56-TV FICTION CLASSICS

SANDY THOMAS ADV. Carlson once again felt totally frustrated! Instead of making clowns out of these three punks he had made them celebrities.

Chapter Ten

"We have to do something!" Dominique Laurent exclaimed as she and Mr. Carlson met over dinner to discuss their declining fortunes. "That damned bunch of militants is destroying our traditional Pageant."

"And, I know exactly what we should do!" Mr. Carlson snarled. "Listen. . ." He laid out his heinous scheme in a series of whispers and belly laughs. When the devious pair parted, evil sneers enshrouded their features.

Sam, Paul and Evan had survived. It was Friday night, less than twenty four hours before the Freshie Competition and crowning ceremonies for the Freshie Queen. As each of the boys prepared for bed, creaming off their makeup, braiding their hair, slipping into feminine nightgowns, they contemplated their situation.

None of them, even the laid back Evan, had believed that this charade would go on this long or to this degree. I instead of becoming the laughing stock of the community as Mr. Carlson had planned, the three boys were gaining in popularity. The community was buzzing about the contest and the brave boys who dare to enter.

Tomorrow all three boys had a hectic schedule. There were appointments at the nail salon and beauty parlor, followed by a rush to change into their formals at home then off to the school for final judging and photo sessions.

The day at the beauty parlor was different than before. There was a tension between the boys...was it competition?

Seeing Evan in a flirty sundress with a full skirt, Paul wished he had worn something a little more eye-catching. He felt a little drab so he reapplied a darker shade of red lipstick. Straightening out his short leather skirt and smoothing down his silk blouse, he was not completely displeased with his reflection.

Sam was with his mother who was having her hair styled and colored to match his...his new shade. . .auburn blonde with golden highlights. They were wearing new matching outfits, a pink open necked blouses, pleated navy skirts, with

BLONDE & BLONDER -57 navy tights and pumps. It was the first time many had seen Sam's mother in a skirt and she looked good. She talked about an upcoming "big date" and wanting to look perfect.

The six contestants walked nervously onto center stage in the Central High gym, the crowd cheering loudly for their favorites. Each entrant on stage was tingling with excitement. The contestants were resplendent in their long formal gowns and high heels. Each was stunningly made up and wore elegant upswept hairstyles as a result of having spent hours at the beauty salon that afternoon.

The ecstasy of winning, or the agony of defeat was just moments away. The winner was guaranteed an entire year of adoration and attention at a variety of school and community functions, not to mention the attention of the most popular boys in school. The "Queen's Court" of runner-ups would be nearly as delighted with the prestige of being one of the most popular "girls" in school.

However, three of the contestants had more disturbing thoughts going through their minds at this moment. They were even questioning their own sanity at being up here in the first place. After all, what were three boys doing competing with a group of girls for the Freshie Queen title?

The boys masculinity was no longer in question...they display none! The boys in the audience reacted to them as if they were girls, whistling and stamping their feet when measurements were announced. It was as if the whole school had forgot that these were boys.

When the last of the contestants had glided across the runway and they stood in a line on the stage, Mr. Carlson strolled to the podium and pronounced, "Let's have a huge round of applause for our beautiful candidates for this year's Freshie Queen Contest!"

"Now for the announcement of the winners," he continued when the room quieted. Opening the envelope, he proclaimed, "Our fifth runner-up is Miss. . .ah... Evan Cross!"

Again, the auditorium filled with applause as Evan walked up to receive a sash banner and a large bouquet of flowers. The audience went wild...one of the boys had beat one of the girls!