Preparations for the Cocktail Party

"Any preferences on your suit mister?" the clerk asked Ernest as he browsed the suits displayed on the rack in front of him. Ernest glanced at the selection, noting the varying styles, colors, and fabrics. He pointed to a charcoal gray three-piece suit with a subtle herringbone pattern.

"I'd like that one," he said, indicating the suit's details. "It should fit comfortably without being too tight around the shoulders or chest. The waistcoat should have five buttons, and the trousers should be flat-front with a straight-leg cut."

The clerk nodded, jotting down notes. "And what about the shirt? Would you like a classic white or something with a bit more color?"

"Classic white," Ernest replied. "Make sure it's a spread collar, and I'd prefer double cuffs for cufflinks."

The clerk noted his preference. "Any specific fabric for the shirt?"

"100% Misr cotton," Ernest answered. "It should be breathable but still maintain a crisp appearance. No wrinkles."

"And the tie?" the clerk continued, moving on to the accessories.

"Silk, preferably a dark blue with a subtle pattern," Ernest said. 

"Understood," the clerk said, writing down his instructions. "Would you like any other accessories, like a pocket square or a tie clip?"

"A pocket square, yes, but keep it simple," Ernest replied. "White cotton with a straight fold, nothing extravagant. And I'll take a pair of black leather Oxford shoes to complete the outfit."

"Excellent choice," the clerk said, smiling. "I'll have the suit tailored to your measurements. It should be ready in a couple of hours. Will you need any other services?"

Ernest shook his head. "No, just the suit, shirt, tie, pocket square, and shoes. That should be everything."

The clerk nodded, noting the final details. "Very well, sir. We'll get to work on it right away."

Ernest knew the importance of dressing the part, especially when mingling with the elite. His attire needed to reflect professionalism and confidence without drawing unnecessary attention. Moments later, the clerk returned with a measuring tape to take Ernest's measurements. He started with the shoulders, then moved to the chest, waist, and inseam. As the clerk worked, he kept a professional demeanor, offering small comments about the weather and other trivial topics. Ernest answered politely but kept his focus on the task at hand. 

Once the measurements were taken, the clerk made a few more notes on his pad. 

"We have everything we need. The suit will be tailored to your exact measurements. It should fit perfectly," he assured Ernest. "You can come back in a couple of hours to pick it up."

Ernest thanked the clerk and left the shop, heading into the busy city streets. He had some time to kill before returning to collect his suit, so he decided to grab a coffee at a nearby café. As he sat down with his drink, he pulled out the card Kleist had given him, reviewing the names and details of the people he would likely meet at the cocktail party. It was a mix of business tycoons, government officials, and other influential figures. Each had their own connections and interests, and he'd need to be ready to adapt to various conversational topics. 

Once he secured the support of those elites, then it would be easy to move on to the next stage of bringing the party to another level. 

There are two ways for Ernest to increase the standing of the party, and that is to make the people believe that they are just like him. A Crentian citizen who resented the coalition forces and the politicians who betrayed the nation by politicians doing backroom dealings. The second one is an ingenious trick, and that is to brand your party. 

It's like a marketing strategy, since the fall of the Crentian Empire, there were a lot of political parties, extreme left and right emerging. In order to stand out, he needed a brand, a logo, an icon that would be easily recognizable. Ernest knew that a strong brand identity could set their party apart from the rest. It would give people something to rally behind and create a sense of belonging among the party's supporters. The logo had to be simple yet memorable, something that would instantly resonate with Crentian citizens and evoke a sense of national pride. 

As he sipped his coffee, Ernest considered various symbols that might work for the party's brand. One being is the swastika because it symbolizes peace and harmony, which can be a good icon for selling out their vision to the people. 

One hour later, he managed to create an icon and he stowed it in his pocket before heading back to the suit store.

He reached the suit store and entered, the bell on the door chiming softly as he stepped in. The clerk greeted him with a warm smile and disappeared into the back room to fetch the tailored suit. 

Moments later, the clerk returned with a garment bag containing the tailored suit. 

"Here you go, sir," he said, handing it over. "Would you like to try it on to ensure everything fits correctly?"

Ernest nodded, taking the garment bag. He headed to the fitting room and carefully removed the suit from the bag. The charcoal gray material felt smooth and substantial, and the subtle herringbone pattern added a touch of sophistication. He put on the suit, making sure the shirt and tie were properly aligned and then stepped out to inspect the fit in the large mirror.

The clerk stood nearby, ready to assist with any adjustments. Ernest checked the shoulders, the waistcoat, and the length of the trousers. Everything seemed to fit perfectly. The suit was tailored to his exact measurements, giving him a sharp, polished look.

"How does it feel, sir?" the clerk asked, watching as Ernest examined the suit from various angles.

"It feels great," Ernest replied, smoothing the lapels. "I think it's just what I needed. Thank you."

The clerk smiled. "I'm glad you're satisfied. If you need any further alterations, feel free to come back, and we'll take care of it."

Ernest thanked the clerk, paid the bill, and left the store. Now, he is making his way towards the venue of the cocktail party for a mission that would definitely make the party one step ahead of others.