I do not own DWP I am just using the characters for inspiration.
Back at work Miranda remembered the designer Andréa had found during New York Fashion Week. She pulled out the notes Andréa had taken on the artist. She called John into the office. "Get a hold of this person."
John looked at the paper and frowned. Yep this was going to be an easy job. Who did she think he was Andy Sachs? He had a difficult time finding her since the information on her did not pan out. It seems she had moved shortly after Fashion Week and had left no forwarding address. Working all morning and through the noon hour he finally was able to get a hold of her. Alexandra Mirs. John picked up some information while searching for her. He outlined everything he found handed it to Miranda and informed her the designer would be in the office at two thirty.
Miranda perused the information compiled by John. She smiled he might just work out here. Alexandra lost her parents at the age of eleven due to an automobile accident. One she had been in. She was raised by a Grandmother. She had dropped out of school, but while at school she won multiple awards in art. There were even a few of the pencil drawings she won awards for. She has had multiple address, never at any place more than three or four months. She has sold pieces at a few boutiques. Miranda frowned at this. "Coffee." Corinne was up and out before John could blink.
Two thirty on the dot Alexandra was in Miranda's office sitting in a chair across the desk from her. Sitting beside her chair a portfolio.
"You are a hard person to find." Miranda looked at the girl across from her.
She was wearing one of her own designs. Miranda could tell. The lines, the style, everything she remembered seeing in her tent at Fashion Week, although the material just would not do. It was cheap and did not flow right.
While Miranda sat studying the young designer Alexandra was studying the famous Editor for Runway.
"I see you have sold some of your pieces already." Miranda remarked. The girl nodded. Miranda ran her finger over her bottom lip. "I believe I told you not to sell to anyone."
"You told me not to market with anyone, besides a person needs to eat." Alexandra stated.
Miranda startled. The girl spoke her mind and did not back down. "I am very interested in your designs. Interested enough to market you in a Runway issue." The girl smiled. Miranda was intrigued with this person. "Do you have pieces made that can be photographed?" Miranda enquired.
"A few." Alexandra replied.
"I would like to see them." Miranda remarked. The girl placed her portfolio on the desk. Miranda was taken back. It was very old, worn, but well taken care of. She opened it and leafed through the pictures. "All these pieces you have ready to go?" Miranda asked.
"No." Alexandra shook her head.
"Have Nigel come here." Miranda called to Corinne.
Within minutes Nigel was at the office door. The scene in front of him made him rub his bald head. Now what did she have in mind?
Miranda looked up. "It is not that bad Nigel come in." The girl turned around. Nigel walked in keeping an eye on the girl in Miranda's office. "Alexandra stand up." Miranda instructed.
The girl looked up. "Why?"
Nigel cringed. "I would like my associate to see your work in real life." Miranda explained.
The girl looked at Miranda and then at her outfit. "How did you know I did this?" Nigel cringed again. Corinne came sailing into the office with Miranda's coffee.
Miranda smirked. "It is my lively hood to know things like this." Miranda stood up and went over to the girl. "Please, stand up." Miranda turned hearing a crash in the outer office. John had knocked over something on his desk when he heard Miranda say please. "The lines here and here." Miranda pointed to seams on the outfit. "Your style is edgy, distinctive, and youthful." Miranda caressed the hem.
"Like Stella?" Alexandra said excitedly.
Nigel arched his eyebrows. Miranda looked up and smiled. "Younger than Stella. Teenage. There is a big demand for that age group."
Alexandra was stunned, "You remember all that from the few minutes you were in my tent?"
Miranda smiled, "I remember things that impress me. What do you think Nigel?"
"So this is the designer that caught Six's eye." Miranda nodded. Nigel walked around Alexandra rubbing his chin. "Very interesting. Is there more?" Miranda motioned to her desk. He flipped through the pages. Nigel looked up and nodded.
Miranda turned to the girl. "Runway would like to help you market your line of clothing." The girl looked at Miranda then at Nigel. She of course knew Miranda and Runway. She had almost fainted the afternoon that Miranda had walked into her tent. Now she was standing in Miranda Priestly's office and she wants to market her clothing. Alexandra went over to sit down. She held her head in her hand. Miranda frowned.
Nigel went over to the girl and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Are you O.K?"
"Yea just a little dizzy." Alexandra whispered. Things were spiraling through her head. Things she had only dreamed of. She wonder if she could trust herself now, was this all real?
Miranda walked to the door. "Water." Miranda handed the girl a glass of Pellagra. "Have you had lunch today?" The girl shook her head. Miranda went to the door. "Have a sandwich sent up along with some fruit. Thank you Nigel." Nigel left. Miranda closed the door. Miranda paced in front of the large window. "Do you have a place to stay tonight?" The girl shrugged. "Where are your personnel belongings?"
"Excuse me?" Alexandra enquired.
Miranda cringed. "Where is your … stuff?"
Alexandra shrugged, "At a friend's."
A knock came at the door. "Come in." Corinne held the sandwich in her hand. Miranda motioned to the girl and Corinne set it down. "Go ahead eat. Reserve a room at the hotel for the next week on my account. Call Roy. When Alexandra is finished take her down to Roy have them pick up her things and take her to the hotel."
"Yes Miranda." Corinne left and was on the phone before she sat down.
Miranda went and sat down behind her desk. She continued to watch the girl as she ate. "You will stay at the hotel. Make sure you eat. Roy will pick you up tomorrow nine sharp."
The girl looked up, "why are you doing this?"
Miranda studied the young girl, "You need a place to sleep and something to eat." "Corinne." Corinne ran into the office and motioned to Alexandra to follow her.
Alexandra grabbed her portfolio started to follow Corinne then turned. "Thank you."
Miranda nodded. Miranda stuck her head out the door. "Call my lawyer tell him I want to see him tomorrow eight thirty and get me coffee."
Corinne introduced Alexandra to Roy. "He will take good care of you."
Roy opened the back door for Alexandra. On the ride to the hotel Roy looked into the rear view mirror. He saw a very scared looking girl. "You can trust Miranda." She shot her eyes up. "Miranda does not do things like this for just anyone. She must have a lot of faith in you." The girl did not say anything. They pulled up in front of the Plaza Hotel.
Roy saw Alexandra's jaw drop. "Uhm … mister … I think we are at the wrong place."
"Nope, this is Miranda's favorite hotel." Roy climbed out of the car and opened the back door offering his hand. Alexandra tentatively climbed out of the car. She followed Roy into the hotel. He informed the desk of who the girl was. He also reminded them that she was a guest of Miranda's and to treat her accordingly.
Alexandra felt as if she had got caught up in a tornado and was no longer in the Big Apple. She could barely think let alone talk to Miranda in her office. Well except the one time Miranda pissed her off. How did the woman think she was going to eat if she did not sell her pieces? Now she was riding up the elevator with some idiot desk clerk at one of the most expensive hotels in the city as a guest of Miranda Priestly. The two walked down the hall and the desk clerk opened the door and motioned for Alexandra to step in. She made it two steps in the door way and stopped.
"Holy cow!" Alexandra shouted.
"Uhm … yes … well … the room service menu is here, you may order anytime day or night. The bedroom is off to your right and the bathroom to your left. Here is your keycard. Call the front desk if you have any questions or problems. Have a nice stay." He bowed, turned and left.
Alexandra could not believe her eyes. She walked through the room turning in circles unable to believe her luck. The first thing she did was order food, then she took a long hot shower. She felt like a million bucks. She grabbed her portfolio and took out the last few scraps of paper she had and started sketching.
The next morning John entered Miranda's office as scheduled. Miranda looked up from her magazines over her glasses and motioned for him to sit. "I have a difficult situation." John raised his eyebrows. "There is a young designer that I want to market. It is pretty much clear she is homeless. She is going to need a lawyer but obviously cannot afford one." John nodded. "I want you to be her lawyer. You do not have to worry about how you will get paid, and I do not want to know what is discussed between the two of you."
John raised an eyebrow, "She is that good?" Miranda nodded. "I will do it pro bono." Miranda arched an eyebrow. "When she becomes big and famous it will pay off."
Miranda smiled. "Thank you John."
"No thank you Miranda." John replied.
Just then Alexandra came walking through the door looking healthier and well rested. Miranda got up. "Alexandra this is John he is a lawyer. The two of you need to talk."
Miranda walked out of the office and closed the door. Miranda went up to Andréa's office and knocked on the door.
"Come in." Andy looked up and smiled brightly. "Hey sexy."
Miranda blushed, walked into the office and closed the door. She walked over to Andréa turned her chair and planted a passionate kiss on her lips.
Andrea smiled sweetly, "Is John talking with Alexandra now?"
Miranda nodded and sat in the chair on the other side of Andréa's desk. "I really feel for her Andréa. She has it worse than I ever did. The hotel called to inform me how much food she had ordered. They were afraid there was more than one person staying in the room."
Andy looked up shocked. Miranda nodded.
Alexandra looked at John. "Why does Miranda want me to talk to a lawyer?"
"Because some very big things are going to happen to you in the next few months and you need someone to look out for your wellbeing." John stated.
"I can take care of myself." Alexandra challenged.
"You can write million dollar contracts? You can negotiate copyrights and ownership rights? Well I guess you do not need me." John got up to walk out.
"Wait." John turned around. Alexandra was wide-eyed, "Million dollar contracts?" John Nodded. "How do I know I can trust you?"
"I am Miranda's personal lawyer." John replied.
Alexandra stuttered. "M-Miranda's lawyer? I cannot afford a lawyer." "
I am working pro-bono." John answered.
Alexandra was skeptical, "Why?"
John shrugged, "Because in a few months you are going to be the talk of the fashion world and then you will be able to afford me."
"How do you know that?" Alexandra challenged.
"Miranda told me so." John said matter of fact.
"And that is all you need?" Alexandra questioned.
John smiled. "I thought you knew who Miranda was."
"I do." Alexandra rolled her eyes.
John arched an eyebrow, "Then you know the answer to your question." Alexandra was quiet. "Look, Miranda does not just do this for everyone. She would never risk the reputation of Runway to market a mediocre designer. If you have to trust someone she is the one you want behind your back."
Alexandra nodded, "O.K. So how do we go about this?"
"I need to right up a contract for you and me. I will go over it with you bit by bit so you understand completely what you will be signing. Then you and I will negotiate a deal with Runway." John laid out the procedure.
"For what?" Alexandra questioned.
"For a portion of your capital and your partnership to last a certain number of years. Usually it starts for 5 years. Just so you know anyone who has been marketed from the start by Miranda has never left her." John watched the young girl.
Alexandra's mind was spinning, "I need to think about this."
John smiled. "Smart lady." He gave her his card, told her he would be in touch tomorrow at one then left.
Alexandra looked around, now what was she supposed to do? She spotted the laptop and went over to it. She googled Miranda and the lines she marketed. The lawyer was right. People stayed with her. Some had amazing stories.
Miranda stood in the doorway observing the new designer, "I hope you are not trying to steal Runway's secrets."
Alexandra jumped up. "N-No Miranda I-I would never do that."
Miranda smiled. "Did your conversation with John go well?" Alexandra nodded. Miranda went over and stood in front of the window and looked down at the entrance to the Ellis-Clarke building. "I want you to know I am not planning on taking advantage of your talent. I do want to use you to further Runways standing as the premier fashion magazine. John has been very faithful to me over the past years. You are lucky he wants to represent you. You know anything the two of you discuss is between the two of you. I also know he is very good at keeping client confidentiality."
Miranda turned around. "Now Roy is available to take you back to the hotel if you wish."
"About that. Thank you." Miranda nodded. Alexandra picked through her portfolio and pulled the pages she worked on the night before. "I would like you to look at these."
Miranda took the papers offered to her. "These are new, different, and freer. When did you do them?"
Alexandra shrugged, "Last night."
Miranda looked up surprised. "You did all of these last night?" Alexandra nodded. "My child you do have a lot in that brain of yours do you not?"
Alexandra shrugged. "You like them." Miranda nodded. "I have lots of ideas in my head."
"You should put them down, if they are anything like these you have a lot of work ahead of you." Alexandra hung her head. Miranda looked at the girl. "There is a problem." Alexandra nodded. "Tell me dear."
Alexandra hung her head, "It is too embarrassing."
Miranda took a deep breath. This child had a lot of pride. "You can trust me."
Alexandra looked up. "I do not have any more paper and I do not have any money to buy any more."
Miranda nodded. She picked up her phone and dialed. "Nigel, bring a few sketch books and pencils to my office."
Nigel walked into the office and Miranda motioned to Alexandra. Nigel laid 3 large sketch books, a large box of multi colored pencils, a box of sketch pencils, and erasers in front of Alexandra. She looked at the items in front of her. Her fingers glided over the boxes and pads. She had never used such high quality equipment before. Miranda watched as Alexandra caressed the items, she saw Alexandra shake and then a teardrop fell. Miranda and Nigel smiled.
Nigel left the office and Miranda put a hand on Alexandra's shoulder. "Would you like to go back to the hotel now?" Alexandra nodded. Miranda led her out of the office. "Corinne make sure Alexandra gets down stairs and to the car. Then bring me a coffee." Corinne jumped up and nodded.
That afternoon Alexandra sketched until her fingers were numb. She was on cloud nine there was so much going through her mind she could not put it down fast enough. She almost forgot to eat, that is until her stomach made a loud protest.
Miranda found Andrea in bed when she got home that night.
Andréa opened an eye when Miranda walked into the bed room. "Hey Babe, I thought I was going to have to call the police to come find you."
Miranda moaned as she rubbed her neck. "I am so tired." She walked into the bathroom took off her make-up then went to climb into bed.
"Turn over on your stomach Miranda." Andrea cooed.
Miranda sighed, "I hate to say this sweetheart but not tonight."
"Shhhh. Just turn over." Miranda sighed and did as Andréa requested. Andy straddled Miranda and began a labor of love, messaging every knot out of Miranda's back. At some time Miranda had fallen asleep. Andy smiled moved to Miranda's side, curled up next to her and lovingly place an arm around her and promptly fell asleep too.