no performance experience will have a really hard time in this circle. So, I suggest you rethink your decision."
Natasha felt like punching Barney in the face. The bastard was reciting the same thing in different words. Even his tone has become a little perfunctory by now. It was clear that there was no way he was going to sign her or introduce her to someone else.
But, she couldn't punch him like she wanted to.
Not because that would be inappropriate. She didn't care about that one whit. The bastard's attitude was unexpected, but it didn't hurt her much. Their relationship had changed a lot in the intervening years. Along with that, Barney's attitude when facing her also changed a lot.
The way he used to look down at her had always irked her a bit. She had thought it was because she was involved in some unsavory activities at that time. But, now it looked like that wasn't the reason. Barney had become a bit of a tosser towards her after her social status changed.
So, punching such a bastard wouldn't burden her at all.
No, she can't punch him because she needed him. Her counterpart's memories were clear on the importance of connections in this circle. So, even if she disliked Barney now, she can't alienate him. She needed his connection. Who knows when it would benefit her? It was better to keep this link open.
"Fine," Natasha said taking a deep breath. "If you can't help me, you can at least give me some advice. You have been in this circle for some time now. You can give me some insights. You can do at least that, right?"
Natasha saw Barney's posture relax a bit. Now that she didn't want him to sign her under him or introduce someone else, Barney became more open. Seeing his attitude, Natasha couldn't help but despise him in her heart. But, she still put on a smile and listened to him drone on and on about things.
Making a good impression was important. And that was the only thing she could do during this chat. If it meant enduring Barney's gloating about his knowledge about the industry, then she would do it.
It wasn't as if she didn't have any benefits. Even though Barney's gloating tone irked her a bit, she had to admit Barney knew the industry well. And most things he said corresponded with her counterpart's memories.
So, Natasha dutifully listened with a small smile on her face.
*****
A/N: Check out my other stories and let me know your thoughts...
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