Gloss

RECEPTIONIST: Name?

WOMAN: Harper. H-A-R-P-E-R. With an “H.” Like— never mind. I have an appointment. Gel. French. Almond.

RECEPTIONIST: Yes. Five o’clock. Sit, please.

WOMAN: I’m already sitting. I’m just… sitting incorrectly in this chair. Do you have one that doesn’t swallow you whole?

RECEPTIONIST: Sit here, better.

WOMAN: Thank you. Is there a menu? For the colors? Or do we… just guess?

RECEPTIONIST: Colors on wall. Many.

WOMAN: I see them. I meant a curated selection. Like what’s in. What’s… elevated. What’s… quiet luxury. You know?

RECEPTIONIST: You can choose any.

WOMAN: Any is… stressful. Any is a trap. I don’t want to look like I’m trying. I want to look like I don’t have to try.

RECEPTIONIST: Okay. Technician ready. You come.

WOMAN: Finally.

TECHNICIAN: Hi. Harper?

WOMAN: Yes. That’s me. Thank you.

TECHNICIAN: I’m Lan. You sit.

LAN: You want gel?

WOMAN: Gel. French. Almond. Thin. But not too thin. Like… elegant. Like a ballet slipper. Like a whisper.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: And can we please do cuticles carefully? Last time— not here, at another place— they absolutely butchered me. I bled for three days. It was like a crime scene. My boyfriend was horrified.

LAN: I be careful.

WOMAN: Great. Love that.

LAN: You pick color?

WOMAN: French. But like… not the harsh white. The softer white. The “I summer in places where people don’t wear bright colors” white.

LAN: Hmm.

WOMAN: You know? It’s a tone. Not a color.

LAN: I show you.

WOMAN: Thank you.

LAN: This? Soft white.

WOMAN: That’s… too dental. That’s like a tooth.

LAN: This?

WOMAN: Too chalky.

LAN: This?

WOMAN: That’s… more. That’s closer. But the pink base should be more… sheer. More like my natural nail but better. Like I’m born like this.

LAN: Okay. Sheer base.

WOMAN: And almond shape. Not stiletto. Stiletto is for… other people.

LAN: Almond.

WOMAN: Perfect.

LAN: You wash hands?

WOMAN: I washed in the car. With sanitizer. Twice. But sure.

LAN: Sink there.

WOMAN: Okay. I’m going. I’m going. The water is freezing.

LAN: Hot?

WOMAN: Not hot. Warm. Like— like a bath you would put a baby in. A rich baby.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: Better.

LAN: You come back.

WOMAN: Great.

LAN: Any allergy?

WOMAN: No. Unless you count… cheap energy. I’m allergic to cheap energy. Like when people are loud for no reason.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: I’m kidding. Sort of.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: Your English is good.

LAN: Thank you.

WOMAN: I mean, for— I mean, considering. It’s good.

LAN: Thank you.

LAN (IN HER HEAD): Thank you, I say, because my mouth only carries a small set of keys. Because every extra key costs time. Because if I open my real mouth, the whole room will hear the metal clatter.

WOMAN: Where are you from?

LAN: Vietnam.

WOMAN: Oh my gosh. I love Vietnam. I mean, I’ve never been. But it’s on my list. I saw this documentary once— about street food? It was like… a sensory overload. So authentic. So gritty. I told my friend, “We have to go,” and she was like, “Is it safe?” And I was like, “That’s such a colonizer question.” You know?

LAN: Yes.

WOMAN: Like… people have such outdated ideas. But also, I don’t want to get sick. I have a very sensitive stomach. I can’t do dairy. Or gluten. Or stress.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: Do you miss it?

LAN: Yes. Sometimes.

WOMAN: I can’t imagine leaving your country. Like— I can barely leave my neighborhood without feeling ungrounded.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: But you came here for a better life. That’s nice. That’s… inspiring.

LAN: Thank you.

LAN (IN HER HEAD): Better life. Like a pair of shoes on sale. Like a bigger kitchen. Better life like a clean white box. She says it like she can gift it.

WOMAN: Your hands are so rough. Is that from… the chemicals?

LAN: Yes. Chemicals.

WOMAN: That’s so sad. Do you wear gloves?

LAN: Sometimes.

WOMAN: You should wear gloves. You only get one body. I’m very into wellness. I do infrared sauna. Cold plunge. Breathwork. Journaling. My therapist says my nervous system is basically a hummingbird.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: It’s like, I’m always buzzing. You probably don’t have anxiety though. You seem… simple.

LAN: Mm.

LAN (IN HER HEAD): Simple. Like a bowl. Like a spoon. Like a person you don’t have to imagine.

WOMAN: Also, can you not file so aggressively? It hurts.

LAN: Sorry. I gentle.

WOMAN: Thank you.

LAN: Cuticle now.

WOMAN: Okay. Just be careful. I’m delicate.

LAN: Yes.

WOMAN: And can we do the base first before you trim? Because I saw this nail influencer and she said trimming first can cause inflammation and then the gel won’t adhere properly. It’s like… science.

LAN: I do many years. It okay.

WOMAN: I’m sure you’ve done many years. I’m just saying there are new techniques. Trends evolve.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: Like… do you follow nail accounts on Instagram?

LAN: No.

WOMAN: You should. It’s educational. Honestly, I learn so much from TikTok.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: See, I feel like you don’t really… engage. It’s like I’m talking into a pillow.

LAN: Sorry. I understand little.

WOMAN: Right. Right. Language barrier. Totally. It’s fine. I just… I’m used to banter. Like, my friends and I, we do banter. We do witty. We do fast.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: Can you understand me?

LAN: Yes. Little. You want… French. Almond.

WOMAN: Yes. And also— can you not push my cuticles back that far? They’re going to look… exposed. Like, naked. I want polished, not nude.

LAN: I do normal.

WOMAN: Normal for whom?

LAN: For nail.

WOMAN: Okay. But my nails are… special.

LAN: Mm.

LAN (IN HER HEAD): Special. Like she is the first hand I have ever held. Like my whole day has been waiting for her particular skin.

WOMAN: Ouch.

LAN: Sorry.

WOMAN: It’s fine. Just… gentle.

LAN: Yes.

WOMAN: Also, can we talk about the shape? It’s looking a little… round. I said almond, not… grape.

LAN: Almond. I shape.

WOMAN: Great. Okay, can we speed this up a bit? I have a dinner at seven.

LAN: Yes.

WOMAN: And please don’t make them too thick. I hate thick nails. Thick nails are… tacky.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: I’m just being honest. Honesty is my thing.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: I love your accent.

LAN: Thank you.

WOMAN: It’s cute. Like… musical. Like you’re always singing. I wish I had an accent. Mine is so… boring. It’s like the default setting.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: I mean, I guess I have like… a softness. People tell me I sound expensive.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: Is that rude? It’s probably rude.

LAN: No.

WOMAN: Thank you. See, you get me. You’re chill. I like that. I hate when people are offended by everything. It’s exhausting.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: Okay, can you fix that nail? It’s crooked.

LAN: Which?

WOMAN: That one. The ring finger. It’s leaning left like it’s protesting.

LAN: I fix.

WOMAN: Good.

LAN: You want short or long?

WOMAN: Medium. Like I can type but also ruin a man’s life.

LAN: Mm.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: Also, I have a question. Do you guys reuse the tools? Like, sterilize them?

LAN: Yes. Sterilize.

WOMAN: Because I saw a video about— never mind. It’s just, like, hygiene matters. I’m very particular.

LAN: Yes. We clean.

WOMAN: Good.

LAN: I apply base.

WOMAN: Okay.

LAN: You relax.

WOMAN: I am relaxed. This is my relaxed.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: Do you have kids?

LAN: Yes. Two.

WOMAN: Aw. That’s sweet. Are they… like, in school?

LAN: Yes.

WOMAN: Do they speak English?

LAN: Yes. Better than me.

WOMAN: Well, they’re going to have such a good life. That’s the American dream. You did it. You should be proud.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: Okay, this base coat looks streaky.

LAN: It dry clear.

WOMAN: Are you sure? Because I can see it.

LAN: Yes. Dry clear.

WOMAN: Hmm. Okay.

LAN: Cure light now.

WOMAN: Okay.

LAN: Now pink.

WOMAN: Sheer pink. Not bubblegum. Not baby. Like… expensive skin.

LAN: Yes.

WOMAN: Can I see?

LAN: Yes. Here.

WOMAN: That’s… too pink.

LAN: It sheer.

WOMAN: It’s not sheer enough. It’s giving… Barbie.

LAN: We can do one more coat?

WOMAN: No. Less coat. Less color.

LAN: Okay. I wipe. Do again.

WOMAN: Thank you. I just— I have a vision.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: And you know, like, nails are personal. It’s self-expression.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: It’s art.

LAN: Yes.

WOMAN: You’re basically an artist.

LAN: Thank you.

WOMAN: But like… a service artist. Not like a gallery artist. You know what I mean.

LAN: Mm.

LAN (IN HER HEAD): Service artist. Like a decorative plate. Like a candle. Like something pretty that melts away.

WOMAN: Okay, that’s better.

LAN: Good.

WOMAN: Finally.

LAN: Now tip.

WOMAN: Soft white tip. Yes.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: And can you make the smile line super crisp? I hate when it’s uneven. It makes me feel… poor.

LAN: I do best.

WOMAN: Do better than best. Do perfect.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: Sorry. That was intense. I just… I’m particular.

LAN: It okay.

WOMAN: No, it’s not okay. People always say it’s okay and then nothing changes. Like, if something is not okay, it should not be okay.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: Do you know what I mean?

LAN: Yes.

WOMAN: Great.

LAN: Hand still.

WOMAN: My hand is still. Your brush is shaking.

LAN: Sorry.

WOMAN: It’s fine. It’s fine. Just… focus.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: Are you tired?

LAN: Little.

WOMAN: You shouldn’t be tired. You’re at work. I mean, I’m tired too, but I’m tired from like… mental labor. Emails. Decisions. Being perceived.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: Like, I had to decide whether to do Pilates or yoga today. That’s exhausting.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: Don’t judge me.

LAN: I don’t.

WOMAN: Good.

LAN: Tip done.

WOMAN: Let me see.

LAN: Here.

WOMAN: That smile line is… wobbly.

LAN: I fix.

WOMAN: Please.

LAN: You relax.

WOMAN: Stop telling me to relax. I’m relaxed.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: It’s just— I’m paying a lot. This is not cheap.

LAN: Yes.

WOMAN: So I expect… quality.

LAN: Yes.

WOMAN: Also, do you have Venmo? Because I don’t carry cash.

LAN: We take card.

WOMAN: For tip, I mean. I like to tip people directly because it feels more… human. Cash is so… dirty.

LAN: Tip on card okay.

WOMAN: Hmm. Okay.

LAN: I fix line.

WOMAN: Thank you.

LAN: Better?

WOMAN: Better. Still slightly— okay. Fine. It’s fine.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: Can you make them a bit shorter? They feel long.

LAN: You say medium.

WOMAN: I know what I said. I changed my mind. That’s allowed.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: And can you file the edges more? They feel sharp.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: Thank you. Can you stop touching my skin? It feels… oily.

LAN: That lotion.

WOMAN: I didn’t ask for lotion.

LAN: It help.

WOMAN: I don’t want help. I want nails.

LAN: Okay. No lotion.

WOMAN: Thank you.

LAN: Cure light.

WOMAN: Again?

LAN: Yes. Two time.

WOMAN: Fine.

LAN: Hand.

WOMAN: It’s hot again.

LAN: Little warm.

WOMAN: It’s not little.

LAN: Sorry. It normal.

WOMAN: Normal for you.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: I just— I have sensitive skin.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: And I don’t like discomfort.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: That’s not… a crime.

LAN: No.

WOMAN: Good.

LAN: Done.

WOMAN: Finally.

LAN: Top coat now.

WOMAN: Yes. And please, no bubbles. I hate bubbles. Bubbles are tragic.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: Are you new?

LAN: No.

WOMAN: Because you seem… uncertain.

LAN: I do nails long time.

WOMAN: Then why is this taking so long?

LAN: French take time.

WOMAN: Everything takes time. That’s what people say when they don’t have efficiency.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: Sorry. I’m not trying to be rude. I’m just… direct.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: Also, can you not speak Vietnamese around me? It makes me feel… excluded.

LAN: I not speak Vietnamese.

WOMAN: I heard you earlier with the other technician.

LAN: We talk work.

WOMAN: Still. It’s weird. Like, say it in English.

LAN: My English not good.

WOMAN: Then learn.

LAN: Mm.

LAN (IN HER HEAD): Learn. Like it is a switch. Like I can buy it. Like I haven’t been learning every day, every hour, every “what?” swallowed, every humiliation turned into a lesson.

WOMAN: I’m just saying— it’s America. People should speak English.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: I’m not xenophobic. I’m literally the opposite. I donate. I post infographics. I marched. I have a tote bag that says “No One Is Illegal.” It’s just— I don’t like feeling left out.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: And it’s… suspicious. You know? Like, what if you’re talking about me.

LAN: We not.

WOMAN: How do I know that?

LAN: We busy.

WOMAN: That’s not an answer.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: You should understand how that feels. Being talked about. Being… judged.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: That’s basically my whole life.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: People always assume things about me.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: Like that I’m privileged.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: Which is unfair, because privilege is complicated. Like, yes, my dad paid for my college. Yes, I have health insurance. Yes, I don’t worry about rent. But that doesn’t mean I don’t suffer. I suffer in my own way.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: Emotional suffering is real.

LAN: Yes.

WOMAN: See. Thank you. Finally, someone gets it.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: Also, can you wipe the dust off my hands? It’s gross.

LAN: Yes.

WOMAN: Not with that towel. That towel looks… used.

LAN: It clean.

WOMAN: It doesn’t look clean.

LAN: It clean.

WOMAN: Okay. Whatever. Just use a new one.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: Thank you.

LAN: Top coat.

WOMAN: Great.

LAN: Cure light again.

WOMAN: Of course.

LAN: Hand.

WOMAN: Hot.

LAN: Few second.

WOMAN: Fine.

LAN: Done.

WOMAN: Let me see.

LAN: Here.

WOMAN: Okay. They’re… acceptable.

LAN: Thank you.

WOMAN: Not perfect. But acceptable.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: The smile line is still slightly uneven on the index finger, but honestly, I don’t have time.

LAN: I can fix.

WOMAN: No. I said I don’t have time. I have dinner. People waiting.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: And can you just— do you have cuticle oil? Real cuticle oil? Not the cheap stuff.

LAN: We have oil.

WOMAN: Fine. Put a little.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: Not too much.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: And please, no lotion.

LAN: No lotion.

WOMAN: Great.

LAN: Done.

WOMAN: Okay. How much?

LAN: Sixty-five.

WOMAN: Sixty-five? For this?

LAN: Gel French.

WOMAN: That’s… a lot. I mean, I can pay it. Obviously. It’s not about money. It’s about… principle.

LAN: Okay.

WOMAN: Like, are you sure it’s sixty-five? Because I saw a sign—

RECEPTIONIST: Gel French sixty-five.

WOMAN: Okay. Fine. Whatever. Put it on my card.

RECEPTIONIST: Tip?

WOMAN: Hmm. What’s appropriate? Like— what do people tip? I don’t want to be exploited, but I also don’t want to be… stingy.

RECEPTIONIST: Up to you.

WOMAN: That’s not helpful.

LAN: Anything okay.

WOMAN: Of course you’d say that. You want money.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: How much do you make an hour?

LAN: I don’t know.

WOMAN: You don’t know?

LAN: I know, but… not say.

WOMAN: That’s weird. Transparency is important.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: Okay, I’ll do… ten percent.

RECEPTIONIST: Ten percent?

WOMAN: Is that bad? I feel like ten percent is fair. Ten percent is like… a lot if you think about it.

RECEPTIONIST: Usually twenty.

WOMAN: Twenty? For nails?

RECEPTIONIST: Service.

WOMAN: Wow. Okay. That feels… aggressive. I mean, I tipped my Uber driver like five dollars.

RECEPTIONIST: Up to you.

WOMAN: Fine. I’ll do fifteen.

LAN: Thank you.

WOMAN: You’re welcome.

LAN (IN HER HEAD): Fifteen percent of being told to relax. Fifteen percent of “learn.” Fifteen percent of swallowing my tongue. Thank you, I say, because my mouth is a small room and her voice fills it.

WOMAN: Can you tell her to make sure the tip goes to you, not the house?

LAN: Tip on card go… here.

WOMAN: That’s vague. I don’t like vagueness. I want to know where my money goes.

LAN: Tip go to worker.

WOMAN: Okay. Good. Because I believe in supporting women. Especially women like you.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: You’re like… so resilient.

LAN: Thank you.

WOMAN: Honestly, this was like a cultural exchange. I learned a lot.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: Like, not everyone has the same opportunities. It’s humbling.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: You should be proud of yourself. You came here. You work hard. You provide. That’s… very noble.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: Okay. I’m late. Bye.

LAN: Bye.

WOMAN: And tell them— maybe have like… a signage policy about speaking English? It would make the environment feel more inclusive.

LAN: Mm.

LAN (IN HER HEAD): Inclusive. She says it like a prayer and a threat at the same time.

RECEPTIONIST: Next?

LAN: Next.

WOMAN (FROM THE DOOR): Oh! And one more thing— if you could, like, smile more. It’s just nicer.

LAN: Mm.

WOMAN: Bye!

LAN: Bye.

LAN (IN HER HEAD): Smile more. I think of my mother’s hands, cracked and brown, holding a bowl of rice like it is a moon. I think of my children’s mouths, loud and bright with English, asking for snacks and homework help and the newest shoes. I think of my own mouth, trained into “mm” like a stitch.

LAN (IN HER HEAD): Smile more, she says. I do. Every day.

LAN (OUT LOUD, TO NO ONE): Smile more. Sure.

LAN (IN HER HEAD): Come back tomorrow, Harper. I will give you a whisper. I will give you a ballet slipper. I will give you a clean line you can’t stop staring at. And I will keep my real words where you can’t charge for them.