Jefferson, I presume. Who: Lulu and Jefferson. What: Job offers. When: After Jefferson's arrival. Where: Lulu's shop. Rating: G. Not even swearing. Status: Complete!
The boutique Fayth was easy to find; Jefferson rather liked the bold styling on the entranceway. It was bold, but it wasn’t desperately seeking attention. The whole store seemed very self-assured. He opened the front door, portfolio in hand, wearing a white shirt and old comfortable black trousers, paired with a paisley scarf and his favorite black overcoat. It might have sounded silly to others, but the coat was a comfort to him; Caroline had bought it for him and at times Jefferson could swear he smelled her perfume on it.
Lulu was wearing a dress of her own design, something that was short on the hemline but had a bit of a halter style collar. She didn’t want to scare off any prospective employees with her cleavage. Pepsi was snoring under her desk, and she was glad that the dog was well mannered enough to get on with any prospective employee.
She noticed the man that walked into the shop, smiling and moving from behind the cash wrap. He held a portfolio, and was dressed well. “Jefferson, I presume.”
If this was Lulu, she was a stunning woman. “Yes, ma’am. Lulu Webster?” As it said on the sign. “It’s a pleasure. The shop is really interesting, and I don’t mean that as code for bad.” He managed a smile, if an awkward one.
“Please, just Lulu.” She reached out to take his hand, shaking it firmly. She was only 5’2”, 5’7” in her heels, but she moved with confidence. Clearly, she didn’t care that she was petite. This was a woman who would’ve been fine navigating through a war zone. Even in five inch heels. “And thank you. I’ve tried to keep it not threatening for women who haven’t purchased bespoke before, but as well as professional.”
Jefferson appreciated anyone who had that confidence, never mind a pretty woman. He smiled at the handshake. “I think you succeed, personally. Even men would be at ease in here, in my opinion. Especially in buying for a girlfriend or wife.” There was just enough sex appeal.
Lulu nodded. “Women’s clothing isn’t their sole province. Though looking at you, you make me wish I could branch out into men’s. Perhaps one day soon.” She motioned for him to follow, guiding him toward her office. It was organized chaos; she knew where everything was, and everything had its place, but so many colors and bolts of fabric tended to wear out the eye. Plus, the huge dog sleeping in the corner on its back, snoring softly lent it a bit of mad genius feel.
Jefferson smiled a little. He knew this type of operation; he’d had a few managers whose offices had looked like this. He liked it; a neurotically clean office was a sign of a rigid mind. “How much of this do you design yourself? There isn’t a thing in here I wouldn’t have bought for my wife.” Caroline would have liked this style; she’d been a little alternative, despite what she did for a living. God, it hurt even thinking about her, though, and he did his best to smile.
“Everything, thus far. Which is why I’m looking for someone to assist me in design and instructing my seamstresses on assembly. Even negotiating an outside contract with a place that can construct our pieces. Working twelve hours a day has been tiring, and I finally realize that perhaps I should seek more help. Especially with the business taking off as it has.” She motioned for him to sit on the couch in the corner, and she took up near him. Pepsi stared at them from the floor, then came to sniff the person next to his mistress. He was calm, wagging his tail.
Jefferson held out a hand to the dog, smiling a little. “Hello. Is he yours, M - Lulu?” He usually called his bosses Mr or Ms; a first name was unusual. The dog seemed gentle, sniffing his hand and licking a little. He didn’t mind animals, at least if they weren’t wildly invasive of his personal space.
“He is, his name is Pepsi. Shelter dog, alas, the name came with him.” Lulu took Jefferson’s portfolio, smiling when the two boys seemed to get on. Even from Jefferson’s first sketch, though, she couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. “Are you sure you want to work for anyone, Jefferson?” He was talented - he could have struck out on his own and been just fine.
“Yes, ma’am.” That one was to make his point about how serious he was. “I enjoy the design side of this work - I love being creative. I have no head for business, and frankly, I doubt I’d last long without a money manager. I can work for someone and still do the work I love.” He smiled shyly. “Besides, I currently lack the capital. I had a family member pass and it was … expensive.” Caroline’s funeral had taken a lot out of his savings.
Lulu understood that, and she smiled sadly. “A similar thing happened to me when I was very young. When would you like to start?” She could have said that she was sorry for his loss, which she was, but it wouldn’t help him.
He very much appreciated that she didn’t dwell on it. “Start? Without a test piece?” Flattering. Jefferson smiled shyly. “Um. I could start … Monday? If that would suit?”
“When would you like?” Lulu smiled. “I generally mean what I say. If you wish, you could start tomorrow, now, Monday - whenever you wish.” She had faith in him.
“Monday, if you don’t mind. I have a few things to deal with first.” He was trying to find someone to look after the house - a maid or a cleaning woman. There was just too much space for him to deal with cleaning.
“Of course I don’t mind. I”m rather thrilled, actually.” Lulu smiled at him, standing up and moving to get a few papers from her desk. “There is, of course, the matter of compensation.” She showed him what she’d had in mind, hoping he agreed.
It worked for him. “That’s exactly what I made in my previous place, so that’s quite all right.” Jefferson smiled shyly. “I’m grateful. I think I can really be of help to you.” And she was so creative - he thought this might work out very well.