Reflections

Reflections

Paula grasped the hand-held as her

make-up girl gave finishing touches.

“Wonderful, Toshi! I look great.”

“As usual Madam Paula.”

Calvin came bounding through the door.

“Paula, I found one! Just perfect.

The exact mirror that you want.”

Calvin Linke was Paula’s "Man of the Moment."

He was an antique dealer and furniture salesman.

He was in love with Paula, but it was unrequited.

“Did you take a picture? Show me! Wait, take one of me first.”

“You look great, Paula. The prettiest girl in Hollywood.”

“Cal, that mirror’s no good. You didn’t buy it did you?”

“O.K. Paula. I’ll call and cancel the order.

I’ve only got one more source. I can check them out tomorrow.”

“Them? Who are they?”

“Oh, just a couple of old twin spinster ladies. They sell antiques in Santa Monica.”

“Well, if you see something, take a picture before you buy it.

Now Cal, get out of here, I’m going to be dressing.”

“You’re the dressing on my salad, Paula.”

“Get out, you crazy fool.”

The following day, Cal was nearly all day in Santa Monica.

He found a mirror he knew Paula would love.

He did a rash thing though and bought it without talking to her first.

He had spent hours conversing with the twins about the mirror and its history.

Then he called and had his people pick it up and deliver it

directly to Paula’s bedroom. It was to be a surprise.

Paula finished early and was home sooner than usual.

Her housekeeper, Maria, was somewhat surprised to see her.

Paula asked for a drink and to have it brought to her bedroom.

When she saw the mirror, she was, at first, aghast and then, horrified.

It was full length, stand alone, unlit, and it was old and ugly.

“Why didn’t he call me?” she moaned.

Maria showed up with her "Whiskey Sour.”

“And how did this ugly thing get here?”

“Mister Cal, had it delivered,” Maria answered.

“Yeah, well Mister Cal, will have to have it removed. Wait ‘til I see him…” 

“He should be here soon. I called him.”

“Good. I want this monstrosity gone.”

“Of course, Madam. May I go now. I will be back tomorrow.”

“Yes, Maria, Go!”

When Cal arrived, he went straight up to Paula’s bedroom.

He found her there, in lingerie, posing before the mirror. 

In a strained voice Paula said, “Cal, this mirror needs to go.”

Cal replied, “Oh… no. No! The mirror stays. Look at you.

You're thrilled by it.”

“Not so, Cal. I look good in it, yes, but that’s because it’s me.”

‘Well, what is it that you don’t like about this mirror?”

“It’s ugly, worn, and the glass has foggy spots,” Paula said.

“That’s because it’s very old. Let me tell you about its history:

It once belonged to Mata Hari, the WW1 French spy. Then it came to America

and was bought by Louise Brooks, the actress. It disappeared for decades

after Brooks went to Germany. The twins discovered it in New York City in 

1980, part of the Studio 54 selloff.”

“Yeah, that’s interesting but I don’t know any of those people. 

Can you just get it out of here?”

“No, there’s more to the story. See, the twins told me

it has magical powers.”

Laughing out loud Paula cried, “My God, Cal. Are you so stupid

you believed them?”

“Paula, have you tried the lights?”

“What lights?”

Cal reached behind the mirror and removed something, that to Paula

looked like a business card. When he did, the mirror came alive with soft

lighting that seemed to come from behind the mirror. In the glow Paula

saw that she was far more beautiful than she ever imagined.

She started to caress her body and rub herself.

It was as though she were hypnotized, spell-bound

as she continued to fondle her sensuous body.

“Well, what do you think now?” Cal asked.

“Oh, I love it.” Paula said, still enraptured with herself in the mirror.

“Good, but there’s more. Stand just a bit closer.” which Paula did.

Suddenly, in the mirror she saw herself naked although still wearing her lingerie.

“Oh, my this is really something. Cal, I’m keeping this.”

At that moment, Cal turned over what he had removed

from the back of the mirror

and began reading the inscription on the other side, in French.

“La vie est triste quand on est seul, elle est bien plus agréable quand on est deux.”

He stopped just as Paula screamed.

There inside the mirror was the naked Paula.

“Cal help!” she cried.

“Oh, you need me now?” Cal asked.

“Just get me out of here. Do what you have to do!”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart, there’s no reversing the curse.

You will be there whenever I wish to see you, however long that might be.”

“What? No! Please Cal, get me out of here.”

“No, I won’t.” he said with an air of authority. “You are mine forever now.

 I’ll be keeping you at my place. Then, I’ll be able to see you

and we can talk. You will stay as you are forever and be just as beautiful.”

He wanted to say more but she had fallen to the mirror floor and was sobbing.

With that he replaced whatever he had removed from its back and the mirror went black.

Cal called down to the two men with the truck that waited outside 

and they removed the mirror to Cal’s apartment. 

When Maria came in the following morning, she thought nothing unusual. 

Paula often left early to go to the spa.

Translation of the French: Life is sad when you are alone, it is much more

pleasant when there are two.