if it means life as a girl. I know you don't want to be put to sleep and maybe not ever wake up. Tell Miss Grayson to arrange the trans- plant now, before it's too late. I don't want you to die Barry. Darling, I love you."

"Do you think that is the best thing to do, Julie?" I didn't know what to say. “I don't know if life would be worth living if it meant losing your love."

"But Barry. I will still love you. I know we can't be man and wife, but we can be close friends. Even live together and work together. That's it! I will get an apartment and once you have been released from the hospital you can move in with me. You'll have to have a lot of help adjusting to such a change.”

It seemed to be the only solution. The thought of being frozen, and sleeping, completely at the mercy of time, was beyond me. I called Miss Grayson, who came in. “Get the news to Mr. Bishop that we have chosen plan number 2, Miss Grayson. Then make the arrangements for the brain transplant operation as soon as possible."

"All right, Mr. Newbill," she answered. "I've got lunch on the way up for both of you."

It arrived shortly, and we ate the meal, almost silently. How I dreaded saying good-bye to her now. Her courage had made me love her more. After a last cigarette together, we walked into the office where Miss Grayson was sitting, crying. "It just isn't fair. It just isn't fair," she said looking at me with great compassion. “You're doing what I would do, but it isn't fair. You two deserve better than this."

Drying her eyes, she informed me that I would have to be ready for the operation in fifteen minutes. She offered to be our guide to the preparation room, and we consented. As I checked in, I saw people rushing on every side, carrying equipment and medical supplies. I was seated in a wheel chair, and rolled into a sterile room. My head was shaved immediately and covered with an antiseptic solution. An injection in my arm caused me to lose interest in the proceedings, and I faintly remember being helped onto an operating table in a brilliantly lighted room. Voices seemed to be right in my ear, then they seemed to retreat and go far away. Then I felt something over my mouth and nose, as a voice said: "Breathe deeply Barry." And the lights went out.

12