Ivan Dobnik - Vilenica

162 · Vesna Lemaić
midnight. For two weeks, she had been asking him to sign a new one, but
Rodendrich kept avoiding the subject and putting it off. Maybe he was
thinking of hiring a new shop assistant? She quickly shook off the fears
that had been pervading her life lately. According to its physiognomy, the
third mannequin was supposed to be Turkish.
“Fatima!” exclaimed Angela.
But she had unwittingly wounded her employer’s heart. Rodendrich instantly
lost his good humour; he journeyed to Fátima in Portugal because
of high cholesterol. “Fatima or Cappadocia, it doesn’t matter.”
“Mister Rodendrich. My contract expires today. When will you have the
time to sign a new one?”
“Time is money, Angela.” He rapped on the face of his wristwatch. “Tomorrow.
We’ll talk tomorrow. I have to run now.”
It is an empty night. All is peaceful in the Heavens shop window. It is illuminated
by bright lights and dynamic images of Fashion TV. In the centre
stand the male and female mannequins in evening wear. All confident and
romantic. As if frozen in a waltz. Then the male mannequin clicks his
tongue. “We’re here to build dreams.”
“Mister Rodendrich would say,” rattles the female mannequin.
“Look at him!” frowns the male mannequin at Barack, still leaning against
the wall with the other two. “Hey, Barack! Should I switch to Animal
Planet so you can say hi to your people in Africa?”
“And just look at those two!” said the female mannequin scornfully. “It’s
because of them our own lost their spot in the window.”
That night, Angela could not stay at home; her anxiousness drove her out,
even though she kept telling herself she had to get some rest for the following
day, so she would be able to cater to the customer’s wishes in a
motivated set of mind. But that was not certain anymore, Rodendrich
obviously had other plans with her position.
The streets were crowded with people who, like her, wandered aimlessly
about the city, searching for a way out. She did not feel like relating to
them. For the next two hours, she was still officially employed, she still
had a job. And these people were just loitering, rubbing their hands as if
itchy from idleness.
The idyllic window of the Heavens chain clothing store. For now. The
male and female mannequins are dancing the waltz. The waltz symbolises
European unity. It is a dance which can be danced with many charming
bows, in open or closed position, depending on the person in front of you.
“Immigrants! There’s little room here as it is.” The male mannequin starts
shaking his head and continues to shake his head.
The female mannequin joins him. “And less clothes to choose from.”