Part 1:
“Hello again, beautiful.”

“You’re smudging my [music] glass again.”
“I’m not touching it, ma’am.”
“Your breath is.”

“Five more minutes, please.

It’s my lunch break.”
“She’s back again, madame.

Every day at noon, like a clock.

She never touches anything.

She just looks.”
“Looking is how it starts.

Pipper.”

“Not today, little moth.

That dress costs more than you earn in a year, dear.”
“Same girl, same dress, same time.

Every day.”
“Every day for 8 months.”

“Why that dress?”
“Ask her yourself, son.

She’s my best waitress.”
“You remembered my decaf, Aurora.”
“Every Tuesday, Mr.

Bell.

And a cookie on me.”
“Close your mouth, son.

Flies.”
“Lunch is over, princess.”
“I still have four minutes, [music] Theo.”
“Black, no sugar.”
“You remember.”
“You’re the only customer who never talks.”
“Maybe I’m a good listener.

Can I ask about the dress across the street?”
“Everyone asks.

Nobody understands.”
“Try me.”
“Another day.

Table 6 is waving at me.”
“8 months.”
“That fella’s been here every day this week.”
“Theo, he’s a customer.

He likes the coffee.”
“Nobody likes my coffee that much, kid.” [laughter]
“Why that [music] dress?”
“Your mother booked the engagement dinner, Rice.”
“I never agreed to an engagement.”
“Our families did.

That’s how it works, darling.”
“Not for me.”
“I already chose my wedding dress.”
“You don’t even have a groom.”
“The lace one in the window across from that little cafe.”
“Pick another [music] dress, Vanessa.”
“Why?

Did you fall in love with a mannequin?

I always get what I want.

Rece.”
“Not that dress.

Anything but that dress.”
“Mom, I’m not marrying Vanessa.

Cancel the dinner.”
“Margot, please keep the lace dress for me.”
The story isn’t over yet.

Type “LOVE” if you’d like me to post the rest.

Part 2:
“Is today another day?”
“You really want to know about the dress?

My mom used to draw dresses like that one.”
“She was a designer?”
“She wanted to be.

Then she got sick.”
“I’m sorry, Aurora.”
“When I look at that dress, I feel like she’s close.”
“Then it’s not just a dress.”
“Now you know my secret.

What’s yours?”
[music] “I work in an office.

Numbers.”
“That’s not a secret.

That’s a nap.

Break’s over.

Same time tomorrow, Mr.

Numbers.”
“Same time tomorrow.

Mr.

Numbers.

Huh?”
“Don’t tell her my name, Theo.”
“Which one?

Rice or the one on the buildings?”
“Either one, please.”
“Why do you really come here, Rice?

You own half this street.”
“Because here, nobody wants anything from me.

My mother used to make me sit in rooms like this.

Quiet, [music] warm.”
“Then you’re welcome here.

Long as you tip.”
“How was the dress today?”
“Still there.

Still beautiful.”
“Your mother would have loved it.”
“Dad, sometimes I think she did.”
“$3,200 for a dress you’ll never wear.”
“For a dream I’ll never stop having. 800 more, then I [music] just ask.”
“What’s this?”
“Not yet, sweetheart.”
“Dad, is it Mom’s?”
“One day I’ll open it with you.

Not tonight.”

“Okay.

Not tonight.”
“She has your heart, Elena.”
“Morning mail.”
“Ma’am, leave it on the counter.

Don’t touch the gowns.”
“You haven’t [music] changed, Margot.”
“Do I know you?”
“No, but you knew my wife.

Elena.”
“Elena?”
“She found your window.”
“Good night, Mom.”
“You come here at night, too?”
“Mr.

Numbers, are you following me?”
“My office is around the corner.

I swear.”
“Liar.

But a nice one.

Do you think dreams can expire?”
“Not if someone keeps looking at them.

Can I walk you home?”
“Only halfway.

My dad waits on the porch.”
“What do you really do, Mr.

Numbers?”
“I buy old buildings and—and make them new.”
“Sounds lonely.”
“It was until a waitress poured my coffee.”
“This is halfway.”
“Then good night, halfway.”
“What are you drawing?”
“Nothing.

Just sleeves.”
“Aurora, this is beautiful.”
“It’s a napkin.”
“Why are you pouring coffee instead of designing?”
“Because rent doesn’t take napkins.

Hey, that’s mine.”
“Then you’ll [music] have to come get it back.”
“He stole your napkin.”
“He stole my sleeve, Theo.” [laughter]
“You came.”
“You have my napkin.

What is this?”
“Something better than napkins.”
“Rice.

Nobody ever gave me pencils before.”
“Then nobody was paying attention.

What will you call your first dress?”
“Elena.

After my mom.

Your turn.

Who are you really?”
“A man who forgot how to want things.”
“And now?”
“Now I want Thursday to come faster.”
“Vanilla.

That’s it.

No sprinkles.”
“Simple things last longer.”
“Like lace.”
“Like lace.

And like people who stay.”
“Really?

Now you’re simple, too.” [laughter]
“You’re humming. [music] You never hum.”
“It’s a nice day, Theo.”
“It’s raining, kid.”
“It’s still a nice day.

Theo, can I take extra shifts on Sundays?”
“Still saving for that dress?”
“800 more and I can ask the price.”
“Sundays are yours, kid.”
“New sketchbook?”
[music] “A friend gave it to me.”
“A friend with green eyes.”
“Dad.”
“I’m old, not blind.” [laughter] “You draw sleeves just like your mother did.”
“So, you’re Mr.

Numbers.”
“Rice, sir.

These are for the cook.”
“I’m the cook.”
“Then they’re definitely for you.” [laughter]
“What do you do, son?”
“I fix old buildings, sir.”
“Good.

Mine has a leaking roof.

She’s been standing at that window since her mother died.”
“I know. [music] I’ve watched her for weeks.”
“Then don’t you ever make her stand alone again.”
“One day I’ll make one even better than this.”
“I’ll be the first in line.”
“Now you bring an audience.”
“She’s admiring your work, ma’am.

Isn’t that the point of a window?”
“The point of my window is to sell.”
“She’s been like that for eight months.”

“Then she’s had 8 months to be kinder.”
“You’re getting wet.”
“I’m fine.

The umbrella has priorities.”
“Nobody ever held an umbrella for me.”
“Get used to it.”
“Or maybe I like the rain.”
“You don’t have to [music] help.”
“I want to.”
“Why do you really come here everyday?”
“At first, for the coffee.”
“And now?”
“Now for the girl who looks at that window [music] like it’s a prayer.”
“You did all these in two weeks?”
“I couldn’t stop.

It’s like she’s guiding my hand.”
“These belong in a real shop window.”
“Dreams don’t pay rent, Ree.”
[music] “Today, I just ask the price.”
“The cafe is across the street, dear.”
[music] “I’d like to know the price of the window dress.”
“And what’s in the jar?”
“$4,000.

Eight months [music] of tips.”
“4,000.

Sweetheart, that buys the veil.

That dress is 40,000, and it’s not for girls who carry jars.”
“Then I’ll keep saving.”
“I’d like the lace dress from your window, please.”
“Miss Sterling, that piece isn’t for sale. [music] It’s my signature design.”
“Everything is for sale.

My father taught me that.”
“For a Sterling bride, perhaps.”
“I’m marrying Rice Callaway. [music] I want the whole city to see it.”
“Then the whole city will.”
“No, not that one.”
“Are you lost?

The bus stop is that way.”
“I was just looking.”
“Looking is free.

Barely.”
“It’s a beautiful dress.”
“She’s here every single day, Miss Sterling.”
“How sad.

Like a moth at [music] a lamp.

When I’m Mrs.

Callaway, I’ll have this window changed every week.”
“Callaway.”
“Tighter.

I want to look perfect in the photos.”
“You will, Miss Sterling.

The final fitting is next Saturday.”
“And the window stays empty until then.

Let the city wonder.”
“I’m sorry.

I always thought it should have been yours.”
“Thank you.

That helps a little.”
“Margot says she designed it.

I’ve never seen her draw a single line.”
“It’s gone, Mom.”
“Kid, what happened?”
“Somebody bought it.

Theo, my dress.”
“It was never really for sale, sweetheart.”
“Everything is for the right people.”
“Margot, that girl saved every [music] penny for 8 months.”
“And the coffee man tells me how to run my shop now.”
“No, I’m telling you, you’ll regret it.”
[music] “I never regret a sale.”
“Aurora, what’s wrong?”
“The dress is [music] gone.

Some rich bride bought it.”
“Which bride?”
“Blonde, proud, marrying someone called Callaway.”
“Vanessa, [music] you bought the window dress.”
“I told you I always get what I want.”
“Give it back.”
“For whom?

A waitress?

Your driver talks, Ree.

Every day at that cafe.”
“Leave her out of this.”
“Then let’s see how she likes the truth about Mr.

Numbers.”
“One coffee, and I’m waiting for my fiance.”
“Of course, ma’am.

You’re the bride, the lace dress.”
“And you’re the girl at the window.

Rice, darling.

Right on time.”
“You know him?”
“Know him?

I’m marrying [music] him.

Reese Callaway.”
“Callaway.

The Callaway.”
“Aurora.

It’s not what she—”
“You watched me stare at that—that dress for weeks, and she’s going to wear it.

Was I a show?

Something to watch with your coffee?”
“No.

You were the only real thing in my day.”

“I need some air.

Theo.”
“Son, you’d better fix this.”
“I will, Theo.

We’re not getting married, Vanessa. [music] Not now.

Not ever.”
“My father will ruin you.”
“Let him try.”
“And the dress?

It’s mine. [music] Saturday, I wear it.”
“Mr.

Numbers.”
“I should have told you who I was.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Because for once, someone liked me before they knew my name.”
“I liked Mr. [music] Numbers.

Are you engaged to her?”
“My family arranged it.

I said no.

Today I said it to her face.”
“She still has my dress.”
“Not for long.”
“I need to think.

Good night, Ree.”
“He came here and washed my dishes, Aurora.”
“He still lied about his name.”
“Your mother didn’t tell me she could draw for a year.”
“Why not?”
“She was afraid I’d love the drawings more than her.

People hide the things they’re scared to lose.”
“I’ll bring it back.

I promise.”
“You love her.”
“I didn’t know it until she walked out that door.”
“Then stop being Mr.

Numbers.

Be the man with the name.”
“You take table one today, Theo.”
“He ordered black, no sugar, and an apology, kid.

He sat there for 3 hours.”
“Then he can sit there for three more.”
“The dress is gone.

Gone.

And the man I liked lied to me.”
“Then it’s time, sweetheart.”
“These are Mom’s [music] drawings.”
“Every one of them.”
“Dad, [music] that’s the window dress.”
“Your mother drew it 25 years ago.

She and Margot opened that shop together.”
“Margot?

The woman who chases me away?”
“When your mom got sick, Margot took the sketches and put her own name on them.”
“And you never said anything.”
“I was a male man with a sick wife and a little girl.

Who’d believe me?”
“I believe you.”
“Some dreams aren’t for sale, [music] sweetheart.

They’re just waiting for their owner.”
“Every day [music] I stood at that window.”
“You were visiting your mother.”
“It’s late, kid.

What’s that?”
“Proof.

Theo, my mom made that dress.”
“Then you need someone with power to stand next to you.”
“I know who.

I’m just scared to call him.”
“Theo called me.

He said you needed me.”
“Theo talks too much.

My mother drew it.

Margot stole it.”
“Then it was never Marggo—Margos to sell.

I’m sorry.

I was Mr.

Numbers.”
“I’m sorry.

I only liked Mr.

Numbers.”
“Will you trust me one more time?”
“One more time, Reese Callaway.”
“It looks so empty without her.”
“Not for long.

Saturday, she comes home.”
“Saturday, the final fitting.”
[music] “Bring your father and that book.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Bring your mother’s dress home.”
“Are you here to buy my daughter something, Mr.

Callaway?”
“No, sir.

I’m here to give something back.”
“Margot has lawyers.”
“So do I.

Better ones.”
“The building, the shop, every dress [music] in it.”
“Done.”
“Mr.

Callaway, the original design was registered 25 years ago.”
“Under whose name?”
“Elena Lane.

Margot never even changed the paperwork.”
“Ready, sweetheart?”
“Mom’s coming with us.”
“25 years, Elena.

Let’s go get it.”
“Is it perfect yet?”
“Perfect, Miss Sterling.

The city talked for weeks.”
“Mr.

Callaway, come to see your bride?”

“I came to see the owner.”
“You’re looking at her?”
“Not anymore.

As of 9 this morning, I own this store.

Every dress in it.”
“You bought my [music] shop.”
“Rice.

Why are you here?”
“Bringing something back where it belongs.”
“Pippa, tell him that dress is my design.”
“No, madam.

You told me to say that every time.”
“You, the window girl.”
“My name is Aurora Lane.

Elena Lane.

Do you remember her?”
“Where did you get that?”
[music] “From our kitchen drawer, Margot, where Elena drew it.”
“Owen, that design built my career.”
“It was [music] built on my wife’s hands.”
“You sold me a stolen dress.”
“Miss Sterling, I can explain.”
“Fine, I’ll pay [music] double.

I’m still wearing it.”
“The dress isn’t for sale.”
“You’d throw away the Sterling family for a waitress?”
“For a designer, and for [music] the truth.

You’ll leave today, Margot.

The lawyers will handle the rest.”
“25 years gone in one morning.

Your mother was better than me.

I always knew it.”
“Then you should have told her.”
“Did I miss the good part?”
“Theo, you closed the cafe?”
“For you, kid, [music] I’d close it for a week.

To Elena Lane, the real designer.”
“Will I lose my job?”
“No.

You’re my first employee.”
“You bought a whole store, Ree.

I only wanted one dress.”
“They wouldn’t sell it alone.

The store is yours, Aurora.”
“I can’t accept a store.”
“Then accept a job.

Head designer.”
[music] “I’ve never designed anything but napkins.”
“Then start with this one.

Your mother’s [music] name should be on that sign.”
“Then that’s the first thing I’ll change.”
“It looked better on me.”
“Maybe, but it was made for someone who’d wait for it.”
“Welcome home.”
“Hello, Elena.”
“8 months I stood here alone.”
“You’ll never stand here alone again.”
“Another bride booked for Saturday, boss.”
“Don’t call [music] me boss, Dad.”
“Your name, Mom, where it belongs.”
“Speech.

Speech.”
“Thank you all for [music] looking.”
[music] [applause]
“How does it feel?”
“Like she’s finally home.”
“She’d be so proud.”
“She’s here every day, Dad.

Look around.”
“Black for the boss, sweet for the [music] designer.”
“Theo, we’re the same person.”
“I miss you pouring my coffee, kid.”
“Every day for eight months, you looked at this dress.”
“And now [music] I make them.”
“Now look at me once.

Will you marry me, Aurora Lane?”
“Yes.

Yes.”
[music] [applause]
“Dad, say something.”
[music] “You look exactly like her. 25 years she waited for you, sweetheart.”
“Ready, sweetheart?”
“She’s walking with us, Dad.”
“I’ll never stop looking at you.”
“And I’ll never stand at a window alone again.”
[music] “Best customer I ever had.”
“Best daughter I ever had.” [laughter]
“Mrs.

Callaway.”
“Mrs.

Lane Callaway.

Mom gets top billing.”
[music] “Are you crying, Theo?”
“Allergies to weddings.”

This video took me six hours to make.

If you’d like to support me for free, please subscribe and leave a like.

Thank you so much for watching.