Quinn had come to a decision. Hot, humid summers in New York were not good for long hair. After several years of monthly trims, and daily time consuming blow-dries, she wanted a new look to go with her new job.
She was on a brief vacation before starting her new position as northeastern marketing director for "Dorothy", a lesbian oriented women's sports/fitness magazine. Her previous employer had not appreciated the work she put into her MBA, so she had taken a paycut to get the title.
Financially, she was in good shape, having got in early in a dotcom IPO, and sold at the top of the market. Just a few years ago, and now it seemed like history. From the profits, she owned a Manhattan town house while her contemporaries were still paying off student loans and commuting from New Jersey. Her tenants paid the bills, her salary was for fun.
Quinn stood in her bedroom deciding what to wear on this momentous day. A major change in her appearance required some thought. Mentally, she combined outfits, judged and quickly discarded them. Finally, she picked out what she had been wearing each day the temperature and humidity exceeded 95 -a tank top and cut-off Levis, with hi-top canvas sneakers. No panties, for a little extra ventilation.
She rode her bicycle to the Haircutters co-op, three floors of no frills barbers, who cut heads of everyone, male/ female, kids to their grandfathers, celebs to the great unwashed, and charged less than twenty bucks for it. A half hour later, she emerged with a flat-top, half in shock and half in mourning for the loss of her crowning glory of red tresses. She kept running her hands through the short remains, trying to recognise this unfamiliar sensation. Finally, the heat and humidity forced her into action, and she fled for caffeine and A/C.
Ten minutes later, she was on her second espresso at Stardicks, a gay hangout that served the best coffee in the city. Just then, a very young looking Asian girl embraced her from behind. Quinn, startled, jumped slightly until she recognised her companion. Miko was a Japanese girl she had first met a year before as part of a threesome with a guy named Steve. Since then, she and Miko had become close friends and occasional lovers. Miko was petite and utterly feminine, long black hair, perfectly made up face and cherry red lipstick. She wore a yellow wide brim hat and a matching dress that could have been a Dior, and white gloves. She was a fan of fifties movies, and tried to dress in that style.
"Quinn, your hair...you look so handsome, so James Dean."
"I'm not sure I like it..."
