Mistaken Identity

If she didn’t, in the next five minutes, choose a cardigan, find her keys and lock the four sturdy deadbolts on her front door, miss Marian Jewel  would never arrive at the restaurant by six, and tardiness was not in keeping with her character. It might be argued that on such a warm evening a cardigan was unnecessary. It might also be argued that the locks on her door were excessive.  But by all outward appearances, Marian preferred to err on the side of caution.

Considering her outfit-slim brown skirt and white blouse-she decided to wear her tan sweater.  Such a sensible color. Penny loafers and hair neatly tied back from her face, with just the tiniest bit of Vaseline, dabbed on her lips, and Marian was ready to meet her friends.

Once hellos and hugs had been exchanged, Marian took her seat at the table, ordered a glass of milk, and waited for the inevitable barrage of advice.  She was, after all, the only one among them who still hadn’t accessorized herself with a man.  Less plaid and more leg. Fitted sweaters and black eyeliner, perhaps.  And  lipstick. Definitely some nice red lipstick.   They were only offering their two cents for her own good, they soothed.

At eight, Marian looked at her watch and noted the lateness of the hour. Bidding everyone good night, she walked back to her apartment, her cardigan sweater slung over one shoulder.

Marian was careful as she lifted the sizeable box down from her bedroom closet shelf and carried it over to her bed.  Setting the lid aside, she felt a familiar alchemy come over her as she gazed at the contents nestled within the walls of brown cardboard. One piece black suit that fit like a second skin.  Black duffle bag.  Grappling hook. The slim gold tube of Germaine Monteil.

Her friends were right about one thing, Marian conceded, as she roared into the night on her black Vespa. 

Red lipstick suited her.

 

 

For this week's Trifecta challenge: I wrote this story almost a year ago, but I was never completely satisfied with it.  I dusted it off today, and with a little editing alchemy transformed it into a most suitable submission.

ALCHEMY (noun)

1: a medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy aiming to achieve the transmutation of the base metals into gold, the discovery of a universal cure for disease, and the discovery of a means of indefinitely prolonging life

2: a power or process of transforming something common into something special

3: an inexplicable or mysterious transmuting

Please remember:

• Your response must be between 33 and 333 words.

• You must use the 3rd definition of the given word in your post.

• The word itself needs to be included in your response.

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