FICTION

The Mistake

by Betty Dixon (20-H-1) FPE

"Had I made the same mistake as so many others?" Tom Warden asked himself as he glanced out of his cell window, watching the empty street below. It was early Friday morning and according to the large clock on top of a nearby building, he had been in jail almost twelve hours.

Tom sat down on the edge of his cot and lit a cigarette; watching the smoke curl upwards towards the window, then through th bars to freedom. only I could do the same. He was thinking.

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"If

Another hour and he would be standing before the magistrate for a hearing. His make-up was streaked from tears and a beard stubble had broken through. He had asked the guard for permission to wash up but the only reply was a laugh and, "Wh t do you want to do cutie, mess up your powder?" Tom would have to attend the hearing as is. The dress he had treasured so dearly was now rags covering his body his torn stockings further proof of the ordeal of the night before.

"Alright doll," said the grinning guard, inter- rupting his reverie, "your mouthpiece is here."

Tom had grown up with James Brandt who was now his attorney. Jim knew nothing of Tom's transves- tism until he had received the call this morning

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