WOMAN IN BLACK: "I have already told you that I reviewed the documents."
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "Then perhaps you can explain the specific technical similarity you identified."
The woman in black hesitated.
WOMAN IN BLACK: "I don't have to identify a specific similarity to express my professional judgment."
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "That is true. But a professional evaluation should still have a reasonable explanation."
The woman in green looked down at the scoring sheet.
WOMAN IN GREEN: "I gave the gown a much higher score for originality. The concept is clearly developed, and the combination of the materials is distinctive."
The gentleman nodded.
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "And the technical team reached a similar conclusion."
The woman in black remained silent.
Then the gentleman picked up another document.
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "There is something else."
The woman in green turned toward him.
WOMAN IN GREEN: "What is it?"
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "The original submission records show that the designer requested permission to display several development photographs during the presentation. That request was approved."
He looked toward the organizer.
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "Were those photographs displayed?"
ORGANIZER: "No, sir. They were removed from the presentation sequence shortly before the event."
The young woman in blue looked surprised.
BLUE-GOWN CONTESTANT: "Removed?"
She turned toward the organizer.
BLUE-GOWN CONTESTANT: "I submitted those photographs because I wanted the audience to understand the construction process."
The organizer appeared uncomfortable.
ORGANIZER: "I apologize. I was informed that the presentation had to be shortened to maintain the schedule."
BLUE-GOWN CONTESTANT: "But I was never told that the photographs would be removed."
The elderly gentleman looked at the organizer.
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "Who made that decision?"
The organizer hesitated.
ORGANIZER: "I would need to check the production notes, sir."
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "Then please do so."
The woman in black quickly intervened.
WOMAN IN BLACK: "I don't see why that matters. Every contestant had limited time. Some presentations were shortened."
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "That may be true. But if a contestant's approved supporting material was removed, we need to understand why."
The woman in green looked increasingly concerned.
WOMAN IN GREEN: "I was not informed about this either."
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "That is precisely why we are reviewing the process."
The organizer stepped away to check the production records.
The two contestants exchanged glances.
The designer of the black gown appeared uncomfortable.
BLACK-GOWN DESIGNER: "I didn't know anything about the photographs."
BLUE-GOWN CONTESTANT: "I don't think you were involved."
BLACK-GOWN DESIGNER: "I hope everything is clarified. Nobody should have their work presented unfairly."
The young woman nodded.
BLUE-GOWN CONTESTANT: "Thank you."
At the judges' table, the woman in black was now visibly frustrated.
She leaned toward the woman in green.
WOMAN IN BLACK: "This entire situation is becoming unnecessarily complicated."
WOMAN IN GREEN: "It only becomes complicated when information is missing."
WOMAN IN BLACK: "You are acting as though someone deliberately tried to undermine the contestant."
WOMAN IN GREEN: "I am not making accusations. I am asking questions."
WOMAN IN BLACK: "Perhaps you should be more careful."
WOMAN IN GREEN: "Perhaps we should all be more careful."
The elderly gentleman heard the final exchange.
He turned toward them.
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "Ladies, I would appreciate it if we maintained a professional atmosphere. We are here to establish the facts, not to create another disagreement."
Both judges fell silent.
A few moments later, the organizer returned.
He carried a printed report and a second tablet.
ORGANIZER: "Sir, I have checked the production notes."
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "And what did you find?"
ORGANIZER: "The photographs were removed following a request made through the event coordination team."
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "By whom?"
The organizer looked down at the report.
He seemed reluctant to answer.
ORGANIZER: "The request was submitted under the authorization of the judging coordination office."
The elderly gentleman's expression became serious.
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "The judging coordination office?"
ORGANIZER: "Yes, sir."
The woman in green looked toward the woman in black.
WOMAN IN GREEN: "Who authorized that request?"
The woman in black immediately shook her head.
WOMAN IN BLACK: "I did not remove any photographs."
The organizer looked uncomfortable.
ORGANIZER: "The record indicates that the instruction came from an account associated with the judging panel."
WOMAN IN BLACK: "That does not mean I personally made the decision."
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "Nobody has accused you of anything. We are simply asking who authorized the change."
WOMAN IN BLACK: "Then I suggest you speak with the production team instead of questioning me in front of everyone."
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "That is exactly what we are doing."
He looked toward the organizer.
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "Can you identify the account holder?"
The organizer checked the document again.
ORGANIZER: "The name is listed here, sir."
The ballroom seemed to become even quieter.
The woman in black looked toward the paper.
For the first time, she appeared genuinely alarmed.
WOMAN IN BLACK: "I think there is a mistake."
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "We will establish whether there is a mistake after reviewing the records."
The gentleman extended his hand.
The organizer passed him the tablet.
He studied the information for several seconds.
Then he looked toward the woman in black.
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "I believe you may want to explain something to us."
WOMAN IN BLACK: "What exactly?"