Once Upon A Screen

The moment of truth was fast approaching, and Belle could hardly contain herself. She'd been chosen from thousands of applicants to participate in Happily Ever After - a televised search for her very own Prince Charming. Now, after weeks of intense competition, only two eligible bachelors remained.

Giddy with anticipation, she sat facing the dressing room mirror, studying her reflection and chatting with Wendy, her stylist.

"Blush," said Belle, "I'm thinking more blush. That's what's missing."

Wendy stepped back to assess her work.

"Oh, sweetheart, are ya sure? Most girls dream of 'avin' cheekbones like yours, best not go overboard, ay? 'ow's about somethin' a little more..." she searched for the right word, "understated?"

"Ha!" Belle chortled. "Understated? Not tonight Wendy, please. Everyone and their grandma's gonna be tuning in to see who I pick. It's gotta be perfect. More blush."

"Stubborn as ever", Wendy relented, buffing another layer of pink powder onto the apples of her cheeks. "But I'm tellin' ya, ya could go on that stage barefaced in a potato sack and ya'd still look a million dollars to them fellas."

"Thanks Wendy, but then you'd be out of a job. You brought the tiara, right?"

"When 'ave I ever let ya down?"

Wendy reached into a nearby drawer and lifted out a sparkling diamante headpiece. Delicately, she placed it upon Belle's head and set to work styling her hair. Belle had opted to have waist length extensions fitted especially for this occasion, and with her new Rapunzel-esque locks she felt like a princess.

There was a tap at the door and a young floor runner emerged, clipboard in hand, lanyard round his neck, and a frenzied expression on his face.

"Can you be ready in five? They wanna shoot one last confessional."

"Course we can," said Wendy, the only appropriate answer.

He nodded, smiled faintly, then closed the door behind him, no doubt to sprint off to his next destination.

"Right then beauty, let's get ya into costume."

'Costume' in this case was a shimmering silver affair, an elegant sequined bodice that wrapped snugly round Belle's chest, accentuating her ample breasts while cinching her in at the waist, giving the illusion of Barbie-like proportions.

Reams of voluminous silk fabric billowed out below. An oversized blue bow was tied neatly at the back, with matching heels completing the look.

"Cor! You've never looked better Miss. Belle," Wendy cooed. "Now before I go forgettin'."

She pressed a folded napkin into the palm of Belle's hand. Belle stared at it, bemused.

"Open it up then silly - it's a fortune cookie! Saved it for ya, didn't I?"

"So I see. From last night's Chinese I take it?"

"Where else?" Wendy chuckled. "Crack it open then, will ya?"

Belle tore the cookie in two and plucked out the paper within.

'LOVE WILL MAKE A DOG HOWL IN RHYME'

"Well, that really clears things up," said Belle.

"Worth a try," Wendy reasoned.

She wished Belle good luck and the runner returned to escort her to the 'confessional booth' - a dingy little side room, with a wooden stool propped up in front of a green screen. The background, something regal, would be added in the edit.