Dutch, gazing into the two ladies' expectant eyes, wouldn't dream of uttering a single word that might chill their eager hearts. He was, after all, a master illusionist.
"Of course, ladies," he purred, a silken promise in his voice, "since I am the very architect of these marvels, I am, naturally, going to sell them! In fact, you'll find our exclusive 'VDL' boutiques in Valentine, Strawberry, Rhodes, and soon, even in the glittering metropolis of Saint Denis! Every stitch, every exquisite detail you see on these ladies, will be available there. But wait, there's more! As a leading, undisputed, international first-tier brand, 'VDL' will unveil brand-spanking-new, revolutionary styles every single week from this moment forward. Our quality, I assure you, is simply divine, and every single design will be personally crafted by yours truly. With this, I shall lead the entire, fashion-starved continent of America to the absolute forefront of sartorial excellence! Now, dear ladies, you wouldn't want to be mercilessly mocked as mere country bumpkins by your friends, would you?"
Dutch's words hadn't even fully escaped his lips when every single lady in the carriage collectively held their breath. Fashion, forefront, country bumpkin, first-tier brand... these potent words didn't just swirl in their minds; they detonated, igniting a joyous inferno of anticipation mixed with a chilling, existential dread.
They could almost see it: their smug friends, their impeccably dressed besties, standing there in exquisitely designed, impossibly fashionable VLD creations, pointing and howling with laughter at their own bulky, tragically outdated ensembles, labeling them "country bumpkins!"
The relentless wheel of time rolls ever forward, but one truth remains eternal: no matter the era, people will chase fashion with the ferocity of a starved wolf. Medieval European women smeared lead powder on their faces to achieve a poisonous pallor, and similarly, the women of this enlightened age would now relentlessly pursue brands to achieve fashion supremacy.
Upon hearing Dutch's grand pronouncement, Ms. Camille and Ms. Shirley could no longer contain their inner shopping demons. They practically shrieked with unbridled eagerness, "Oh, Mr. Callahan, where exactly is your clothing store located?! Oh, these clothes are absolutely beautiful! Can we pre-order two outfits from you right now?! Oh no, wait! I'll pre-order two of each of these divine styles! My cousin and I simply must have one of everything!"
"Hahahaha, of course, Ms. Camille," Dutch chuckled, radiating benevolent charm. "In fact, our very purpose for gracing Saint Denis with our presence is to transport these garments there, meaning you can acquire the clothes you desire the moment you step off this train. However, I must confess, our clothing is positioned at a slightly… elevated price point. All the various, distinct styles worn by these lovely ladies are uniformly priced at a modest $25 each. There are a total of seven completely unique ensembles, so if you desire the full collection, that would be a mere $350."
He paused, leaning in conspiratorially, his voice dropping to a warm, intimate tone. "But as the old saying goes, 'meeting is destiny,' and I confess, I feel an immediate, profound kinship with you, Ms. Camille. A deep connection, almost familial! So, I've decided to personally gift you two of our specially crafted silk scarves, a humble token to symbolize our blossoming friendship. And at the same time, I shall also bestow upon you two of our 'VLD' exclusive membership cards."
He produced them with a flourish.
"From this day forward, you shall receive a delightful 10% discount on all your 'VLD' purchases and can bask in the glory of complimentary snacks and coffee provided in our stores. Mark my words, only those who grace 'VLD' with expenditures exceeding one thousand dollars annually are granted the honor of receiving our 'VLD' exclusive membership card. And furthermore, gentlemen and ladies who possess this revered 'VLD' exclusive card will be personally invited to our periodic 'VLD' exclusive banquets, gatherings of the most discerning and fashionable individuals! So, dear ladies, it truly is a pleasure to meet you, but I shall also require your specific addresses so I may dispatch your invitations to these most exclusive soirees."
(For context, a valuable men's or women's suit in 1900 might cost $9-16. Dutch's pricing, while ambitious, wasn't game-level absurd.)
Dutch spoke with the polished confidence of a seasoned orator, self-assured yet devoid of offensive ostentation, gentle yet effortlessly relaxed. His words, a masterful blend of calculated charm and genuine-sounding warmth, never strayed from themes of "friendship" and "sentiment," culminating in the grand gesture of silk scarves and exclusive membership cards – symbols not just of friendship, but of coveted status. In three short, impeccably crafted sentences, he had forged an instant bond, a perceived friendship so strong it left Ms. Camille and Ms. Shirley utterly charmed.
As Dutch finished his magnificent spiel, he extended his hand, revealing two wooden cards, each a small, exquisitely textured plaque that exuded luxury and understated class. These were no flimsy paper tokens; slightly thicker than playing cards, they were uniformly black with elegant golden engraved outlines, radiating a beauty that spoke of profound substance. The entire surface was polished to a mirror-like sheen, even coated with beeswax, making them feel delightfully substantial, yet small, lovely, and incredibly exquisite in hand.
The golden 'VLD' lettering shimmered with striking clarity, and the back of each card boasted a meticulously painted jasmine flower in white dye, elevating the card's entire aesthetic by several levels. Just this one card was so exquisitely designed, it made people want to snatch it away on sight.
This, of course, was vintage Dutch. Sometimes, he knew, the mere proof of exclusive membership becomes more coveted than the actual benefits. Think of the high-end galas hosted by luxury brands, inviting only the absurdly wealthy who spend over a certain threshold each year, causing some still-human rich folk to vie for an invitation just to get in.
(Though, in reality, more people just went to network and find new business opportunities.)
Dutch thought this idea was, in a word, brilliant, and decided to shamelessly borrow it.
This way, whether driven by the desperate pursuit of fashion or the insatiable desire to network with fellow elites, those possessing an 'VLD' membership card would undoubtedly strive harder, spend more money, just to gain entry to these exclusive, high-end gatherings. And within the rarefied atmosphere of the wealthy class, a new, insidious trend would effortlessly emerge:
"If you're not deemed worthy enough to enter the 'VLD' banquet, then darling, you simply have no status whatsoever!"
Dutch cackled internally, would forge a glorious, self-sustaining chain of contempt among the wealthy. Once that chain was forged, spending at 'VLD' would no longer be about need or desire, but a frenzied, competitive race to out-spend and out-status one another.
Dutch waxed eloquent, a true orator, while Arthur, John, Charles, and even the normally composed Karen and Mary-Beth, were stunned, their jaws metaphorically hitting the floor at Dutch's professional, mesmerizing, and alluring pitch.
John: "Sh*t! Is that even Dutch?!"
Arthur: "Damn it, when did Dutch's brain become so flexible? Did a Maxim gun blow a hole in his head and make him open-minded?!"
Compared to the profound shock and emotional turmoil of the Van der Linde Gang members, the two ladies being royally entertained by Dutch were already in a state of complete, spiritual ecstasy! Dutch's attentiveness from the very beginning, his unwavering gentleness, his utterly charming demeanor—all of it had doubled their favorable impression, creating a subtle, delightful cocktail of guilt and secret glee.
"Damn it," they thought, a shared, silent epiphany. "He's too good to us! He's truly a perfect gentleman! He's truly a perfect man!" Especially after Dutch had presented the sacred cards, symbols of 'VLD' membership, and uttered the magical words related to their exclusive benefits, this overwhelming sense of being esteemed, of being crowned with a higher status, almost instantly pierced through the two ladies' very scalps.
Who, after all, doesn't adore being flattered? Who doesn't crave high status? Who doesn't revel in being publicly elevated above the common masses? What Dutch had done was practically an impromptu, public coronation of the two women. And compared to this intoxicating sense of honor, the profound feeling of being so utterly, intimately valued, was simply divine.
So, almost the very instant Dutch handed over the two prestigious membership cards, the two ladies had completely, irrevocably, taken Dutch into their hearts as their confidant, their personal fashion guru.