I
"Hawaii?"
"Yeah. A tragic-looking girl did it on the beach while I drank a daiquiri."
"Nice. You do realise that it's frostbite weather here though? You'll end up with toes that are painted-on."
"Well yeah, that's the price I'll pay for fashion."
"How about I just take a photo?"
II
I picked up my kit as I got up from a break in the shade of a palm tree. Almost midday and not a customer all morning. People will be escaping the heat for the air-conditioned comfort of their swanky hotels soon. I spot a girl sipping a cocktail, fingernails the same colour as her shoes.
"Toenail tattoos?" I ask, holding up some photos of my best work.
"Do you have a colour to match my shoes?" she asks looking over the top of her sunglasses. Matching eye-shadow too.
"I have the perfect colour for you."
"How much?"
"Fifty dollars"
"How about forty?"
"OK." The off-season always brought cheapskates but business was too slow to argue.
"Will it take long? I have a lunch date."
"About 30 minutes depending on the design."
"Guess I'll need another daiquiri to keep me going." She picked up her valuables. "Watch my towel. Be right back."
I flicked though my colours while waiting. Yep, perfect, gaudy orange tart.
