This part is told primarily in first person perspective from Michelle’s point of view.
I was supporting myself with a job working for a local catering company. I had heard about Saiya’s show earlier that year, but due to my limited resources had resigned myself to missing it. When I learned there would be a catering job the same day I planned to volunteer for it so I would be busy and unable to think about the art show I was missing.
When the servers were called in for the standard day before briefing we were told this job had some unusual requirements. All servers would be required to show up six hours before the event even started. And be comfortable wearing minimal clothing while serving. We were going to be serving wearing little more than a bikini and some body paint. I wasn’t really listening; I didn’t care as long as it kept me busy. But then some body spoke up and asked why. The answer I heard felt like it changed my world, but not as much as the events that followed. The company, my company, had been hired to cater Saiya’s show!
I barely slept that night I was so excited, yet I had no idea how much the next day would change my life.
Because of that I overslept and showed up late. I was so embarrassed but I couldn’t let this opportunity get away. I left expecting to have to beg my way in. But when I got there, they were happy to see me and sent me straight to the ‘dressing room’. Which was little more than some curtains milk crates with blank labels. Apparently several of the other servers decided to not show. It turns out, they didn’t like the idea of strangers seeing them nearly naked while serving food. While alone in the small changing area, I over heard the conversation that really would change my life forever.
A man on the phone walked right next to the improvised changing area and I couldn’t help but listen in.
Man: “Why? ... So there’s no way to change her mind? … She does realize we have a signed contract? … Fine, You Will be hearing from our lawyers. … Fuck!”
Then came a woman’s foot steps.
TV Host, “How did you know it was a woman by the footsteps?”
Maddy, “Because of the distinct clack, clack, clack of her heels. May I continue the story?”
TV Host, “Yes of course. I’m sorry for interrupting.”
The woman spoke, “Well where is she?” It took me a few seconds but I quickly recognized the voice of my idol, Saiya.
The Man, “Annabelle isn’t coming. Apparently she decided your show wasn’t the way to advance her career.”
Saiya, “What about the contract?”
Man, “Apparently, Annabelle says she doesn’t care, go ahead and sue. There’s no way she’s coming.”
Saiya, “Perfect. Just perfect. There’s no way we can get a replacement model on such short notice. How am I supposed to do my show without my centerpiece?”
I could hardly believe what I was hearing. How could anybody pull out on Saiya like that? I don’t know what possessed me to it but I stepped out and said, “I’ll do it. I’ll be your centerpiece.”
TV Host, “Sorry to interrupt again, but did you know what you were agreeing to?”
Maddy, “It is fine, I don’t mind. As a fan I had obviously heard that Saiya had been including body painted or tattooed models as part of her art. I actually thought that was what I was volunteering for. Had I truly known, I doubt I would have done so. But now, I have no regrets.”
While the man was stunned, Saiya immediately gave me an appraising looking over.
“Her proportions are different. I will have to compensate for the differences, but I can work with her. Don, get her to sign and into the base coat as soon as possible.”
Turning and addressing me for the first time Saiya says, “Thank you. You have just saved my biggest show yet.” Then without ever even getting my name she turned and left.
The man, Don, then took me aside and brought out stack of papers. He spent about 15 minutes going over ‘key’ points of the contract. Direct compensation, a guarantee of supportive care, rights regarding public viewing and transportation. A lot of it would have gone over my head even if I was paying attention. A few things did strike me as odd. Like how the contract clearly covered more than just today’s show. But I figured that just meant I would be tattooed and travel with Saiya to be a model for future shows as well. That idea of have Saiya’s art permanently displayed on my body thrilled me even more, so I signed easily.
I was then lead to a small curtained off area adjacent to where the servers were being body painted by a small army of professionals. I was told to sit and wait for Saiya’s long time assistant, Bruce, to apply the ‘base coat’.
For those of you who don’t know Bruce is a big guy of few words, 6’6” and as hairy as a gorilla. But he is as gentle as a teddy bear made of cotton candy and twice as sweet, though I didn’t know that at the time. So needless to say, I was more than a little intimidated and obeyed his every instruction with out hesitation.
So when after dawning gloves and a mask he asked me ball my hands I did so without asking why. And after he painted them using a sponge I didn’t even think to try flexing them until after he moved on to my torso and they started to tingle.
Me, “Umm, Bruce. My hands feel funny and I can’t move my fingers anymore.”
Bruce, “I imagine they would and that you couldn’t as you no longer have any fingers.”
I lift my arms into my line of sight and see seamless, featureless, balls of flesh where my hands should be. Though a little weirded out, I don’t panic.
Me, “So Bruce, how long will I have to wear this base coat?”
Bruce, “Lips together. It shouldn’t be too long. The purpose of the base coat is to give Saiya a Blank Slate on which to create your final form. So, it should only be long enough to be sure it won’t affect your transformation into living art.”
That’s when it clicked for me. All the oddities in the contract, the need for the contract, why the other model pulled out, it all made sense now. I wanted to say, “Wait, stop! Give me a minute. I’m not so sure I want to do this any more.” But I can’t, Bruce had painted over my mouth and nose while talking, causing both to disappear with out a trace. With my mouth gone and my hands useless balls I am completely unable to communicate meaningfully. I almost panic as Bruce moves behind me so I can see my lack of face in the mirror. All that I have lost and can’t get back hits me. Then it also hits me that I will become a beautiful piece of living art, not just for today, not just for a few days on the road, but forever. And Saiya my favorite artist is going to ‘remake me’. I quickly decide, I’ve already gone this far, there would be no point in turning back even if I could. I’m pulled out of my thoughts by the tingling on my head. Bruce has applied a cap that has erased my ears and hair.
When Bruce speaks I am relieved I can still hear him. “I need to put you on the ground now. It will be slightly uncomfortable but I have to bend your legs until your feet touch your butt.” I nod my understanding.
He places me chest first onto the floor and bends my legs as he said he would. It is just as uncomfortable as he said but it doesn’t last long as my legs are altered by the transformative paint. Then he begins to erase the divide between my legs. Turning me over he continues all the way up, fusing my legs together, and even making my pussy disappear.
While Bruce puts me back in the chair, I look down and see a single large lump of flesh below my waist. When I look up Bruce seems deep in thought considering something.
Bruce, “Give me a minute, I’ll be right back. I have to ask Saiya something.”
After Bruce leaves I am left to stare at my reflection in the mirror. I see very little I can recognize reflected there. What could Bruce possibly have to ask Saiya? The creature in the mirror is an almost featureless, vaguely humanoid lump of flesh. It barely even looks female. The only thing left of me are me eyes. Oh, no! He has to take those away too or else I won’t be a ‘Blank Slate’. While this realization scares me I still don’t panic.
Bruce comes back to in front of me, “I’m sorry, I asked if I could wait until the last minute to do it, but Saiya said she can’t risk it affecting the final product.”
I nod in understanding again. Bruce looking at me with sad eyes is the last thing I see before my eyes are taken away forever.
That is when I panic.