This is my response to -
The challenge is to use 'Cheap' in a 33-333 word prose, poem, etc.
In this challenge, Cheap is defined as -
b : contemptible because of lack of any fine, lofty, or redeeming qualities <feeling cheap>
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MAKING A STAR
He circled the girl as a shark would circle its prey, his eyes alert for any imperfection on her. He turned her face this way and that, straightened her shoulders and felt her skin to check the flaws of his new aspirant. Then he stepped back, stood with one toe pointing forward, one hand resting on a hip that was tilted just so, and studied her some more.
“Beautiful, just bee-yooo-tiful!” he exclaimed, his sculptured chin pushing against the tip of his index finger.
Her mother beamed with pride.
“... just let this hair loose, and these two buttons go....” He said as his hands exposed more of her young bosom. The girl blushed but stifled a gasp upon seeing the look that her mother gave her.
“You got a beautiful body. Show it off.”
“Isn't it embarrassing?”
Her mother shook her head at her.
“Hija, in this business, scruples get you nowhere. The less clothes you have, the more attention you get.”
“You're 18?”
“16, sir.”
“Now you're 18.” His bangles jingled as he waved his hand in the air.
“Your name...”
“Tetet, ah, Teresa, sir'.
“...is sooo provincial. Mmmmm... Nadia...Tanya,... Zoraya. You are Zoraya! ...sophisticated, exotic, and ... hot.”
Her mother nodded her approval.
“ZORAYA: HOT YOUNG STAR - Rich Politician's Mistress?” He ran his palms across an imaginary banner before him.
“I'm not a mistress!” protested the girl.
“It's Pub.li.ci.ty. You've to be known.” He said with arched brows.
“Mommy?”
“MOTHER!” He glared at the nervous mother in exasperation.
Mother, afraid of losing this one chance, dragged her daughter to a not-so-private corner of the office.
He sat on the edge of his table, fanned himself and pretended not to hear the hushed tones of the mother -
“.... there'll be no more cheap clothes for us....you, Teresa. You'll have a car, a house, genuine bags....”
“With mothers like this...” he thought.