RANSVESTIA

age normally unknown to him, he went into the shop to find out about those wigs. He had hardly entered when a smiling, good looking shop- girl asked,

"What can I do for you?"

"Well, I thought

I saw

•

It seemed as if his tongue was

twisted now, but then he blurted it out: “I wondered about your ad- vertising. How much are those wigs?”

The answer was reassuring. He felt much better now, knowing that at least the financial aspect was not as forbidding as he had thought. But then came another blow.

"What color would you like to buy for your wife?"

That was the end, he thought. How can I get out of this? Wouldn't it be better to just retreat and forget about the whole affair? He felt he was blushing all over but actually was able to explain calmly that the wig was really for him, since he wanted to use it at a forthcoming mas- querade ball. A matter-of-fact and understanding nod from the girl ended his embarrassment.

"Certainly, that will be easy. Please come over to one of these booths and I'll demonstrate what we have.” Richard certainly felt more than relieved since other ladies had begun to look at him and must surely be wondering what he was doing there.

So he eagerly went into one of the booths and made himself com- fortable in one of the chairs the girl had indicated. She went to get him a few samples. Coming back she first took his head measurements, since she assured him that this was absolutely necessary to make a really smooth fitting wig. Then with professional efficiency, she put a blond wig with long hair on his head, neatly arranging the hair so that it fell over his left shoulder.

"If you don't mind” the girl said, "I'll just put this little blue cape over your jacket so that we don't mess up your suit.”

What a difference that made! To him it seemed as if the first small step was being taken in the direction of a profound changeover. He was still sitting in the chair, and without make-up there was too much contrast between his face and hair, but then this blue cape neatly cov-