Across the boutique, the store's assistant supervisor had quietly disappeared through a staff-only doorway.
She had seen the slap.
She had heard Victoria demand that the employee be arrested.
And she knew that the incident needed to be reported to the person responsible for the entire store.
That person was David Collins, the boutique's general manager.
David had been reviewing the day's inventory records in his office when the assistant supervisor entered without knocking.
ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR: "David, we have a serious situation on the sales floor."
David looked up from his computer.
DAVID: "What happened?"
ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR: "A customer struck Natalie. Two police officers are here now, and the customer is demanding that Natalie be arrested."
David's expression changed immediately.
DAVID: "Natalie has been struck?"
ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR: "Yes. Several customers witnessed it."
David closed the inventory report and stood.
DAVID: "Did anyone call for medical assistance?"
ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR: "Natalie says she's all right. But the customer is still shouting."
David buttoned his black suit jacket.
DAVID: "Please preserve the security footage from the sales floor. Don't delete or overwrite anything. I'll speak with the officers."
He walked out of his office and headed toward the boutique.
On the sales floor, Victoria was still trying to persuade the officers that her money and social position should settle the dispute.
VICTORIA: "I shop here regularly. I spend more in one afternoon than most people spend in months. Is that really how you intend to treat a customer?"
OFFICER REED: "We're treating everyone here according to what we're being told and what we can establish."
VICTORIA: "Then establish it and take her away."
NATALIE: "Officer, I would also like the store's security footage to be reviewed."
Victoria turned toward her so quickly that her blonde hair swung across one shoulder.
VICTORIA: "You think a camera is going to save you?"
NATALIE: "The footage will show what happened."
VICTORIA: "You really don't know when to stop talking."
OFFICER TURNER: "Ma'am, please let her finish."
Victoria pressed her lips together.
The fact that a police officer had asked her to stop interrupting someone she considered beneath her was almost more offensive to her than the original disagreement.
She folded her arms and stood beside a display of expensive handbags, tapping one heel against the marble floor.
Then she noticed a man approaching from the back of the boutique.
He wore a tailored black business suit, a crisp white shirt, and a dark tie. His movements were measured, and his expression was serious as he took in the scene before him.
Unlike the customers who had gathered around the displays, he did not stop to stare.
He walked directly toward the officers.
David Collins had managed the boutique for several years. He knew the employees, understood the store's procedures, and had dealt with difficult customers before.
But when he saw Natalie standing beside the counter with a red mark across her cheek, he realized that this was not an ordinary customer complaint.
DAVID: "Good afternoon, officers. I'm David Collins, the store manager. Could someone tell me exactly what happened?"
Victoria immediately stepped forward, eager to speak before Natalie could answer.
VICTORIA: "Finally. Someone who understands how business works. Your employee has been disrespectful, and I expect you to take responsibility for her behavior."
David looked at Victoria, then at Natalie.
He noticed the employee's composed posture, the officers' serious expressions, and the customers who were still watching from a short distance away.
DAVID: "Before I make any decisions, I'd like to hear what happened from everyone involved."
VICTORIA: "There is nothing complicated about it. She insulted me, and I want her removed."
DAVID: "You said she insulted you. What exactly did she say?"
VICTORIA: "She challenged me in front of other customers."
DAVID: "What did she say?"
Victoria hesitated.
For the first time, someone had asked her to identify the actual words rather than simply accept her description of the incident.
VICTORIA: "She told me the store wouldn't honor what I wanted."
DAVID: "Was there a disagreement about a product or its price?"
VICTORIA: "That is not the point."
DAVID: "It may be relevant to understanding what happened."
Victoria stared at him through her sunglasses.
VICTORIA: "Are you seriously questioning me after what I've just been through?"
David remained professional.
DAVID: "I'm asking questions because I need to understand the situation before deciding what to do."
NATALIE: "I can explain the original disagreement, David."
David turned toward her.
DAVID: "Go ahead, Natalie."
Natalie took a breath.
Her cheek was still red, but her voice remained clear.