42 -MY SON, THE BRIDESMAID

The dinner was delicious, and the champagne flowed freely, being served by a very attentive staff of waiters. After dinner, when the dancing started, people got up and began to mingle and search out acquaintances. Robin felt the urging of nature and asked his sister to accompany him. She smiled and led the way to the inevitable "Powder Room". Robin had never used a ladies washroom before and found himself strangely curious as to what mysteries awaited inside. He knew that women always seemed to take ten times as long as men did!

He found out why! Inside, there seemed to be wall-towall females, either waiting in line for the use of the cubicles, or repairing their makeup and hairdo's. Trish whispered in his ear, "Oh, Robin... remember that nice girls sit down to do all their business."

"I know, I know..." Robin hissed back. When his turn came, he demurely closed the door, turned around, and carefully pulled his skirt up, Gee, he thought, I never thought about this when I designed such a tight skirt. Getting the skirt high enough to allow him to pull his black lace panties down wasn't easy, but he managed. He felt very silly, sitting there holding a dress up with one hand while holding a very unladylike body part in such a way that the stream would shoot straight into the water and make the appropriate sound.

After repairing his dress, straightening his garters, checking his makeup and hair, it was time to face the crowds again. His high "female" voice was holding him in good stead so far. He found himself fielding many compliments on his dress. He, of course loved to brag that he designed and made it himself. He even wished he had something like a business card because all the ladies wanted to know where their boutique was located!

As Trish and Robin approached their table, they noticed a very elegant woman talking to their mother. She seemed to be an old friend. Both women turned as the twins approached.

"Adrienne, these are my daughters Patricia and Robin Girls, this is Mrs. Adrienne Sloan. She's been a special client of mine for several years now."

"Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Sloan," the siblings replied.

TV FICTION CLASSICS -43

"I'm sure that I've met one of you before... In the boutique, I mean," remarked Adrienne.

"I believe it was me, Mrs. Sloan." responded Trish. "You were in earlier this summer."

"Well, I certainly wouldn't be able to tell which one of you it was, you're both so beautiful... I love your dresses. You're mother was saying that one of you designed them?"

"Yes, Adrienne that was Robin here. She's my designer now that Patricia is off at college."

"Oh, your work is excellent... you really show talent in this design... I must have you design some clothes for me and my daughters!" Then a flash came over her face. She looked disoriented then asked Mrs. Wilkes, "Wait a minute, I thought you had a boy and a girl?"

Mrs. Wilkes smiled knowingly and looked at Robin. It was all coming to Adrienne when Mrs. Wilkes whispered, "Robin is my son and he did design his dress." To Robin's embarrassment, she went on to tell all about the dress, his Christmas presents, working in the store and everything.

Adrienne gushed at Robin, "Turn around! I can't believe it. You look so beautiful you'll have the boys going loony. I still would like you to design a few dresses for us."

"Certainly, I'd be happy to," replied the proud but embarrassed Robin... thinking first of all the money he would make from the contacts he had made so far this evening then that the 'word' would get around.

Suddenly, Robin felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to find a professional photographer motioning the Wilkes ladies and Mrs. Sloan to pose for a picture. Robin moved mechanically without thinking what this was for. Several flashes later, the photographer thanked the ladies and moved on.

"Oh, that Edward... he's always blinding us with his lights," joked Mrs. Sloan.

"Who was that?" asked Trish innocently.

"Oh, that's Edward Kent, the photographer for the local newspaper. They always do up a big article on this Ball in the Society pages," replied Mrs. Sloan.