vincing myself that this was my image being reflected back from the mirror. I realized after a few moments that my mind was trying to see in Deborah, what could not be there: Barry Newbill. The face, hair, and figure was lovely. When I willed the face to smile, it smiled, and when I wanted to frown at the image, I frowned. It was so unbeliev- able! "What does my voice sound like?" I asked.
"Just a soft feminine voice, Deborah," came the answer.
"Barry Newbill is dead then, isn't he?" I asked.
"To all purposes, it's true," she answered me. "Of course, we all know that you live on, even if the body isn't the same. You will become used to this sex, in time, as you were before to Barry."
I looked at her then and said: "I hope so, Julie, but it is more of a problem than you think. This clothing, the feeling of the lipstick and the hair on my shoulders, the body difference, all these things are new and feel so strange."
"That will be part of my job, darling, in the next few months. The government has hired me at excellent wages to help you in adjusting. You are to receive your full astronaut pay from the day you left earth until now, in one lump sum. That will be enough to get you started right. Then you'll draw 4/5ths of this sum for the rest of your life. Mr. Bishop said the hospital bill was on Uncle too. You won't have to worry about money for the rest of your days."
"That sounds pretty good, all right, but I'd trade it all for the chance to be Barry and marry you."
"I like to hear you talk like that, but let's get on with the show, huh?" When she said this she put her arm through my left arm and led me out into the hall. Mr. Bishop was waiting, with his secretary, Miss Grayson. "Mr. Bishop, and Miss Grayson, may I present to you Miss Deborah Elaine Newbill?" Julie was so thrilled over how I looked that she called their attention to everything, embarrassing me no end. When she mentioned "shape," she called attention to my bust and legs par- ticularly.
"How do you feel Deborah?" Miss Grayson asked timidly. “I feel fine Miss Grayson." My answer was truthful. In spite of everything, I felt good. It was good to be alive, I told myself. It was better being
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