Gonna Get Dressed for Success

This part of this post is encrypted: ***

When I got home I noticed my mom's car in my driveway. I wasn't expecting her but when I stepped inside I smelled food.

"Surprise, I'm cooking supper for you!" She poked her head around the corner to greet me.

There were flowers and a bottle of wine and a card on the table to congratulate me on my new job. It was a very unexpected, lovely and delicious special moment.

After I enjoyed dinner and conversation with my mom I headed downtown early so I could stop before my Creative Writing class at the dress shop where The Dress was. I had gone browsing on the weekend and last night to other places in search of another party frock that I could love as much for a cheaper price. I had found one. It was a greyish blue silk A-line with ties that came from the middle and went around the neck. It was classy, pretty, and $139. It was sensible and not so much fun. But it was also clean and the lining wasn't snagged and I could wear it to other functions like a wedding. This was The Dress's competition.

I went into the dress shop tonight not expecting to see The Dress there. I figured some young grad or Faculty of Commerce Social goer would have picked it up since I returned it to the rack on Saturday afternoon. But no, it was still there. It was also still $150. I tried it on. Instantly I fell in love with it again. It's just so fun. And sparkly. And fun...

I got dressed and put the fun back on the hanger. I went to the cash desk and hovered for a bit but no one came around. I walked to the front of the store and was noticed by a woman dressing a mannequin.

"How'd you make out with the dress?" She asked.

"Well, I really really love the dress, but it's $150 and with the taxes added on, I just can't...is there any further discount on it?"

"It's been marked down, hasn't it? What was the original price?"

"Two-fifty."

"She took a hundred off already," the woman replied.

I looked down toward the floor and didn't say anything.

"Well the best I can do is take twenty-five dollars off or my manager will scream at me."

I made like I was considering this over for a moment. Then I looked up and said, "Sure, I'll do that." I went in there hoping they could just knock the taxes off, maybe take a full fifteen per cent, but she had just given me seventeen! Score!

One of the other sales girls put it in a garment bag for me. "Oh, this dress has found a home," she said. "I love this dress."

"I promise it is going to a good home," I said.

I do not have a winter coat, I need sweaters for my new, chilly office space, but I have The Dress. I promise, there will be photos when the party time comes.

What a perfect day. As I walked into the university all I could think was, "Hello world, welcome to the palm of my hand. Please stay as long as you like."

Here's the world for ya
Here's the world for ya
Go tell them who you are
Here's the world for ya
Here's the world for ya
Go be a shining star

The Payola$--Here's the World