Someone Marigold knows enters the elevator...

The elevator shuddered to a halt, and Marigold froze where she stood. She hadn't even thought about the possibility that someone might climb into the elevator with her. She looked left, and then looked right again. The chamber of the lift was so small that there was no chance that she would be able to escape. Maybe she would be able to push past the person? No, that was too risky, she couldn't chance it. But...

The elevator stopped completely, and the steel double doors slid open. When Marigold saw who was on the other side, her heart dropped out of her chest. She dropped her face down to the floor in shame, but also in the hope that this person might not realize who she was. There was no hope of that happening, but there was nothing else that she could do.

The man who stepped into the elevator was none other than Revered Michael Carson, Marigold's own pastor and one of the most important men in her life and in the lives of her family. One word from him, and Marigold's life would fall into pieces. How was she supposed to get out of this situation now? She could only hope that he wouldn't recognize her in her stupid, slutty outfit, as ridiculous a possibility as that might be.

Pastor Michael already looked perturbed as he walked into the elevator. He was a slim, tall man, with high cheekbones and short blonde hair, and he was wearing a dress shirt and khakis. He cast a small, dismissive look in Marigold's direction, and then looked away. For a brief, shining moment, Marigold believed that she might be able to escape the horrible situation that she had found herself in, but as soon as the pastor had opened her mouth, she knew that she had no chance.

"Good women don't wear outfits like that," Michael said. There was a harsh tone to his voice, but it didn't sound like he had realized who she was as of yet. "How do you expect to find a good man to respect you when you dress like a cheap whore?" The pastor shook his head. His words were far more venomous than Marigold had ever heard in her life, so much so that it was setting her heart to tremble. How could the Pastor Michael that she had known for so many years speak to anyone in that tone of voice?

Marigold didn't say anything. In any other situation, it would be horribly disrespectful, but she didn't have the guts to answer him. She was also still holding out hope that Reverend Carson might somehow not realize who she was.

Her hopes were dashed when Pastor Michael looked up at her. In the mirrors on either side of the elevator, Marigold watched her pastor's eyes widen. "... Marigold?" he gasped. There was a look of horror and intense disgust warping his features.