- soft pastel on paper
- approx. 8.5x9"/290x320mm
Red Dress
By Mark Ivan Cole
From a concept by Mark Cole and Ping Hsu“Maybe so,” she says; “but it’s worth ten euros to you if you’ll help.”
“I haven’t sung in ages,” he says.
“You’re a gondolier!” she insists; “and you can still sing. I hear you through the floor, you know. You sang in the shower just last week.”
“And I sounded like a pig in heat,” he says.
Giulietta smacks him on the arm. “You sounded like Placido Domingo—with a hangover. Alberto! Just one song! Bring them to the back door of the shop and help them out of the gondola as you’re singing. It will keep him from having to explain too much.”
Alberto gives her that sad, sideways grin of his. “How do you know this is the right thing to do?” he asks.
“It IS!” she says.
“You don’t know these people,” he says.
“But I know people!” she counters. “If you had seen them, Alberto! He wanted to, but she wouldn’t let him buy the red dress, even though it’s perfect for her! Alberto, she has the legs of a movie star!”
“She’ll need them to wear that dress,” says Alberto. “But who are these people and why do you want to help them like this?”
“They’re in Venezia for three days and they have come to my shop twice,” she tells him. “They’ve been married for years and she wore a red dress on the day they met. You should have seen the light in his eyes when she tried it on!”
“So they like the dress!” says Alberto. “How do you get involved with these things, Giulietta?”
“I’m a romantic,” she says. “You said so yourself. So I have to help when a romance needs a little help.”
“Romance!” says Alberto. “They’re business associates about to embark on a scandalous affair, and you are aiding and abetting a crime!”
“That’s your fantasy,” she retorts; “and you’re a naughty boy for even saying such a thing!”
“Come, Giulietta, you think every couple that comes into your store is a pair of lovebirds on the romantic journey of a lifetime.”
“Ridiculous!” she says. “If he were sixty five and she were thirty two, I wouldn’t bother. They’re married, Alberto! And I pulled him aside and promised him that he can afford the dress!”
“You cut the price,” he states.
“Of COURSE, I cut the price!” she says. “How could I not? The dress is hers. I don’t want anyone else to buy it. Surely you can do your part in this little scheme!”
“You will go broke,” he scoffs.
“But I will be happy!” she says. “So will you sing? I have ten euros here that should help. ”
“All right, I’ll sing! I’ll sing!” he says. “Put your money away. What’s the rest of your plan?”
“Oh, bless you, Alberto!” Giulietta finishes her espresso con cioccolato and leans forward. “When she was in the dressing room, I pulled him aside and told him what to do.”
“You told him what to do!” Alberto exclaims.
“Be quiet and listen. You asked, so I’m telling you. I told him it would all be arranged. I have cakes and espresso coming from Delicia, the red dress will be ready—he’s already paid me—and all he has to do is meet you at the gondolas at 3:45.”
Alberto looks at his watch. “3:45!! That’s in fifteen minutes!” He jumps up from the table.
“Yes!” she says, getting up. “And you wouldn’t have to run if you hadn’t spent so much time arguing with me! Now, go! They’ll be looking for a handsome gondolier.”
“Then they’ll not notice me!” he groans, putting on his jacket.
“Oh, hush!” she says. “I told them this gondolier would be singing with the most beautiful tenor voice.”
“And if I’m not the only one singing—?” asks Alberto.
“—then they can’t possibly make a mistake!” she says. “Ciao, bello!” She straightens his collar, slaps him on the back and sends him on his way.
Hurrying down the street toward her shop, Giulietta imagines her little table with its crisp, white cloth, sitting out by the green water of the canal, just waiting for two cappuccini, a few pastries, and a sweet exchange between a lovely lady in a red dress and a fine husband who has eyes only for her. Venezia, Venezia! Quanto ti amo!
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