Brooke raised an eyebrow. "Look at that. The accent turns on and off. Is there a similar switch to turn you off as well, or did they not install that when they installed the rest of your cybernetic weirdness? Because honestly, the option would have been nice," she said sweetly.

She reached out and took in hand a haircalf satchel. "Penelope," Brooke said, speaking to one of the other salespeople. "Set this aside with the pashmina I called about this morning. I might want this for Sharona. She's practically run through the handbag I bought her for her birthday last year. Eastern European maids. You know how they are. Thank you." She turned back to Alisa then. "Really? Funny. I've never seen you carry or wear anything that seemed the slightest bit Bendel-worthy. Or maybe anything you wear just seems as poor and downtrodden as you are. I mean, really, Alisa. Why are you even trying to be something you're so obviously not? I'd be embarrassed for you if I actually cared a whit about you."