Chapter 9 - The Money
The modeling money was smaller than everyone imagined.
That mattered.
Ramona had not built a secret empire.
Dulcie had earned:
$650.
$900.
$400 fitting fee.
Total gross $1,950.
After agency commissions and legitimate photography costs, less remained.
Ramona had placed $1,100 into a custodial savings account.
Spent approximately $500 on portfolio expenses.
Remainder on clothing used for auditions.
No evidence she stole meaningful money from Dulcie.
Good.
The motive was not cash.
Then Northline.
The proposed Linden & Lace campaign would have paid:
$2,400 session fee plus limited regional usage, possibly more if renewed.
Nice.
Not life-changing.
Ramona’s obsession could not be explained by financial desperation.
It was status.
Validation.
Control.
She had spent years feeling that Dulcie was the Whitlock girl people noticed second.
Then modeling became one place where Ramona could manufacture first place.
She trained.
Scheduled.
Photographed.
Dulcie booked.
Proof.
Then she submitted Nell almost casually as part of a cousin pair.
And the client asked for Nell alone.
No training.
No portfolio.
Just long hair and a natural photograph.
To Ramona, that confirmed the family story she hated:
Nell arrives.
Dulcie disappears.
Her mistake was believing the solution was to dim Nell rather than stop ranking children.
Then a message to a friend named Monica surfaced during civil discovery because Ramona voluntarily produced relevant communications.
Friday before party:
RAMONA:
You know what’s insane? I did all this work with Dulcie and they want Nell because of HAIR.
MONICA:
That sucks for Dulcie but good for Nell?
RAMONA:
You sound like Benedict.
MONICA:
What does that mean?
RAMONA:
Everybody always says good for Nell.
Monica:
Does Dulcie even want it?
No response.
Then Saturday morning:
RAMONA:
If braid is gone, brief doesn’t fit.
MONICA:
Do not do anything weird.
Ramona:
Relax.
Then:
MONICA:
I mean it.
Ramona:
Hair grows.
There.
The line.
Hair grows.
Not explicit:
I will cut it.
But intent narrowing.
Then 12:22:
MONICA:
Ramona?
No answer.
At 1:36:
May you like
Scissors.
Chapter 10 had enough.
