I can't fucking stand narcissists. Just something about the way that they constantly gush about themselves and how great they are pisses me off to no end.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlSVP61AwN
But when that narcissist happens to be paying you a shit load of money to take pictures of his pouting face from various angles, it is best to keep your discontent to yourself.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG24JUnQCf
Mr Montgomery looks of to the side, and pushes out his lips yet again in a comical pose. I have to bite my tongue against telling him that the duck face doesn't suit him.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRoHpMbAUM
When I'm finally through with the grueling task of having to photograph this man for three hours, while he talks my ear off about his achievements in the business world at every chance he gets, how he's the "best businesses man in Jamaica", and "came from nothing", and "works tirelessly, day and night", even showing me his certificates of achievement, when I asked him absolutely nothing about any of this shit, I turn to him and hand him the memory card.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nLEg2imue
"Here. This has your pictures on it."
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxa7U8orWD
"Thanks, hon."
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ52rof4bXc
I smile at him, then leave as hastily as I possibly can, without arousing suspicion.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0whFNO6lf
"Fucking assclown," I say as soon as my ass lands on the seat of the car. I lay my camera bag down on the seat beside me and start the ignition, when I feel my phone vibrating in my back pocket.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSnCC5lfR6
"What now?" I groan. It seems as if I can never get a break.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrn5BWMsfw
When I see the name of the person on the phone, I almost groan in frustration.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatWJKUJQXd
"Yes, Marcus," I say as calmly as I can when I answer the phone, but it still comes out as a growl. This bastard better have a good reason for calling me right now.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkudw6juIc
"Hello, Leah. A pleasant good morning to you, too."
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kI4flLxRr
I breathe in a deep breath, hold it for a few seconds, and then let it out.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡne4uPUwomR
"What do you want, Marcus? The man you just set me up with was a narcissistic asshole."
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASPZ2uELSt
"Mr Montgomery? I know. Been married three times. All three wives left him. Couldn't stand the bastard. Anyway, I'm calling to tell you that the exhibition has been cancelled."
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTI2nFVZg4o
"WHAT?"
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvw4z14SMF9
"The owners of the gallery that we were gonna have it in pulled out at the last second. Said that photography isn't real art. I'm sorry."
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgSo6nwruO
I'm livid. And heartbroken. Not many things matter to me... but this is my passion.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4f6NM5XsQ
"I... I can't cancel it now. I've worked too hard... Please. We have to find somewhere else." I can feel my throat constricting, my eyes welling up with tears. I never cry.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZbMw8FLkr
"I was hoping you wouldn't say that," he says with a sigh.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIggkrVm4Pp
"What? Why?"
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9SR9JIO3z
"Because there's only one place big enough that I can think of that will let us host your showing on such short notice."
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtk0lJGUNfI
"Where?" I ask desperately.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrB0EmywxA
I here silence on the other end, and worry that the line might have cut off.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IhX0mAmAj
"Marcus?"
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK87nSQK7bH
He lets out a deep breath, and says in a voice that sounds constipated:
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEExnb5Fsq1
"Montgomery's residence."
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2hsIby1eh
***
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiqFnGQtsK
This is probably the most painful thing that I have ever agreed to in my life. Fifteen minutes into my showing, and I am beginning to regret my decision to use Montgomery's house as a makeshift gallery. He's going to fucking destroy my reputation as a photographer; he's scaring everyone away. He currently has his Doctorate in Business in his hands, showing it to a man who is smiling tightly while slowly backing away.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU45HqWnt4
I want to cry.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRYa5m565f
I gulp the Moscato in my hand, trying to calm my nerves, and not attack and kill the man who let me have my showing in his house for free.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpvraIGgOD
Montgomery then walks over to a wealthy looking man in a tuxedo beside me, who has been looking at my most expensive piece — a photograph of a naked woman on her side, on a rocky beach, in black and white, with her head turned for a profile view of her face, and a head of kinky, afrocentric hair; the photograph isn't erotic at all. It's natural— since he walked into the room at the beginning of the showing.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ci8eLENKZ
I'm screwed.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGfbFjUzwm
But as soon as Montgomery opens his mouth to the man, the man cuts him off.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX3K00aH31
"I'm not interested."
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcXy2ErpDZ
Fuck.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SLIZXnCsg
That's so savage.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj3Cmi4Xok
"Excuse me?" Montgomery splutters.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZqkzzPNfP
"I came here to look at this woman's art, not to listen to you stroke your ego," he says, gesturing to me.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuVtYDOkaq
The man still hasn't looked directly at Montgomery, making the exchange all the more degrading.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBBVpqVMT6
"You — Leave! Now!" Montgomery exclaims, leaving me speechless. He's kicking someone out of my showing? Still, it's his house, so I can't say shit.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8R74tpeUL
The man just smirks — still looking at the painting.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgZwJmEnan
"Sure. But I'm buying this first."
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yn0BVc3f3
***
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiRcbg5FAg
That was one of two photographs that I sold tonight. Since Mr Rochester — for that is what he revealed that his name was — got kicked out by Mr Shithead twenty minutes into the showing, he agreed to let it stay until the end, and have me drop it off at his house; I'd just have to call him an hour in advance. We exchanged both numbers and addresses, and his parting words were "see you soon, Ms Anderson."
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYMilL85sl
He seems so... intimidating, so dominant and in control, someone else I'd have problems with if stuck with for too long. I like control, and I have serious issues with anything or anyone who threatens it.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAC5ShaDVFW
So now, I have another client with whom I will probably have issues with.
547Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzncdwhxB7
At least I know that if I can survive Montgomery, I can survive anyone.
ns 15.158.61.6da2
