12 -TV FICTION CLASSICS

SANDY THOMAS ADV. Sam and Paul were aghast! The reply they received was the complete opposite of what their mothers had told them to expect.

"Here are your Freshie Queen Contestant Packages," the devious principal continued with gleeful expression on his face. "Take them home and read them very carefully. Of course, if there is anything you disagree with or object to.. .you can always withdraw without prejudice."

Needless to say, the boys were quite disarmed by this turn of events as they took the envelopes with their names and the words "Freshie Queen Contestant" printed on them.

Still speechless, the contestants, both boys and girls, filed out of the office.

Sam turned to Paul and Evan once they were out of the building and said, "Great! Now what. He's calling our Moms' bluff!"

"Yeah, he's trying to get us to chicken out," sighed Paul. "Well, it's working with me!" Sam exclaimed. "I only agreed to do this because you two had already agreed and Mom's promise that Mr. Carlson would call off the contest if we entered."

"What do you mean I already agreed?" Paul inquired with irritation in his voice. "Mom said you agreed first!"

"What does it matter who agreed first?" Evan offered, speaking for the first time. "This is a game, and it's not over yet. Mr. Carlson is just playing his hand. I think we need to talk to our mothers and let them figure out what to do next.'

Paul and Sam didn't know Evan very well, but he seemed like a pretty decent guy, and he did make sense. With that in mind, they went their separate ways towards home.

An hour later, an ashen-faced Sam handed the papers to his mother who was appalled by the turn of events. "So! That bastard is calling our bluff!" she hissed.

Sam could see the shock on her face, and he understood fully. As a matter of fact, the shock was still giving his stomach flip-flops.

The RULES page read as follows:

BLONDE & BLONDER -13

1. The annual Freshie Queen contest at Central High is a decades old tradition, and the Freshie Queen is our school's representative to the community at large. As such, he/she has a responsibility to present the appropriate image.

2. The Freshie Queen tradition mandates that the chosen student along with the runner-ups must be an example of feminine beauty, charm, personality, and social responsibility. The Queen will be required to act as hostess of many school functions and represent the school at higher level region and state events.

3. The contest is open to any Central High student. However, by accepting the nomination, each participant must commit themselves to doing the utmost to excel in all areas that will be judged. Any contestant that is deemed to be acting frivolously, or participating in the contest for reasons other than to become our Freshie Queen by any faculty member will be eliminated from further competition.

4. Preliminary judging will begin Monday the seventeenth and continue for the full three weeks prior to the Pageant. All contestants should expect to be summoned to the school office at random times during school hours for evaluation before the committee several times during this period. At these sessions, points will be awarded for wardrobe, makeup, hairstyle, nails, and feminine comportment.

5. To assist each contestant in maximizing their feminine beauty, two local business establishments have extended their services. Chez Laurent beauty salon is offering unlimited services at no cost to all contestants from today until the crowning. Classique Boutique is offering a 50% discount on all clothes and shoes, as well as no-charge rental of a formal gown for the dance and crowning ceremonies.

The second page, titled "SPECIAL JUDGING EVENTS" was a list of dates and times that listed a variety of special events in which the contestants would be required to participate. These included a couple of noon hour fashion shows for the student body, acting as models for makeup, manicure, and hairstyling workshops for the Home Economics class, joining the cheerleading squad for a Pep rally, and working as hostesses at the upcoming PTA Tea.

After reading and re-reading the decree, Joanne sat down in the living room dejectedly. This was not what she ex-