The Purchase! An excerpt from a work in progress entitled ADDICTION.

The ladies embraced in the interior doorway. Walking into the sun flooded courtyard they exchanging polite pleasantries.  The Chinchilla coat and Sophia's dog were taken away by the silent, stone faced Mde. Chia. Seating the mildly stoned Isabel at the lovingly arranged table, Sophia urged her client to sample the cheeses. The ever hungry Isabel replied that she wouldn't be able to fit into the collection if she did.  The concern arose not by a sudden awareness of corpulence but rather by her having caught a glimpse of the collection assembled in the salon as she sat down in the Courtyard.  Sophia had noted both its beauty and the seemingly small size. "Darling", said a rather distressed Isabel, "I thought these were NOT sample size.  Sophia replied. "don't worry dear, that Sphinx of a woman can work miracles.  I've a chilled bottle of Tattinger,  it's perfectly paired with this double cream from Spain, which one is that...oh yes this one with the fig sauce drop "  " by the way I've asked Adige to amuse us.. ADIGE ." Sophia called, than leaning towards Isabel she continued  "where has that queen gone, most likely on the throne AGAIN, it seems he rented a new man last night with rather an aggressive fist, the poor boy has been slowed down by the workout.., what did he call it... Opera Gloves?...,darling for the first 5 minutes of his retelling his tale I thought he wanted me to order a pair of above the elbow gloves"  The intrigued Isabel replied "well what on earth are they than."  Sophia yelled. "ADDDIGE do hurry up". Leaning in once more Sophia continued " well it seems that his beau du nuit is a pro who takes his fist and...." Adige swaned into the salon, announcing his arrival with a heavy sigh.  Adige began a graceful descent onto the divan next to the french doors opening onto the courtyard, a trace of  Dragon dust visible on his nose

"Sophia it is simply wonderful to see you again."   "Adige.... Isabel tells me you've been to the Opera?"   Adige chortled, " no darling I simply can't stand the boring old noise, but I have been with a man who has magical hands but forgot his Opera gloves" Sophia looked amused,  Isabel mildly confused was more intent on the cheeses than Adige's foray into high culture or tricks. "It's slang Isabel, do let's drink  I'm feeling suddenly loving and wish to savor the moment with you two girls flutes in hand."  Sophia said to "Isabele I'm afraid Adige is giving us a rather poor interpretation of Billie Holiday today"  Adige!, Isabele said in feigned disgust," you are a boar, no one wants a heroin user in their set, the minute anything goes missing they are always the first to be accused of pinching it.  Where's my Chinchilla...lock it up Mde. Chia,  Adige's dealer might be about."  Hahaha the mellowing Adige replied, "a social rule from a woman whose husband bottles cheap wine for high school students and grows dope on 100 acres of perfectly perfect Dry Creek appellation land.  Tell me Isabel is he still financing your trips and shopping by flying a seasons worth of the finest Kush intothe private airport near your Vail lodge?,' Sophia returned the volley for her client "Now Adige you mustn't become boring or I'll call the police".  Isabele, her mouth full of yet another cheese, her hands busy at work slicing a wedge of Stilton and grabbing a slice of bread had missed the round of attempted wit and looking at Sophia said "delectable..how sweet of you to think of it."..glancing towards Adige she loudly addressed Sophia  "who on earth is that man's drug dealer? I thought snorted heroin made the addict euphoric, you are clearly being ripped off."  "perhaps you should inject it next time" added Sophia.   "oh go bother each other.." replied the reclining Adige.

Stepping into the salon Sophia addressed Adige "Darling don't dose off here, be a love and lounge in the courtyard, we've clothes to look at. Adige ever eager to please the rich and fashionable rose quietly, bowed  from the waist in an exagerated fashion, he hummed the opening aria of Madame Butterfly leaving the salon and stumbling on the threshold he grabbed Isabel in passing causing her to splash champagne on the floor, "dreadful man" she mockingly hissed and grabbed him firmly by his left ass cheek,  shoving him forcefully out of the salon. " perhaps Opera Gloves should be on your shopping  list", Adige said,"  I detect real sexual frustration in your grasp. Barry not up to it these days? " "Foul creature"  Isabel replied and closed one of the doors leading into the courtyard.

Sophia had begun the business of her business which was selling the client as much as she could and had missed the exchange.  Taking a  $16,000.00 Valentino resort suit,  the lightest shade of pale pink, in hand she presented it to a seated Isabel. "I thought this would be fun and simply perfect for lunches when you are at your place in the desert"  " Isn't it pretty".replied Isabel.  SOPHIA this isn't my size"  No. It''s a 6 the admiring Sophia said...these are samples" " SOPH! I need a glorious gown for Thursday! This was an emergency shopping trip, don't tell me you didn't remember?  " Yes. I've just the thing, but I thought you'd like to see a few of Morris's latest from Milan as well."  Sophia was immersed in the beauty of the collection  " this is the one that gorgeous Mary Burghoff wore last week at the new gallery opening at the MOMA.   Informing most clients that a $12,000.00 dress had been worn locally by another woman would have ended the sale but Mary Burghoff was the impossibly chic, thin, gorgeous woman who knew everyone and was a woman Isabel admired to the point of having a crush.  Mary Burghoff was a woman Isabel could never be. Isabel said  " I love it!  than continued.."you know Mary is single again. That sweet girl, so popular. There was that actor in L.A., you know the one that was in one of those Mafia movies, what's his name.?. Mary dumped him and..." from the courtyard Adige interrupted, "one man is not enough for our girl Mary. you know she dated War, or was it Tower of Power when she was 19, which one was the black group?  Now it wasn't the entire band just the horn section...mind you Mary is a lady"

Adige was awake and roaming.  "Isabel, come now WOEMIN  if you are buying a gown you should also buy the gloves."  What is that vile thing  talking about? Sophia said to Mde.Chia.  "Adige dear what are your talking about inquired Sophia, " MY trick ladies... the manly man Jojohn... solid muscle, 6.4, blonde, dumb as a load of wood but just as hard and ladies the hands of a Maestro. I could arrange a meeting Sophia, how about one Isabel?' JoJohns put me on retainer"   "Not for me, I'm not on the market for one of your queer steers".replied Sophia.   "He isn't"..." Isn't what?"  the mildly annoyed  Isabel asked while being undressed by Sophia and Mde. . "he isn't queer, he is married to a perfectly plain,  unknowing woman. They live in ...umhh...ahhh Santa Rosa.. he wants to be a fireman. the man wants to put out fires....he could start with the one in my nose...gawd this burns, I think you should let Jojohn start one with you Isabel, I mean he is in your neck of the woods, Barry is never around, just think of it, a hard body, all that kush you age so skillfully in the cellars to put you in the mood,  that huge empty  faux chateau..  A good bang just might help your diet. $400.00 an hour isn't that much really, think of it as a personal training session:".  "HA...help with my diet? leave his number"  Isabel replied jokingly. The idea of a successful diet, now that had appeal, all other attempts having failed, this opera glove thing whatever it was might be no more difficult than the rubber waist bands she had worn one winter. "I already have dear, his number is in your purse"  her Cartier Gold lighter now being in his pocket.

Sophia approached with the special order gown, a rainbow of colors, clear crystals  reflecting the colors and light, each bead sparking a diamond like reflection off the underlying white silk.A complete stunner even in the lady's rather full size 14.  "Isabel.. this is it".  Silence. Quiet filled the room, the clock ticked, the water played in the courtyard fountain, it was a sublime moment. "my God.. pure beauty, the awed Isabel replied, than a command.."right let's do this Get Chia in here." Mde. Chia ever a silently unobtrusive presence said  "I'm here Mrs.Harris, please step onto the platform and into the gown....there.. there.... now carefully"  Mde. Chia guiding her into the gown..continued "gently.. now into the shoes please. ...face the mirror"  Isabel complied, a meek schoolgirl eager to please the mistress. In fashion Mde. Chia's word was law, not only in this Salon but several others. They all knew the magic of Mde.s handiwork. Isabel respectfully stood at attention, the artist began work, her artistry was gentle and definitive.  The full length gown was thick with Austrian crystal beads, each sewn onto the garment by hand, the dress pattern was  winter blooming flowers in multi colors, reds, blue, purple, green  all arrayed on the background of off white silk. The pieces empire waist bordered by a subtle gold cording.  It would flatter all women but was particularly kind to larger women. The gowns bodice was a masterpiece of  beading, embroidery and the tailoring arts.  The straps were a simple and discrete gold chain.  Heavy to carry the gown was equally surprisingly easy to wear, its construction being as much a work of art as the beauty of the colors.  It was a master work of the fine art of European Couture. The construction was thought out so that each stitch supported the weight of the gown. The wearer was not burdened by wearing pounds of crystal.  It was as Isabel said "utter perfection"  Mde. Chia set to work and made a few pin points under the arms and at the side of the bodice. A piece like this was not one to be reworked but merely fine tuned.

 "Well than, you'll take it?"  YES! replied Isabel" " Wonderful!, now let's look at the other pieces,. I really think this.."   "Order them all Sophia, I'm sure I'll have use of them"  Isabel replied. The woman was utterly transfixed by the image she saw reflected in the mirror.  In this magical gown Sophia was no longer a lonely,  too heavy, 50 something, a forever stoned drunkard but the image of what she had been at 28 or rather what she had hoped to be.  Gorgeous, relaxed, glamorous, unfailingly chic, thin and above all desirable to her man.  The gown had cast a spell on her.  Mde. Chia and Sophia knew not to wake this dreamer from the spell, the fashion poppy was taking hold, its hoped for effect and the ride was pleasing. The dreamer was not to be awoken.

The clock chimed half past four.  " Oh dear,  the time..Sophia help me out of this. Barry is in the city tonight and momma needs to work for her dress money..." In a dance of quick small movements each in precise succession, the gown was off, her own dress stepped into, the wrapdress retied by Mde. Chia,  the Chinchilla fetched, the purse retrieved and the cab hailed.  Isabel was waved too until she was driven out of sight. The door was closed and locked.

All items sold.  An order placed that hour  both online and by fax to the Milan workroom for the entire Morris Resort Couture collection, to be delivered in 6 weeks, size 14.  Mrs. Barry Harris, $129,000.00 paid in full  Black American Express Card.  Sophia rose from the computer at her desk in the petite salon,  turning the courtyard lights  off she walked out into the courtyard and poured the seated Mde. Chia a glass of champagne, smilingly joining her in a silent toast.  Adige rushed past the ladies seated in the courtyard to get to the water closet, Mde Chia turned to Sophia and said  "always such a delight to see Mrs.Harris."  The evening had begun.  The purchase was complete.

Isabel- An excerpt from a work in progress entitled ADDICTION

Isabel woke suddenly from her half slumber with an abrupt start, a near panic inhaling of air, her eyes blinded by afternoon sun flooding the dining room through  floor to ceiling windows.  The rush of euphoria from her aged Kush had left her.  Isabel was slam cold sober and a bit dry.  The afternoon end of a stoned space entered sometime before lunch. Judging by the remains of the meal left on the Flora Danca luncheon plate, she had heartily enjoyed the meal, as well as a 2003 Cabernet from her cellar's private reserve.  The bottle lay on its side on the shining George the Second supper table, drained dry, she vaguely recalled playing spin the bottle solitaire, a game only she knew. A, Baccarat  wineglass had been broken and the shards shone bright all over the table.

Isabel now had an enormous headache.  A throbbing pain but one that a toke or two would cure.  Reaching for her Hermes black Alligator Kelly handbag she quickly found her red Dunhill cigarette case and the Cartier gold lighter.  Lighting her perfectly rolled and huge joint she inhaled a long drag, held it, exhaled and repeated the process.  The tension left her head, her facial muscles relaxed, ease returned and she felt right again.  The silver Louis the 15th mantel clock chimed 3:00 o'clock.  Good GOD she thought I've been at lunch for three hours, the realization caused her to giggle slightly.   Isabel, she thought, "you are simply a slacker and there is nothing that can be down about it. Three o'clock! what is to be done with you"  another toke,  than a sudden awakening look crossed her face. "HELL..she yelled, " I have Mde. Sofa's trunk show in 15 minutes" .  "Juan!!  Jaun!!!  JAUN!!! " she yelled  " where is that man?",  she recalled silently oh that's right he's at the vineyard.  " Right,  I need to have the concierge hail a car" . She rose quickly and in one step was back in her Alligator pumps, grabbed her cell and called the lobby,  "How may I serve you Mrs. Harris?'   "I'm running late.. I need a Towncar or a cab, hell I'll  take a rickshaw, just have whatever it is ready when I get off the elevator."    "Yes. Mrs Harris...I'll see..". Isabel turned it off and tossed it into the Kelly bag.  Right- what needs repair...she walked over to the gilt Louis 14th  mirror that had cost her husband Barry more than her first new car post -Berkeley, " Hmmm...not so bad"... placing a coat of red lipstick on, she surveyed the rest of her round face, those little queens at MILLS PLACE DAY SPA charged her a fortune but her hair was still perfectly and artfully messed, her makeup looked both irreproachable and flattering. The Art of Kabuki knew no higher form than the artful mask the queens applied to her no longer young face each morning while she was resident in the city.  " There. Right ...Lets go".   Grabbing the first fur she came across in her hallway closet she threw it over her green Diane Von Faustenberg wrapdress, snapped the Alligator bag that now dangled at her elbow closed and quietly closed the thick walnut door behind her. The door and lock system was activated and the nearly silent noise of it locking reminded Isabel of the sound of a vault door closing.

The elevator door opened and upon entering she noticed her reflection in the brown mirror that lined the back wall...her mouth opened a bit in surprise..she had grabbed her new Chinchilla.  It was simply gorgeous. It played well off the Alligator handbag and pumps but was a bit over the top for mid afternoon. " OH Well ", she thought. " I'll simply have to carry it off".   The door closed and the speed of the descent from the penthouse on the 38th floor to the lobby and it's nearly motionless ending never failed to delight her. Placing her Chanel sunglasses on Isabel turned to the front as the elevator door opened.   "Mrs.Harris",  greeted the concierge George or Tony or Bill, she never remembered the names or faces and as she was always a bit stoned and they all were blurrily interchangeable it seemed too difficult to attempt to do so.  " I have a Town car for you. but you didn't mention your destination....I assumed you'll have this billed to".. Isabel didn't stop or speak and the man went silent. In fact she never spoke to the help, her own or the building staff.  It simply didn't occur to her to do so. Unless directing them the lady kept silent if they were about. The Doorman escorted her to the waiting car and asked  "Where to Mrs. Harris?"   "Mde. Sophia on Sutter Street" replied Isabel.  Settling into the backseat she sunk into the velour seat and didn't hear the doorman utter "stoned again you old cunt" as he stepped away from the departing car.

The driver sped through the sunny streets and Isabel marveled in the magic of a warm, bright,  fall San Francisco afternoon, the realization slowly dawned upon her that wearing a Chinchilla was a huge absurdity on" such a warm afternoon. " Oh well I do try to amuse she thought."  Arriving at Sophia's, Isabel restrained her eagerness to bounce into the salon, in order to allow the driver to open her door, it was his job after all. He unlocked the door remotely.Isabel waited. She waited, she stared at his reflection. in the rear view mirror, he stared back, neither blinked, he unlocked the door again and motioned that her door was unlocked...."Oh really.."she said loudy..."oh thank you"  Closing the car door behind her Isabel uttered a very audible  "ASS"  but a boozey belch lessened its intended effect.   The car sped away and the lady walked the three paces from the curb to the front door of the elegant shop.

 Ringing the bell once, twice and three times in quick order, our Chinchilla clad Isabel, 50 something, overweight, stoned and an alcoholic, stood eagerly at Mde. Sofia's locked front door, right hand on her hip, black Alligator bag dangling at her right elbow, the  urban glare shaded by sunglasses. Isabel waited.  Ringing again once, the door slowly opened inward and the impeccable and impossibly chic Sophia greeted her warmly "Isabel! "What a delightful "