It was around 7 am when Ashleigh called for Rachael to come and have a look at her new mannequin. When Rachael came over to the area she had left the two women in a short time ago. She saw Ashleigh first of all as she looked as she had when had last seen her.
“Tada,” Ashleigh said with a flourish as she pulled the curtain back to show Carly. She looked similar to the way she had 90 short minutes ago but something was different.
Then suddenly it hit Rachael “She looks so plastic.” She said shocked.
“Wasn’t that the idea?” Ashleigh asked.
“it was, it is but I didn’t think she would look so real,” Rachael said still in awe of Ashleigh’s work.
“I told you she was good, didn’t I?” Carly said if she was beaming with pride you couldn’t tell under the thick heavy makeup that Ashleigh had applied not only to her face but to her body as well. It was a good job that they were close friends. Just how close well that was between them and would remain that way at least for the time being.
“You did, I just didn’t think she was that good. No offense Ashleigh.” Rachael said.
“None taken,” Ashleigh replied
“Now let's get you in position,” Rachael told Carly.
“Ok, where do you want me?” She asked
“This way, please. Oh, don’t fasten that dress up just yet” Came the reply as Rachael pointed towards the main shop floor. She led to three mannequins standing in a corner of the store next to a stand for a fourth.
“You will need to move that stand before I can stand there,” Carly told Rachael.
“I don’t think so,” Rachael replied.
“Oh, I get it,” Ashleigh said as she saw the pair of heels still attached to the Pedestal in front of them.
“If put those shoes on Carly? Rachael asked her.
“if you hand them to me I will,” Carly told her.
“Just step into them and I will sort everything else,” Rachael told her formerly estranged friend.
“Carly, you are about to literally step into the shoes of a mannequin,” Ashleigh told Carly she understood what Rachael had in mind.
“Ha, Ha Ashleigh. Very funny.” Carly said in reply.
“No, she is right. You need to put your feet into those shoes and then I can attach you to the stand. So that you can take the place of the missing mannequin.” Rachael explained finally realizing that Carly had failed to grasp what was happening.
“What do you attach me to the stand?” Carly asked.
“Just that. If I was to leave you standing on your own people might notice and guess that you were not a mannequin. So, I thought I would attach you to it at least while the competition was going on. Don’t worry I can detach you later. If you behave that is.” Rachael continued to explain.
“I suppose it's too late to back out now, isn’t it?” Carly asked
“Well considering the shop opens in just under an hour. The answer would have to be yes.” Rachael told her.
“Ok then let's get this over with,” Carly said as she placed her feet into the vacated heels.
Rachael and Ashleigh attached her to the stand that was behind her.
“How is that?” Ashleigh asked
“Cold.” Came the reply.
“Do you want a coffee, Ashleigh?” Rachael asked.
“Yes please,” Ashleigh answered.
“I wouldn’t mind one.” Carly offered.
“Mannequins don’t drink coffee,” Rachael told her.
“She's right you know. I just need to finish a couple of things and then leave you to get yourself in the right frame of mind for the rest of the day.” Ashleigh said as Rachael walked off to put the kettle on
“I thought you said you were finished. What else do you have to do?” Carly asked.
“Not much,” Ashleigh said as she took out a skull cap from her makeup kit and began to attach it to Carly’s head.
“Do you really need to do that Ash?”
“Yes, I want you to look as much like the other mannequins as possible. Think of it as taking pride in my job.” Came the reply.
“I always knew you were a perfectionist, but this is too much,” Carly told her friend.
“Try and stop me if you can,” Ashleigh said with a smile on her face.
“I would if I could,” Carly told her.
“That’s what I thought,” Ashleigh said as she went to not only apply the Skull cap but also add a long blonde wig to the skull cap.
“You do remember that I am a natural blonde, don’t you?” Carly asked.
“Oh, I remember but I thought the wig would be a nice touch. I am almost done anyway.” Ashleigh told her
“What there is more?” Carly asked her friend trying to figure out what else Ashleigh had in mind
She reached into her and pulled out a small container. “Contact Lenses. These will stop anyone from seeing your eyes move.” Ashleigh told her immobile friend.
“Great I am not going to be able to see what is going on,” Carly said dejectedly.
“Oh no, you will be able to see it's just that people won’t be able to see your own eyes. Just one thing to do.” Ashleigh said as she fitted the lenses.
“Ashleigh your coffee’s ready” Came Rachael’s voice from the office at the other end of the store.
“Just finishing up,” Ashleigh replied.
“Sorry for the complaining Ash I just didn’t think things would go this far. I am just trying to help a friend save her business.” Carly said apologetically.
“No worries,” Ashleigh said as she spotted the head of the mannequin that Carly was replacing for the day. “Do you think that you can copy her expression?” She asked Carly.
“Not a problem,” Carly told her as she attempted to do so.
“Close enough. Now don’t try and move.” Ashleigh told Carly as she took out a canister and started to spray Carly’s face with it.
“Don’t worry it's just a sealant for the makeup. Just in case just start to sweat.” Ashleigh said as she finished spraying her friend's face and then spayed her lags as well for a laugh. She was about to ask Carly how she felt but realized that there was no point as Carly wouldn’t be able to answer her. She then packed up her kit and turned towards Rachael and the waiting cup of coffee.
