Vanessa Prinze was viewed as the L.A. equivalent to Marie Antoinette. She had everything money could buy, and plenty of it. Her birthday parties were always monumental occasions. With her father being one of Hollywood’s biggest producers, all of the A-List attended. Everyone would compliment her on her beauty and poise.

For many girls, such wealth and attention would turn them into spoiled brats. Vanessa would have sacrificed the parties, and the clothes, and the celebrity friends for a chance to see her father a little more often. She hardly recognized her mother anymore. Since turning forty, her mother went through eight different plastic surgery procedures.

Her best friend, Marc’s Dad was a plastic surgeon. For this reason, he too was jaded with Hollywood. For this reason, he would go out of his way to look peculiar. Even at the age of six, when he and Vanessa first met, his shirt was purposefully covered in finger paints.

When Vanessa and Marc were together they felt invincible, but there were forces working against them.  After high school, Vanessa’s father wanted to make her a movie star, and Marc’s father wanted him to follow in his footsteps. Neither one wanted to lose the respect of their father, so each agreed, but they weren’t happy about it. Vanessa and Marc decided that they required help from an outside party. So, they went to speak with their high school guidance counselor.

“I respect plastic surgeons,” said Marc, “But I’m worried that I will start to see people only for their flaws.”

“And I respect actors,” said Vanessa, “But I’m worried that I will lose my unique sense of self.” The guidance counselor sat up in his chair.

“These are valid concerns,” said the guidance counselor, sitting up in his chair, “but I think the fact that you have them means you’ll be protected against them. In the case of plastic surgery, people already feel bad about themselves. Where you might succeed is having their best interests at heart.  If they come to you to fix their nose, you don’t have to suggest that they also get a tummy tuck. Nor do you have to take on clients that are over doing it.”

“Maybe you’re right,” said Marc.

“And, Vanessa, you are in the unique position to pick and choose your film roles. Your father will probably want something mainstream, but you can make sure the story aligns with your moral beliefs.

“You’re right,” said Vanessa.

“It is always important to look at an opportunity from all sides. There is good and bad to everything.” The guidance counselor said, showing the students out.

This advice stayed with Vanessa and Marc. Vanessa went on to star in several movies based on heroic real-life experiences, and Marc always made sure his patients felt beautiful and well cared for. They were the change they wanted to see in the world.

This story was written by Alex Schattner