Louis arrived at 7 a.m. on the dot and went directly to the “Experimental Design Facility.” He found Daphnie, Beatrice and Ted, resting their heads on their desks.

“Rise, and Shine,” he said, “I sure hope you haven’t been sleeping all night. This is your moment of truth.”

Daphnie had a sheet draped over the team’s finished product. She pulled it back to reveal a mannequin in an almost-levitating raincoat, that shown with all the colors of the rainbow. The mannequin itself had the illusion of floating. Louis said nothing. He simply nodded his head once in approval, and left for the next fashion show. His favorite show of the day would belong to Evelyn Clinton, the world’s premiere designer of wedding dresses. Evelyn’s show dress in the show had a longer train than the last. Louis was blown away by their beauty, but not by their weight. A flower girl struggled to escort every model down the runway.

“This should be easier,” said Louis, and again he drew a quick sketch, and took it back to Daphnie and her design team.

“I want you to design me the greatest wedding dress the world has ever seen,” Louis told the team. “It must have a train longer than any that has come before, and…the train must move on its own. No flower girl required.”

“I’m not sure I understand,” said Daphnie, but Louis didn’t seem to hear.

“I expect it to be finished by tomorrow morning,” said Louis, “If you succeed, then you will all receive raises. If not, you will all be fired. I look forward to seeing your results.” Louis flicked his wrist and excused himself from the room.

“What will we do?” said Daphnie, “Why would anyone want a moving train anyway? It sounds creepy.”

“Well, the longer it is, the heavier it is. This can make the bride uncomfortable. Louis’s idea makes sense, but might not be possible.”

“We could attach wheels to the dress—tiny wheels,” said Beatrice.

“That could work,” said Daphnie, “but its not very romantic.”

“What if we put doves on the wheels?” said Ted.

“Why not just make doves?” said Daphnie. The team thought on it for a while, and decided that was the craziest idea they had ever heard. So crazy, in fact, that they decided to start on it immediately. Daphnie built the mechanics, Ted molded the form, and Beatrice transformed a vintage wedding gown into the most spectacularly long dress that was ever beheld.

By the end of the night, eight chirping silver birds were completed. Each one fluttered around the room until they heard three claps. This was the signal for them to attend the dress’s train. The three designers stood back and admired their work. Never had they been more proud. They just hoped that the dress met Louis’s “move on its own” expectations.

(To Be Continued…)

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Written by Alex Schattner (9/11/12)

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