Brittany wandered through the store with her friend, Mary. Well, friend was really a strong word, thought Brittany. She's more like a lackey or something.
Mary's family was very rich, even richer than Brittany's. In fact, Brittany's father worked for Mary's father. That's actually how they became friends. After a particularly expensive shopping spree, Brittany's father threatened to cut her off unless she hung out with Mary. She would never admit it to her father - or anyone else for that matter - but it actually wasn't that bad having Mary around. She had such low confidence that she would do practically anything Brittany asked her to, including doing her homework, letting her borrow her car, or even buying the occasional expensive present for her. And the amount of abuse she tolerated was impressive. Brittany often amused herself by finding new ways to torture and humiliate her without losing her friendship. And today called for a particularly inventive punishment. Mary had dared to talk back to her, in public, and even had the nerve to call her rude! She had originally planned to look for some cool Retro clothes, but her new mission was to find the ugliest thing in the store and coerce Mary into wearing it in public. And as she rounded the corner of the last aisle, she found the perfect thing.
"Mary, look, these boots would be perfect for you. Try them on!" said Brittany with fake enthusiasm.
Brittany held up the hideous boots for Mary to see. The boots were long, reaching almost knee, with a very long thin stiletto heel. The toes of the boots were oddly shaped, rounded almost in the form of the four short webbed toes with a short claw extending from three of them. The worst feature had to be the material. The entire boot appeared to be made of some kind of reptile's skin. Brittany could hardly contain her laughter at the thought of Mary walking around in these ridiculous boots.
"I don't know, Brittany. They look a little weird to me, " said Mary shyly.
"What? You don't trust my taste?" said Brittany in a huff. "Which one of us is the fashion model? Who has been featured in several magazines? Oh right, it's me, so I guess I know what I'm talking about. Now put them on!"
"If they are so great, why don't you wear them? " said Mary softly.
Brittany could barely contain her rage. Defiance two times in one day. That must be some kind of record for the mouse. She was really going to make her pay. But as she stood there, Brittany didn't notice as a hat floated in the air above both of them. It was a pink bowler hat with a flower in it. Before she could react, the hat dropped and landed on top of Brittany's head. She reached up to grab it, but turned towards a nearby mirror, seeing her reflection. As soon as she saw it, Brittany paused. For some reason, she actually kind of liked the look it gave her. Brittany's mind fogged up for a brief moment before she regained her senses. She stared at her reflection and adjusted the hat, securing it and pouting at the mirror. Finally she smiled and turned to Mary. "What do you think?"
"Where did that come from?", asked Mary.
Brittany shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, but I think I'll take it. This hat just fits me so well."
"Well... if you say so."
The manager watched from his counter. He enjoyed watching a little justice unfold. The bowler hat once belonged to a fashion designer a long time ago. While its transforming capabilities were slow, it did a number on the mind really quick. And Mary was about to see a whole new side of her so-called friend.
Brittany then looked where the ugly boots were and scoffed. "You know what, Mary? You're right. These things won't do at all. But you still need a new outfit."
"What?", asked Mary.
Brittany took Mary by the arm and tugged her along further into the store. Instead of wanting to humiliate her, Brittany saw Mary as a project to work with. This girl had the potential as far as she was concerned, but needed a little help getting it out. Soon, she found a vintage lingerie set and pulled Mary to the changing room. "Now why don't you go on and try these on while I find more things to add."
"Wait, but—", Mary couldn't finish as Brittany left, shutting the door behind her and looking further into the store. She had come here looking for something retro and intended to succeed.
"How's your friend doing, Miss?", asked the manager from the counter.
"Oh, she's just a little nervous, but we'll fix that soon enough. And thank you again for the hat, Darling.", she didn't notice as her voice gained a slightly British accent to it. As she walked along, Brittany stopped and looked at a nearby mirror. She paused and hummed. "Dear, it looks like I'll be needing a new wardrobe of my own as well." She then continued on, her hair losing length and gaining more volume. Her lips plumped more as her height decreased.
The manager grinned, knowing that this would turn out interesting for both girls. He knew full well that even if Brittany got distracted looking for her own outfit, Mary would soon have new clothes anyway.