6TV FICTION CLASSICS "SANDY THOMAS

swollen. She didn't say anything, but I came over and apologized for my outburst.

"That's OK," she replied, "I guess, it's not important. You don't have to go to Rosemount if you don't want to. I'm sure some other boy will appreciate the scholarship." With that, I could see the big tears brimming at her eyes. I couldn't bear to watch her be sad or hurt.

"Take it easy, I haven't decided against it for sure, YET." I quickly said, hoping to stay her tears. Immediately, her face brightened. "You haven't? Oh, that's wonderful!" Again, she was smiling and hugging me. "Let's read over the orientation brochure," I suggested. She promptly pulled it out of her apron pocket as we sat down at the kitchen

table.

I spread it out and read:

OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM:

As a boy "actress" you are about to experience a unique and highly successful dramatic training program found to lead to an acting perception and sensitivity rarely matched by other contemporary programs. First reactions of our new "actresses", which by the way are good-naturedly referred to as "Tresses" by classmates, is confusion, sometimes even embarrassment. We hand pick all our students. There will be no cruel bullying nor teasing tolerated. Unlike the public school system, where such a program would be impossible, our "Tresses" find the atmosphere completely accepting and supportive.

All our students are artists of one kind or other. The creativity you have expressed at your audition has earned you a place in our school. You should be proud that only 1 out of every 100 students who auditions for our school is accepted! Our voluntary drop-out rate, over the four year program has been less than 5%. From the "Tress" program, 0%. So, if you're nervous, give us a try. We're confident that you will decide to stay and grow to your full potential.

"What do they mean 'grow to my full potential'?" I muttered before continuing.

DAILY CLASSES AND GENERAL RULES:

As a "Tress", you will partake 3 days a week in our boys' school classes, and 2 days in the girls' school. This experience will be extremely beneficial for your acting and poise, as well as practical because some classes you must take are only offered in our girls' curriculum. Our school requires uniforms be worn during classroom hours. Each student is issued two uniforms, but "Tresses" receive two of each.

"Each what?" I said quietly to myself.

PREPARATION FOR "TRESSES":

As it is still four months before our school year, we request the following preparatory steps be taken by our future "Tresses".

ACTING LIKE A GIRL -7

Our Drama Make-up Coach requests that all boys entering the "Tress" program refrain from cutting their hair from now until they are at the school. We emphasize realism throughout our drama program, and wigs are not used extensively. Greater attention to facial skin care, fingernails and body tone (weight) are also recommended. We ask mothers to assist their sons with the above preparations, as most sons, unlike daughters, are lacking in such training. Casual and formal attire (as required for the regular monthly dance) will be discussed in a future mailing to parents.

Mothers and sisters should take creative interest in preparing their sons/brothers for the exciting experience they will soon be involved in. Their help and encouragement in molding is most important. Janice Hillier, our Drama Make-up Coach can be reached at the telephone number on this brochure for further information.

"Oh, yeah. Sounds great so far." I said as sarcastically as I could. "No haircuts, at least that's a good thing. Now you can't always bug me about my hair." I liked it long, and even now it was well over my ears and hanging onto my shoulders. Mom was always after me to get it trimmed. But if I were going to go to this goofy school, at least I could wear my hair the way I wanted. (Boy, was I wrong.)

"Well, I think that you'll learn how to take care of long hair at least," my mother replied as she turned the page in the brochure. On the next page was a photo of a group of students working around a table on some kind of school project. There were two boys and two (quite foxy) girls. That puzzled me...

"Hey, I thought that this school wasn't coed?" Even as I said that my eyes read the photo caption and I almost died. It read:

'Steve, Jeff, Phillip and Ted from Rosemount's Drama College student council working in one of the modern study halls.'

They made a mistake? I looked again at the picture. These couldn't all be boys! One of the 'cute coeds' had beautiful blond hair, past shoulder length, flowing in large curls and held up at the sides of the head with a couple of ribbon bows. 'She' had obviously long nails and what seemed a promising young bust beneath the white frilly blouse 'she' was wearing. The other 'girl' was wearing a knit dress and 'she' had dark brown hair that was neatly twisted into a bun on top of 'her' head! Both 'girls' wore large hoop earrings! This had to be a joke, no boy would ever, or could ever, look like that.

"Are those really boys?" I stammered. I could see that my mother hadn't noticed the caption before this moment.

She looked at it carefully, then said "I believe so? Hmmm." I thought I noticed a faint smile trying to break out on her face, but she managed to look very serious. "Well, if they are, I think that just goes to show you