42 TV FICTION CLASSICS

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"My oh my. Alan you do look first class. I see that your mother instilled in you the same sense of style that she has," she said complimenting an already proud mother.

"Thank you, Mrs. Richardson. Alan understands that he must maintain a high standard," she replied, then looking at her son to reinforce something that she had told him many times in the last thirty-six hours. "I explained the commitment he was making and he fully understands what is expected. Is that right Alice?"

"Yes, Ma'am," The skirted boy replied with a soft voice but caught off guard by his mother calling him, "Alice."

"Very good, very good. I'm sure this will work out quite well. Oh, by the way Karen. Could you phone Linda Powell at Boutique Milan and open an account for Alan this morning? I'd like to make sure that he has a proper wardrobe for street wear as well as uniforms," Mrs. Richardson said naming the same women's fashion boutique that she and Karen used for their clothes.

"Certainly, first thing Mrs. Richardson," Alan's mother said with a knowing smile. "Ma'am, perhaps you should call him, Alice so he gets used to it."

Amanda laughed and asked Alan, "Do you want to be called Alice?" Alan nodded.

"Fine then," Amanda smiled, "I will call you Alice which I think suits you well. We'll order some name tags which 'Alice can pick up tomorrow."

Karen helped Alan with Mrs. Richardson's daily breakfast then began giving him a detailed listing of his hotel duties. The long list of work didn't seem to intimidate Alan as he expected that you would have to work for that kind of money.

That day he dusted, cleaned rooms, and did laundry. By the time afternoon tea was served his feet were killing him. He was ready for quitting time. But as he was clearing dishes from the table Mrs. Richardson said to his mother who was now privileged to dine with her employer. Tea was an afternoon tradition which the day's events were discussed and tomorrow's plans made.

Amanda asked, "Karen, do you still have that cute pencil-skirted tea serving uniform. You remember the one with the beautiful Victorian blouse?"

"Why yes. I have it in storage upstairs. I hadn't worn it for quite a while so it was cleaned and stored," Alan's mother said with a smile.

"I'm having some of the girls over for tea tomorrow and I'd like Alice to wear that. Why don't you take it home tonight and make sure it's in order.

""

"Of course. I'll do that," replied Karen. "I'm sure Alice will look beautiful in it. We are going to do some lingerie shopping later this evening."

"Oh, that's wonderful! Can I come along?" Mrs. Richardson said surprising Karen.

HAIR TODAY, GOWN TOMORROW -43

"Why of course, we'd be honored."

Alan had forgotten about their planned shopping trip. Had Mrs. Richardson not invited herself along he would have talked his mother out of it. He was beat.

"Well, let's help Alice clean up so that he can go home and change," Mrs. Richardson said as she began to pick up her plate and cutlery. She was a little weird that way. One minute she was like some high society lady, the next she was just like the good ol' next door neighbor lending a hand.

Nearly two hours later a very scared and nervous Alan was being led down the street between his mother and Mrs. Richardson. He was dressed in a light green linen dress, super sheer pantihose, white high-heeled sandals and nervously carrying a white clutch purse.

His hair had been pulled up in back and clipped in place with a white, satin hairbow-barrette. As they passed people on the sidewalk, Alan felt sure that everyone looked and thought, "Oh, look at that, a young man dressed in woman's clothes!"

However, he need not worry, because the looks he was getting were ones of admiration. Alan looked every inch the well-dressed young woman. His shapely legs on their high-heeled perch attracted more than one male eye. Mrs. Taylor was feeling proud at the appearance he presented. She was really beginning to feel like she had a daughter!

The shopping trip was a continuing series of embarrassing situations. Of course, Mrs. Richardson insisted on taking them into the most fashionable women's boutiques. In each place, the sales staff fell over themselves in serving one of their best customers.

Alan found himself the recipient of few "gifts" from his employer but she purchased item after exquisite item which his mother paid for. Alan watched as his first weeks pay disappeared. "How could all this stuff cost so much?" he kept asking himself. By the time Amanda and his mother tired, he owed part of his second weeks pay.

Once, he tried to complain but Amanda said, "Why do you think I pay so well...IMAGE! And that's not cheap."

When they finally returned home loaded down with bags and boxes, Alan was the owner of panties, camisoles, bra's, nighties, garter belts, pantihose, stockings, shoes, dresses, blouses, and skirts in every shade and fabric imaginable.

"Can you believe it," Alan said, surveying his unimaginable possessions? "I have more dresses than most girls my age! And BRAS!"

Mrs. Richardson would find a style she liked, then tell the store clerks to retrieve sets in each available color! Once they were alone and Mrs. Richardson had left for the night mother and son slumped into comfortable chairs in their living room.

"My goodness. . .do you realize that we just spent over 1500 dollars on you?" His mother asked.