UP IN SMOKE
CLAIRE'S DESK
SMOKE MAGAZINE
FEBUARY 24
12:45 PM
Claire glanced up as Massie came storming into the hallway, her heels clicking on the floor and her eyes hidden behind a pair of sunglasses. She looked almost robotic and frightening since Claire couldn't see Massie's expression except for a thin line that her mouth formed.
"Afternoon, Mass," Claire said as she discreetly slid her bare feet into a pair of Jimmy Choo sandals. She had a feeling Massie wouldn't be in the mood for her comfortable outfit choices, so Claire reached into her large bottom drawer and pulled out her "emergency" outfit that she threw on whenever Massie needed everyone to look presentable. Since Massie had long ago decided that she would have to accept Claire's generally casual dressing, Claire rarely had to use the outfit, which explained the stiffness of the unbroken-in blue Ralph Lauren blazer (Alicia had thrown it at her one day, probably by mistake) and the small layer of dust that had formed on the black knee-length skirt.
Claire waved the skirt around and sneezed as the dust came off before sliding it over her jeans. Underneath the skirt Claire unbuttoned her jeans and slid them off. She pulled the blazer over her plain white t-shirt.
Kristen walked by and paused as she passed Claire. She studied her outfit, clearly not remembering Claire had worn it last September and therefore was extremely outdated compared to what the rest of the girls wore.
"Not bad, Claire," Kristen admitted before stepping into Massie's office to hand her a schedule. Claire nodded and smiled in thanks. She slid her chair closer to the wall that separated her from Massie's office and tried to listen. However, all she heard was a "Thanks Kris," Before Kristen was walking out. Claire quickly slid her chair back to her desk, smoothed her skirt, and pretended to check her e-mail.
After Kristen walked by, Claire logged onto her e-mail address and scanned her inbox. She had one from Lauren, no doubt news about Emmy, one for Massie someone had sent her, and one from a newspaper where Claire had phoned asking about asking about some poet that had been the feature of it. Claire let her eyes glaze over, but she saw none from Cam. But she hadn't expected any. Her fiancé had e-mailed her that morning and was probably busy.
Claire sighed and logged off before leaping out of her seat and heading towards the employee kitchen to heat up a lean cuisine Massie kept their. They were refreshed every week and since Claire got glared at whenever she ate any junk food (she snuck gummies when no one was looking) she had settled on eating the lean cuisine.
Just as the microwave was about to beep, Alicia was sauntering over to Claire in her usual slow fashion. Since Alicia's job depended on her speeding up, she only sped up for Massie. But when it came to anyone else she walked just as slow as ever, possibly even slower.
The microwave beeped and Claire pulled the food into a plastic plate before sitting down on a bar stool. She had managed to eat half of it before Alicia actually made it to her. When she did, Claire quickly shoved the rest of it in her mouth and swallowed and waited for Alicia to speak.
"Claire," Alicia said. "Massie called a meeting. Is this where you've been? Never mind. Come awn."
Claire dumped her plate in the trash and followed the Spanish beauty. Massie was sitting behind her desk with Dylan and Kristen sitting around her. Claire took her seat and Alicia took hers on Massie's right.
Once everyone was settles, Massie smoothed her skirt and tapped her palm pilot where she held her Current State of the Union. "Ok. As we all know, I was fashionably late today. But that doesn't matter. I'm here to discuss Melissa J. Hawke. Some of you have shown your concern….."
Everyone turned to glare at Claire. She tried to look innocent, but finally burst after a minute. "I'm sorry ok? It's just that she popped into my apartment randomly without warning and she just-"
Massie sighed and set her palm pilot on before glaring at Claire with her impressive stare. "Kuh-laire," She said. "I sent her to your apartment. I wanted her to meet everyone, and ahb-viously she went to yours last."
"She stayed at mine for hours," Dylan put in. "I told you about my new cook? She made a really big meal and I was on a diet so she helped me out."
Instantly the chorus of "You're not fat!" Filled the room, but Dylan waved it away, already hearing it a million times.
Massie cleared her throat. "Well, since there are no further protests to me hiring her, I will. Her résumé is really impressive…."
Everyone waited for her to finish, but Massie just looked around the room. "Well, I guess you can all go on lunch break."
The room dispersed and Massie leaned back in her chair. It was going to be a long day.
MASSIE'S OFFICE
SMOKE MAGAZINE
FEBUARY 24
7:00 PM
"No, I don't think so," Massie said, looking at the yellow blazer paired with the green skirt.
"But I was thinking that after a long winter a spring theme would be better?" Vicki said, laying out the clothes from Banana Republic.
Massie pursed her lips and considered. "Who's replacing Emmy?"
"Uhh….I believe Shauna…." Vicki scrambled around her purse for a picture, but she finally handed Massie a picture of a gorgeous girl with smooth chocolate skin and black hair. She had these smoky green eyes that were hard to pull away from and hard to believe real. Massie nodded her approval and turned to gaze at the explosion of clothes lying out in her office. Since Emmy had been fired from this shoot, Vicki had been trying to sell her the idea of a spring like shoot.
"Vick, what's with all this pink?" Massie barked. "Valentines is over. Way over."
"Well for the spring-"
"We're not doing the spring idea," Massie said before applying a large amount of lip gloss. "It's tacky, and nobody would get it. Just- I'll think about this tomorrow."
Vicki nodded and began to clear out the mess. She left, carrying the hangers and dragging a cart of clothing behind her. Massie sighed and shut her doors before turning to gaze out at the city. It was pretty, but wasn't offering much help for her predicament.
It was time to do some thinking. Sighing, Massie sat into her chair and pulled out a sketch book, trying to come up with her own outfit and shoot. She drew out an evening gown with a drop neck and flared hem. It was very dramatic and suddenly, Massie had an idea. She instantly began a list of what she would need.
LIST FOR SHOOT
gold eye shadow
black mascara
black eyeliner
ruby red lipstick
light blush
a black dress
black pumps
gold bangles
black choker
smoke machine
jungle backdrop
Massie tapped her desk, wondering if she needed anything else. Her theme would be a jungle, with Shauna dressed dramatically yet sophisticated and elegant, and very alluring and mysterious with all the smoke. The jungle would contrast beautifully with the elegance of the dress and girl so that Shauna would just pop. It was absolutely perfect in Massie's mind.
Smiling, she clicked of the lamp, and strode past Claire's desk. "'Night"
"'Night," Claire replied.
Massie waved over her shoulders and didn't bother looking up as the elevator doors shut.