Crimson Couture by Doug Klein
Part I: In Vogue
It was just two months into 1985, but Veronica was finally going to get her big break. She had moved to the city almost a year and half ago, with the big dreams and aspirations of becoming a top dressmaker, or at least getting her designs seen by anyone with any sway. She had been given rave reviews from her early days at college, and earned her Bachelor's in Fashion Design with no real issues at all. But that was in the Midwest, and she had been warned that the fashion scene in the big cities was about as cutthroat as it could get. So, she worked a dead-end job at a department store and worked on her designs until the late hours of the night, and had several prototypes that had found their way onto her mannequin. She knew she had some gold here, but she hadn't been able to convince anyone else otherwise. That was, until a few days prior.
In a chance encounter at her work, she ended up helping out a man by the name of Ralph Campbell. After giving him her great customer service, they had struck up a conversation on current fashion trends. Impressed by her knowledge, he gave her his card and they had met at a bar later that night. She brought a few sketches and photographs of her work, and Ralph was taken aback by the skill and expertise Veronica had shown. He had divulged to her that he was partnered with Helga Strohm, a Swedish designer and were working closely with a few of the high-end manufacturers on creating fashion lines for release later in the year. They had secured contracts but were still looking to add some depth in their design department before production really began to ramp up. Ralph spoke highly of Veronica's work, and said he could arrange for Helga herself to make a trip to Veronica's studio to see firsthand what she was capable of. Veronica hastily agreed. Ralph gave her his card, a simple one with his business info.
Ralph Campbell
Freelance Fashion Agent
321 Broadway Suite #1219
Belmont Offices
It was when she got home the high of the conversation had worn off and she realized her "studio" was her unkempt studio apartment in one of the worst parts of the city. She had spent the last two days making it appear to be as much of a work space instead of a living space as possible. She had some expensive wine ready and had gotten herself looking as good as she possible could. This was going to be her moment. The intercom buzzed and Ralph announced himself over it. Veronica called back to him and buzzed them in.
"Well this place certainly is something! Not much to look at on the outside, but once you get in here, wow!" Ralph was striding around Veronica's humble abode, perusing all of the work she had neatly arranged. She had her best artwork on display, and had her finest prototype on her mannequin. Ralph continued to lament on Veronica's ability, but it was Helga that had Veronica's focus. She hadn't said much upon entering, and had maintained a steely look in her eyes. Her slicked back short blonde hair and gray suit attire had served its purpose of intimidation on Veronica, if only for a few moments. As Helga, and Ralph had finished their first circle of the room, Veronica engaged her charm as if it was just another day on the job. While they still inspected her designs, she had begun popping out the corks of the wine.
"Could I interest either of you in some wine. I've got a vintage cabernet sauvignon or an award-winning pinot noir. Any preference?" Veronica spoke with confidence and made sure to make eye contact, even with Helga's rigid glare. She had placed bottles on her art table and held wine glasses in her hand. Ralph offered a warm smile and reached for a glass.
"I fancy a good red wine any day." Ralph took the cabernet sauvignon and poured himself a more than generous helping. He turned to Helga and gestured with his brow.
"Anything you would like, Miss Strohm?" Ralph said as he turned to Helga and began to sip his wine. She regarded him for a moment, and Veronica was almost certain she had seen her eyes soften a small bit. She offered nothing more than a half smile, however.
"I'd rather have some after business, if you don't mind." Helga spoke with just a hint of an accent, but it did nothing more than help add to the already towering presence. She turned from Ralph and walked towards Veronica. She looked her up and down, as if gathering the last bits of data she could before making any decision. Her cold stare once again found Veronica, but Veronica held strong. A moment passed. Even Ralph seemed uncomfortable with the tension as he swirled his wine and looked into it as if searching for a respite of some sort. Helga finally spoke directly to Veronica.
"Miss Carden, you have a quite a collection going here. These works of yours are...impressive. You seem to have a finger on the pulse of fashion, and we have some interest in what you have here. Now, let's talk some details and then, perhaps, I will share a glass of your, well, passable pinot noir." Helga stepped by Veronica and sat at the art table. It was the only place that had any seating at all. Veronica spent just a minute slowing her breath and pushing down her excitement. Ralph walked past and put an arm on her shoulder, and the three of them sat and began to discuss numbers and visions. But for only a short while.
As they spoke, Veronica found herself drinking more wine than she had planned, as Ralph continued to refill her glass. After a while, Veronica found herself losing track of the conversation. She laughed hysterically at something Ralph had said, or was it something he had done? She paid no heed as he gave her another glass. Veronica drank more, and spilled some on the floor, and on her dress. She tried to stand but the room took a sudden twist and spun around her, and her heels could not keep her upright. She landed on her bottom with a thud, and once again began to laugh. Helga and Ralph helped her to her feet and then to the bathroom. The bright light of the room made Veronica blink several times. Helga started the bath while Ralph slowly helped her undress. Veronica could not fathom what was going on, and laughed again as she almost fell once more. Ralph had finished pulling off her clothes and he helped her into the tub. His hands were cold, and she looked to see they were not the same color as his skin. They had become darker. As he helped her lay in the warm water, she could see they were gloves.
Gloves. Silly. He doesn't have two different hands! Just gloves. She thought to herself and giggled. She then saw Helga, who also had gloves, and not new darker hands. Helga reached down and gently pulled Veronica's arm up from the water. She then put something small in her other hand. Something shiny, silver, and it flashed in the bright lights of the bathroom. Helga helped Veronica move the silver object to her other wrist, and Helga moved Veronica's hand back and forth. A beautiful shade of crimson came from the silver object. A deep, dark red that moved like a dancer down her arm. Helga put the object in her other hand and repeated it, and the same glorious shade appeared again. She would remember this color for a design in the future. Helga and Ralph looked at each other and left the room. Veronica suddenly felt alone. Her laughs had gone, and she began to sob. She did not know why, but something had changed. All she had as comfort was that the bath water had started to take on that pretty hue of red. Veronica's eyes began to close as an extreme weight fell on them, and she sank within the water. Her last image was of a dark crimson covering her, and taking her away.
Helga and Ralph had quickly grabbed all of the designs they wanted; all of the prototypes had been stored into a large briefcase.
"Be quick. This is a shithole, so no one will even know the difference unless we make it obvious." Helga spoke as she threw the last of the design paperwork into a folder and zipped it closed. She walked over to the mannequin that had the last bit of Veronica's work on it. She looked into the mannequin's eyes and disrobed it with ease. The mannequin must have been under a roof leak, for there was a small droplet of water slowly rolling down its cheek.
"A real shithole for sure. Do you have her rejection letters?" Helga turned away from the mannequin and folded the last dress up and stuffed it into the last briefcase.
"Yeah, all laid out here. I also have all that awful wine and shit bagged up and ready to go. Let's get the fuck out of here." Ralph grabbed the briefcase and the bag of trash, and Helga grabbed a few other luggage pieces. The two left the building without incident.
Five days later police were called to Veronica's apartment and found her in the bathtub. Apparent suicide. Her few possessions were taken from the building to be auctioned off, including a well-kept, full size mannequin.
Stay tuned for part two soon….
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