ALICE Ch 70

“Diorgasm has a new vision. And we feel that you might form part of that vision,” Cosette says, holding up her hands and lacing her fingers together as though to indicate two halves of something.

“Well, uh, I’m super flattered,” Alice says. Words can’t express how disinterested she is in this marketing stuff. Cosette, meanwhile, is very interesting. The layers kind of hide it, but she is very nicely built indeed. She’s no Glynda, but who is? Alice briefly remembers that Swedish girl from the early days of FUTA, the blonde with the ludicrous rack who had stood beside Coach Riley in a lot of promotional materials. Cosette isn’t like that. But that pale cleavage, tantalizingly obscured by silky folds of thin fabric is like Kryptonite. Alice clears her throat.

“What was I saying?” she asks.

“Nothing,” Cosette replies sweetly.

“Oh. Sorry.” Her eyes are up there. Alice focuses on them. “I’m not great with business stuff,” she admits.

“As I said. This is not business.” Cosette leans in a little, and that just makes the view even more immediate and arresting. “So please be at ease.”

“Well, it’s kind of hard. I don’t know if you’re offering me something or if I’m trying out, or what’s going on,” Alice says frankly.

“I did not mean to confuse you. I am to determine if you are the correct person for this campaign.”

“Oh. OK. Well, I hope I’m doing OK.”

“You are.” Cosette only looks friendlier as she places her hand on Alice’s. It’s like an electric shock. This is weirdly exciting, maybe because she’s so exotic. There’s also that vibe that she’s out of Alice’s league. She’s a bit like Kylie that way. Alice doesn’t know anything about Perfume, but she’s suddenly very invested in passing this audition, or whatever is happening here.

Cosette is watching her face.

“Diorgasm is about passion. Yearning,” she says.

“Oh, man. Man, do I know about yearning,” Alice replies with a laugh. “Maybe I’m the right person after all.”

“You think so?”

“Well…” Alice sighs. She takes a drink of beer and soberly wipes her mouth. She doesn’t know much about business, but she’s comfortable with her feelings. “Actually, no. I don’t think spilling my guts is the way to do well in an interview. You just have to take my word for it. Wanting things that I can’t have and wanting them really bad… it’s like a whole thing for me. It’s why I keep busy all the time. I mean, take my trainer. Kylie? She’s amazing. All she ever did was just be… a cool person, and now I’m obsessed with her.” Alice lets out a long breath. “Really obsessed, actually. I think it’s the way that she talks.” She gets out her phone and pulls up a picture of Kylie. “See what I mean?”

“She looks very nice.”

Alice gazes at the photo wistfully. “Right?”