14TV FICTION CLASSICS "SANDY THOMAS

building. At last we came to an archway that had a sign that read "E Wing" on it. E Wing was indeed the nicest part of the building we had gone through to this point. In the "E wing" the hallways had new carpet in a cheery shade of blue, and the walls were a bright egg-shell white.

"Ok, here it is." Peter said as he stopped in front of a doorway with the number 5 on it. Opening the door, he picked up the suitcases again and asked us to follow him in. The room was quite large. It was in the shape of a big U. The ends of each U contained a bed, night table, and a large mirrored vanity. I immediately realized that the room clearly was decorated like a 'girl's room'! Peter opened the closet beside the vanity of which I assumed was to be my bedroom area. It was very large with lots of space for clothes, shelves for shoes, and a built-in chest of drawers. Between the two ends of the U, was what must be designed to be the common living area for the two students who occupy room 5. There were two desks, a sofa, small TV, and a radio. In one corner, by the door there was a full-length, 3-way mirror like those in department stores.

"The washrooms are just down the hall. Come on, I'll show you." Peter indicated that we should follow. A few doors down the hall was a doorway with a sign that said 'WASHROOM TRESSES ONLY'. "You tresses have the luxury of a private washroom. But I guess you need more time to get ready in the mornings anyway." As we entered the washroom, it was obvious that this wasn't just a washroom but a multi-purpose area. Besides the usual rows of toilet stalls and sinks, there were a half dozen shower stalls, and three beauty salon style hair dryers! In a small alcove were two pairs of clothes washers, dryers, and several clothes drying racks. It finally dawned on me what was missingurinals. "What? No urinals?"

Peter answered, "Yeah, it seems every new tress asks that question." That was it. No explanation? Terry then added, "Well, I guess most of the time you wouldn't really need them, would you?" What was that supposed to mean?

At that moment, an elegant, middle-aged woman came up to our group and extended her hand to my mother, "Hello, I'm Edith Cavell, the headmistress of Rosemount." Mother took her hand and introduced herself and then me. With a nod of her head, Ms. Cavell dismissed Terry and Peter.

"Well, we're so glad to have you with us, Ken. I recall reading your file the other day. It sounds like you have excellent potential. I think you'll find our staff and students most fun to work with."

"I hope so, Ms. Cavell. You sure have a 'different' kind of place here.'

ACTING LIKE A GIRL -15

"Well, Ken, it is different, but then actors and actresses have to be the most adaptable people. A professional thespian must be able to completely and realistically submerge themselves in any role presented. Being chosen for our boy actress program indicates that you could not only physically manage the program, but you also qualified in the top 10% of all our drama auditions!"

"Oh, I'm so proud of him," my mother beamed and playfully gave my little ponytail a tug. I had almost forgotten about my hairdo, and quickly reached up to pull the elastic out. Before I did however, I literally froze. There, through the window, was my dreamgirl. She had just exited the big Cadillac in which she and her mother had arrived in. I must have been obvious, because both Ms. Cavell and mother turned to follow my

stare.

Ms. Cavell finally spoke, "Oh, I see Michelle has arrived." "UH ...is Michelle a senior girl?" I managed.

"Senior girl? Heavens no," Ms. Cavell chuckled, "he's just a sophomore." I knew what the victims of an avalanche must feel like. Michelle was a he?!? My 'dreamgirl' was a boy! All sorts of realizations blasted home like thunderbolts. The pictures of the dance ..."he's" were dressed as "she's", student council photos showed "he's" dressed as "she's" during non-classroom hours; Michelle had just arrived in a short summer skirt, halter top and pigtails. The room was spinning.

The light was making my head throb. I could hear my mother's and Ms. Cavell's voices somewhere nearby. "He looks like he's coming to, now. I hope he's all right? He's never fainted before." As I opened my eyes, there she was staring down at me -Michelle.

"Hi, Ken, I'm Mike." The words came out of the lipsticked lips but the voice was definitely one belonging to a Mike not a Michelle!

"Ms. Cavell tells me you're my new roommate for this year." It must have been 15 minutes later when I came to again. This time a woman with a stethoscope was prodding my body. "He'll be fine. It may have just been the heat and excitement of the new environment. It's not too unusual. We'll keep a close eye on him the first week."

Soon, I had recovered my strength and was sitting up sipping on some cool water. This place was unbelievable! You couldn't tell who was who. Ms. Cavell suggested that Mike and I have a chance to get acquainted, while she took mother to show her some of the facilities and discuss some 'administrative' matters.

"Don't worry, Ken, all new tresses are a little nervous at first. Gee, my first week was a freak out," Mike said as he pulled his short skirt under him to sit down beside me. "I know how you must be feeling. You think the school is going to make you be a girl all the time, don't you?"

"Kinda...I guess when I saw you, I panicked."