Little Black Dress

                I was so nervous.  Tonight was a big deal and if I messed up, not only would I be completely embarrassed, but my future would be stalled. Again.

                I had so many chances before now. Austin, Mack, Patrick, all failures. I did not want to go through that again. I had to succeed.

                My heels clicked on the street. I was walking towards the gallery that I was supposed to find my date in. It was one of those standard things “I’ll be the one wearing a blue cravat.” And I am supposed to find him with just that. Who wears a cravat anymore anyway? My brown coat was not enough to keep the wind out. It was late March, and winter clung to the wind, refusing to leave. I could feel my black dress flutter where my coat wasn’t long enough to cover the whole thing. My legs were freezing and I couldn’t even feel the ball of my feet where the thin bottoms of my shoes didn’t quite keep the cold from oozing up through the cement.

                As I continue my walk down the long city block I pass a skyscraper with giant glass windows. I think it was some kind of hotel, I could see a lobby through the dark glass. I could then see my reflection in the windows. I was dressed nicely, for my date. My dark green heels stood out against the dark night. I clutched my purse handle tight. If my bag got stolen, I wouldn’t be able to make it through tonight.  I was in a nice part of the city, but creeps can be anywhere. Just because a place is nice, doesn’t mean bad things don’t happen. I knew that better than most.

                As I climb the stairs to the gallery I start to undo my coat. Someone would end up taking it from me anyway. Which was a shame, I really liked this coat. I give my coat to the staff at the door and move in to find him. I came towards the end of the gallery’s open times. It should close in about 30 minutes. I move through the displays, half glancing at the art, searching the room for the man I came to find. He was the owner of this gallery, so I knew he would be around here. I kept moving, I saw the office door in the back corner. It was strategically placed. All the best, and most expensive art, were in this area, so that anyone who had business with the gallery had to go past the art they wanted most to sell.

                He was standing outside the door talking to the last customer in the building. I slowly moved forward, not wanting to interrupt the conversation, but anxious to be with the man. I held my bag closer.

              When the customer left, I put on my best smile and moved toward the owner.

“Well, hello my dear,” he softly said. Apparently, even though we were the only two people in the gallery, a quiet voice was still necessary. He looked me up and down. I couldn’t blame him, this dress was particularly alluring, just like it was supposed to be. I smiled back at him as I reached my hand into my bag and clutched at the instrument that was my last chance.

                The man moved closer, reaching to put an arm around my waist. No personal space this one.

                “Can I help you?” His voice held what was obviously lust for me.  Prick.

                I smiled at him anyway, I had to keep it together. “You most certainly can.”

                I drew my hand out of my bag quickly and pulled the trigger. The shot was quiet thanks to the silencer on the barrel. He collapsed and I started walking towards the office door. I pulled out my cellphone from my bag as I placed my gun back in it.

                “Target eliminated.” I spoke into the phone. There was a back door out the office that would be my exit.

                “You have finally not disappointed me. Come back and we will discuss the next mission.” The manly voice said in my ear.

                “You owe me a new coat.” I said as I hung up and walked away. My heels click echoing in the alley.