Chapter 20: The Show Is On

After a quick shower, I grab the scandalous dress I picked back at the store. It takes me a while to find it in the pile of boxes and hangers that has been delivered to the apartment while I was in the bathroom. And just when I start to wonder what I'm supposed to do about hair and makeup, a team of cheerful and colorful people bursts in.

"You must be Helena! We're going to make you look great tonight!" the oldest-looking of them says effusively. "I'm Hugo, by the way. Pleasure to meet you." He saunters over and kisses my cheeks, completely unfazed by the fact that I'm only wearing a towel.

"Hi," is all I manage to say, but I return his enthusiasm with a smile. "I, um. I was going to get dressed."

"Oh don't you worry, honey! We got this!" says a lady, snatching the dress from my hands and heading toward the hallway. "We're here to fix any alterations your wardrobe might need."

She continues to speak but her voice fades away as she moves farther away. The team springs into action,