You Think You Know...But (pt. 7)

In an Italian Bistro,  two acquaintances talked over soups and salads. The pair sat in a secluded corner located in the back of the bistro. Nikki and Monique started out with the usual conversations of kids, parents and happiness.  Monique tried to steer clear of any questions that included the topics of husbands or boyfriends.  The conversation progressed nicely and for a second Monique had started to relax and forgot that she was there to talk business.

Monique knew of Nikki from high school and their daughters both attended the same private school, so they were involved in the same P.T.A group, but she had never really spent any one on one time with her. Nikki had always been cordial to her and made sure to stop to speak whenever she was in the salon. She would even have a word or two for her when she saw her out around town, but Nikki ran in entirely different circles than she did. Nikki had all kinds of high-end friends who held important positions about town.  As far as financial status goes, Nikki drove around in a car that cost more than Monique’s home…hell her shoes cost more than Monique made in a week.

Monique stared at the enormous ring on Nikki’s left ring finger. She couldn’t help but wonder if that was the engagement ring Ricardo proposed with.  It was beautiful. It looked to be about five carats, pear shape, v.v.s clarity and colorless…very nice. Monique couldn’t afford exquisite jewelry but she knew it when she saw it.  She got lost in the stone, as the sound of Nikki chattering on about the next P.T.A. meeting faded into the background.

“It’s beautiful. Isn’t it?” Nikki asked after she noticed Monique staring at her finger. She continued,  “I traded in that rinky dink ring Ricardo gave me for something more appropriate.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stare.” Monique managed to say. She could fill her embarrassment showing in her cheeks. She decided she better compliment on the ring since she had been caught staring at it, so she added, “Yes, it is very lovely.” Time seemed to have slowed down to an almost crawl and Monique was wishing now that Nikki would just tell her what this was all about. They didn’t really have anything in common and she was starting to feel like a traitor for having lunch with the woman who was trying to take her bosses business. What would Tia think if she walked in and saw her, having lunch with Nikki? Her nerves started to get the best of her and she was ready to leave and was going over excuses to do so, in her mind.

Nikki was still chattering on about something or another and Monique had gone into “uh huh” mode. A clear sign that she was no longer engaged in the conversation. Nikki decided to switch gears and said, “But we didn’t come here to talk about the kids. I have a business proposition for you.” Monique’s attention was fully restored and her eagerness to leave vanished instantly upon hearing those words. This is what she came to lunch for.  She picked up her water glass and took a sip never taking her eyes off of Nikki.

Nikki, sure that she had Monique’s full attention continued, “You pretty much run that shop don’t you?”

“I wouldn’t say I run it. I just-“ Monique started.

“I would.” Nikki interrupted. “I would say you run it very well.”

“Well, thank you but I just try to help Tia out? She-“ Monique started again.

“She just takes advantage of you.” Nikki again interrupted, which would be the pattern of their entire conversation. Monique would start a statement and Nikki would finish it.

“She doesn’t take advantage-“

“Well, what do you call it when you have your best stylist, running your shop while you are out with a married man.”

“Nikki, I don’t know anything about-“

“Bullshit. Everyone in that shop knows that she was fucking my husband. But who gives a shit. I could care less about that.” Monique shifted in her chair and Nikki could tell that she was becoming uncomfortable. “I want to talk about you.”

“Me?” Monique asked. She was confused because she had already made up in her mind that this lunch was about her being a witness to her husband’s infidelity.

“Yes you.” Nikki continued, “I’m opening a new salon and I want you to come work for me and before you say no hear me out.” Nikki paused long enough to be sure that she had Monique’s full attention, then she continued, “I’m opening a salon and I want only the best working for me. You my dear, are the best. I won’t have you running to the bank for change or signing checks or doing laundry or any of that bullshit. I want you to do what you do best. Hair.  Now you’ve been working for Tia for five years and how much do you make.”

“I do alright, I guess.” Monique shrugged.

“Alright. Didn’t you win at Hair Explosion this year?”

“Yeah

“Weren’t you featured in four national hair magazines and voted Hair Stylist of Tomorrow by your fellow stylist at Stylist Explosion this year.”

“Well yeah but-”

“But nothing. I’m here to tell you that your tomorrow is today.  With all of your awards and the list of clients you have you could be making big money. You’ve got the clientele and more importantly you’ve got the talent. What’s stopping you from getting what you deserve? Your loyalty to a boss who still makes you work late, so she can go out on dates is ridiculous and the only one reaping the benefits of your effort is Tia?”

Monique was speechless for a moment because everything Nikki was saying had crossed her mind on occasion but she had never seriously considered leaving the salon. She responded, “My loyalty to Tia has to do with her giving me a chance when no one else would.  I handle the business side of her shop, because I want to learn how to run my own business someday. Look, I know that you are suing Tia for the shop but-”

“Girl, please.  If you want to learn about running a business you need to learn from a real businesswoman like me,” Nikki interrupted,  “That little rinky dink shop is already closed as far as I am concerned.  This isn’t about the shop. It’s about you and your talent. I want you, Will and Mark to come and work for me in my new shop. I’m opening a full service spa and salon and I want the best working for me. Will is going to specialize in cut and color. Mark will specialize in chemical and repair treatments, and you can specialize in extension. In my salon you could charge up to 250 dollars to for a sew in and those fusion weaves you charge a mere 300 dollars for… 500 to start. “

Nikki’s offer was sounding too good to be true. What was the catch? Why would she be doing this for Monique? Monique, looking for reassurance said, “Will and Mark would never leave the salon.”

“They signed their contracts this morning.” Nikki said and pulled out two signed contracts from her purse. She continued, “They can see that the S.S Tia is going down and they both are jumping ship trying not to sink with it. I’m trying to throw you a lifeline. With Will and Mark gone, whose going be there to handle those extra responsibilities?”

“Well…when are you talking about opening this salon spa thing?” Monique asked.

“The Grand Opening is next week. The new salon is actually located in the same plaza, on the other side of the parking lot.  It’s in the new area they just finished building. We will-“ Nikki started.

“Wait, wait, wait. “ Monique interrupted. “Hold up. Nikki, how am I supposed to inform all of my clients that I’m leaving Tia’s salon and moving to a new one. I have people who are booked two months ahead and with the prices you are talking about charging I’m going to lose a lot of customers.”

“Monique.  You have seriously got to broaden you expectations. You’re a top notch stylist and you need to start catering to top notch clientele who can afford the kind of quality you provide.”  Nikki said in a very matter of fact tone. Nikki had a keen sense of reading people, as well as, guiding their emotions to fit her agenda. Still sensing some resistance from Monique she continued, “You can charge whatever you want as long as you make the rent. I’m just suggesting what you should charge for someone with your skills and experience. As far as your clientele goes, all you have to do is finish your appointments for this week and let them now that you will be moving to another salon before they leave and you have a client book. Call all of your clients with appointment for next week and tell them where you are moving and mail this to them. Hell, if you want to you could just quit tomorrow and take a week off until the shop opens. It’s really up to you.”

Nikki then masterfully handed her a box a business cards that read: Monique Willis, Stylist Extraordinaire and there was pictures of her from a magazine that she had been featured in printed on them. Monique didn’t say anything. She really didn’t know what to say. She just stared at her picture displayed on the laminated business cards. She turned one of the cards the over to see all of her awards and a list of services she specialized in printed on the back.  She had never really taken time to appreciate her accomplishments and Tia always said that those award shows didn’t mean anything in the real world, but as Monique looked at the card she realized that they did mean something. They meant something to her and here Nikki was making a big deal over her achievements. It were as if she was holding all of her dreams in her hand, like she was finally receiving recognition for her skill and it was all compliments of Nikki.

“How much would it take to get you to leave?” Nikki asked sensing that Monique was wiggling on her hook and she was ready to reel her in. Monique shrugged her shoulders. She sat straight up in her chair and looked Nikki dead in the eye. She felt like she was discussing the terms that would decide her future and if she was going to leave the salon then she wanted it to be worth it.  “I’ll charge you two hundred dollars a week booth rent, which includes a person to shampoo for you, an assistant to use as you see fit, any tools needed to operate, a company credit card that can be used to pay for all of your expenses when on company business i.e. hair shows and a bonus if you place first or second at the shows and I’ll pay for all advertisement.”

“Two hundred dollars is a lot right now I just-“

“And a ten thousand dollar bonus up front if you sign.”

“What?”

“You heard me, Ten…thousand…dollars. I can tell by the look on your face that this is a bit much for you. Here, take my card.” Nikki said and handed her a business card, “You probably want to talk to Will and Mark first anyway. But don’t tell them I offered you ten thousand. They signed for five.  If you haven’t called me by this evening at 6:00…I’ll just take that as a no. “

Nikki got up from the table and started packing up her things to leave. Monique tried to hand the business card back to her but she refused them saying, “No Honey, you keep those. Hopefully you’ll be needing them.” Once she had everything packed up she added, “If you come to work for me you can set your own hours. I know you’ve been having a hard time getting there on time to pick up your baby. Enjoy your lunch.” With that Nikki sashayed out of the bistro, leaving Monique to ponder her new options.