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.
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