8 -THE FRILL OF IT ALL!

diately after I got home, I would shower, don the outfit of girl's clothes which Margaret had laid out on the bed for me. I was learning to apply my own make up, put on my wig, and do my homework and housework so that later in the evening I was ready to rehearse my role.

Almost every evening, Margaret took Polaroid pictures of me. She had read someplace that actors frequently did that so that they could study their gestures and stance. It didn't make much sense to me because we never used the pictures in that way. I didn't argue, it made her happy.

The Saturday before the Freshman Follies, we rehearsed all day until I knew the part inside out and upside down. I was dressed in Margaret's white blouse, black jumper, and black high heels that were to be my costume in the Third Act.

"Let's call it a day," Margaret said. "You've got it down pat. You'll be a smash. Let's celebrate by going out for dinner and a movie.”

"That sounds super," I replied. "I'll go change." "Change? Why bother. You look fine the way you are. I'll bet you a week's 'dish duty' no one has the slightest suspicion you're anything other than what you appear to be... an extremely cute girl."

"OUTSIDE?" I stammered. "LIKE THIS? No way! What if someone saw me?”

"Everyone will see you in the Follies...besides I'm not cooking...how about we just go by a fast food place. Have some guts?"

With great hesitation, I finally agreed to go to a "drive through".

Margaret drove right past the local drive through. "Hey, you missed the turn.

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"No. I said go we'd go BY a drive in...we are going to a nice place." I complained until she parked and put her keys in her purse. At that point I knew there was no more arguing.

It felt funny to walk down the street and know that the clickety-clack of high heels was coming from my shoes. And the wind! To feel the breeze play with my skirt against my slim legs in their sheer nylons was

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distracting. I was acutely conscious of the purse which Margaret insisted that I carry. I was sure I looked like an awkward fool, but no one gave a second glance.

At the restaurant, the captain and the waiter held our chairs for us and took our order without any sign they had observed anything out of the ordinary.

Afterwards, Margaret announced we were going to a movie...I was glad to get to the movie theater where the darkness gave me a sense of security. "You are doing fine, just remember to keep your knees together."

After the show was over, Margaret said, "Now let's go to the malt shop for a soda before we go home." "Are you crazy?" I asked her. "That's where your crowd hangs out. Someone may recognize me.'

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"What if they do?" she retorted. "It's the Freshman Follies' fault you are dressed like this. Besides, anyone we see are friends of mine. They are not going to call a cop. I want to show you off!"

Sure enough, Betty and Susan, two of Margaret's closet friends were there and beckoned us over to sit with them.

I started to run but Margaret whispered, "Don't worry. Susan and Betty are both psychology majors. They can keep a secret."

"Hi, Margaret. Who's your friend?" Betty inquired. "Oh, this is Jacqueline, my cousin. She's visiting me for a few days. We just went to the movies at the Bijou. Have you seen it. A real girl's movie! I'd never get my boyfriend to see it. It made my skin get all tingly. You loved it too, didn't you Jacqueline?" Margaret asked, turning to me with a malicious little smile on her face.

I nodded as I nearly choked on my soda. Throughout all of this girlish gush, Susan kept studying me with a puzzled look on her face. She was very bright---she was finishing her master's degree in Psychology in record time. Finally, she squinted at me and asked, "I'm sure I know you from somewhere Jacqueline. Now where could it be from?"

"I'm sure you must be mistaken," I replied trying