Word of advice: don't ask Mathilda Van Vleet if she's German. She's Dutch and will take great exception. Matilda's not the kind of person with whom you want to make a bad first impression.
This isn't to say that she's unfriendly but she is the most orderly, efficient woman I have met in my life. She runs her own hat store, the
Van Vleet Millinery , all by herself. And I mean
all by herself. While she imports some of the latest fashions from New York City, most of her wares she makes herself, and she is especially fond of her hats, and for good reason. All the ladies in town turn to Van Vleet when they want to look their best, but many of designs are too expensive for the locals and go back down the Hudson to sell in some of the swankiest shops in the world. Rumor has it some of her work has made it back to Paris. Merveilleux for her, I guess.
So she makes most of the dresses and hats, she keeps the books and runs the till, she does adjustments and fittings, she does all the dusting, sweeping, mopping, she changes out the window displays every week. A woman that busy doesn't have time for a social calendar or receiving gentlemen callers. The strange sickness in afflicting people in her neighborhood hasn't touched her. I think the illness can't catch her because she never stops moving.
If you're in the market for some quality ladies fashions, Mathilda will set you up properly. Don't take her briskness the wrong way, but don't try to make small talk either. She makes time for her customers but also lets it be known that she has plenty to do before, during, and after your transaction.
Rival
Towards Mathilda Van Vleet
History
Albert was here first! It was fine when Mathilda was just running a hat store, but now woman's dresses too.. that's just crossing a line. Albert is cordial with Mathilda, but has a secret hate for her. Everyone feels sorry for her. Must be a lot of work to run a business on your own. Yes, it is! Albert would know! Oh well, as long as she stays out of Albert's way, there won't be any issues.
Acquaintance
Towards Mathilda Van Vleet
Acquaintance
Towards Jean-Louis Dumont
History
They have a shared acquaintance, though they don't know it yet.
Insulted customer
Towards Mathilda Van Vleet
History
The millinery was right beside the Black Horse Tavern that Helen frequents, so she just couldn't help herself. All those beautiful dresses and hats, she just had to compliment the German craftsmanship... which led to quite the fuming arguments, compliments retracted, and Helen out of the door in a huff, but not before nicking a small black hat with a ruffled ribbon that goes oh so well with her outfit.
Acquaintance
Towards Mathilda Van Vleet
History
Grover admires her hard work. They met after Grover went in to see if there was something he could bring back his wife. They chatted and got along well enough. They don't go out of their way to hang out, but when they cross paths they are friendly enough.
Acquaintance
Towards Mathilda Van Vleet
History
They are acquaintances, close to friends. They met at the bar and made a little small talk. Even though I'm looking into her shop, first meeting in the bar (and being friendly with each other) would be a cool set-up
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