because of its length. Her nails were carefully manicured and for the first time a nail polish was applied. The operator insisted on shaping her eyebrows saying they were much too thick for stateside and then when all was finished a hand mirror was given to her to view the results and in viewing them, Michele could not hide her pleasure in what had been accomplished...

But her pleasure was short lived as her thoughts began to dwell on what would happen when she returned to her true self as Mike Dolan.

How would she take the return to her former self? Problems that had been shelved for two years were now cropping up unpleasantly. In Paris there was a purpose in the masquerade, but stateside, surely they would consider her queer. She reached in her purse grabbed a few bills and without waiting for change, left for the assembly area.

The bus ride to the hospital was a silent one for her. She could not get herself to speak to the other passengers and was pleased on her arrival to be ordered to report to Dr. Hammer at once!

The name did not fit the man. Dr. Hammer was a middle aged Colonel of gentle appearance, manner, and voice who quickly put her at ease.

"Dr. Lester, whom you met in Paris, has told me all about your problem and I sympathize with your situation. We have discussed your case at great length with headquarters and I have been authorized to make any decision that I think warranted. Yours is the only case of its kind and though others have disguised themselves as women, none were away as long as you, nor did they undergo the tremendous physiological changes that you have. Even as a professional, I would never have doubted the authenticity of your femininity if I had not been briefed in advance.”

"That is all well and good, sir,” Michele stammered, “but what is go- ing to happen to me now! I am worried about my ability to adjust to the changes back to my former condition and also the problems that will present themselves during the process.

""

Frankly, Michele, I am worried too." Dr. Hammer said thoughtfully. "Medically we are to get all service personnel back into the best physical condition and then discharge them from the service. In your case, there is no physical wound, or illness to treat. I can't place you in a barracks full of men without all sorts of unpleasant repercussions, nor can I place you in quarters with the female personnel for the same reasons."

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