Free Chronicles of a Lincoln Park Fashionista by Aven Ellis

sky—well, who wouldn’t want to experience that?
    “Avery, if you could bring up the lights please?” Craig asks.
    I nod, raising them back up. Then I take my seat as Craig begins to speak to the group.
    “I want to bring the spa experience to our customers in Luxury Class,” Craig says, commanding the full attention of everyone in the room. “I feel we can attract the harried business customer—and in particular, women—with this concept on our transatlantic flights.”
    Craig has people get up and begin passing out items. “I have worked closely with the directors of In-Flight Services to establish the spa experience in the air,” Craig says. “Including luxurious, organic cotton sheets for turndown service, a full spa-cuisine menu, channels in the entertainment deck that feature the spas of the world, as well as scenery channels featuring new-age music for visualization and relaxation, instruction cards on reflexology and temple massage, cashmere socks . . .”
    I study the items being passed around the table. I feel the sample of soft organic sheet material as Craig continues to talk.
    “Now these are starting points. What I want you to do is start throwing out ideas on what we can do better. What can we add to this experience? I will take those ideas back to In-Flight Services. I also want to know how we plan to promote it within every division of Marketing. Lindsay will be our note keeper up here as you start talking.”
    I listen as people start throwing out ideas.
    “With our complimentary limo pick-up service, we should have a spa-sounds soundtrack playing in the car to relieve stress,” one person suggests.
    I watch as Lindsay scribbles that idea on a big tablet of paper on an easel.
    “We can do promotions with spas in our destination cities, giving away luxurious spa trips,” Rebecca says.
    “Great idea,” Creepy Spence chimes in, staring at Rebecca’s boobs.
    Great idea? That’s an obvious idea , I think, furrowing my brow.
    Eileen McDonald, the director of Airport and In-flight Merchandising, speaks next.
    “We’ll support this campaign with a major push in the airport concourses and in the terminals,” Eileen says. “We’ll make sure our Premier Clubs have spa offerings as well, like mani-pedis, hand massages, scalp massage, fresh juices, and smoothies to complement our on-board services.”
    I nod, as the Premier Clubs are where our elite passengers can rest and relax between flights.
    Dan Jergins, the head of Internet Marketing who is seated to my right, hands me a travel bag. I take it from him and eye it skeptically.
    “The new amenities kit,” he whispers, nodding.
    I peer down inside the unzipped bag. First of all, the bag is boring—black and basic. I peek inside, moving around the products. There’s some ultra-rich hand cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, earplugs, lip balm, and eyeshades.
    I furrow my brow. This doesn’t scream spa. Nothing is scented. Nothing in here encourages relaxation. It’s all upscale products, but that doesn’t make it spa-like.
    “Avery?” Craig suddenly asks, making everyone in the room cease talking.
    I jerk my head up, mortified. “Yes?”
    “What are you thinking?” he asks, staring at me.
    “Pardon?” I squeak. God, this man scares me.
    “You’re intently studying the amenities kit. Tell me why.”
    Oh God. Do I really say what I think? I’m new here. I know nothing about the airline industry. It’s just an amenities kit. Who cares what I think?
    For some reason I can’t explain, I glance toward Deke at the back of the room. Much to my surprise, his eyes lock with mine. And even in that brief glance, I feel like he’s encouraging me to speak my mind.
    I turn back to Craig and draw a breath of air for courage. “I don’t think this kit feels spa-like at all,” I say honestly.
    Now all eyes are on me.
    “How so?” Craig asks, folding his arms across his chest.
    I swallow hard. “When I think spa, I think scents. Lavender.