October 11th:
Marc waltzes into Claire's office, and sighs deeply.
"Yes Marc?"
"I thought that Willie was coming back."
"She is."
"I thought that she was going to be back today."
"She is."
"When? It's a quarter after. Wasn't she supposed to be here by now?"
"I don't know. Why don't you give her a call?"
"I did. She changed her number."
"Go do something productive, she'll be here soon."
"Fine," he pouts. He walks away with his arms crossed. He leaves Claire's office, and walks down the hall. He walks past reception, toward a familiar place. Stares at the empty desk outside of Wilhelmina's former office. He walks past the empty desk, and goes to the door. He twists the knob but it won't open. A hand behind him holds out a key. He takes it without a second thought.
"Thanks," he sticks the key in the door knob.
"Marc what are you doing exactly?" she questions.
He freezes and takes a deep breath. He spins around, and his face lights up.
"Willie!"
"Why were you trying to get in there?"
"You'll see," he answers opening the door. He flips on the light, and she steps in behind him.
She looks around the room. Nothing has moved.
"Who was in this office?"
"No one. Daniel refused to give anyone your office."
"So it's been empty all this time?"
"Yup."
"What an idiot. Why would he waste this space?"
"Like you said he's an idiot," Marc admits.
She moves across the room. She takes a seat at her desk. Marc sits down across from her.
"So how have you been? How was Vogue?"
"Fine," she answers flatly.
"I bet you miss it already."
"Not really, it was too rainy."
"Are you ok?"
"Fine," she replies flatly.
"Are you sure? You're being awfully quiet."
"I'm just tired."
"Ok, if you say so."
"Don't you have some work to do?"
"We're having a meeting at eight thirty."
She looks at the watch, "It's eight twenty seven," she informs him.
"Then we should probably get going."
"We?"
"Yes," he nods as he leaves the room.
She follows him into the conference room. Everyone is already seated. Claire stands up as Wilhelmina comes into the room.
"I'd like to start by welcoming Wilhelmina back."
Everyone claps, and sighs in relief.
"I'd like everyone to know that I will be stepping down as Editor in Chief. Wilhelmina will be taking over for me."
There is another round of applause.
Wilhelmina takes center stage, "First of all I'd like to say that I'm glad to be home. I've got a lot of catching up to do, so we should get started."
The meeting lasts two hours. When Wilhelmina adjourns it she asks Betty to come into her office. Wilhelmina takes a seat at her desk, and Betty walks in behind her.
"Close the door," she instructs.
Betty closes the door, and takes a seat across from Wilhelmina. "Do you need something?"
"How is everything going?"
"Fine."
"The truth, Betty."
"Things have been very chaotic, but the past couple of issues have been really great."
"Good reception?"
"Great reception."
"I read them, they were decent, but I think we can do better."
"I'm sure that we can."
"But?"
"I need some sleep. It's hard to come up with new ideas on no sleep."
"I've heard they refer to you as the bitch, now."
"They all hate me."
"But they do what you tell them?"
"Ninety-eight percent of the time."
"You're in a position of power now, and you need to demand respect, and fire the people who don't give it to you."
"I..."
"Betty there are half a dozen people willing to kiss your ass, for every one of them that won't lift a finger."
"I know."
"So let them know that you're not messing around."
"You want me to fire them?"
"Give them a week. Tell them that they have a week to get their act together, or their time here is over."
"Ok."
"How many people have you fired so far?"
"Twelve," Betty answers.
"It's about time."
"For what?"
"That you stand up to everyone."
"I don't have a choice, it's my job."
"You're creative director now, so where is your office?"
"I'm in Daniel's office."
"I see."
"I don't like it, but there wasn't any other space available."
"If it makes you uncomfortable you can have this one."
"No," she disagrees.
"That's all," Wilhelmina announces.
Betty gets up, and heads for the door. She's a few steps from the doorway when Wilhelmina adds, "Your last issue was a little soft for my tastes, but it wasn't bad."
Betty stops briefly, smiles, and continues on her way.