CelecatHabitica01-03-2021

Written By: Celecat

Finish the Story - At the mall, you walk by a mannequin that looks just like you. Something odd is happening…

I stand rooted to the spot staring at the mannequin in the store window. I'm not sure how an object with no distinguishable facial features can resemble me so closely, but there she is. She stands with one skinny hip jutting out, one foot artfully turned to the side almost like one of Degas' ballet dancers. One hand is on her hip and the other is raised in a vague, palm up gesture. Perhaps she is in the middle of a conversation.

The store is not one that I would normally frequent. It's very trendy and features fashions that someone with my limited resources can't practically afford. Not that I would ever wear the tiny cutoff Daisy Duke shorts paired with the bizarre off-the-shoulder peasant shirt crop top worn by this dummy. But her hair, like mine, cascades in a straight, long fall of chestnut brown past the ragged cuffs of the shorts. And something about the tilt of her head... I can feel my own head matching it so perfectly.

As I stare, I slowly become aware of how quiet it is. How long have I been standing here staring? And where is Christine, my usual mall companion? I want to look around, but find myself frozen, unable to drag my eyes away from my doppelganger. My mind feels fuzzy, my memory is like a blank white board. Did I come here with Christine? When did I come here? Who brought me?

I recall fragments: being dropped off in front of the south entrance of the mall near the movie theater, the midday heat radiating off the asphalt parking lot, the glare of the sun reflecting off the concrete and glass of the mall. I can almost smell the free samples of orange chicken and the unmistakable oil of deep fryers.

I was with Christine. We were going to eat, maybe catch a movie, definitely do some shopping. She wanted new jeans and shoes. I was going to try and persuade her to buy new jeans that actually looked good on her.

And then...

And then....

There was a new place. A modeling agency?

I could feel the slightly damp palm of the man's handshake, see the stark white waiting area with glamour shot style photos hung on the walls.

"It's a great opportunity for us! Expanding our business to new clients, and that means great opportunity for you, too."

I stared at the mannequin-me and puzzled through this. It wasn't just Christine and I. There were a few others hanging around, taking in the promises, shrugging, half-convinced. We talked about calling our parents for permission, we said we were here for other things. Not really interested.

"Let me show you the studio. I'll give you each a complimentary headshot for you to show your folks. I'm sure they'll see the same potential in you that I do!"

Christine was called in before me. She hadn't returned before I was called. I had barely stepped in the room when my eyes were assaulted by a bright flash of light.

My reverie is broken by a clicking sound. A snapping. A steady buzz. The strange dimness around me is suddenly lifted and I'm no longer staring at the mannequin in the window, but looking out into the concourse of the mall. It's not quite empty. There are people here and there, walking to storefronts that are gated shut. With clatters and rattles the gates are lifted. And in the window of the store across from me I see another mannequin, her short blond hair teased out in a style that only Christine ever wore.

I can't move or speak. I never will again.