RANSVESTIA

"Wonderful. You'll even be able to wear my shoes. As the saying goes: 'There's no time like the present.' Come into my room and we'll see just how cute you'll look in dresses. I bet you'll be a knock-out. But just re- member. Don't flirt with my boyfriends, dearie, or you'll be in trouble.”

"Truce," I said. "Margie, please stop kidding me. Enough is enough.'

"O.K. O.K." she said. "I'll stop kidding you if you'll promise to co- operate with me. I intend to do a good job at this over the next weeks so that I'll be really proud of you in the play. Is that a deal?"

I agreed to the deal and followed her into her room. In no time, she had selected various things from her closet and bureau. Sheer nylons. Lacy white panties. A white bra. A frilly slip. A shirtwaist dress with a floral pattern on it. Yellow pumps with medium heels After I had put all these items on with her assistance, she commented: "I'm going to have to buy you a waist cincher or you'll split my dresses. Now sit on the bed while I make you up."

"Oh, gee, Sis. You don't have to do that," I said feeling thoroughly humiliated.

"Don't argue with me Jackie. Remember the deal?"

Quickly, expertly, she applied the cosmetics to my face. After she was satisfied, she took a long blond wig from the shelf in her closet, brushed it out a bit, and set it on my head. Then, she stood back to inspect her work.

"I can hardly believe it," she said. "You're really quite beautiful. Look at yourself in the mirror.'

•

I wobbled over to the full length mirror on the back of her door on my unaccustomed heels and I, too, was amazed. A pretty girl. a very pretty girl was looking back at me. In my time, I'd dated a lot of girls who were less good looking.

"Jackie, by the time that play comes around, you'll be able to fool any- one. Now, here's what we're going to do. On nights and weekends, we're going to dress you as a girl so that the feel of the clothing becomes natural to you. We're going to teach you how to walk and sit in a proper fashion like a little lady. And we'll rehearse your part until you're letter perfect."