16TV FICTION CLASSICS "SANDY THOMAS

"Sorry, it was just a last minute decision to come dressed like this today. It was hot, and I love the cool feel of a skirt. Trust me, I do dress like a boy." With that, he/she took a tissue and rapidly wiped off the lipstick, earrings were removed (from pierced ears), bracelets and necklace as well. "Give me five minutes, ok? And we'll talk some more." With that Mike left the room. In less than five minutes, he was back. All traces of makeup were gone and he was wearing a pair of boys sports shorts with "49'ers" stamped on the leg. On top, he had on a loose cotton shirt. His hair was no longer in braids but brushed back over his shoulder. He was a normal boy! Well, normal except for his pierced ears, arched eyebrows, real long hair and shaved legs. "There...how's this? Better?" he said as he sat down at a chair beside

mine.

"Well, you looked great before, but I guess the shock of all this got to me. I didn't mean to make you change."

"Aww, that's ok. I was going to change anyway. That's one of the weird things you'll experience. Out here, tresses can almost live the lives of two people. For me it's Michelle and Michael, plus the twenty or more female characters I've played while I've been here. You must be a pretty good actor to get into the tress program."

"I like acting, but I've never felt I was that good." I let a little modesty slip out.

"Well, you'll soon find out at Rosemount. After you get used to being a tress, you'll find the acting never stops out here."

Michael turned out to be a very nice, friendly fellow, and I was glad that he was to be my roommate. I guess the fact that he was also Michelle, my dream girl, kind of faded away (for now, anyway). Mike told me a little about some of the other tresses who would be our E Wing neighbors. He warned me that a few of them had learned their "actress" role too well, and were considered real "snooty bitches" by everyone.

Chapter 4, The uniforms.

Soon mother and Ms. Cavell returned and told me that it was time for me to come and try on my uniforms. Uniforms...yecchh! I got up and followed them as Mike said he would unpack his bags and get the room aired out. Ms. Cavell explained the roommate assignments to us as we walked, "We try to select roommates for new students from the upper classes. That way they can act as big brothers, and help the new students get seasoned to Rosemount. The older students have probably had the same apprehensions and questions as you will, Ken, so feel free to ask them anything."

"Yeah, I can see that I'll have lots of questions."

ACTING LIKE A GIRL -17

Ms. Cavell showed us into a large room that looked like a mini-clothing store. She asked if I wouldn't mind stripping down to my underwear so that she could measure me properly. I looked with some concern at mother, but she just nodded for me to go ahead. Soon I was standing in front of the two women as Ms. Cavell measured and took notes.

Finally, she said, "Very good, Ken. I can see that you have been following the recommended diet and preparations. I'll just get some uniforms for you to try on."

As we waited, I noticed a large poster that had many pictures depicting the various Rosemount school uniforms for boys and girls. The boy's uniform had grey flannel pants, a white shirt, and a navy blue necktie with the school crest imprinted on it. The navy blue blazer also had the school crest on the breast pocket. Another picture showed a boy in the same type of outfit except that he was wearing a pair of navy blue shorts with matching color knee-high socks. There was also a school cap for outdoor

wear.

The girl's uniform came in two variations. One was with a grey flannel skirt, full sleeved white blouse with a wide, lace trimmed collar and a navy blue silk kerchief tied in a bow around the neck. The other variation, was a navy blue tunic with the blouse and kerchief peeking out underneath. Instead of a cap, the girls wore a tam. I also noticed a paragraph entitled "Hairstyles for Students". I assumed that meant girls. It read:

'Students are required to wear their hair styled in a proper fashion at all times. No wild or unruly fashions will be tolerated. Boys will keep their hair trimmed and neat. Girls (and boys in the 'Tress' actress stream') will ensure that their hair is properly styled as appropriate for the occasion, ie. classes simpler styles such as braids, ponytails, or simple curls; physical education styles that contain the hair tightly; special school programs (eg. opening and closing exercises) French braid is preferred; Social functions evening styles (for dances), otherwise student's choice.

I was starting to wonder how these rules would affect me, just as Ms. Cavell came back pushing a rolling clothes rack, hung with quite a few garments. She selected a grey flannel pair of pants and handed them to me to put on. This I did and turned to find her holding out what looked to be a girl's uniform blouse.

"UH...sorry, Ms. Cavell, but I think you made a mistake. That's the girls uniform blouse." I politely pointed out.

"Yes, that's correct. It's worn by our tress students with the trousers. Here, see the poster," she said pointing to some additional text below the pictures. It read:

'Note the following differences that apply for uniforms worn by boys in the "boy actress Drama program". While attending Boys' School classes, a girl's uniform blouse and kerchief will replace the shirt and tie. Special jackets as pictured in illustration. 8 will