Went to the mall, to find something to match the necklace.

Originally written by PT at writing.com

Touching the new charm around her neck, Vanessa started to wonder what she should do with the rest of her day. As she wandered along the street, she realised she was just around the corner from the mall.

She had seen a dress in her favourite department store that she thought would match the charm quite well. Maybe it was a bit extravagant to buy an expensive dress to match a stupid cheap rock, but she could at least try it on, then buy it in the next sale…

The department store was not far from the entrance to the mall and it didn’t take Vanessa long to find the dress she was after. It helped that there was a manikin posing near the end of the aisle. She sifted through until she found her size, then wandered towards the changing rooms.

This area of the store was undergoing renovations, so some temporary stalls had been set up with a mirror at the end. She chose a stall, closed the curtain and started to change. Her shirt and jeans were hung on hooks, then the dress went on over her head. She slipped her feet back into her shoes, then left the stall to check it out in the mirror.

The sleeveless dress had a strap that tied at the back so it nicely hugged Vanessa’s waist, yet floated over her hips ready to blow in the wind. It had small, dark yellow flowers which almost perfectly matched the stone in her new necklace. “I’m sure this is why I bought it… must have reminded me of this dress… hah!”

Now wondering if she could muster up the money to buy the dress right away, Vanessa walked back to her stall to change back into her own clothes… ‘Empty… Shit, must be the wrong stall.’ She tried the stall next door, but it was also empty. ‘Someone’s taken my stuff while I’ve been busy daydreaming over this dress!’

Vanessa panicked, checked every stall, just in case. She glanced up and noticed the CCTV camera covering area and decided if she was quick, they might catch the culprit before they left the mall.

Flustered, Vanessa approached the young attendant at the counter and explained that she’d just had her clothes stolen, as well as her bag with all her money, id and credit card.

“Hold on…” the girl said non-chalantly, she seemed in no rush to help catch anyone… “I’ll just call my manager over.”

The Manager arrived, an older, stern looking woman.

The attendant spoke to her in a rushed whisper before the Manager turned to Vanessa.

“What’s your story?” The stern voice asked.

It was clear she was taking no nonsense.

Vanessa explained what had just happened.

“Funny. My staff here tells me that no-one else has entered the changing room.”

“So, I either have to believe that she is lying to me, or that another one of you lot is trying to make off without paying. Trust me, I’ve seen it before. Either pay up; or go put your own clothes back on and try your dirty tricks elsewhere.”

“My clothes are gone… I’m telling you the truth.”

“Gone are they? And you think I’ll believe your money’s gone too…

Pay up, or get out. Maybe a short walk in your undies will teach you not to shoplift.”

Knowing that without her bag, she has no way to pay, Vanessa has to make a decision. Does she: