Tuesday, November 23, 2010

S7 Challenge 7 Broken China




Campaign, banshee, gallop, playpen, snatch, orangutan, stipend

This year’s campaign for Toggs on Bods was finally over. Bartan could now stop screaming like a banshee at those wisp of a willow models and settle in to a venti Carmel Brulee Latte; ‘tis the season *snap*. He summoned his assistant Gail commanding she gallop out quick for his beloved coffee “Don’t forget China” he shouts after her. Bartan sniggered as Gail galloped off for his coffee and China. Gail had chestnut hair and broad quarters like his favorite mare Tyra. Gail left the design house forgetting her coat but even in the brisk night air of winter waving for a taxi she did not feel cold. Her hatred for Bartan kept her warm. She detested his I’m the queen of the manor attitude but she put up with him as the price of admission to fashion’s inner circle. She would go to Bartan’s place the playpen as she liked to call it, no need for Starbuck’s tonight. Exiting the elevator Gail heads for apartment 1818, the corner apartment with the best view of Manhattan on the 18th floor. Unlocking the door seeing bits and pieces of China laying about the living room filled her with a frenzied delight. She took a look around the apartment before dialing 911 then she phoned Bartan. Once he stopped berating her for her delay she said “come home right away”, “I called 911”, “it is bad” and then she hung up. Gail reached in her purse for her camera to snatch a picture or two before the 911 responders arrived. The police arrived on scene first. Officer Geo Spangolupolus was a large orangutan type of man. His partner David St. John in contrast was like a tall drink of water to a very thirsty woman. Gail made a mental note of David’s badge number and the fact he wore no wedding ring. Bartan got to the apartment about the same time as the EMT’s. It was Officer Geo who caught Bartan just as he eeked out a sound and collapsed upon seeing his beloved China. A gruesome site it was to see China laying dead on the living room floor his skin patterned out as if by Jame “Buffalo Bill” Gumb from Silence of the Lambs. China was Bartan’s lover for the past year or so, he loved him dearly. Only Gail knew that China was seeing someone on the side. She’d stumbled on what would be the motive for murder. Officer David knelt beside the body picking up bloodied pinking shears, Bartan’s shears, with his pen to maintain the integrity of any prints. Gail knew whose prints the shears would not carry, the gloves she wore took care of that. She’d killed China just as Bartan closed his apartment door leaving for the fashion show. She had to be quick to ensure opportunity for the murder. She only patterned off a portion of the chest and backside in the interest of time but felt this was a nice touch to add. Bartan would surely be suspect for the murder just as Gail planned. The abuse she was subjected to and the small stipend she received for her exceptional work was one thing but when Bartan took her fashion ideas as his own well that was too much. She will get another job in the industry and in time have a showing of her own designs. While waiting for that day she sips the current coffee flavor of the month. The baristas put her coffee in a beautiful china mug at her request. She sits content and a bit amused picturing Bartan strutting the cat walk for Bubba and the other cell mates on Riker’s.