Chapter 12: Sabotage

I return from my walk a few minutes late to find Harper, Ellen, Patrick, Vincent, and two other of my roommates in the middle of what I can only describe as a crisis meeting. At first I think the crisis is somehow my fault.

“I told you where I was going,” I say before anyone can accuse me of doing a disappearing act.

“Yes, we know,” says Harper. “Ellen wanted to fetch you, but we thought we had better come up with a solution before we told you. But you’re here now anyway.”

“So what’s the problem?” I ask, relieved that for once that I’m not the cause of the crisis.

“It appears a maintenance man called while we were having lunch to fix a problem with your wardrobe door,” says Vincent.

“But there’s nothing wrong with my wardrobe door,” I say, assuming they mean the wellworn, but still functional, cupboard I’ve been assigned to store my things.

“So what happened?” I ask.

“Sabotage!” says Ellen. “The maintenance man tampered with your dress for tonight.”

I look at Harper for an explanation.

“A chemical has been sprayed onto your dress,” says Harper. “We’re having it analysed. It is likely an irritant or mild poison. Nothing that would be noticeable to anyone picking up your dress, but powerful enough to cause the wearer a few problems after a short while. It was lucky I was suspicious when the security staff told me about the visitor.”

“Can the chemical be removed?” asks Ellen.

“Probably, once we identify it. But that would take too long. We have less than an hour before Jasmine must go across to the studio.”

“I’ll fetch some of my dresses,” says Ellen. “Perhaps one might fit Jasmine with only minimal alterations.”

While I appreciate Ellen’s offer of help, her taste in clothes is very different from mine. I’d rather wear my own dress ... the one I was wearing when I arrived here. But that would be only as a last resort. I decide to take matters into my own hands.

“Ellen, thank you for your offer of help,” I say. “This is what I would like you to bring.”

I give Ellen a short list of things I know she has in her room. If she thinks my request strange, she has the decency to refrain from voicing her opinion aloud. She doesn’t hesitate and goes off to her room to fetch what I requested. I turn to the other contestants in my dormitory.

“Thank you all for your help, but I can manage with Harper and Ellen’s assistance from here,” I say. “You had best go and get ready yourself. Most of you are in the batches of contestants before mine, so you probably need to go soon.”

The others seem relieved and nod in agreement. They have wasted precious time dealing with a problem that shouldn’t have involved them in the first place. By the time Ellen returns, my roommates have changed their clothes and left for the studio. My dress is still on the hanger where I left it. A slight stain on the wardrobe wall around it could be residue from the chemical spray.

“That stain is what alerted me to the problem,” says Harper. “We’ve checked around for other unwelcome additions. The maintenance man was only here for a few minutes, so he won’t have had time to do much. I think it is likely he was sent specifically to sabotage your dress for tonight. Once we’ve identified the chemical I’ll have the rest of your clothes and bedding checked.”

“So I can’t even wear my own dress?” I say.

“Not until it is checked, no. I’m sorry, we’ve let you down. I should have known to have a backup set of clothes for you. I’m new to these dirty games too.”

I explain my plan to Harper, who listens carefully. He goes thoughtful for a while before going into the corridor to make a telephone call. Ellen returns laden with the items I requested just as Harper completes his call.

The next halfhour is a whirlwind of activity inside the dormitory. To my surprise neither Harper nor Ellen oppose my decision to take personal responsibility for my costume tonight. Their comments are helpful and supportive as my costume takes shape. A few additions thanks to Harper’s telephone call help to perfect my outfit. By the time my makeup is applied I really feel on fire. I complete my preparations by sliding the emerald ring onto my finger. A new wave of confidence sweeps through me. I had previously complained of being a marionette in tonight’s show, dancing to other people’s tunes. No more; now I really feel in control.