The Girlfriend Experience - A Friend

*** / ****

This second episode of the first season more or less focuses on Christine's decision to embrace the potential career of an escort. Avery, seemingly her best friend, was the catalyst, the introduction to this world. At this point, Christine is curious, intrigued with what the service as an escort has to offer. To be a different person, Chelsea, cultivating a fresh persona opposite the underling in a firm. This firm seems to be involved in a major lawsuit, already a victim of three mistrials, and the client appears to be fed up with the daunting, possibly unwinnable situation. The firm part of Christine's life isn't as substantial in this episode as I imagine it will be later, because she's still young in her time there. She does overhear David, her boss at the firm, in a heated exchange with a client on the phone. So it would appear that the firm is under some strain and pressure. Her involvement at this juncture is minimal. As far as escort developments go, Christine has found her first real client, having met him through Avery, real estate attorney, Martin (Aidan Devine). Perhaps a potential problem later, Christine associates herself with Jacqueline (Alexandra Castillo), a type of "escort organizer", responsible for arranging clients, serving to set up living arrangements and providing a schedule for those escorts willing to pay her a 30% fee from profits made from their work.

Avery was benefitting from her work with the married client, getting to stay at one of his posh, well furnished estates. Christine even stayed one night with Avery there. Avery talking to him, even affectionately in tone addressing him as of their relationship was more than just elaborately orchestrated sexual liaisons, Christine is privy to, walking past the room while her friend is on the bed telling him she missed him. Would Christine end up in a similar situation with one of her own clients? You could perhaps see how such developments might occur out of such escort arrangements where intimacy and connectivity intertwine.

The dynamic between Christine and Avery intrigues me. It isn’t what I consider warm and congenial. Neither seems to possess those kinds of human qualities. I’m not saying those qualities don’t possibly exist within them, but their affections seem geared towards possessing nice things, eating at the sophisticated restaurants, and living in the sleekest, extravagant of locations. Perhaps the escort business is indeed their doorway into having all of the finer things in life. Christine succumbs to the allure, taking a second client offered by Jacqueline, a more assertive, commanding type of personality who has certain sexual expectations (fellatio, giving from behind, and during the action requesting to meet eyes, resulting in a turn from bareback to face-to-face). Christine complies, the sex is rather fast, and she secures an envelope with plenty of leafy green. Jacqueline’s access to the bank account would be quite alarming and suspicious to me, though. Christine confides in Avery that she just isn’t sure of Jacqueline and the 30% she requires. Avery seems okay with it, although Jacqueline has cut off communication with her. It seems Jacqueline might have decided Avery isn’t the investment in the escort business perhaps once considered. Avery getting kicked out of the sugar daddy’s home and finding a place to stay with Christine is quite a roller coaster. That’s the escort business, though. Avery was involved with a client who offered her much until the marriage (or just boredom perhaps?) demanded she hit the bricks. Christine has new digs thanks to a down payment from Jacqueline (not some friendly gesture but a transaction to secure her services) and offers a room to Avery. That Avery can be heard in her room fucking somebody and later requesting to sleep with Christine (resulting in sex which closes the episode into a fade to black) provides insight into her impulsive personality. Avery has desires she wants to placate, and Christine seems to enjoy similar lifestyle choices. Is it all destructive? I guess I shall see as the season continues.

Christine juggling her tasks at the firm, college courses, and this new escort venture is addressed in conversation with Avery. Christine says at this point it is fun, but I would have to think eventually all of the demands for her time will disrupt any fluidity that might still exist. How does Christine maintain any synchronicity when school requires time for study, the firm (particularly during a stressful, unhappy time) has its share of expectations from her, and Jacqueline calling up with clients potentially with deep pockets?

And the photo shoot for Christine's site, under the persona of Chelsea, arranged by Jacqueline, is the development that I could see undermining her if relations break down. Jacqueline, I suspect, could be trouble if Christine desires to fly the coup and seek independence. Just the same, the photos for the site are quite impressive and Chelsea could certainly reap rewards for their arousing "attention to *her* detail."