30

TV FICTION CLASSICS

brows into high arches and shown him how to use make-up. Pink nail polish had been applied to his finger and toe nails.

Diane said to Mary who stood vigilant,"What about his ears?" Mary just nodded. I thought they were going to apply some kind of make-up on his ears. They took some lotion and dabbed each ear. Before Bob or I realized what was going to happen, Sue and Diane grabbed Bob and pierced his ears.

He had a shocked and surprised look on his face as he felt the needle penetrate first one ear and then the other. "What the..." he gasp.

Sue said, "Mary said to make you beautiful. Bob, now you've got the hair, eyes and ears of a girl." She added, "Who knows, you may want to stay like this. . You look great as a girl, why ever be a boy again?"

Bob in shock, cried, "This is just for the play. Mary make them stop." Bob looked in my direction for help. I knew better than to talk against Mary.

Diane instructed, "Now remember, you have an appointment here once a week until the play. It's our contribution. I want you to take some special women's vitamins because you have a busy couple weeks ahead. We want you to 'glow' the night of the play."

Sue joked, "The boys will be going crazy over you. Maybe Mary will let you double date with my boyfriend and his brother? It would be our little joke."

At that point, I had to leave. "See you at Doc's later, Bob!"

I was waiting for Bob at Doc's Bar with some other friends. When he came in, exactly on time as usual, we couldn't believe our eyes. He was wearing a neat white girl's uniform dress. When he saw us staring, he blushed crimson red and weakly said "Hello..." His eyes showed the complete humiliation I knew he must be feeling.

It was the first time I saw him completely made up as a girl, with lipstick and everything. His eyebrows were plucked to a thin elegant feminine shape. His uniform fit him like a glove, and...he must have been wearing a padded bra because his bosom pressed out-

SUDSI/I VIE DAUGNIER-JI

ward in subtle peaks exactly like a girl's.

Without a beat he tied his apron behind his back and went to work. The woman he replaced smiled at him and said, "You really look very nice, Bob...I mean, Bobbi. I hear you're going to be a girl for a while."

"It's just for the play," Bob replied.

"Well, I think you look real nice, maybe you should dress this way all the time. You look very pretty and," she whispered, “add a little wiggle to your walk and the customers will tip you better.

Doc overheard the conversation and just shook his head. Later, when he received compliments about the pretty new waitress he began to think that it wasn't a bad idea after all.

Some mechanics from Swifter Air came in and took a table. Bob had to go and take their orders and I watched closely to make sure that there were no nasty remarks. It was alright. They complimented Bob on his looks and the effort he was making in playing his role well in the play.

I watched sadly as he pranced about in his white nylon stockings and heels. The dress came just above his knees and his smooth shapely legs were really something to admire. . .if they'd been on a girl, that is. Then it occurred to me. Why had Mary had this dress ready for him? It was obviously made for him because it was perfectly form-fitting. The elegant close fitting waist defined his figure both above and below. Had she planned all of this? She couldn't have...after all it just happened this afternoon. But there it was, a brand new white uniform dress. A perfect fit. I just couldn't understand it.

During a slack period Bob came over to our table. He neatly smoothed his skirt under him, like he had done it all his life. My friends had left, and then we had a moment alone.

"It's too bad about your ears. I see she's making you wear a bra, too?" I said as casually as I could.

Bob nodded, his cheeks were red again. "She even had my ears pierced to make me feel perfect for the role of Lisa. She says that I have to be constantly aware