A windy day in the Fall I boarded the train with two big suitcases and went to Paris. In my hotel a letter was waiting me from the maga- zine that welcomed me and asked me to come to a conference immed- iately next morning at 10 a.m.

Trembling, I turned up at the editorial office of the big magazine and was received by the chief editor a nice lady in her fifties with ashblond hair and fine makeup. Each member of the staff had his or her own office along a corridor in which smart young girls were coming and going. The chief asked me to come into her office and sit down.

"I know your photos from the photographer that has used you as his model," the lady said, "I find the photos good, and must admit that you are very convincing in them."

She continued: "We should like to have you in the house on a con- tract, so you could be one of our models when we make our photos for the Spring and Fall fashions shown by the big dress houses. The ses- sions of photography each time takes about 1-2 months so you have to stay in Paris in all from 4-8 month a year with intermissions of 1-2 months. In those intervals you can go home to your place and see to your jobs there. I know that you have studied as a fashion designer at the Art Academy and this will be a big advantage for you and for us, too, I think."

There was not much for me to say. The lady was very friendly and sweet, but she was firm in her opinions. She was a born leader for such a fashion magazine.

She continued: "In order to look as feminine and nice as possible, we have a special doctor who advises our models and helps them. She yes it is a female doctor also is the doctor for several of the profession- al female impersonators of the cabarets. She advises our models in regard to what treatments they may undergo and what small operations that may be made in order to get an appearance as perfectly feminine as possible. I ask you to visit this doctor and consult her. In fact, you are beautiful in your photos, so you must not misunderstand me, dear, but I think that you should be glad to visit her as none of us are com- pletely perfect, you know!" she laughed.

I went up to the doctor the next day bringing along some of my photos, also photos from the catalog of my mother and aunt. She studied the photos with the eyes of a connoisseur. Then she asked me to undress and strip, so she could see my figure. She was content. “You

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