Emma

The next morning, it's the final day of the party. I now have eleven hours and twenty - five minutes. Today, I took a day off. The one thing I never done, but the plan must go on. I took Henry to school two hours ago. Now my next job is a visit to Jimmy's apartment. I hope he'll give me the answer I want.

I wrapped a blanket around my shoulders and walked out the door. I passed three doors from my left, and stopped at Jimmy's apartment room. I took a deep breath. "Here it goes." I knocked on the door. After a short moment, Jimmy opened the door. "Good morning, Emma." "Morning, Jimmy." "Well, is there anything you want to tell me." I bit my lower lip nervously. "Well...There is this one request I wanted to ask you. It's something I hadn't asked for years. But um...How should I put this?" I dug my hand in my hair. Jimmy's expression turned to confusion, but a smile suddenly curved on his lips. "You have nothing to wear?" I dropped my hand. "Is my desperation that obvious." "A little bit. But I'm so glad you came to me about that, I was going to take you shopping for some clothes. I saw Ruby coming over to your apartment room, so I invited her to join us." "Yes, that's perfect. I would need a girl's help in clothes. Thank you so much, Jimmy." Jimmy shook his head. "No need to thank me, Emma. You should be thanking yourself for considering this. I'll introduce you to one of my closest friends, one of them is a professor in the university of Denmark." I nodded. 'Sorry Jimmy. I'm not attending the party for your people.' Jimmy gave me a light pat on the arm. "I'll stop by your apartment at twelve." "Okay, thanks again Jimmy." "No problem."

~ "How about this one?" Ruby took out a red dress. I shook my head. "Too flashy." "That's the point." Jimmy took the two of us to the mall, we been in there for more than an hour. Ruby goes on like this. Goes on like that. I'm serious, I'm surprised she's not married to a rich man yet. She handed me the red dress. "Go try it on. I bet Jimmy will agree with my decision too." "Fine." I dragged myself to the changing room.

I took my time changing. I slipped on the dress. I looked at myself at the mirror. I kind of do look good. But way too flashy. The bodice of the dress is cut deeply as a v - neck, the neckline connected together around my neck, and from the back I could see my complete skin. I never realized how my spines are so visible. I lifted the skirt and turned around, and opened the curtains. Ruby rushed to me eagerly. "I am so good. Girl you look so fine. This dress is the one." "It's too long. And I feel so insecure in this dress. Please not this one. I feel like a plucked chicken. I need some cover." "No can do, girl. This is the dress. Oh, Jimmy! Check this out." Jimmy stood up from his seat, and walked toward us. He secured his spectacles, and nodded. "I agree with Ruby. You do look beautiful." "Well, then let's just buy this so we could leave. I wanna go home. Henry is finishing school early today." Ruby wrapped a arm around my shoulders. "Tell me every single detail after you come home from the party. I have to go back to Granny's motel. My shift is starting in an hour. Bye." "Bye Ruby, and thank you."

~ Ruby came to my house at four. She brought her beauty supplies with her. She actually had to grab hold of me to do my hair, and paint my face. Henry had to distract me to stop nagging at Ruby. Sometimes it worked like a charm. But when Ruby returned her deadly tools to my hair, I was ready to run away from her.

Time didn't exist to me. Everything was just chaotic.

After the final touches, I was ready. Ruby reviewed once more before Jimmy arrived to my apartment. I put my beige rain coat on. "Remember to take your jacket off once you get there." "I heard you the first time." I kissed Henry's cheek. "Good luck mom." "Thanks. Bye." "Bye, Emma. I'll take care of Henry." "Thanks Ruby." Jimmy gestured his hand outside. "Shall we, Emma?" I nodded my head.

~ The club looks more like a casino. It's a beautiful building - the lights are brightly shining outside, photographer taking unstoppable pictures as the guests walked down the red carpet to the reception, and the door flashing lovely people "dressed" up people walking by and more bright lights manipulating the eager guests' attention. A man dressed in a black vest and a fancy white suit came up to us. "May I take your coat, miss?" I removed my coat, and handed it to the man. "Let's go, Emma." Jimmy waited for me by the red carpet.

The camera started flashing faster and brighter as I walked down the red carpet with Jimmy. ' Smile Emma. But not too wide, or jolly. A smile that tells the partner "I'm enjoying myself" that's the message you need to give...' Ruby's words came to my head. Even though my eyes are blinded from the deadly flashes, I curved a slight crooked smile and forced my eyes to open.

I took a breath as Jimmy and I finally stepped off the red carpet. We entered the building. The party is absolutely fantastic - the room is blended with a gray and blue color, all the guests dressed in bright new clothing (which seems more like costumes in my eyes), the lights flashing to blue and white, and a large stage poured down on the center stage. Jimmy offered me his arm. He introduced me to some of his friends, and the "people" he mentioned who are willing to help me. I of course, listened but kept to my own plan. Jimmy stayed by my side. This is stopping some of the men to come greet me. When Jimmy and I stood by a bar stand, I was ready to distract him. "Jimmy you should go talk to your friends. I know you come to these occasions for business. You should do what you have to do." "No. I'm not going to leave you alone, Emma. I'll be fine." "Jimmy its okay. Besides, I myself have an urgency to acquaint with some people here. To keep my options open." "But Emma-" I quickly added, "I really enjoyed talking to Professor Cain. His a funny, charming old man. I was going to look for him. But no offense, I want to talk to talk about these professions in private. The future I want to do is something I want to keep as a personal matter." Jimmy gave me a long understanding look. "Alright. But I'll be by the center stage if you need me." "I'll remember that. Thanks Jimmy." "Your welcome. If you'll excuse me then." 'Now Jimmy is out. Let's see what I could fish for.'