for contraceptive pills. As a matter of fact this variety of yam is packed with female hormones. Cooked they are ineffective, otherwise they pro- duce startling results. A cream we make from the yam extract removes the hair while the diet inhibits growth. The side effects which you must be warned of are even more startling and result in a lovely glowing complexion plus building up feminine curves. All of our clients have been tremendously pleased. At any rate you can see, Mr. Green, why the Institute is strictly for women."

She stopped and there was a long pause. Clearly it was Mr. Green's turn to speak.

"You mean to say then, Miss Stone, that not only would I lose my beard but I would take on the secondary characteristics of a woman?"

"Yes, precisely."

"Well, could the process be reversed if I stopped the yam treatment. Could it be controlled?"

"It could be arrested but it is irreversible as far as I know. At least it would take a long period of time. Really I am sorry to have disappointed you."

Mr. Green emitted a long sigh. "I would like to try."

Miss Stone frowned, feeling she had not made herself clear. "But Mr. Green it would be embarrassing to you to appear in public after such a treatment. Your hips your... well your breasts, you couldn't hide them you know."

•

There was another long pause. Then Miss Stone continued, “Besides the treatments are initially given under supervision here at the Institute and we have only women here. You certainly aren't thinking of adopting the apparel of a woman? I mean, to be perfectly frank, that is what it would amount to."

Mr. Green grew bolder. “Yes, I would be willing to do that."

Miss Stone lost her composure. "Really, Mr. Green do you know what you are saying?” She reached for a cigarette, shaking. “You mean you would enter the woman's world just to satisfy your craving to get rid of your beard?"

72