“Yes, but you get what you want. The nose really liked my blend.”

The nose?

“Yes, the man who approves all the perfumes. He really liked mine. But it's gone off now.”

So, now, do you ever get sick of the perfume you're wearing?

“Not really, but I don't like to wear very strong scents.”

But they're all strong. I mean, I'm wearing a perfume right now and it's supposed to be mild and I just can't stop smelling it.

“Really?”

Yes, really. And it's driving me crazy. I just want to go take a shower and wash it off. It's giving me a headache.

“Oh. Well, maybe you should try some of those perfumed body creams. They're not very strong.”

Oh I can't stand those.You put them on in the morning and they just won't go away. And you know what, that's another thing. How do you manage your fragrances?

“What do you mean?”

I mean if you're using all these perfume-y things, how do you keep them from clashing with one another? Like, if you wash with a perfumed soap...

“Oh, well I don't use those. But they fade off after a while.”

No they don't.

“The only time it's really really a problem is if I change my sweater and it has a different perfume on it. That can be annoying.”

Or if you can still smell the detergent.

“Oh, I don't like those smells. I only use the ones that don't have any perfumes added.”

Me too! Me too!

“You know, next time I come for a visit I'll bring you some perfumed creams. Or maybe we can go to a department store and try and find one that you like.”

You're coming when?

“February.”

Sorry, mum, the experiment's over January 31. You'll have to settle for purses.

“Purses?”

They're next on the list.
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