“Stand right there. Looking sexy just like you do. Perfect.” He turned on a light that was placed there and adjusted it so it illuminated the left side of her face. He moved another light until it was slightly behind and to the right of her.

“What about Cathy Vega?” I repeated.

“Same kind of setup. Glamour lighting. Give them some nice shadows. Great eyes, Lupe.” He walked back over to the table and picked up a polaroid camera. He shot off one picture. “Makeup’s a big part of it. You want real good pictures, Lupe, we’ll get a professional makeup artist in here for you. Make you more beautiful than you already are.”

I glanced over at Lupe. She was practically purring.

“Cathy Vega do her own makeup?” I asked, fighting to stay in the conversation and keep his attention.

He was only half listening to me because he was counting under his breath. “... eighty-eight, eighty-nine, ninety. Ok, there it is. How’s it look?” he asked, walking over to show the Polaroid to Lupe.

Lupe took the picture from him. She looked pleased.

“See, you’ve got it. The look, Lupe. You ever thought about being a model?”

“Cathy Vega do some modeling? You line up modeling jobs?” I asked, interrupting.

“Her?” he hooted. “Cathy? Vega? Not likely. Didn’t have the body for it. Okay, Lupe let’s have another one. Give me some pout.” He pulled one of Lupe’s halter straps down and caressed her shoulder for a second as though he were making a final adjustment to her costume before clicking off another shot. “Usually the product people pick out their own models. But I can help a girl get started. Make her a nice portfolio. Maybe introduce her to someone if I think they’d like her.”

“I always thought I was too short to model,” said Lupe, still examining the polaroid.

“You never arranged a modeling job downtown for Cathy Vega?” I prodded.

“You’re gorgeous, sweetheart. Gorgeous.” He examined with satisfaction the second polaroid as he peeled the cover off it.

I looked at Lupe. She was pretty. Her skin had started to glow. I didn’t know if it was his lighting or some excitement that had taken over.