Dolores

Biodata

Appearance

Dolores is a middle-aged woman who presents herself with deliberate luxury and restraint, wearing a short skirt and exquisite makeup. Her English carries a pronounced Eastern European accent. 8

• Maintains an elegant, composed bearing even when surprised. 20
• Uses a faint, selective smile rather than overt displays of emotion. 8 41
• Speaks with a blunt, rolling delivery and frequently addresses Li Wei by direct instruction. 8 15

Personality

Dolores is stern, exacting, and highly controlled. She expects her employees to look and behave appropriately for the boutique’s wealthy clientele, defining their job as providing “emotional value” through polished service. 8

Despite her severity, she compensates Li Wei generously, allows him to work around his school schedule, raises his wage after noticing his changed physique, and gives him a bonus for moving a shipment. 8 15 21 She is also guarded: before leaving on business, she specifically warns Li Wei not to be overly curious and to be careful at work. 21

Boutique Operations

• Hires Li Wei after Tatiana recommends him; offers $20 per hour, 2% commission, and full retention of tips. 8
• Calculates and withholds Li Wei’s taxes herself, paying him $168 after his first three-hour shift. 8
• Raises Li Wei’s hourly wage to $30 after inspecting his physique and instructs him to stop working out so his uniform fit will not change. 15
• Entrusts Li Wei with a Dior suit, then a Brunello Cucinelli suit and non-prescription gold-rimmed glasses as boutique attire. 8 15
• Acquires expensive artwork and jewelry, including an abstract humanoid metal sculpture and historical pieces prepared for Elizabeth Mellon’s private appointment. 19 24 42
• Her boutique appears unusually quiet for its prime Madison Avenue location, leading Li Wei to question how it operates profitably. 11 24

Relationships

• Li Wei — Employer and supervisor. Dolores hires him as a part-time sales associate, rewards his work, and later assigns him to assist Elizabeth Mellon during a private appointment. 8 15 21 42
• Tatiana — Acquaintance who recommends Li Wei to Dolores after being impressed by him. 8
• Emma — Sales associate at Dolores Boutique; Dolores directs Emma to assist Li Wei with changing into a new outfit. 15
• Elizabeth Mellon — Close friend and important client. Dolores waits outside for Elizabeth’s private appointment, personally obtains requested jewelry, and refers to the boutique’s deep friendship with the Mellon family. 41 42

Story Role / Major Arcs

Hiring Li Wei

After Tatiana sends Li Wei to Dolores Boutique, Dolores interviews him in the basement storeroom, provides a Dior suit as his uniform, and hires him under unusually favorable terms. She allows him to work afternoons so he can continue studying and attending school. 8

Monitoring Li Wei’s Transformation

Dolores notices that Li Wei’s suit has become tight after his rapid physical changes. She physically inspects him, increases his wage, and outfits him in a much more expensive Brunello Cucinelli suit. 15

The Sealed Sculpture

When Li Wei single-handedly moves a heavy wooden crate into the boutique, Dolores is visibly shocked and immediately checks its seals. The crate contains an abstract humanoid metal sculpture that Li Wei believes should not have been as heavy as it was; he later notices that the sculpture has disappeared. 20 24 47

Warning Before Her Absence

Before leaving on business, Dolores privately tells Li Wei that he may keep his job only if he does not become too curious and remains careful while she is gone. 21

Elizabeth Mellon’s Appointment

Dolores closes the boutique to regular customers for Elizabeth Mellon’s private jewelry appointment. When an urgent call pulls her away, she selects Li Wei—whom she considers an excellent employee—to help Elizabeth choose between the available pieces. 41 42

Trivia

• Dolores does not take a cut from employee tips. 8
• She is one of the few people whose composure visibly falters when Li Wei displays abnormal strength by moving the sealed crate alone. 20
• Li Wei becomes increasingly suspicious of her and the boutique after the sculpture vanishes, though no explanation has been established. 24 47