Chic Girls of Lower Manhattan

Chapter One-Cissy Harrison goes to town...

***

I

New York.

It's a place that is expensive. We want to go there because it is New York. Its opulent display made non-rich people, (or NRP's), happy, as they went into the lower regions of the boroughs...and were hidden from view. The Non-Rich Areas, (or NRA's), in Lower Manhattan...was thriving in crime...and death. Not in that order. Sometimes you'd take your time getting lost on the Island; sometimes you'd get lost because you are unfamiliar with the city itself.

Cissy Harrison, a half African-American-half white New Yorker, glared at the sunlight was streamed into her face while she decided what kind of dress she'd like to wear. The rays of the sun dimmed while she walked towards Bryant Park.

She loved the open area...and the bar.

And the couples who talked while they ate and drank their meals. She vowed not to smoke. That was a pressure of modern society; that was the pressure that demanded perfection. Perfection for women of the 21st century, wasn't about empowerment; perfection was about being accountable; perfection was perfection...for the right price.

She sat down at one of the seats.

She checked the menu.

And she decided on the chicken, vegetables, and sparkling champagne. And, with the moon's rays glowing in the sky, she noticed a male waiter arrive.

When she ordered, he noticed the dress she was wearing.

"It's new!", Cissy announced...and was happy that someone got her attention.

***

II

The food was fancy, but not too expensive.

Cissy savored the wine, as the glistening sparkle, (which is always did), consumed her. She saw Madison Ambertdon carry her Gucci bag like she would show off how much money she spent in three hours of online shopping; Madison loved to use a laptop to shop. And, if she cared to go into Macy's Department Store, she was determined to bring her chic girls with her.

"Cissy, darling, you're here in Bryant Park...alone".

"Yes!".

"But where's Chase Dawdon?".

"Chase is with Greta James".

"Oh, too bad. Maybe he traded in you for her".

"I wasn't traded; I was...".

"You were traded-end of story".

"Did you come here to bitch about me?".

"No. You look so glum after Victor dumped you last year".

"He dumped me because I wouldn't make out with him". Cissy hated to be reminded of what was in her past; she hated to be reminded of the words that filled her head: Cissy, I don't love you!...And that was the true reason that she was single in Lower Manhattan.

***

"So, how was the web job writing for Manhattan's Chic Girls magazine doing?".

"Good. It pays the bills. $US600 per month on my apartment".

"Please take a seat".

"Thanks. I am on my lunch break".

And she smiled at the waiter...and ordered a Martini.

***

"There was a shake up at Giorgia's".

"What happened?".

"Shelnet wanted out".

"I know wanted space for his Art Gallery in New York".

"There was competition from German buyers in Europe. There's signs that US jobs could go overseas".

"And what else?".

They were interrupted by the waiter.

"Your martini. Do you want something to eat?".

"The burger and fries. And salad, please".

He wrote the order down...and walked over to the chef.

"As I was saying...we need some other story to deal with the other writers. The days of elegance is gone".

"It doesn't have to be".

"I can't go to a fancy do looking like an African-American poor girl from Lower Manhattan. People with more money than I do...and drive limousines with personal drivers...think they own the city...while we rot here...and live on under $US50,000 a year".

"I have to write soon. Maybe we can come to my place for a party".

"I can bring Vanna and Theresa".

"Yeah, anyone else, too".

As the waiter served her meal, Madison sipped her champagne.

"Is there anything else, Ladies?".

"Yes, we'd like two cappuchinos".

"And that's all?".

"Yes, and send the check in half an hour".

"Of course".

And they watched him leave...while they let their coffees cool down.

***

Cissy ate.

She was about to sip her coffee when Dave I'drea, the Italian model, walked up to them. He wore a white shirt, black trousers, a black belt, blue socks, and black Brooks Brothers shoes. His hair was long; his blue eyes gleamed, as strode towards Madison.

"Buon pomeriggio Madison. È stato troppo a lungo poiché il nostro viaggio a Roma via New York. Sei molto bella...come al solito".

He kissed her on the right cheek.

Madison blushed.

"Dave, questo è il mio amico Cissy. She's a magazine writer in Lower Manhattan. Mangiamo fuori a Bryant Park...C'è una festa. Volete andare?", she asked him.

"Sarei felicissimo. A che ora e la data?".

"Saturday, 5th of July. 7:00 PM".

"Metto nel mio I-phone".

He kissed Madison again, smiled at Cissy, then walked towards the black limousine that was just outside Bryant Park...as the two ladies grinned.

***

"I didn't know you knew Italian?".

"I did speak it in Languages class in Brooklyn".

"Impressive".

"Anyway, I need to go honey. Work to do. I'll see you at the party".

"Yes".

And they paid their bill...and left Bryant Park separately.

***

The late afternoon was filled with different colors.

Cissy walked towards Times Square.

Couples held each others' hands.

And she got a message on her I-phone.

Cissy r u coming to the wedding? Luv, Pam.

She typed:

Sorry, maybe I'll come to see the baby...and Tom. And u. I have an article to write. And a party to manage.

Later.

And she pressed SEND...and headed to her apartment with a feeling that tomorrow was going to be a good day.

***

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