Karyn had lost track of time as well as her watch. She thought that something must have happened to it during the collision with the French woman earlier, but she was not sure. It seemed such a long time ago now.
The French woman who had dragged her away from the corridor earlier had taken her deeper into the dressing room. Karyn still did not know who she was, but she had heard several people call her “Claudette,” and each time the woman had answered without hesitation. It was not much to go on, but Karyn had decided that Claudette was probably her name.
From the outside it had not looked particularly large, but inside it seemed enormous, like that box from the television show Jon was always talking about.
She had watched Claudette and another woman steadily prepare the dancers for whatever sort of show this was. The two worked together with practiced efficiency, moving from performer to performer, adjusting costumes, checking makeup, and making sure everyone was ready for the next number.
Before she knew it, Claudette was standing in front of her once again.
“Peux-tu mettre ton costume toute seule ce soir ? Je demanderai à Yvette de vérifier ton maquillage.” (Can you put on your costume yourself tonight? I will get Yvette to check your makeup.) Claudette looked at her expectantly.
Karyn stared back blankly. “I told you I can't understand what you're saying. I don't speak French,” she replied.
Claudette simply frowned. “Ce n'est pas dans tes habitudes d'être aussi ridicule pendant un spectacle.” (It is not like you to act so silly during a show.)
“Elle a heurté cette étrangère tout à l'heure et elle est un peu lente depuis. Je vais l'aider à se préparer.” (She bumped into that foreigner earlier, and she has been a little slow since then. I will help get her ready.) The new voice came from the other side of the room.
Karyn turned and saw a friendly-looking young woman approaching. She had dark chestnut-brown hair carefully styled in curls and rolls. She was about three inches taller than Karyn guessed, and that had nothing to do with the heels she was wearing.
“Qu'est-ce qui ne va pas chez toi ce soir ? Si tu veux ton congé la semaine prochaine, tu dois rester dans les bonnes grâces de Madeleine, et ignorer Claudette ne va certainement pas t'aider.” (What is wrong with you tonight? If you want time off next week, you need to stay on Madeleine's good side, and ignoring Claudette is certainly not going to help.)
Karyn responded with the same blank expression she had given Claudette moments earlier.
“Lucienne, assure-toi qu'elle soit en costume à temps. Nous n'avons pas beaucoup de temps.” (Lucienne, make sure she is in costume on time. We do not have much time.) Claudette had already turned her attention to another dancer.
“Je m'en occupe, madame. Je m'en occupe.” (I will take care of it, madam. I will take care of it.) Lucienne gently took hold of Karyn's arm and began guiding her toward a folding screen in the corner of the room.
“Bien, bien, il vous reste vingt minutes pour être prêtes, mesdames ! Vingt minutes !” (Good, good, you have twenty minutes to get ready, ladies! Twenty minutes!) Claudette's voice echoed across the dressing room as she moved on to the next performer.
“Allez, mets ça et vite.” (Come on, put this on, and quickly.) Lucienne handed Karyn a bundle of fabric before giving her a gentle push toward the screen.
Not knowing what else to do, Karyn took the material and stepped behind it.
