stage to a pounding beat of loud rock music. They wore tight black pants and body-hugging shirts, except for a pumpkin-haired guy in a kilt. Waving his arms over his head, he rotated his hips in an erotic motion that brought catcalls from the female audience. Another troupe of dancers trounced around on stage, women wearing tube tops adorned with blinking lights, their spiked hair in sunburst colors.
She didn’t realize she’d stopped until Georgia yanked her onward. “You wanna ogle guys? Check out the Menswork performance later. They’re showing their punk collection in rock-and-roll hair.”
“That’s okay. Now here’s something I need.” She pointed to another exhibit. “Bridal services. New graduates don’t realize all the things you can do with wedding parties.”
“Come on over, ladies.” The educator, a svelte brunette, signaled to them. “We’re demonstrating spectacular hair for your spring and summer brides. Create an unforgettable look that your customers will remember for a lifetime. Spend a few minutes with us and you’ll see how to accessorize with veils and jewelry. Learn folding, knotting, lacing, and banding techniques. Wait, don’t leave. Take one of our promotional packets.”
The salesgirl handed Marla a stuffed bag full of sample products and literature. I should have brought a shopping cart for all the freebies , Marla reflected. The bridal market was another area in which she could expand, with pre-wedding consultations as well as onsite service packages. But that would have to wait until she moved into her new salon.
“I always feel overwhelmed at these shows,” she admitted to Georgia, turning down a row where brooms for sweeping hair were on sale along with tattoo jewelry, hair clips, styling books, and ceramic straightening irons. Smells of garlic and onions reached her nostrils as they arrived at the far end near the food court, where they got in line at Starbucks.
Georgia shifted from one foot to the other. “I love having the opportunity to travel and learn new techniques. I wouldn’t be able to go to so many places just on my salary.”
“Do you rent your chair or work on commission?”
“I’m a renter, so I can reschedule my clients if a show comes up. I like being independent.”
“I don’t do chair rentals at my salon anymore. It gives me more control and makes for better team spirit when we split a commission. I think your owner can be more involved that way.”
“You also have more responsibilities, like restocking shelves and continuing the education for your stylists,” Georgia pointed out.
That’s why I go to classes, so I can bring home the things I learn.” At the window, Marla ordered a tall black coffee and a piece of the low-fat cinnamon cake. Offering to treat her friend, she stood back while Georgia placed her order.
“I’d like to take you out to dinner,” Georgia said. “It’s the least I can do in return for your letting me stay at your place.”
“Let’s see what Dalton has planned with Larry and Justine.” Balancing her hot coffee cup and plate, Marla advanced to the condiment station. “I guess you’ve never had to worry about in-laws, let alone a man’s in-laws from his previous marriage.” She kept her tone idle, as though not expecting a reply. In truth, Marla hoped to prod Georgia into telling her about Las Vegas.
Finding a seat at an unoccupied table, Georgia claimed the spot, and Marla followed suit after adding cream and sugar to her coffee. “I almost had the chance for a family, but Chris ruined it for me,” Georgia said, the corners of her mouth turned down.
Marla blew on the hot liquid in her cup. “How so?”
“I finally met a man I really dug. We were talking about getting married. He’d even gone so far as to buy me a ring.” Georgia cast her eyes downward, twirling a plastic spoon in her cappuccino. “He came to the last show in Vegas with me. Nick attended the cocktail party and had a good time
She didn’t realize she’d stopped until Georgia yanked her onward. “You wanna ogle guys? Check out the Menswork performance later. They’re showing their punk collection in rock-and-roll hair.”
“That’s okay. Now here’s something I need.” She pointed to another exhibit. “Bridal services. New graduates don’t realize all the things you can do with wedding parties.”
“Come on over, ladies.” The educator, a svelte brunette, signaled to them. “We’re demonstrating spectacular hair for your spring and summer brides. Create an unforgettable look that your customers will remember for a lifetime. Spend a few minutes with us and you’ll see how to accessorize with veils and jewelry. Learn folding, knotting, lacing, and banding techniques. Wait, don’t leave. Take one of our promotional packets.”
The salesgirl handed Marla a stuffed bag full of sample products and literature. I should have brought a shopping cart for all the freebies , Marla reflected. The bridal market was another area in which she could expand, with pre-wedding consultations as well as onsite service packages. But that would have to wait until she moved into her new salon.
“I always feel overwhelmed at these shows,” she admitted to Georgia, turning down a row where brooms for sweeping hair were on sale along with tattoo jewelry, hair clips, styling books, and ceramic straightening irons. Smells of garlic and onions reached her nostrils as they arrived at the far end near the food court, where they got in line at Starbucks.
Georgia shifted from one foot to the other. “I love having the opportunity to travel and learn new techniques. I wouldn’t be able to go to so many places just on my salary.”
“Do you rent your chair or work on commission?”
“I’m a renter, so I can reschedule my clients if a show comes up. I like being independent.”
“I don’t do chair rentals at my salon anymore. It gives me more control and makes for better team spirit when we split a commission. I think your owner can be more involved that way.”
“You also have more responsibilities, like restocking shelves and continuing the education for your stylists,” Georgia pointed out.
That’s why I go to classes, so I can bring home the things I learn.” At the window, Marla ordered a tall black coffee and a piece of the low-fat cinnamon cake. Offering to treat her friend, she stood back while Georgia placed her order.
“I’d like to take you out to dinner,” Georgia said. “It’s the least I can do in return for your letting me stay at your place.”
“Let’s see what Dalton has planned with Larry and Justine.” Balancing her hot coffee cup and plate, Marla advanced to the condiment station. “I guess you’ve never had to worry about in-laws, let alone a man’s in-laws from his previous marriage.” She kept her tone idle, as though not expecting a reply. In truth, Marla hoped to prod Georgia into telling her about Las Vegas.
Finding a seat at an unoccupied table, Georgia claimed the spot, and Marla followed suit after adding cream and sugar to her coffee. “I almost had the chance for a family, but Chris ruined it for me,” Georgia said, the corners of her mouth turned down.
Marla blew on the hot liquid in her cup. “How so?”
“I finally met a man I really dug. We were talking about getting married. He’d even gone so far as to buy me a ring.” Georgia cast her eyes downward, twirling a plastic spoon in her cappuccino. “He came to the last show in Vegas with me. Nick attended the cocktail party and had a good time
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