RANSVESTIA

"Yes."

"That's great. I've got to call Betty and Susan and tell them right away."

I was totally puzzled. Why would Betty or Susan give a hang that I had agreed to go out on this blind date? But apparently they did be- cause both of them came over to our apartment and went into Margie's room where I could hear them giggling up a storm.

A little while later they all came into the living room. Although they were all bubbling over with glee, they had very little to say, com- municating to each other with knowing glances and little smirks. For want of something to break the ice, almost as an afterthought, I said to Margie: "Oh, by the way, what's her name?”

"What's whose name?" she replied with a look of total innocence on her face which started Betty and Susan chuckling behing their hands.

"The name of the girl I'm taking out on a blind date next Saturday, of course."

"Jackie, didn't I tell you? It's not a girl. It's a boy. And he'll be tak- ing you out."

I'm sure that my mouth gaped open. I was absolutely speechless.

"I'd better explain," Margie went on. "Susan's younger brother goes to boarding school. His name is Allan and he rooms with a boy named Ted Rogers. Shortly after the play in which you appeared as Melanie, I gave a picture of you in costume to Susan and suggested that she send it to Allan as a joke, telling him that there was this great new girl in town named Jacqueline Foster who was just about the right age for him. Well, Allan didn't respond to the bait, but Ted Rogers did. He wrote to Jacqueline care of Susan and since then a lively correspondence has developed. Of course, Betty, Susan and I have been ghost writing your letters for you and sending Ted another picture from time to time to keep his interest in you going. He's com- ing to town for a one day visit a week from Saturday and naturally he wants to take you out on a date. He really likes you. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he asks you to go steady. And that's the whole story."

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