Her heart hammered against her chest as the casting director cleared his throat and looked over to the dancers, then down to a list of names and numbers in front of him. "Number... 51?" He raised his eyes and looked over to Nadia who blinked her eyes, straightening herself. She felt the eyes of her competition on her, piercing into her soul.<br/><br/>"Yes." She spoke, feeling a bit nervous.<br/><br/>"Nadia Talini, right?" He asked quickly and didn't even wait for an answer. "A casting assistant will guide you through some paperwork. Thank you for your interest, everyone."<br/><br/>Nadia breathed deeply. There was no applause, no best friend to run and hug her and certainly no significant other to bring her a rose and a bottle of red wine to celebrate. Instead, she had to deal with the terrible looks other dancers shot her as she walked out, gathered her belongings in the hallway and followed a casting assistant to a separate room where other chosen dancers were going through some paperwork and "a check up". In a similar manner, they checked her teeth, looked very closely at her face and then told her that her freckles would be covered for the music video. This was nothing new to her. She knew very well the industry could be rather controlling over appearances.<br/><br/>Before signing anything she was explained the terms and conditions of her contract, as well as what exactly was expected from her in the music video. She tried to focus on everything that was being told to her, but she felt like she was walking in a dream. Really? Nadia Talini in a music video? She'd have to celebrate. Screw her diet, today she would eat well and drink something fancy from a fancy glass. Trying to contain her smile, she kept nodding and saying "yes" or "understood", until she finally was handed a pen and told to sign every page of the contract. And so she did.<br/><br/>Once that was done, the assistant gave her a schedule which included filming days and rehearsals. Even though she only had a minor role in the current opera that was being shown, her schedule would be quite tight.<br/><br/>"Oh, and also, we expect you to keep yourself in the current size you are now." The assistant explained. "I'm sure they've already talked to you about diet, since it says in your application you work for the opera. But this is extremely important for the music video, since it's going to be everywhere and will represent Patricia Jolie. We've only chosen ten dancers, so everything has to be perfect."<br/><br/>"Yes, I understand." Nadia replied with a nod. At least they weren't telling her to lose weight, which was often the case at the opera. Rumour had it that a girl had lived on miso soup for a month in order to get the main role, something which Nadia doubted she'd ever be capable of, even if she really wanted something. Did she want it more than she wanted to breathe? Probably, but still, to starve yourself like that... She'd be more likely to faint during the auditions than get the role she wanted.<br/><br/>Within thirty minutes she was done and left along with the other dancers who seemed extremely excited about filming the music video. She was, too, but she was feeling a bit overwhelmed about everything. Patricia Jolie and Nadia Talini in the same frame? Even if she was a superficial singer that Nadia disliked -- probably because Jolie had curves that many girls would die for or go under the scalpel to achieve -- she couldn't help but to feel proud, even if they were going to cover up her freckles.<br/><br/>Nadia returned to the hallway to put on a short skirt and a fluffy sweater to make herself look a little more decent. She tried to avoid looking at anyone who walked past her, especially dancers who were sobbing or wiping tears of anger. Maybe someone would have needed this more than her? No, no... She shook her head to her own thoughts. There had to be a reason why she had been chosen. Besides, she would get to meet some people who were famous in the business. The director, the singer herself... and a male actor! Ooh, she hoped it was going to be someone famous. Nadia smiled to herself and put on her beige trench coat as he began to change her shoes.