I watch in dismay as Christina looks up, alert. There’s nothing to galvanize her like someone suggesting her department is less than perfect.
“Excuse me a minute,” she says to the head of personnel, and comes across the floor toward us, her dark hair gleaming under the lights.
“What didn’t Erin tell you about?” she says pleasantly.
“This new designer!” says Lisa. “I never even heard of him before.”
“Ow!” says Tracy suddenly, and draws her hand away from the T-shirt. “That was a pin!”
“A pin?” echoes Christina. “Give me that!”
She takes the ragged T-shirt and stares at it bewilderedly. Then she catches sight of Danny’s laminated sign.
Oh, I’m so stupid. Why didn’t I take that down, at least?
As she reads it, her expression changes. She looks up and meets my eye, and I feel my whole body prickle with fear. I’ve never been in trouble with Christina before. But I’ve heard her telling people off over the phone, and I know she can be pretty fierce.
“Do you know anything about this, Becky?” she asks pleasantly.
“I…” I clear my throat. “The thing is…”
“I see. Lisa, I’m afraid there’s been a little confusion.” She gives Lisa a professional smile. “These items are not for sale. Becky — I think I’d better see you in my office.”
“Christina, I’m… sorry,” I say, feeling my face flush beetroot. “I really am…”
“What happened?” says Tracy. “Why aren’t they for sale?”
“Is Becky in trouble?” says Lisa in dismay. “Will she get fired? Don’t fire Becky! We like her better than Erin… Oh.” She claps her hand over her mouth. “Sorry, Erin. I didn’t see you there.”
“That’s all right,” says Erin, giving a rather pinched smile.
“Christina, all I can do is apologize,” I say humbly. “I never meant to cause any trouble. I never meant to mislead the customers…”
“In my office,” says Christina, lifting a hand to stop me. “If you have anything to say, Becky, then you can say it—”
“Stop!” comes a melodramatic voice behind us, and we all whip round, to see Danny heading toward us, his eyes even wilder than usual. “Just stop right there! Don’t blame Becky for this!” he says, placing himself in front of me. “She had nothing to do with it. If you’re going to fire anyone — fire me!”
“Danny, she can’t fire you,” I mutter. “You’re not employed by Barneys.”
“And you would be?” inquires Christina.
“Danny Kovitz.”
“Danny Kovitz. Ah.” Light dawns on Christina’s face. “So it was you who… assembled these garments. And planted them on our racks.”
“What? He’s not a real designer?” says Tracy in horror. “I knew it! I wasn’t fooled.” She thrusts the hanger she’s holding back onto the rack as though she’s been contaminated.
“Isn’t that breaking the law?” says Lisa, wide-eyed.
“It may well be,” says Danny defensively. “But shall I tell you why I’m reduced to criminal measures? Do you know the impossibility of getting a break in this so-called business of fashion?” He glances around to make sure his audience is listening. “I put every ounce of my life-force into my work. I weep, I cry out in pain, I squeeze myself dry of creative blood. But the fashion establishment isn’t interested in new talent! They aren’t interested in nurturing the newcomer who dares to be a little different!” His voice rises impassionedly. “If I have to take desperate measures, can you blame me? If you cut me, do I not bleed?”
“Wow,” breathes Lisa. “I had no idea it was so tough out there.”
“You did cut me,” puts in Tracy, who looks far less impressed by Danny’s speech. “With your stupid pin.”
“Christina, you have to give him a chance!” exclaims Lisa. “Look! He’s so dedicated!”
“I just want to bring my ideas to people who will love them,” begins Danny again. “My only desire is that someone, someday, will wear one of my garments and feel themselves transformed. But as I crawl toward them on my hands and knees, the doors keep being slammed in my face—”
“Enough already!” says Christina, half exasperated, half amused. “You want your big break? Let me have a look at these clothes.”
There’s a sudden intrigued quiet. I glance quickly at Danny. Perhaps this is going to be it! Christina will spot his genius and Barneys will buy his entire collection and he’ll be made! Then Gwyneth Paltrow will wear one of his Tshirts on Leno, and there’ll be a rush for them, and suddenly he’ll be famous and have his own boutique!
Christina reaches for a T-shirt with spattered dye and rhinestones on the front, and as she runs her eye up and down it, I hold my breath. Lisa and Tracy raise their eyebrows at each other, and although Danny is motionless, I can see his face tightening with hope. There’s dead silence as she puts it down — and as she reaches for a second T-shirt we all give an intake of breath, as though the Russian judge’s hand has hovered over the perfect six scorecard. With a critical frown, she stretches it out to look at it properly… and as she does so, one of the sleeves comes off in her hand, leaving a ragged seam behind.
Everyone stares at it speechlessly.