Author's Notes: We continue the story with Suzanne Gibbs, preparing for a national debut on a wildly popular late night talk show. With colleague Claudia Bailey, the two search for appropriate attire for the occasion. The rationale for 'You'll Need a Dress' is the supposed belief working women should own and wear a dress on occasion, especially in Washingtonian politics. Both women struggle with the notion; the Claudia character illustrates how to decisively use gender

"You're going to need a dress..."

They began the search after receiving the phone call 9 AM. Farris' offices expected Suzanne and Claudia in the studio 4:30-30 Rockefeller Plaza. Familiar with public transit, the two hit the MTA for lower Manhattan. Cell phones in hand, two shops in lower Manhattan beside another and within walking distance from the 37 minute subway ride.

"That's 45 minutes total. 8 minute walk from the station." Suzanne proclaimed. She was barely recognizable when the prescription lenses darkened to sunglasses and spoke in a whisper. Wearing the newspaper styled hat also served as an advantage, as she blended naturally with the commuting crowd.

"We're having a failure to communicate..." She shared with Suzanne the reason for not wearing contacts. Claudia was a fixture on Sunday television news shows. Those self-addicted news junkies might recognize the tightly coiled bun and famous black blazer. She easily avoided detection by simply wearing her shoulder length brown hair full and her prescription glasses. "Which you will have if you don't come with your "A" game tonight, Counselor...with a dress on."

Suzanne watched Farris the first three years at Georgetown and took a sabbatical the final year of study, dedicating the 105 minutes of the early late night TV to either academic or slumberly pursuits. Either way, it was time well-spent. Suzanne's new White House work hours didn't permit her to stay up past 10 o'clock to watch all of the wildly popular show for her age or work demographic; highlights made morning TV headlines. Claudia's knowledge on appearances were based on past experiences as a campaign manager and independent consultant work. She immediately suggested that in order to run with the late night competition, one must dress the part. It was a late night show with a huge voter demographic, and the comic had significant influence on public affairs. Even Claudia wore dresses, skirts with different blouse cuts and patterns with the signature black blazer.

'Newlywed: you're representing the Boss!' Owens himself was not invited, yet, on John Farris' show for the second administration. He was, though, a favorite subject for quick repartee and cheap laughs during his watch. Hiring Suzanne Gibbs as an assistant worked in favorable numbers. For an aide to appear before the sitting President—unprecedented-and it made the subordinate nervous.

'It was no way I could spend a $1000 dollars on a dress...' That was Suzanne's final comment after visiting the exclusive five-star Vivaldi's in Upper Manhattan. She agreed all choices were absolutely exquisite and worthy. The problem: she counted on two hands, possibly a foot the number of dresses she owned and that included the wedding dress. 'Jethro would kill me...' Suzanne realized that she also made a comfortable living as well, even after contributing the share of salaried monies to financial obligations. She possessed adequate means to splurge on herself as well. 'I couldn't justify it on one dress!'

The two made their way into the first boutique only a brisk five minute walk from the subway. It was a contrast from the first, with the decibel-bleeding, mumbling and nonsensical 'thing' called music immediately engulfing the senses at first step. The selections were bright and reminiscent to the remaining decade Suzanne was born and Claudia began high school. Suzanne immediately disliked the store and commented as young and way too trendy.

'You've got to be kidding!"

'Size 12, Tall?' It was a misses-sized store, meaning that the selections were all available for the uniquely frame colleague. A careful study of the dimensions calculated an estimation that Suzanne would most be comfortable in the store's Large with some stretch and size XL wear, if buttoned. Claudia measured a series of close-fitting lycra dresses across the tall, slender frame of her colleague, which were either frowned upon or entirely pushed away.

Suzanne's preferred plain appearances with pants, untucked oxford shirts, sometimes vests and often suit jackets with a scarf and plain black flat shoes downplayed the unusually set of long legs. If she sported the newspaper boy cap, she almost blended with President Owens and the male-dominated service staff from the back. That was, until an observer couldn't help but the long neck, curved and not bulky shoulders, well portioned hips and a curvier bottom.

'Oh, damn! That's a girl?!' The height itself triggered the above response. Suzanne was unmistakingly female, despite disguises and ruses. Folloewed were a series of smart-assed quips about the "hominy grits" her parents fed to produce such a very tall girl. It was not a chance to mistake her gender when face-to-face. There was not enough clothing, supportive brassiers or athletic tape to disguise her voluptuous front.

'I guess 'Poncho' and 'Lefty' gave that away...' With hands placed squarely on her hips, she faced whistleblowers each time with a smile. "My big brothers are 6'5 and 6'9; I'm the runt of the three."

"You have a body…"

"But I also have a mind…"

'Remember our goal: the 'damn!' factor.'

"Claudia, I was thinking for tonight I'll wear my black pants suit, brand new keyhole purple silk tied shirt…"

"Suzanne: you wear suits every single day! Tonight is your ride on the Farris Wheel!" Two dresses under consideration. The first: red A-line dress, ruffle detailed and mid-length. The second was a mini dress, basic black with long dolman sleeves. The neckline was cute, though: keyholed and high-collared.

"Come on, Newlywed: give the folks a peek—just a damn peek!"

Suzanne couldn't help but to softly laugh at her colleague's comment. That one-of-a-kind chuckle, recognizable, captured the attention of the young employee who immediately recognized both the Presidential Aide and Buffalo native, New York's Pride Claudia Hunter Bailey. She acknowledged their entry, allowed the two time just to walk about without interference but milling about for availability. Based the expression across Suzanne's face upon their arrival, the music channel immediately ceased to a palatable soft alternative station. She was also perfectly content to the choice, singing along to the selections. It was Claudia's clothing selections for Suzanne to model outside the fitting room that piqued her attention. After seeing one choice, the busy pattern mini dress, it was time for suggestions that matched personality.

'Claudia, I told you it was a bad idea...'

'Suz...'

"How are you, ladies?" The quiet bickering ceased.

'I don't know about you...I'm not appreciative for any and every one calling me Suz...Susie, either...' The employee nametag read simply Suzanne, the letters a mixture of scrapbook calligraphy letters. The body, also long in altitude, and easy-on-the-eyes presence were similar. She stood proudly, all 5'10 with tan chinos, collared shirt with matching undershirt and fashionable tennis shoes. Even the attitude matched another who shared the first name. The two shook hands, exchanged laughs and pleasantries. The younger Suzanne made quite the impression with her introduction, even summarized her life in a succinct sentence-twenty year old, a proud CITY student-'That's City College of New York"-and honors student at the Powell Institute. Claudia chuckled, being a SUNY alum at Buffalo.

"Well, we can't match Mrs. Harvard of the South; The College of William of Mary in Virginia." Suzanne's undergraduate program was the second oldest in the United States.

"Mrs. Gibbs, Mrs. Bailey: it would be my pleasure to assist you two today."

"Mrs. Gibbs needs to wear a dress." Suzanne groaned. "And as you can tell...she's a bit of a prima donna."

"I am not a prima donna."

"And I have the perfect one for you; size XL." The conversation continued as she walked in the small organized storage area. Suzanne the younger shared background on the dress-a basic black maxi length dress with an asymmetrical hem. It was new to the collection with a launch date approaching in several weeks.

"This came in last week...about the same time when I noticed you on TV. I thought about how your height and your figure would look perfect in this dress." With a smile, she passed the garment to Suzanne.

"Now, I know you're wondering how...when you're working with the President? Simple: a denim jacket makes it business-casual with a little edge...or a cardigan sweater..."

"So how do you know...?" Claudia grinned.

"Listen, I've been following all this stupid-assed dialogue about women's weight, healthy weight when there are more important issues to consider in Washington!" She stopped. "Oh...the dress?"

"About the dress..." She stepped out the dressing room to seek approval.

"Oh... damn!"