RANSVESTIA

"The prints matched!" Carter reported in a tone of awe, "That is your man!" nodding towards a blonde girl in an eye-catching short black skirt and silk-print blouse who was engaged in animated conversation with Harry's secretary, "Hope you didn't take me seriously, about turning in my badge."

"Of course not, Carter. You may return to your post.".

Harry turned towards the girl, who had her back to him. "Is that really you, Ted?" There was no response. “Ted!?"

"- and the most fabulous shade of nail polish," he heard the girl say.

"Er, Cynthia," Kathy interrupted, "the boss is talking to you."

Cynthia turned and put her prettily manicured hand up to her mouth. Both were colored a bright frosted pink. "Oh! I'm terribly sorry, Chief. So excited to see Kathy again."

"I called you twice," Harry scowled, annoyed with the frivolity.

"He called you 'Ted'," Kathy explained.

"Oh! No one has called me 'Ted' in months, Chief. I guess that's why I didn't notice."

"Well, let's get down to business. Come into my office," Harry invited, holding the door open and pulling up a chair for Cynthia without realizing what he was doing. Cynthia sat down, placing her legs together to one side and smoothed down her skirt. Harry couldn't help but notice she had rather pretty ankles (obviously, Ted kept his legs neatly shaved, which Harry had expected would be necessary) and was wearing a pair of pastel blue mid-heel pumps. As Harry seated himself, the girl produced a cigarette from her purse. A colorful flower pattern was printed on the filter. Harry struck his lighter and reached across the desk.

"Thank you, Chief," she acknowledged, lowering her thickly fringed eyelids. The significance of his actions suddenly hit home and Harry's face reddened.

"Say, Ted, I hope I'm not giving you any embarrassment," he apol- ogized, "Heh-heh! You look so-er-authentic. Even sound like a dame."

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