Assignment 3- Backstage Shenanigans
Delilah
http://i.imgur.com/a7u7M7b.jpg
STORY-
When I found out about the opportunity to work backstage with actual star models around, I was so excited! I'd never been around models before, and I was really looking forward to being up close and personal with them. I was hoping to get some feeback, and pointers on being a model.
Unfortunately, the day didn't turn out like I'd hoped.
When I arrived at the meeting place our teacher told us about, I was a bit overwhelmed. The room was like a mad house. Everyone was busy doing all kinds of tasks; painting, cleaning, setting up, etc. I stood there for a few moments, in a daze, and feeling unsure.
Suddenly, a tall woman in a short red dress came up to me and said, "Don't just stand there, girl! Do something useful."
I couldn't help but blush in embarrassment. "Uhm..I..I'm just.."
The woman rolled her eyes. "I said be useful! Get to work!" She grabbed my shoulders -a bit roughly- and steered me over to a pile of trash. "All this mess must be cleaned up. I cannot have my fashion show ruined because of filth!" She turned on her heel, and left me to it.
I sighed, feeling disappointed, and began throwing away the trash. I found a lot of empty water bottles, coffee cups,old trays of food, and other things. It wasn't a pleasant experience at all; especially when I had to try and carry heavy and full trash bags over to different garbage bins and trash cans..
Luckily, Lachlan noticed my struggle, and was able to help me pick up the heavier bags. I told him how grateful I was for the help, and he smiled. "They're really having fun putting us to work, huh?"
I nodded. "Yeah..it's not what I was expecting. That woman over there in the red dress practically screamed at me to get to work."
He turned his head and looked over at the woman. Immediately his eyes widened. " Isn't she one of those top models, and managers?"
I glanced over at the woman again; she seemed a little calmer now..examining her nails. Her face was familiar. "Now that you mention it. I think I've seen her on tv before. Her name is Vasquez? Strange I don't remember her being so...assertive."
Lachlan shrugged. "Its television. What do you expect?"
Even with Lachlans help, trash duty still took about 2 hours to finish. I went to the restroom to take a breather, and wash up a bit. When
I came out, I had a chance to look around at the professional models. They were all so beautiful, and I actually recognized some of them from the shows I used to watch. They were even more stunning and awesome in person.
I began walking around, still in awe over all the models..and that's when disaster struck.
I heard the ripping sound before I fully realized what had happened. I heard gasps around the room, and when I turned my head..I was horrified at what I saw.
I'd stepped on a woman's dress! A piece of it was under my shoe, and I could see a gap on the dress.Immediately, Ms. Vasquez was behind me and yelling.
"What did you do??! You destroyed it!! Do you know how much that dress costs!!? "
I was startled, and didn't know what to say. The woman whose dress Id ruined turned around, and looked at me. "What's wrong?" She didn't seem to notice her messed up dress.
"I...uhh...wasn't paying attention. Your dress...I'm so sorry! It was an accident."
Ms. Vasquez came over to us, fuming. "An accident?! How could you be so clumsy?! I oughta make you pay for the damage youve caused!"
The way she was talking made me feel like I'd done so much more than tearing a dress. She acted like I'd ruined her whole show before it even had a chance to begin.
The woman was still looking at me. I was expecting her to be really upset too, but..she actually smiled at me, and spoke in a calm, quiet tone.
"That won't be necessary, Clarissa. It's just a little tear."
Clarissa Vasquez replied, "Little!? She's ruined an expensive designer dress!! It'll cost a fortune to fix!! Really, Mrs. Goodwin, I don't understand you sometimes!" She shook her head, and cast another glare at me before storming off.
My cheeks were burning, and I felt so bad. "I really am so sorry, Mrs. Goodwin! I feel terrible! Please, let me fix this somehow.."
I kneeled down, and examined the bottom of her dress carefully.
Mrs. Goodwin chuckled lightly. "Really dear, it's fine. I know you didn't mean it." Her eyes were kind, and understanding. Still..I had to do something.
I continued to examine the tear for a moment. "Just give me a few minutes, and it'll be as good as new! I promise!"
She actually agreed, and we went to one of the vacant dressing rooms. One thing I'd learned from watching some of the fashion shows on tv was how to mend a torn dress.
Mrs. Goodwin was still in a happy and cheerful mood, and she made polite conversation with me as I went to work on her dress.
She told me her name was Jenny, and that she'd been a model and designer a long time ago. Now she was a spokesperson for different fashion shows and companies, and occasionally she did some modeling for jewelry. That fact made me even more nervous and embarrassed over the dress fiasco, and I apologized profusely to her, again.
Luckily for Jenny (and me!) the dress was a bit full at the bottom, so I was able to use a few safety pins to wrap the extra dress fabric around the missing part. It wasn't the prettiest "fixer upper" and so not professional I know, but Jenny was all smiles when I finished.
She said, "You're a kind girl, Delilah. Thank you. I see a spark in you...you'll make a lovely model one day."
Getting such a compliment from someone like her was the most amazing thing that could happen to me. Sure, the day hadnt been all great, but meeting Jenny really helped me with my confidence, and I didn't feel as embarrassed anymore.
She hugged me and thanked me for helping her. I still felt bad because I was the one who ruined her dress in the first place, but her gratitude and kindness did make me feel better.
It was a good end to a busy and hectic day.
