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“I will agree to anything I can put on over my current clothing. I’m not changing out of them.”
It’s not exactly a win, but it’s probably the best I’m going to get. I turn to Marlene and flash an apologetic smile. “What era would work best with that restriction in mind?”
Marlene taps her fingers against her lips as she surveys her store. “Would you be opposed to a hat?”
“Can I hold the hat?”
“Sure, we can probably work with that. Since he doesn’t want to change out of his current clothes, I would suggest either the 1920s or the Old West. His slacks would work for the 20s as long as we get the right suit coat.”
I sigh as I scan the options. I was hoping for something outside the normal fare.
Seeing my hesitation, Marlene speaks up, “We could do the more glamorous twenties look for you with the fur stole and cloche hat rather than just the flapper dress.”
“Okay, let’s try that.” I was kind of hoping for the big hoop skirt and off the shoulder dress like in Gone with the Wind, but a fancy flapper will have to do.
Marlene leads us over to the racks that hold the twenties era outfits, and she helps pick out pieces for Derek and me. Clothing in hand, we step into the small dressing stalls to change. The dress she picked for me is nearly a perfect fit, and the stole and hat definitely add some glamor. When I step outside, I see Derek is already ready. He has a period jacket on and a hat in hand, but it’s the grimace on his face that I can’t get past. He looks as if I’ve asked him to pose for a calendar rather than a silly period picture.
“Try to smile for the picture at least,” I whisper as we follow Marlene to the small studio.
The studio is just a corner of the shop, but it contains the necessary lighting, a camera, the props, and a multitude of drops that Marlene fishes through before crying, “Aha, here it is.” She arranges a few boxes for us to pose with and then positions us - me sitting on a box and Derek standing with one foot on the box I’m sitting on.
“Hmm, it needs something. Let me see.” She rummages through a prop selection and comes back with plastic champagne glasses. After handing one to each of us, she steps back and studies us again. “Actually, let’s have you both stand.”
We follow her direction and Marlene claps her hands. “Yes, that looks perfect. Let’s get a few like this and then we’ll change positions.” Marlene snaps a few pictures, rearranges us, and snaps a few more. I’m trying to stay focused on her, but my gaze keeps slipping to Derek. He still looks uncomfortable, but the disgust is gone at least. In its place is something else. Something I can’t quite place.
“Okay, that should do it. You guys can go ahead and change back and I’ll get these loaded on the computer so you can pick one.”
I expect Derek to issue a sigh of relief or say something snarky, but he simply nods and walks into the stall.
He’s already at the counter when I step out of my stall, dress, stole, and hat in hand. Marlene points to a chair. “Just set them there so I can clean them before I hang them back up.” I comply and join Derek at the counter.
“So, what challenge should they do for the app,” I ask, surveying the area again.
“Maybe it’s not a specific era, but the most realistic picture,” Derek says.
I turn to Marlene and briefly explain what we’re doing. “Do you think you’d be on board with something like that?”
“Are you kidding? I think that would be amazing,” she says. “I could even offer a buy one get one half off on the photos. That way if a couple wanted two different photos or even two different eras, they could do that.”
I smile at Derek. “This is going to be great, but I have no idea who would judge the reality of the photos, so maybe let’s do a theme each month. That way, it will bring more business to Marlene if they want to participate more than one month.”
“Ooh, I like that idea.” Marlene nods, sending her braids bouncing against her shoulders.
“Great; can we get a list of every era you have costumes for so we can know which ones to rotate in?”
“Absolutely.” She grabs a legal pad and begins writing information down. When she’s done, she tears it out and hands it to me. “Now, do you guys know which picture you’d like?”
“I like that one,” he says, pointing at the one I hate the most. Yep, still opposites.
“Uh, can we use that discount to get two pictures?” I ask Marlene, “Because I really want that one.”
“See? It’s working already.” She chuckles as she rings us up and hands us our separate pictures.
As we exit the shop, my stomach growls and I turn to Derek. “How about some lunch?”
He holds up his hands. “I have lunch back at the office and I think I’ve had enough excitement for one day.”
“We have to include restaurants, Derek. I'll tell you what. You can pick.”
