Starry-Eyed Surprise.

"I can show you the most gorgeous dress in this store."
We were browsing yet another pricey - although alluring - boutique on Bleeker Street. Not a stitch of clothing in "Roni" fit the budget of a fashion intern living on mere dreams and [expensive] burgers in NYC. 
"Really, though. Have a special occasion? This is the dress for you."
He removed from a rack and proudly displayed a taffeta frock - the shape and luster of an orange trash bag cinched with elastic at the hem.
"You've got to be kidding me." All southern charm vanished in response to his proposal.
"Try it on. Really. It will change your life."
Danielle and I smirked at one another. I shook my head and continued to peruse the shoe shelves. 
Ignoring my refusal, he pulled back the lenin curtain of a dressing room. 
"Just put it on, throw on those black booties," he gestured to a pair of pumps resting on a footstool behind. "And I'll make you forget any dress you've ever tried on before this one."
His persistence had claimed my attention. "Ok. If I try it on, you know I'm not going to buy it - right?" 
"You can do whatever you want. Humor me."
Into the fitting room I went. Minutes later, out I emerged in the shapeless coral frock. 
I raised an eyebrow at the certain salesman as I jutted a hip out in front of the sprawling mirror.
"Alright, don't smack me," he begged and in one fluid motion, the bottom of the dress had been pulled up over my panties - exposing my lower half to the empty boutique. The gathered  bottom rested on my hips, allowing the remainder of the iridescent fabric to fall voluminously several inches above my knees. He added a wide black belt and gold necklace before stepping back and admiring his handiwork.
My mouth dropped and I turned to Danielle.
"Uh, me next!" She exclaimed enthusiastically!
Thus, two small-town girls received celebrity treatment in the West Village. We twirled and giggled and posed for pictures - all before seriously considering the price tag stuffed  discretely behind our zippers.
We'd made a new friend and enjoyed one of the many perks of living in a trend-driven metropolis. Though we turned onto 7th Avenue starry-eyed and empty handed, our fond memories will undoubtedly bring the dresses back to the Southeast in the fall.