The manager canceled the transaction and quietly signaled his staff. One by one, the employees began unpacking everything. Ribbons untied. Boxes reopened.

Handbags returned to their protective covers, watches to their cases, shoes and belts carried back to the stockroom. Rita watched helplessly as every luxury item vanished.

“That evening bag was supposed to be mine,” she murmured. No one answered. Within minutes, the counter looked exactly as it had before they arrived.

The manager then politely told them they would need to leave — they had occupied the lounge for hours, delayed scheduled appointments, and reserved a large amount of merchandise they couldn’t buy.

When Gordon tried to argue, two uniformed security officers approached. Neither touched him. Neither raised a voice. One simply gestured toward the glass entrance.

“Sir, we’ll need you to leave the store now.”