color,” Mary said uncertainly.
“What?” His mad howl startled the girl.
“I… I…” Mary stuttered, carefully taking the dress and walking back towards the exit.
“Get out, you blasphemous monster!” the wild-eyed man screamed at her. “Don’t ever, EVER come here again!”
Scared to death, Mary shot outside and ran down a few blocks before she regained her senses. She looked at the gown in amazement.
What’s the big deal? she wondered. She looked around. Well, it’s not the only cleaning service in town.
Not fifty yards from where she had been somewhat brusquely evicted, she saw another cleaner, and went in.
The clerk, obviously of Chinese origin, took the dress from her, and checked it out.
“What you would like to do with it, Miss?” he asked politely.
Mary sighed with relief. A friendly face.
“I’d like to dye it bright green. Emerald-green to be precise.”
The clerk nodded. “Tomorrow after 10,” he said.
A worrying pang squeezed Mary’s heart. “Are you sure you won’t ruin it?”
The clerk nodded again. “You’ll pay nothing unless you are completely satisfied with the results.”
That’s not exactly what I wanted to hear, she thought, hesitant.
***
She was on her way back to campus, when her cell-phone rang.
She answered, and smiled on hearing Robert’s voice.
“Happy birthday honey!” he said. “Have you received the dress?”
“Oh!” Mary’s cheeks blushed in embarrassment. “Yes. Sorry, I didn’t call!”
“How do you like it?”
“It’s magnificent!” Mary admitted. “How did you deliver it? ‘Click of the fingers’?”
“Exactly, sweetheart! I did not want anyone disturbing your beauty sleep.”
“Agh, you are considerate. What time will I see you?”
There was a pause.
“Hi Robert? Are you still there?”
“Yes, I’m still here. Look, this is why I called you, my little lamb. I have a lot of things to finish. I’m afraid until the party, I won’t be able to get any time off to see you.”
“Oh,” Mary mumbled, feeling a bitter taste into her mouth.
“But I’ll keep in touch with you, my heart.”
“Okay,” she smiled, thinking; Maybe it’s for the best. What would have I done if he had asked me to show him the dress?
***
…Mary went to the dry-cleaning store, and handed over the receipt.
The clerk with an expression of indifference took out something green, and put it on the counter.
Mary looked down and froze with shock; it was a ghastly verdant rag, which didn’t even appear as a dress.
“You can have your money back,” the worker said calmly.
Choking, like a fish without water, Mary tried to inhale in vain; her legs went weak.
“I said, get out, you blasphemous monster!” The mighty voice thundered.
She looked at the clerk again, but to her horror, it was Robert.
He stared at her as he had before, a few times. This gaze always made her blood curdle, as if she faced a tiger, preparing to make his mortal attack.
“Thanks for ruining my gift,” he uttered with such menace that Mary fell to the floor as if she had roped down dead.
***
…Covered from head to toe in a cold sweat, she sat up in bed, startled, and pressed her hand to her chest, trying to get her palpitations under control.
“My God,” she almost cried. “What have I done? What was I thinking about?”
She looked at her clock.
“It’s five in the morning,” she mumbled, falling back on the pillow. “Just a nightmare, thank God! Oh, dear Lord, don’t let it happen!” She pressed her palms to her cheeks.
Mary was not able to go back to sleep, the images of a disfigured gown were implanted in her subconscious and she could not rid herself of the flashing nightmare scenario.
She knew, what could help her to regain her self-control.
Reverting to type, she went to the gym, and worked out until the time arrived to go and cope with her dress-related Fate.
***
Moving like a somnambulist, she neared the counter, and passed the receipt over. With her teeth chattering, Mary stared at the rack full of plastic bags with clothes. Her eyes ran over everything on display, but she didn’t spot a green one. Her legs couldn’t hold her up properly, and the girl leaned on the counter almost fainting with the terror of waiting.
The clerk put something in front of her. In her state of mind, Mary didn’t understand at first. She gasped, made an effort, and took the gown.
Dizzily bright green, the dress looked like it was made with real emeralds!
Mary carefully checked the whole garment. Not even the tiniest imperfection could be found! The shiny fabric shimmered brilliantly, and all Mary’s worries had immediately disappeared. She laughed with happiness, and pressed the gown to her chest.
“Do you like it?” the clerk asked, smiling at her reaction.
“It’s wonderful!” Mary mumbled, hastily taking out her wallet. Usually thrifty, that day she left generous tips, and rushed home.
***
When she dashed out the elevator, she collided with Father Frank.
“Sorry,” she murmured, showing a drunk smile.
“Mister Noirson called me about the party you are going to attend,” the priest said, and the girl gazed at him. “It’s a very important event. For the first time you’ll present our team all by yourself. Come to my office, I’ll give you the promotional material.”
“Right now?” Mary wanted to try on the dress first.
“No, dear, when you have time, of course.” The priest nodded.
***
In the
