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ultimate guarantee of going places in the fashion world; but I was
clinging to the belief that my one…year sentence would suffice
forThe New Yorker 。 Allison had already left Miranda’s office area
for her new post in the beauty department; where she’d be
responsible for testing new makeup; moisturizers; and hair products
and writing them up。 I wasn’t sure how being Miranda’s assistant had
prepared her for this task; but I was impressed nonetheless。 The
promises were true: people who worked for Miranda got places。
The rest of the staff began streaming in around ten; about fifty in
all of editorial。 The biggest department was fashion; of course;
with close to thirty people; including all the accessories
assistants。 Features; beauty; and art rounded out the mix。 Nearly
everyone stopped by Miranda’s office to schmooze with Emily;
overhear any gossip concerning her boss; and check out the new girl。
I met dozens of people that first morning; everyone flashing
enormous; toothy white smiles and appearing genuinely interested in
meeting me。
The men were all flamboyantly gay; adorning themselves in
second…skin leather pants and ribbed T’s that stretched over bulging
biceps and perfect pecs。 The art director; an older man sporting
champagne blond; thinning hair; who looked like he dedicated his
life to emulating Elton John; was turned out in rabbit…fur loafers
and eyeliner。 No one batted an eye。 We’d had gay groups on campus;
and I had a few friends who’d e out the past few years; but none
of them looked like this。 It was like being surrounded by the entire
cast and crew ofRent —with better costumes; of course。
The women; or rather the girls; were individually beautiful。
Collectively; they were mind…blowing。 Most appeared to be about
twenty…five; and few looked a day older than thirty。 While nearly
all of them had enormous; glimmering diamonds on their ring fingers;
it seemed impossible that any had actually given birth yet—or ever
would。 In and out; in and out they walked gracefully on four…inch
skinny heels; sashaying over to my desk to extend milky…white hands
with long; manicured fingers; calling themselves “Jocelyn who works
with Hope;” “Nicole from fashion;” and “Stef who oversees
accessories。” Only one; Shayna; was shorter than five…nine; but she
was so petite it seemed impossible for her to carry another inch of
height。 All weighed less than 110 pounds。
As I sat in my swivel chair; trying to remember everyone’s name; the
prettiest girl I’d seen all day swooped in。 She wore a rose…colored
cashmere sweater that looked like it was spun from pink clouds。 The
most amazing; white hair swirled down her back。 Her six…one frame
looked as though it carried only enough weight to keep her upright;
but she moved with the surprising grace of a dancer。 Her cheeks
glowed; and her multi…carat; flawless diamond engagement ring
emanated an incredible lightness。 I thought she’d caught me staring
at it; since she flung her hand under my nose。
“I created it;” she announced; smiling at her hand and looking at
me。 I looked to Emily for an explanation; a hint as to who this
might be; but she was on the phone again。 I thought the girl was
referring to the ring; meant that she had actually designed it; but
then she said; “Isn’t it a gorgeous color? It’s one coat Marshmallow
and one coat Ballet Slipper。 Actually; Ballet Slipper came first;
and then a topcoat to finish it off。 It’s perfect—light colored
without looking like you painted your nails with White Out。 I think
I’ll use this every time I get a manicure!” And she turned on her
heels and walked out。Ah; yes; a pleasure to meet you; too; I
mentally directed toward her back as she strutted away。
I’d been enjoying meeting all my coworkers; everyone seemed kind and
sweet and; except for the beautiful weirdo with the nail polish
fetish; they all appeared interested in getting to know me。 Emily
hadn’t left my side yet; seizing every opportunity to teach me
something。 She provided running mentary on who was really
important; whom not to piss off; whom it was beneficial to befriend
because they threw the best parties。 When I described Manicure Girl;
Emily’s face lit up。
“Oh!” she breathed; more excited than I’d heard her about anyone
else yet。 “Isn’t she just amazing?”
“Um; yeah; she seemed nice。 We didn’t really get a chance to talk;
she was just; you know; showing me her nail polish。”
Emily smiled widely; proudly。 “Yes; well; you do know who she is;
don’t you?”
I wracked my brain; trying to remember if she looked like any movie
stars or singers or models; but I couldn’t place her。 So; she was
famous! Maybe that’s why she hadn’t introduced herself—I was
supposed to recognize her。 But I didn’t。 “No; actually; I don’t。 Is
she famous?”
The stare I received in response was part disbelief; part disgust。
“Um;yeah; ” Emily said; emphasizing the “yeah” and squinting her
eyes as if to say;You total fucking idiot 。 “That is Jessica
Duchamps。” She waited。 I waited。 Nothing。 “You do know who that is;
right?” Again; I ran lists through my mind; trying to connect
something with this new information; but I was quite sure I’d never;
ever heard of her。 Besides; this game was getting old。
“Emily; I’ve never seen her before; and her name doesn’t sound
familiar。 Would you please tell me who she is?” I asked; struggling
to remain calm。 The ironic part was that I didn’t even care who she
was; but Emily was clearly not going to give this up until she’d
made me look like a plete and total loser。
Her smile this time was patronizing。 “Of course。 You just had to say
so。 Jessica Duchamps is; well; a Duchamps! You know; as in