Claudia D. Christian

Estimated reading time: 2 – 4 minutes

Before Alice could stumble through any more replies, Director H. waved his hand over her. The towel fell off. She wore a suit identical to his except in black. Alice’s hair slicked back into a pony-tail knotted high on her head.

“You look absolutely precious, Alice.” A gloved hand cupped the opposite elbow while the other hand tapped his chin in thought. “Precious but not quite right.”

“What’s wrong with it?” Alice peered down. “I think it looks fine.”

“You covet suits. Of course you’d like this.”

“How did you know?”

“Because I know all.” He circled Alice too quickly for her to follow. “And because I know all, I know I know this isn’t going to work for our purposes. Ceremonial kimono it is.”

Heavy black silk covered Alice from neck to feet. Her hair reconfigured into what she would later learn was the wareshinobu style for geishas.

“Yes, this is what he needs to see.” With one finger, Director H. commanded her to twirl in a circle. She obliged. Very, very slowly. “You moved awkwardly, dearest. I’m tempted to spell your legs into submission but that would be lying, wouldn’t it?”

Alice wobbled on the sandals colored to blend into her costume. “Somehow I doubt lying tops your list of things to avoid.”

“Witty, my dear. Dry, defiant, but lovely all the same.” Director H. produced a mirror with a flick of two fingers. “Look at beautiful you are, Alice.”

She regarded herself in the tiny mirror. “I look like a ghost.”

“Ah, but a beautiful one.”

“I look dead.”

“That is what a ghost typically is, dear.”

“My face is so white.”

“Not so white. He’s whiter.”

“Really?” Alice turned away from the mirror. “Does it take make-up to make him even be able to look at me?”

“Should it matter to you?”

“You love to answer my questions with questions.”

“Or maybe you like to not answer my questions with statements about my questions.”

Alice braved a small smile. “I’m not afraid of him.”

“Yes, you are. You’ve built him up to be a magnificent man, so far above you that you question why you should even be allowed in the same room as him.”

Denial burned her mouth, begging to come out. Alice inhaled and exhaled slowly. “It’s true. He’s obviously someone of value to you all while I’m just me.”

Director H. sighed. He feathered the back of one finger against her cheek, careful not to disturb the powder. “I could tell you how exquisite you are to all of us, but it won’t matter. Right now you’re a bottomless pit, Alice. Until you fill it up yourself, all my words will fall into nothing.”

Alice nodded. Her eyes brightened with unwanted tears. She managed to whisper, “Tell me anyways.”

“No, not today, dearest. Melancholy will only rob you of strength you desperately need. Come, Alice. Let us finally put you out of your misery. You’ll fall for his pretty face, no doubt, but beauty is a poor substitute for good manners. Once he insults you, you’ll feel better. I promise.”