ÓÑÇéÌáʾ£ºÈç¹û±¾ÍøÒ³´ò¿ªÌ«Âý»òÏÔʾ²»ÍêÕû£¬Çë³¢ÊÔÊó±êÓÒ¼ü¡°Ë¢Ð¡±±¾ÍøÒ³£¡ÔĶÁ¹ý³Ì·¢ÏÖÈκδíÎóÇë¸æËßÎÒÃÇ£¬Ð»Ð»£¡£¡ ±¨¸æ´íÎó
86¶ÁÊé ·µ»Ø±¾ÊéĿ¼ ÎÒµÄÊé¼Ü ÎÒµÄÊéÇ© TXTÈ«±¾ÏÂÔØ ½øÈëÊé°É ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©

ʱÉÐŮħͷ ´©ÆÕÀ­´ïµÄ¶ñħ Ó¢ÎÄÔ­°æ-µÚ39ÕÂ

°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·­Ò³£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡




¡¡¡¡¡°No£»¡¡Miranda£»¡¡of¡¡course¡¡not¡£¡¡I¡¯m¡¡sorry¡¡about¡¡this¡ª¡±¡¡My¡¡voice¡¡was¡¡
¡¡¡¡shaking¡¡a¡¡little£»¡¡but¡¡I¡¡couldn¡¯t¡¡get¡¡it¡¡under¡¡control¡£¡¡¡°¡ªit¡¯s¡¡just¡¡
¡¡¡¡that¡¡we¡¡can¡¯t¡¡seem¡¡to¡¡find¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Lagerfeld¡£¡¡We¡¯ve¡¡already¡¡tried¡¡at¡¡
¡¡¡¡least¡¡eight¡ª¡±

¡¡¡¡¡°Can¡¯t¡¡seem¡¡to¡¡find¡¡him£¿¡±she¡¡mimicked¡¡in¡¡a¡¡high¡­pitched¡¡voice¡£¡¡¡°What¡¡
¡¡¡¡do¡¡you¡¡mean£»¡¡you¡¡¡®can¡¯t¡¡seem¡¡to¡¡find¡¯¡¡him£¿¡±

¡¡¡¡What¡¡part¡¡of¡¡that¡¡simple¡¡five¡­word¡¡sentence¡¡did¡¡she¡¡not¡¡prehend£»¡¡
¡¡¡¡I¡¡wondered¡£¡¡Can¡¯t¡£¡¡Seem¡£¡¡To¡£¡¡Find¡£¡¡Him¡£¡¡Seemed¡¡rather¡¡clear¡¡and¡¡
¡¡¡¡precise¡¡to¡¡me£º¡¡We¡¡can¡¯t¡¡fucking¡¡find¡¡him¡£¡¡That¡¡is¡¡why¡¡you¡¯re¡¡not¡¡
¡¡¡¡talking¡¡to¡¡him¡£¡¡Ifyou¡¡can¡¡find¡¡him£»¡¡thenyou¡¡can¡¡talk¡¡to¡¡him¡£¡¡A¡¡
¡¡¡¡million¡¡barbed¡¡responses¡¡raced¡¡around¡¡my¡¡head£»¡¡but¡¡I¡¡could¡¡only¡¡
¡¡¡¡sputter¡¡like¡¡a¡¡first¡­grader¡¡who¡¯d¡¡been¡¡singled¡¡out¡¡by¡¡the¡¡teacher¡¡
¡¡¡¡for¡¡talking¡¡in¡¡class¡£

¡¡¡¡¡°Um£»¡¡well£»¡¡Miranda£»¡¡we¡¯ve¡¡called¡¡all¡¡of¡¡the¡¡numbers¡¡we¡¡have¡¡listed¡¡
¡¡¡¡for¡¡him£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡doesn¡¯t¡¡appear¡¡to¡¡be¡¡at¡¡any¡¡of¡¡them£»¡±¡¡I¡¡managed¡£

¡¡¡¡¡°Well¡¡of¡¡course¡¡he¡¯s¡¡not£¡¡±¡¡She¡¡was¡¡almost¡¡screaming¡¡now£»¡¡that¡¡
¡¡¡¡precious£»¡¡well¡­guarded¡¡cool¡¡was¡¡precariously¡¡close¡¡to¡¡collapsing¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡She¡¡took¡¡a¡¡deep£»¡¡exaggerated¡¡breath¡¡and¡¡said¡¡calmly£»¡¡¡°Ahn¡­dre¡­ah¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡Are¡¡you¡¡aware¡¡that¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Lagerfeld¡¡is¡¡in¡¡Paris¡¡this¡¡week£¿¡±¡¡I¡¡felt¡¡like¡¡
¡¡¡¡we¡¡were¡¡doing¡¡English¡¡As¡¡a¡¡Second¡¡Language¡¡lessons¡£

¡¡¡¡¡°Of¡¡course£»¡¡Miranda¡£¡¡Emily¡¡has¡¡been¡¡trying¡¡all¡¡the¡¡numbers¡¡in¡ª¡±

¡¡¡¡¡°And¡¡are¡¡you¡¡aware¡¡that¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Lagerfeld¡¡said¡¡he¡¯d¡¡be¡¡available¡¡on¡¡his¡¡
¡¡¡¡mobile¡¡phone¡¡while¡¡he¡¡was¡¡in¡¡Paris£¿¡±¡¡Every¡¡muscle¡¡in¡¡her¡¡throat¡¡
¡¡¡¡strained¡¡to¡¡keep¡¡her¡¡voice¡¡even¡¡and¡¡calm¡£

¡¡¡¡¡°Well£»¡¡no£»¡¡we¡¡don¡¯t¡¡have¡¡a¡¡cell¡¡number¡¡listed¡¡in¡¡the¡¡directory£»¡¡so¡¡
¡¡¡¡we¡¡didn¡¯t¡¡know¡¡that¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Lagerfeld¡¡even¡¡had¡¡a¡¡Cell¡¡Phone¡£¡¡But¡¡Emily¡¡
¡¡¡¡is¡¡on¡¡the¡¡phone¡¡with¡¡his¡¡assistant¡¡right¡¡now£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¯m¡¡sure¡¡she¡¯ll¡¡
¡¡¡¡have¡¡that¡¡number¡¡in¡¡just¡¡a¡¡minute¡£¡±¡¡Emily¡¡gave¡¡me¡¡the¡¡thumbs¡­up¡¡
¡¡¡¡right¡¡before¡¡she¡¡scribbled¡¡something¡¡and¡¡exclaimed£»¡¡¡°Merci£»oh¡¡yes£»¡¡
¡¡¡¡thank¡¡you£»¡¡I¡¡mean£»merci¡¡¡±¡¡over¡¡and¡¡over¡¡again¡£

¡¡¡¡¡°Miranda£»¡¡I¡¡have¡¡the¡¡number¡¡right¡¡here¡£¡¡Would¡¡you¡¡like¡¡me¡¡to¡¡connect¡¡
¡¡¡¡you¡¡now£¿¡±¡¡I¡¡could¡¡feel¡¡my¡¡chest¡¡puff¡¡out¡¡with¡¡confidence¡¡and¡¡pride¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡A¡¡job¡¡well¡¡done£¡¡¡A¡¡superior¡¡performance¡¡under¡¡the¡¡most¡¡
¡¡¡¡pressure¡­filled¡¡conditions¡£¡¡Never¡¡mind¡¡that¡¡my¡¡really¡¡cute¡¡peasant¡¡
¡¡¡¡blouse¡¡that¡¡had¡¡been¡¡plimented¡¡by¡¡two¡ªnot¡¡one£»¡¡but¡¡two¡ªfashion¡¡
¡¡¡¡assistants¡¡was¡¡now¡¡sporting¡¡sweat¡¡stains¡¡under¡¡the¡¡arms¡£¡¡Who¡¡cared£¿¡¡
¡¡¡¡I¡¡was¡¡about¡¡to¡¡get¡¡this¡¡stark¡¡raving¡¡mad¡¡lunatic¡¡of¡¡an¡¡international¡¡
¡¡¡¡caller¡¡off¡¡my¡¡back£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡was¡¡thrilled¡£

¡¡¡¡¡°Ahn¡­dre¡­ah£¿¡±¡¡It¡¡sounded¡¡like¡¡a¡¡question£»¡¡but¡¡I¡¡was¡¡only¡¡
¡¡¡¡concentrating¡¡on¡¡trying¡¡to¡¡figure¡¡out¡¡a¡¡pattern¡¡for¡¡indiscriminate¡¡
¡¡¡¡name¡¡mix¡­ups¡£¡¡At¡¡first¡¡I¡¯d¡¡thought¡¡she¡¡did¡¡it¡¡deliberately¡¡in¡¡an¡¡
¡¡¡¡attempt¡¡to¡¡belittle¡¡and¡¡humiliate¡¡us¡¡even¡¡more£»¡¡but¡¡then¡¡I¡¡figured¡¡
¡¡¡¡out¡¡that¡¡she¡¡was¡¡probably¡¡quite¡¡satisfied¡¡with¡¡the¡¡levels¡¡of¡¡
¡¡¡¡belittlement¡¡and¡¡humiliation¡¡we¡¡endured¡¡and¡¡so¡¡she¡¡did¡¡it¡¡only¡¡
¡¡¡¡because¡¡she¡¡couldn¡¯t¡¡be¡¡bothered¡¡to¡¡keep¡¡straight¡¡details¡¡so¡¡inane¡¡
¡¡¡¡as¡¡her¡¡two¡¡assistants¡¯¡¡names¡£¡¡Emily¡¡had¡¡confirmed¡¡this¡¡by¡¡saying¡¡
¡¡¡¡that¡¡she¡¡called¡¡her¡¡Emily¡¡about¡¡half¡¡the¡¡time¡¡but¡¡called¡¡her¡¡a¡¡
¡¡¡¡mixture¡¡of¡¡Andrea¡¡and¡¡Allison¡ªthe¡¡assistant¡¡before¡¡her¡ªthe¡¡other¡¡
¡¡¡¡half¡£¡¡I¡¡felt¡¡better¡£

¡¡¡¡¡°Yes£¿¡±¡¡Squeaking¡¡again¡£¡¡Dammit£¡¡¡Wasn¡¯t¡¡it¡¡possible¡¡for¡¡me¡¡to¡¡have¡¡
¡¡¡¡just¡¡a¡¡tiny¡¡bit¡¡of¡¡dignity¡¡with¡¡this¡¡woman£¿

¡¡¡¡¡°Ahn¡­dre¡­ah£»¡¡I¡¡don¡¯t¡¡know¡¡what¡¡all¡¡the¡¡fuss¡¡is¡¡over¡¡finding¡¡Mr¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡Lagerfeld¡¯s¡¡mobile¡¡number¡¡when¡¡I¡¡have¡¡it¡¡right¡¡here¡£¡¡He¡¡gave¡¡it¡¡to¡¡
¡¡¡¡me¡¡just¡¡five¡¡minutes¡¡ago£»¡¡but¡¡we¡¡were¡¡disconnected¡¡and¡¡I¡¡can¡¯t¡¡seem¡¡
¡¡¡¡to¡¡dial¡¡correctly¡£¡±¡¡She¡¡said¡¡the¡¡last¡¡part¡¡as¡¡though¡¡the¡¡entire¡¡
¡¡¡¡world¡¡was¡¡to¡¡blame¡¡for¡¡this¡¡irritation¡¡and¡¡inconvenience¡¡except¡¡for¡¡
¡¡¡¡herself¡£

¡¡¡¡¡°Oh¡£¡¡You£»¡¡um£»¡¡you¡¡have¡¡the¡¡number£¿¡¡And¡¡you¡¡knew¡¡he¡¡was¡¡on¡¡that¡¡
¡¡¡¡number¡¡the¡¡whole¡¡time£¿¡±¡¡I¡¡was¡¡saying¡¡it¡¡for¡¡Emily¡¯s¡¡benefit£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡
¡¡¡¡only¡¡served¡¡to¡¡enrage¡¡Miranda¡¡even¡¡more¡£

¡¡¡¡¡°Am¡¡I¡¡not¡¡making¡¡myself¡¡perfectly¡¡clear¡¡here£¿¡¡I¡¡need¡¡you¡¡to¡¡connect¡¡
¡¡¡¡me¡¡to¡¡03¡£55¡£23¡£56¡£67¡£89¡£¡¡Immediately¡£¡¡Or¡¡is¡¡that¡¡too¡¡difficult£¿¡±

¡¡¡¡Emily¡¡was¡¡slowly¡¡shaking¡¡her¡¡head¡¡in¡¡disbelief¡¡as¡¡she¡¡crumpled¡¡up¡¡
¡¡¡¡the¡¡number¡¡we¡¯d¡¡both¡¡just¡¡fought¡¡so¡¡hard¡¡to¡¡get¡£

¡¡¡¡¡°No£»¡¡no£»¡¡Miranda£»¡¡of¡¡course¡¡that¡¯s¡¡not¡¡too¡¡difficult¡£¡¡I¡¯ll¡¡connect¡¡
¡¡¡¡you¡¡right¡¡away¡£¡¡Hold¡¡just¡¡a¡¡minute¡£¡±¡¡I¡¡hit¡¡¡°conference£»¡±¡¡dialed¡¡the¡¡
¡¡¡¡numbers£»¡¡heard¡¡an¡¡older¡¡man¡¡shout¡¡¡°Allo£¡¡±¡¡into¡¡the¡¡phone£»¡¡and¡¡hit¡¡
¡¡¡¡conference¡¡again¡£¡¡¡°Mr¡£¡¡Lagerfeld£»¡¡Miranda¡¡Priestly£»¡¡you¡¯re¡¡
¡¡¡¡connected£»¡±¡¡I¡¡stated¡¡like¡¡one¡¡of¡¡those¡¡manual¡¡operators¡¡from¡¡
¡¡¡¡theLittle¡¡House¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Prairie¡¡days¡£¡¡And¡¡instead¡¡of¡¡putting¡¡the¡¡
¡¡¡¡whole¡¡call¡¡on¡¡mute¡¡and¡¡then¡¡hitting¡¡speaker¡¡so¡¡Emily¡¡and¡¡I¡¡could¡¡
¡¡¡¡listen¡¡in¡¡on¡¡the¡¡call¡¡together£»¡¡I¡¡just¡¡hung¡¡up¡£¡¡We¡¡sat¡¡in¡¡silence¡¡
¡¡¡¡for¡¡a¡¡few¡¡minutes¡¡as¡¡I¡¡tried¡¡to¡¡refrain¡¡from¡¡badmouthing¡¡Miranda¡¡
¡¡¡¡immediately¡£¡¡Instead£»¡¡I¡¡mopped¡¡some¡¡dampness¡¡from¡¡my¡¡forehead¡¡and¡¡
¡¡¡¡took¡¡long£»¡¡deep¡¡breaths¡£¡¡She¡¡spoke¡¡first¡£

¡¡¡¡¡°So£»¡¡let¡¡me¡¡just¡¡get¡¡this¡¡straight¡£¡¡She¡¡had¡¡his¡¡number¡¡the¡¡entire¡¡
¡¡¡¡time¡¡but¡¡just¡¡didn¡¯t¡¡know¡¡how¡¡to¡¡dial¡¡it£¿¡±

¡¡¡¡¡°Or¡¡maybe¡¡she¡¡just¡¡didn¡¯t¡¡feel¡¡like¡¡dialing¡¡it£»¡±¡¡I¡¡added¡¡helpfully£»¡¡
¡¡¡¡always¡¡enthusiastic¡¡for¡¡the¡¡chance¡¡to¡¡team¡¡up¡¡against¡¡Miranda£»¡¡
¡¡¡¡especially¡¡considering¡¡how¡¡rare¡¡the¡¡opportunities¡¡were¡¡with¡¡Emily¡£

¡¡¡¡¡°I¡¡should¡¯ve¡¡known£»¡±¡¡she¡¡said£»¡¡shaking¡¡her¡¡head¡¡like¡¡she¡¡was¡¡
¡¡¡¡horribly¡¡disappointed¡¡with¡¡herself¡£¡¡¡°I¡¡really¡¡should¡¯ve¡¡known¡¡that¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡She¡¡always¡¡calls¡¡to¡¡have¡¡me¡¡connect¡¡her¡¡to¡¡people¡¡who¡¡are¡¡staying¡¡in¡¡
¡¡¡¡the¡¡next¡¡room£»¡¡or¡¡who¡¡are¡¡in¡¡a¡¡hotel¡¡two¡¡streets¡¡over¡£¡¡I¡¡remember¡¡I¡¡
¡¡¡¡thought¡¡that¡¡was¡¡the¡¡weirdest¡¡thing£»¡¡calling¡¡from¡¡Paris¡¡to¡¡New¡¡York¡¡
¡¡¡¡to¡¡have¡¡someone¡¡connect¡¡you¡¡to¡¡someone¡¡in¡¡Paris¡£¡¡Now¡¡it¡¡just¡¡seems¡¡
¡¡¡¡normal£»¡¡of¡¡course£»¡¡but¡¡I¡¡can¡¯t¡¡believe¡¡I¡¡didn¡¯t¡¡see¡¡that¡¡one¡¡
¡¡¡¡ing¡£¡±

¡¡¡¡I¡¡was¡¡about¡¡to¡¡run¡¡to¡¡the¡¡dining¡¡room¡¡for¡¡lunch£»¡¡but¡¡the¡¡phone¡¡rang¡¡
¡¡¡¡again¡£¡¡Operating¡¡under¡¡the¡¡lightning¡­doesn¡¯t¡­strike¡­twice¡¡theory£»¡¡I¡¡
¡¡¡¡decided¡¡to¡¡be¡¡a¡¡sport¡¡and¡¡answer¡¡the¡¡phone¡£

¡¡¡¡¡°Miranda¡¡Priestly¡¯s¡¡office¡£¡±

¡¡¡¡¡°Emily£¡¡¡I¡¡am¡¡standing¡¡in¡¡the¡¡pouring¡¡rain¡¡on¡¡the¡¡rue¡¡de¡¡Rivoli¡¡and¡¡
¡¡¡¡my¡¡driver¡¡has¡¡vanished¡£¡¡Vanished£¡¡¡Do¡¡you¡¡understand¡¡me£¿¡¡Vanished£¡¡¡
¡¡¡¡Find¡¡him¡¡immediately£¡¡±¡¡She¡¡was¡¡hysterical£»¡¡my¡¡very¡¡first¡¡time¡¡
¡¡¡¡hearing¡¡her¡¡that¡¡way£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡wouldn¡¯t¡¡have¡¡been¡¡surprised¡¡to¡¡learn¡¡it¡¡
¡¡¡¡was¡¡the¡¡only¡¡time¡£

¡¡¡¡¡°Miranda£»¡¡just¡¡a¡¡moment¡£¡¡I¡¡have¡¡his¡¡number¡¡right¡¡here¡£¡±¡¡I¡¡turned¡¡to¡¡
¡¡¡¡scan¡¡my¡¡desk¡¡for¡¡the¡¡itinerary¡¡I¡¯d¡¡set¡¡down¡¡a¡¡moment¡¡earlier£»¡¡but¡¡
¡¡¡¡all¡¡I¡¡saw¡¡were¡¡papers£»¡¡old¡¡Bulletins£»¡¡stacks¡¡of¡¡back¡¡issues¡£¡¡Only¡¡
¡¡¡¡three¡¡or¡¡four¡¡seconds¡¡had¡¡passed£»¡¡but¡¡I¡¡felt¡¡as¡¡if¡¡I¡¡were¡¡standing¡¡
¡¡¡¡right¡¡next¡¡to¡¡her£»¡¡watching¡¡as¡¡the¡¡rain¡¡poured¡¡down¡¡on¡¡her¡¡Fendi¡¡fur¡¡
¡¡¡¡and¡¡caused¡¡the¡¡makeup¡¡to¡¡melt¡¡down¡¡the¡¡side¡¡of¡¡her¡¡face¡£¡¡Like¡¡she¡¡
¡¡¡¡could¡¡just¡¡reach¡¡out¡¡and¡¡slap¡¡my¡¡face£»¡¡tell¡¡me¡¡I¡¯m¡¡a¡¡worthless¡¡piece¡¡
¡¡¡¡of¡¡shit¡¡with¡¡zero¡¡talent£»¡¡no¡¡skill¡¡set£»¡¡a¡¡plete¡¡and¡¡total¡¡loser¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡There¡¡wasn¡¯t¡¡time¡¡to¡¡talk¡¡myself¡¡down£»¡¡remind¡¡myself¡¡that¡¡this¡¡was¡¡
¡¡¡¡merely¡¡a¡¡human¡¡being¡¡£¨theoretically£©¡¡who¡¡wasn¡¯t¡¡happy¡¡to¡¡be¡¡standing¡¡
¡¡¡¡in¡¡the¡¡rain¡¡and¡¡was¡¡taking¡¡it¡¡out¡¡on¡¡her¡¡assistant¡¡3£»600¡¡miles¡¡away¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡It¡¯s¡¡not¡¡my¡¡fault¡£¡¡It¡¯s¡¡not¡¡my¡¡fault¡£¡¡It¡¯s¡¡not¡¡my¡¡fault¡£

¡¡¡¡¡°Ahn¡­dre¡­ah£¡¡¡My¡¡shoes¡¡areruined¡¡¡£¡¡Do¡¡you¡¡hear¡¡me£¿¡¡Are¡¡you¡¡even¡¡
¡¡¡¡listening£¿¡¡Find¡¡my¡¡drivernow£¡¡¡¡±

¡¡¡¡I¡¡was¡¡at¡¡risk¡¡of¡¡some¡¡inappropriate¡¡emotion¡ªI¡¡could¡¡feel¡¡the¡¡knot¡¡in¡¡
¡¡¡¡the¡¡back¡¡of¡¡my¡¡throat£»¡¡the¡¡tightening¡¡of¡¡the¡¡muscles¡¡in¡¡the¡¡back¡¡of¡¡
¡¡¡¡my¡¡neck£»¡¡but¡¡it¡¡was¡¡too¡¡early¡¡to¡¡tell¡¡if¡¡I¡¡would¡¡laugh¡¡or¡¡cry¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡Either¡¡one£º¡¡not¡¡good¡£¡¡Emily¡¡must¡¡have¡¡sensed¡¡as¡¡much£»¡¡because¡¡she¡¡
¡¡¡¡leapt¡¡out¡¡of¡¡her¡¡seat¡¡and¡¡handed¡¡me¡¡her¡¡copy¡¡of¡¡the¡¡itinerary¡£¡¡She¡¯d¡¡
¡¡¡¡even¡¡highlighted¡¡the¡¡driver¡¯s¡¡contact¡¡numbers£»¡¡three¡¡in¡¡all£»¡¡one¡¡for¡¡
¡¡¡¡the¡¡car¡¡phone£»¡¡his¡¡mobile¡¡phone£»¡¡and¡¡his¡¡Home¡¡phone¡£¡¡Naturally¡£

¡¡¡¡¡°Miranda£»¡¡I¡¯m¡¡going¡¡to¡¡need¡¡to¡¡put¡¡you¡¡on¡¡hold¡¡while¡¡I¡¡call¡¡him¡£¡¡Can¡¡
¡¡¡¡I¡¡put¡¡you¡¡on¡¡hold£¿¡±¡¡I¡¡didn¡¯t¡¡wait¡¡for¡¡a¡¡response£»¡¡which¡¡I¡¡knew¡¡would¡¡
¡¡¡¡drive¡¡her¡¡crazy£»¡¡and¡¡threw¡¡the¡¡call¡¡on¡¡hold¡£¡¡I¡¡dialed¡¡Paris¡¡again¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡The¡¡good¡¡news¡¡was¡¡the¡¡driver¡¡picked¡¡up¡¡on¡¡the¡¡first¡¡ring¡¡of¡¡the¡¡
¡¡¡¡first¡¡number¡¡I¡¡tried¡£¡¡The¡¡bad¡¡news¡¡was¡¡he¡¡didn¡¯t¡¡speak¡¡English¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡Although¡¡I¡¯d¡¡never¡¡been¡¡self¡­destructive¡¡before£»¡¡I¡¡couldn¡¯t¡¡help¡¡but¡¡
¡¡¡¡smash¡¡my¡¡forehead¡¡firmly¡¡into¡¡the¡¡Formica¡£¡¡Three¡¡times¡¡of¡¡this£»¡¡and¡¡
¡¡¡¡Emily¡¡had¡¡picked¡¡up¡¡the¡¡line¡¡at¡¡her¡¡desk¡£¡¡She¡¯d¡¡resorted¡¡to¡¡
¡¡¡¡screaming£»¡¡not¡¡so¡¡much¡¡in¡¡attempt¡¡to¡¡make¡¡the¡¡driver¡¡understand¡¡her¡¡
¡¡¡¡own¡¡bad¡¡French£»¡¡but¡¡simply¡¡because¡¡she¡¡was¡¡trying¡¡to¡¡impress¡¡upon¡¡
¡¡¡¡him¡¡the¡¡urgency¡¡of¡¡the¡¡current¡¡situation¡£¡¡New¡¡drivers¡¡always¡¡took¡¡a¡¡
¡¡¡¡little¡¡breaking¡¡in£»¡¡mostly¡¡because¡¡they¡¡foolishly¡¡believed¡¡that¡¡if¡¡
¡¡¡¡Miranda¡¡had¡¡to¡¡wait¡¡forty¡­five¡¡seconds¡¡to¡¡a¡¡minute¡¡extra£»¡¡she¡¯d¡¡be¡¡
¡¡¡¡all¡¡right¡£¡¡This¡¡was¡¡precisely¡¡the¡¡notion¡¡of¡¡which¡¡Emily¡¡and¡¡I¡¡were¡¡
¡¡¡¡to¡¡disabuse¡¡them¡£

¡¡¡¡We¡¡both¡¡put¡¡our¡¡heads¡¡down¡¡a¡¡few¡¡minutes¡¡later£»¡¡after¡¡Emily¡¡had¡¡
¡¡¡¡managed¡¡to¡¡insult¡¡the¡¡driver¡¡enough¡¡that¡¡he¡¯d¡¡hightailed¡¡it¡¡back¡¡to¡¡
¡¡¡¡where¡¡he¡¯d¡¡left¡¡Miranda¡¡three¡¡or¡¡four¡¡minutes¡¡earlier¡£¡¡I¡¡wasn¡¯t¡¡
¡¡¡¡particularly¡¡hungry¡¡for¡¡lunch¡¡anymore£»¡¡a¡¡phenomenon¡¡that¡¡made¡¡me¡¡
¡¡¡¡nervous¡£¡¡WasRunway¡¡rubbing¡¡off£¿¡¡Or¡¡was¡¡it¡¡just¡¡the¡¡adrenaline¡¡and¡¡
¡¡¡¡nerves¡¡mixing¡¡together¡¡to¡¡guarantee¡¡no¡¡appetite£¿¡¡That¡¡was¡¡it£¡¡¡The¡¡
¡¡¡¡starvation¡¡so¡¡endemic¡¡atRunway¡¡was¡¡not£»¡¡in¡¡fact£»¡¡self¡­induced£»¡¡it¡¡
¡¡¡¡was¡¡merely¡¡the¡¡physiological¡¡response¡¡of¡¡bodies¡¡that¡¡were¡¡so¡¡
¡¡¡¡consistently¡¡terrified¡¡and¡¡all¡­around¡¡anxiety¡­ridden¡¡that¡¡they¡¡were¡¡
¡¡¡¡never¡¡actually¡¡hungry¡£¡¡I¡¡vowed¡¡to¡¡look¡¡into¡¡this¡¡a¡¡little¡¡more¡¡and¡¡
¡¡¡¡perhaps¡¡explore¡¡the¡¡possibility¡¡that¡¡Miranda¡¡was¡¡smarter¡¡than¡¡all¡¡of¡¡
¡¡¡¡this¡¡and¡¡had¡¡deliberately¡¡created¡¡a¡¡persona¡¡so¡¡offensive¡¡on¡¡every¡¡
¡¡¡¡level¡¡that¡¡she¡¡literally¡¡scared¡¡people¡¡skinny¡£

¡¡¡¡¡°Ladies£»¡¡ladies£»¡¡ladies£¡¡¡Pick¡¡those¡¡heads¡¡up¡¡off¡¡those¡¡desks£¡¡¡Can¡¡
¡¡¡¡you¡¡imagine¡¡Miranda¡¡seeing¡¡you¡¡now£¿¡¡She¡¡wouldn¡¯t¡¡be¡¡very¡¡happy£¡¡±¡¡
¡¡¡¡James¡¡sang¡¡from¡¡the¡¡doorway¡£¡¡He¡¡had¡¡slicked¡¡back¡¡his¡¡hair¡¡using¡¡some¡¡
¡¡¡¡greasy£»¡¡waxy¡¡stuff¡¡called¡¡Bed¡¡Head¡¡£¨¡°Hot¡¡name¡ªhow¡¡can¡¡you¡¡resist£¿¡±£©¡¡
¡¡¡¡and¡¡was¡¡wearing¡¡some¡¡sort¡¡of¡¡skintight¡¡football¡¡jersey¡¡with¡¡the¡¡
¡¡¡¡number¡¡69¡¡on¡¡both¡¡the¡¡front¡¡and¡¡the¡¡back¡£¡¡As¡¡always£»¡¡a¡¡picture¡¡of¡¡
¡¡¡¡subtlety¡¡and¡¡understatement¡£

¡¡¡¡Neither¡¡of¡¡us¡¡so¡¡much¡¡as¡¡glanced¡¡at¡¡him¡£¡¡The¡¡clock¡¡said¡¡it¡¡was¡¡only¡¡
¡¡¡¡four£»¡¡but¡¡it¡¡felt¡¡like¡¡midnight¡£

¡¡¡¡¡°OK¡¡then£»¡¡let¡¡me¡¡guess¡£¡¡Mama¡¯s¡¡been¡¡calling¡¡off¡¡the¡¡hook¡¡because¡¡she¡¡
¡¡¡¡lost¡¡an¡¡earring¡¡somewhere¡¡between¡¡the¡¡Ritz¡¡and¡¡Alain¡¡Ducasse¡¡and¡¡she¡¡
¡¡¡¡wants¡¡you¡¡to¡¡find¡¡it£»¡¡even¡¡though¡¡it¡¯s¡¡in¡¡Paris¡¡and¡¡you¡¯re¡¡in¡¡New¡¡
¡¡¡¡York¡£¡±

¡¡¡¡I¡¡snorted¡£¡¡¡°You¡¡think¡¡that¡¡would¡¡put¡¡us¡¡in¡¡this¡¡condition£¿¡¡That¡¯s¡¡
¡¡¡¡ourjob¡¡¡£¡¡We¡¡do¡¡that¡¡every¡¡day¡£¡¡Give¡¡us¡¡something¡¡difficult¡£¡±

¡¡¡¡Even¡¡Emily¡¡laughed¡£¡¡¡°Seriously£»¡¡James£»¡¡not¡¡good¡¡enough¡£¡¡I¡¡could¡¡find¡¡
¡¡¡¡an¡¡earring¡¡in¡¡under¡¡ten¡¡minutes¡¡in¡¡any¡¡city¡¡in¡¡the¡¡world£»¡±¡¡she¡¡said£»¡¡
¡¡¡¡all¡¡of¡¡a¡¡sudden¡¡inspired¡¡to¡¡join¡¡in¡¡for¡¡reasons¡¡I¡¡didn¡¯t¡¡understand¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡°It¡¯d¡¡only¡¡be¡¡a¡¡challenge¡¡if¡¡she¡¡didn¡¯t¡¡tell¡¡us¡¡what¡¡city¡¡she¡¯d¡¡lost¡¡
¡¡¡¡it¡¡in¡£¡¡But¡¡I¡¡bet¡¡even¡¡then¡¡we¡¡could¡¡do¡¡it¡£¡±

¡¡¡¡James¡¡was¡¡backing¡¡himself¡¡away¡¡from¡¡the¡¡office£»¡¡a¡¡look¡¡of¡¡feigned¡¡
¡¡¡¡horror¡¡on¡¡his¡¡face¡£¡¡¡°All¡¡right£»¡¡then£»¡¡ladies£»¡¡you¡¡have¡¡a¡¡great¡¡day£»¡¡
¡¡¡¡you¡¡hear£¿¡¡At¡¡least¡¡she¡¡hasn¡¯t¡¡fucked¡¡you¡¡both¡¡up¡¡for¡¡good¡£¡¡I¡¡mean£»¡¡
¡¡¡¡seriously£»¡¡thank¡¡god¡¡for¡¡that£»¡¡right£¿¡¡You¡¯re¡¡bothtooootally¡¡sane¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡Yeah¡£¡¡Um£»¡¡have¡¡a¡¡great¡¡day¡¡¡£¡¡¡£¡¡¡£¡±

¡¡¡¡¡°NOT¡¡SO¡¡FAST¡¡THERE£»¡¡YOU¡¡PANSY£¡¡±¡¡shrieked¡¡someone¡¡very¡¡loud¡¡and¡¡very¡¡
¡¡¡¡high¡­pitched¡£¡¡¡°I¡¡WANT¡¡YOU¡¡TO¡¡MARCH¡¡YOUR¡¡WAY¡¡BACK¡¡IN¡¡THERE¡¡AND¡¡TELL¡¡
¡¡¡¡THE¡¡GIRLS¡¡WHAT¡¡YOU¡¡WERE¡¡THINKING¡¡WHEN¡¡YOU¡¡PUT¡¡THAT¡¡SHMATA¡¡ON¡¡THIS¡¡
¡¡¡¡MORNING£¡¡±¡¡Nigel¡¡grabbed¡¡James¡¡by¡¡the¡¡left¡¡ear¡¡and¡¡dragged¡¡him¡¡into¡¡
¡¡¡¡the¡¡area¡¡between¡¡our¡¡desks¡£

¡¡¡¡¡°Oh£»¡¡e¡¡on£»¡¡Nigel£»¡±¡¡James¡¡whined£»¡¡pretending¡¡to¡¡be¡¡annoyed¡¡but¡¡
¡¡¡¡obviously¡¡delighted¡¡that¡¡Nigel¡¡was¡¡touching¡¡him¡£¡¡¡°You¡¡know¡¡you¡¡love¡¡
¡¡¡¡this¡¡top£¡¡±

¡¡¡¡¡°LOVE¡¡THAT¡¡TOP£¿¡¡YOU¡¡THINK¡¡I¡¡LOVE¡¡THAT¡¡FRATTY£»¡¡GAY¡­JOCK¡¡LOOK¡¡YOU¡¯VE¡¡
¡¡¡¡GOT¡¡GOING£¿¡¡JAMES£»¡¡YOU¡¡NEED¡¡TO¡¡RETHINK¡¡HERE£»¡¡OK£¿¡¡OK£¿¡±

¡¡¡¡¡°What¡¯s¡¡wrong¡¡with¡¡a¡¡tight¡¡football¡¡jersey£¿¡¡I¡¡think¡¡it¡¡looks¡¡hot¡£¡±¡¡
¡¡¡¡Emily¡¡and¡¡I¡¡nodded¡¡in¡¡quiet¡¡alliance¡¡with¡¡James¡£¡¡It¡¡may¡¡not¡¡have¡¡
¡¡¡¡been¡¡exactly¡¡tasteful£»¡¡but¡¡he¡¡did¡¡look¡¡incredibly¡¡hip¡£¡¡And¡¡besides£»¡¡
¡¡¡¡it¡¡was¡¡kind¡¡of¡¡tough¡¡to¡¡be¡¡taking¡¡fashion¡¡advice¡¡from¡¡a¡¡man¡¡who¡¡was£»¡¡
¡¡¡¡at¡¡that¡¡precise¡¡moment£»¡¡wearing¡¡zebra¡­print¡¡boot¡­cut¡¡jeans¡¡and¡¡a¡¡
¡¡¡¡black¡¡V¡­neck¡¡sweater¡¡with¡¡a¡¡keyhole¡¡cut¡¡out¡¡in¡¡the¡¡back¡¡to¡¡reveal¡¡
¡¡¡¡rippling¡¡back¡¡muscles¡£¡¡The¡¡whole¡¡ensemble¡¡was¡¡topped¡¡off¡¡with¡¡a¡¡
¡¡¡¡floppy¡¡straw¡¡hat¡¡and¡¡a¡¡touch¡¡£¨subtle£»¡¡I¡¯ll¡¡give¡¡him¡¡that£¡£©¡¡of¡¡kohl¡¡
¡¡¡¡eyeliner¡£

¡¡¡¡¡°BABY¡¡BOY£»¡¡fashion¡¡IS¡¡NOT¡¡FOR¡¡advertising¡¡YOUR¡¡FAVE¡¡SEX¡¡ACTS¡¡ON¡¡YOUR¡¡
¡¡¡¡SHIRT¡£¡¡UNH¡­UNH£»¡¡NO¡¡IT¡¯S¡¡NOT£¡¡¡YOU¡¡WANNA¡¡SHOW¡¡A¡¡LITTLE¡¡SKIN£¿¡¡THAT¡¯S¡¡
¡¡¡¡HOT£¡¡¡YOU¡¡WANNA¡¡SHOW¡¡SOME¡¡OF¡¡THOSE¡¡TIGHT£»¡¡YOUNG¡¡CURVES¡¡OF¡¡
¡¡¡¡YOURS£¿THAT¡¯S¡¡HOT¡£¡¡CLOTHING¡¡IS¡¡NOT¡¡FOR¡¡TELLING¡¡THE¡¡WORLD¡¡WHAT¡¡
¡¡¡¡POSITION¡¡YOU¡¡PREFER£»¡¡BOYFRIEND¡£¡¡NOW¡¡DO¡¡YOU¡¡UNDERSTAND£¿¡±

¡¡¡¡¡°But£»¡¡Nigel£¡¡±¡¡A¡¡look¡¡of¡¡defeat¡¡was¡¡carefully¡¡constructed¡¡to¡¡disguise¡¡
¡¡¡¡how¡¡pleased¡¡he¡¡was¡¡to¡¡be¡¡the¡¡center¡¡of¡¡Nigel¡¯s¡¡attention¡£

¡¡¡¡¡°DON¡¯T¡¡¡®NIGEL¡¯¡¡ME£»¡¡HONEY¡£¡¡GO¡¡TALK¡¡TO¡¡JEFFY¡¡AND¡¡TEL
·µ»ØÄ¿Â¼ ÉÏÒ»Ò³ ÏÂÒ»Ò³ »Øµ½¶¥²¿ ÔÞ£¨0£© ²È£¨0£©
δÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
ÎÂܰÌáʾ£º ο´Ð¡ËµµÄͬʱ·¢±íÆÀÂÛ£¬Ëµ³ö×Ô¼ºµÄ¿´·¨ºÍÆäËüС»ï°éÃÇ·ÖÏíÒ²²»´íŶ£¡·¢±íÊéÆÀ»¹¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ»ý·ÖºÍ¾­Ñé½±Àø£¬ÈÏÕæÐ´Ô­´´ÊéÆÀ ±»²ÉÄÉΪ¾«ÆÀ¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ´óÁ¿½ð±Ò¡¢»ý·ÖºÍ¾­Ñé½±ÀøÅ¶£¡