17.

foundation) with a strapless brassiere top, beautiful lace panties, half-slip, etc. When she came into my office and spread these items in front of me on my desk I felt like the proverbial 2 cents. She remarked, "You must not disap- point the committee or the audience, and you must look like a bride!" She continued, "I don't believe they will want a bride with a 31 inch waist and a flat chest."

Later, (she had no respect for my money) she turned up with some "falsies" she had fashioned from foam rubber of a size adequate to fill the "c" cups of the brassiere. She had purchased a lovely pink strapless "going away" dress, purse, matching color high-heeled shoes, a matching hat, and beautiful costume jewelry. She even purchased a complete make-up outfit, including lipstick, matching nail polish, rouge, foundation creme, powder, mascara, eye shadow, atc.

On the week of the show my secretary (who was bubbling over with excitement about my performance as a bride) in- formed me she would purchase the wig that afternoon, and asked me if wanted a blonde or dark colored one. 1 asked how much it would cost. when she replied, "Oh...about $100 I counted to 10 and then asked if we couldn't rent one. She left the office with this alternative in mind. She found one at a costume shop, a beautiful platinum blonde color with long tresses that came down to my shoulders when she placed it on my head.

The nearer the fateful day approached the more butter- flies I had in my stomach. I seriously considered "getting sick" suddenly to get out of the job. One of my close as- sociates, a married man of about my same age, popped into my office one morning when my secretary had all my beauti- ful feminine things laid out making a final check to make sure nothing had been overlooked in her purchasing. My friend soon learned their intended use and he burst out laughing much to my discomfort. Knowing me well, "I'll bet you a new suit of clothes you never wear those silly things in that womanless wedding...you havent got nerve enough!"