Mor
Part III: The Verdict
A knock came from the door. Hugo and Helen had arrived outside Meeting Room 5 precisely on schedule to review my work.
They entered. I slowly turned the barber’s chair to reveal Bella’s transformation.
Their jaws dropped and a hushed awe filled the room as they began their observation, moving their eyes from bottom to top.
What a magnificent sight she must have been.
The shape of Bella’s bust, shoulders and collarbones – previously hidden behind their heavy shawl – were now visible, wrapped only in their tight cardigan. You could see every breath she took, her chest moving up and down.
Hugo and Helen nodded in approval at her unencumbered shoulders.
Next, they moved their eyes upwards to examine her neck and nape. Both glowed an eye-catching shade of pale pink, slightly tender yet utterly pristine.
Hugo cleared his throat to address Bella, who had barely moved throughout the process.
“Touch it,” he ordered.
She suddenly jerked as if awoken from a daze, tentatively raising her trembling hands.
She gasped as her fingers tried to stroke the air behind her head. There was nothing there. Both palms lifted to the back of her bare head, which she rubbed gingerly while wincing.
Hugo and Helen’s eyes shifted upwards for the final part of their inspection – the top half of her head.
A marvellous shell of glossy brown sprouted out abruptly, exactly an inch above her naked ears. The shell stopped a little over an inch higher than her forehead.
Her big eyes now shone even larger. Bella was now completely free of her furrowed brows, which I had decided to clean off on a whim.
Hugo and Helen must have approved because they shook their heads in amazement.
Bella gripped what remained of her shell. With no brow to furrow, all that betrayed her shock was her widened eyes.
As her fingertips searched for her fringe, it was clear she had started to imagine how she looked.
“Marvellous… I think it’s time you had a good look at yourself,” said Helen, unveiling a previously-hidden wall mirror.
Bella steadied herself as she prepared to look at her reflection. Silence.
Hugo prepared to give a verdict.
“Daphne, what can I say. This is spectacular. As for you, Bella, I think it’s important that we explain…”
He beckoned in order to avert her eyes away from the mirror.
“Several colleagues have made complaints about your behaviour over the last few months. While I value you as an assistant, I’ve noticed your standards of work slipping.
“We wanted to help you – and after some discussion, decided this would be the best course of action. I’m delighted with the results.”
Indicating his own ears, eyes and brows, he continued.
“Listening to your colleagues should no longer be a problem, first of all. Many people have noticed you ignoring their requests. You also work for them, not only me, remember?”
“Secondly, we felt your eye for detail had slipped. With nothing in the way, you shouldn’t have issues. Your colleagues can look you directly in the eyes. And Bella…” he continued with a warning look, boring into her.
“You can use the reduced haircare time to take a long hard look at yourself in the mirror and really think about your behaviour.”
Hugo stood perpendicular to Bella and me, neatly collecting the large pile of severed hair on the floor and unceremoniously bagging it up.
“By the way, Daphne – thanks for the addition, I wouldn’t have thought of that! You see, Bella, colleagues have reported your constant scowl alongside your attitude. We just don’t want to see it anymore.”
He opened the door and beckoned her out of Meeting Room 5.
“Daphne, really impressive work. From now on I’d like you to schedule in a weekly touch-up appointment with her. She should look this smart and neat every week. Or we’ll have to explore other consequences.”
Bella’s forehead creased with fear. Hugo was energised and ready to continue with the rest of his day.
“Right, as for you Bella… best get up and back to your desk. Lots to do. Oh hang on – how rude. Bella, aren’t you going to say thank you to Daphne?”
Bella slowly arose from her chair, shivering from the sudden breeze. She looked down at the floor.
“Th-thank you… Daphne” she croaked quietly.
Silently, she shuffled. With every step, the dome on her head swayed gently before neatly falling back into place.
Bella drew in a shaky breath. She realised she had no choice but to re-introduce herself to the world anew.
