Beth’s big day was finally here - her wedding. Long months spent planning and shopping would finally pay off. Her gown, hair and makeup were pristine as she walked down the aisle on her mother’s arm.
The ceremony went off exactly as she planned, and Beth beamed as she began to mingle with her friends and family, awaiting the right time to head out for bridal photos and the trip to the reception hall.
Finally, an attendant in a strict black satin blouse and trousers caught her attention.
“Ma’am, if you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to your photo session.”
Beth bid farewell to the friends she was speaking with and followed the young lady.
The bride followed the attendant out the service entrance and down paths, shimmering heels clicking on the tile and stone as she walked.
Finally, the attendant led her to a waiting car.
“We’ll be processing you, your photos I mean, at the next site, please hop in.”
It was a short drive, and Beth’s anticipation built as they pulled up to a quiet manor. Led out of the car and into the house, Beth began to question her whereabouts. She didn’t recognize the photographer or the site she had chosen for her photos.
The attendant ignored her questions as she helped Beth slip out of her bridal jacket and adjust her gown. The photographer posed her in front of a bank of lights, and before Beth could wonder again at the strange set-up, it was triggered.
Blinding flashes of light and colour bombarded her senses and almost instantly shut down her reaction. Her mind becalmed and her body stiffened as the photographer and attendant watched the mannequinization process. Turning to the photographer, the attendant nodded in satisfaction.
“Karen’s going to love this acquisition, such an expressive mannequin.” She looked back to Beth, now completely blank and stiff. The attendant retrieved the mount and, with the photographer’s assistance, shuffled Beth over the pole. Unlocking it with a hex key, the attendant raised the soft-tipped pole up under Beth’s short bridal dress and penetrated the new mannequin, locking her into place for display. “Let’s get her on the truck and to the shop. Nice work.”
