Presto Change (part two)

Illustrated version: tgcomics.com/tgc/stories/prest…

Chapter Five

After the night when Ray had first been dressed by Tracy, he never
knew a moment's rest.  Tracy was determined to eradicate seventeen years of
male programming and replace it with femininity...in one week!  Every day,
8:00 a.m. sharp, Ray was to be over at Tracy's for training.

The day after he had agreed to be an assistant on a trial basis, Tracy
dressed him in an old skirt and blouse and dragged him protesting to the local
mall.  The first humiliation of the day happened when he was lead to a beauty
salon where Tracy was apparently well known.  As they sat in the waiting
area, Ray ventured a whispered question.

"What are we doing here?  I thought you were going to my makeup."

"I've been thinking about it," replied Tracy.  "Since this is going to be
your first experience as a woman in public, I want you to really look the part.  
I've ordered what is known here as "The works."  When they get done with
you, you won't recognize yourself."

"I already don't recognize myself!  What's the big deal?  You said
yourself no one will suspect.  I really don't think we need any outside help!"

"You know, a lot of young women would kill for a chance at an
appointment here."

"That's just the point," Ray almost shouted "I'm not a young woman!  
You act like I should be enjoying this!"

"Look," said Tracy, looking Ray straight in the eyes "You are going
to be Rhea for at least a week, maybe a lot longer.  You can either act like a
guy forced to be a girl and make this next week an endless hell.  Or, you can
act like a young lady and enjoy all this.  Just relax, it won't be as bad as it
seems."

Ray grudgingly saw the logic in that.  "All right," he replied "but just
remember, this isn't easy for me."

"I understand.  I'll tell you what.  For the next week, Ray doesn't
exist.  You are Rhea.  And there isn't anything strange about Rhea wearing
dresses and getting made over, is there?"

"I...I guess not."

"There.  Just relax.  Try to look at things as a woman would.  I
promise you nothing bad will happen.  Just try to keep an open mind.  Will
you do that?"

"All right."

"Good.  Who knows, after all is said and done, you might find you
understand women just a little bit more.  Then you could explain them to
Brian."

Both Tracy and 'Rhea' grinned.

"Tracy!" a voice called "I haven't seen you here for ages!"  Ray and
Tracy looked up.  An attractive brunette who looked to be in her mid-thirties,
was standing before them.  A name tag on her shirt identified her as "Molly."

"Molly!" shouted Tracy.  They gave each other a quick hug.  "It's
been so long!"

"So why haven't you been around here lately?  We've all missed
you!"

Tracy grinned.  "I'm getting married."

With that, half the employees of the salon surrounded Tracy.  
Everyone wanted to know about the guy, to see the ring, to bombard her with
questions.  Ray remained in his chair, feeling nervous and slightly left out.

Finally, the excitement died down.  "So what can we do for you
today?" asked Molly.

"Nothing for me today," replied Tracy "though I'm sure I'll
practically be living here the week before the wedding."  Molly smiled.  "No,
today I want you to see what you can do with my friend Rhea."  Tracy
indicated Ray.  She then pulled out a credit card and handed it to Molly.  Give
her 'the works.'

Something occurred to Ray.  These beauty treatments were far from
cheap, and here Tracy was, paying for the whole thing.  For decency's sake,
he had better act like he enjoyed this.  He managed a realistic smile.  Molly
lead him out of the waiting room and into the main part of the salon.

The few times Ray had scraped up enough money for a haircut he had
always gone to a cheap local barbershop.  He was used to the "wash,
shampoo, cut, pay" routine.  In his mind that is what he pictured this
treatment was going to be like.  Once again, he was in for quite shock.

This salon was about the size of a bus terminal.  It was decorated in
style: plush carpet, expensive wallpaper, delicate furnishings.  Quite a step up
from the shag carpets and stained wallpaper of Nero's Palace.  Soft music
played in the background.  Several customers, all women, lounged about
while they were peered, made over, and manicured.  Ray had never even
suspected this place existed.

Molly escorted Ray to a chair in front of a mirror.  Several beauticians
followed.  They studied Ray.  They discussed among themselves possibilities
for his hair, his makeup, and his nails.  Ray began to feel trapped and a little
scared.  Having Tracy make him over was one thing, but professionals?  
What if they realized who he really was?  

He turned to Tracy for moral support.  To his horror she was heading
out the door, back into the mall.  

"W-Where are you going?" Ray said, barely remembering to keep his
voice soft and feminine.

"I just have to pick up a few things.  I'll be back to get you later."  
She noticed his scared expression.  "Don't worry, you'll be fine!"  Then she
was gone.

Molly handed Ray a pink bathrobe and motioned to a dressing room
in the back.  She instructed him to change into it.

Ray did as he was ordered.  The dressing room was very large.  It
was more like a locker room than anything else.  There were even a few
showers in the back for people who wanted to clean up before being made
over.

Ray looked at himself in the mirror.  He had to admit that even this
way, wearing just a bathrobe and a little makeup, he still looked very girlish.  
Maybe it was the long red tresses that now hung loosely around his
shoulders.  Maybe it was the way he nervously clutched the robe around his
slim frame.  Maybe it was the scared, innocent look in his eyes.  Whatever it
was, Ray definitely did not look like the picture of manhood.

Ray was so absorbed in contemplating himself that he did not notice
when someone came out of the shower area.  It was not until he heard a voice
behind him that he realized that he was not alone.

"Would you hand me that towel?" asked a feminine voice behind him.

Ray turned in shock.  Not four feet in front of him stood a very
beautiful young woman.  She looked to be about seventeen or eighteen,
around Ray's age.  She had straight black hair, long legs, and was very tan.  
She was wet from just getting out of the shower.  She was not wearing a
stitch of clothes.

Ray nearly panicked.  For a few seconds he could do nothing but
stare.  He was in a girl's shower room!  He had to get out of there!

The young woman didn't seem upset at all.  "Could you hand me that
towel?" she asked again.

Ray snapped out of his frightened state.  "My God," he thought as he
passed her the towel, "she doesn't suspect a thing!  She thinks I'm just
another girl."

"I'm Kayla," said the girl as she dried herself.

"Oh, uh, I'm Rhea."

"Nice to know you.  You seem a little jumpy.  Is something wrong?"

Ray used every bit of willpower to keep his eyes focused on Kayla's
face and nowhere else.

"Oh, no!  I mean, uh, this is my first time here, and uh, I'm a little
nervous."  Ray hoped that didn't sound too strange.

Kayla smiled.  She wrapped the towel around her head.  He hair was
now covered.  The rest of her remained free and unfettered.  "Don't worry
honey.  They treat you great here!  You'll come out looking like a million
bucks.  Is your hair naturally red?"

"Yes...yes it is."

"Lucky girl.  Something about a redhead really attracts a guy's
attention.  Well, I have to get back out there before they give my appointment
to someone else.  And hey, don't worry, you'll have the time of your life."

Kayla gave Ray a friendly, one-armed hug.  She donned a bathrobe
like Ray's and went back to the salon.  That was the closest Ray had ever
been to a naked woman, especially one as gorgeous as Kayla.  He felt faint
all over.  With a lot of effort he managed to find his way back to Molly
without falling down.

"Let's face it," he thought. "There might be a definite plus side do all
this."

Molly met Ray at the door of the dressing room and motioned for him
to sit in another chair.  She looked him over for another minute, then smiled.

"Rhea," she began "It's nice to have an attractive young woman in
here for once.  Between you and me, most of my clients are old women.  
You and Kayla are the only pretty girls we've had in here all week."

Ray mumbled an embarrassed thank you.  Not only was he easily
passing as a girl, he was passing as a pretty one.

"I think I know the perfect look for you.  When I'm finished you'll
look like you just stepped off the cover of Vogue.  And honey," Molly leaned
closer and whispered "The guys will be lined up outside your door.  You
could have a new man take you out every night of the week."

While Ray never had any formal acting training, he still had done a lot
of practice on his own.  This is probably why he was able to manage to smile
sweetly while his stomach had tied itself into a panicked knot.

"Are you ready to begin?"

Ray managed another sweet smile.  

"Okay Oh, one thing before I begin.  No peeking until I'm finished
with you."  Molly turned the only nearby mirror so that Ray couldn't see his
reflection.

Ray's stomach tied itself into a bow.  Tracy had done the same thing
to him.  When she was finished with him he looked like a young woman.  
What would he look like when Molly finished?

Ray's time in the salon passed in a blur.  Once, several months ago,
he had gone to see an auto race at the local track.  One memory that stood out
was seeing the pit crew in action.  Several mechanics would leap on to a car
before it had even stopped moving.  They would each rush in, perform some
sort of repair, and rush off again.  Within thirty seconds, the car was
repaired, tuned up, and racing again.  

Ray felt a lot like that car.  A legion of beauticians rushed around him,
each one rapidly performing some process of beautification.  He was being
overhauled, just like an engine.  When they were finished, he would leave the
beauty shop as a new person.  All he could do is sit back and pray for the
best.

His hair was washed and put up in rollers.  His skin was treated to a
variety of ointments and creams.  No less than three manicurists filed,
sanded, and painted his finger (and toe!) nails.  Ray tried to keep still as his
face was painted, washed, and painted again.  Several times he tried to sneak
a peak in a mirror, but could never get a good look.

Ray wanted to scream, to run, to blurt out the truth.  All his life he
had tried to fight his sissy image, now he had surrendered to it!  Of course, to
tell everyone he was a man would be a worse humiliation.  Finally,
everything was complete.  Several salon employees stood around the chair,
admiring their work.  He was eventually led over to a full-length mirror.

Ray had often hear the age old account of people who have had
cosmetic surgery.  The doctor takes off the bandages, and viola!  A whole
new person.  Didn't even recognize the reflection.  Ray had always thought
that was total garbage.  No matter how 'changed' someone was, they would
always recognize themselves.  One look in the mirror changed Ray's attitude
completely.

Someone he didn't know peered back at him from the mirror.  
Someone with long, curly red hair that hung silkily down to her shoulders.  
Someone with long, red nails, and delicate hands.  Someone with pale, soft
looking skin.  Someone with a mouth that was painted an exotic red and
cheeks painted a delicate pink.  Someone pretty.  Someone feminine.  A
woman.  Ray knew, though his mind refused to process the idea, that he was
that someone.

It was a transformation that not even Brian could top.  Ray grinned in
spite of himself.  The tiny hope that had kindled inside of him since he had
first agreed to dress as a woman, the hope that he could never pass as a
woman, died.  He turned to the staff.

"You guys did an incredible job.  I can honestly say I have never
looked this pretty in all my life."  With he best forced smile he
slinked back to the changing room and donned his old clothes.  When he came out, the
beauticians presented him with the shampoos, conditioners, gels, and
makeup that could keep him looking that pretty for over a month.  When he
walked out into the waiting room, Tracy was waiting for him.

"Rhea!" she exclaimed "you look positively darling!  While, you'll be
the envy of every girl!"  Molly came over and joined them.  "Not to mention,
the desire of every guy!"  Tracy and Molly laughed.  Ray blushed down to
his shoulders.

Chapter Six

Ray followed Tracy out into the shopping mall.  "Just a minute," said
Tracy.  "I picked up a few things while you were getting made over.  They
said they'd send someone up to take the bags to the car...ah, there he is
now."

A good-looking teenage boy approached them, staggering under the
weight of several dozen shopping bags, each bearing the name of a trendy
clothing store attached to the mall.  Ray was horrified to see that the boy
carrying the bags had been in several of his high school classes, before he
had dropped out.  His name was George.  Ray quickly turned away and
hoped that he wouldn't be recognized.  The three of them headed out towards
the parking lot.

Ray glanced over once to see if George seemed to recognize him.  To
Ray's horror, George smiled and winked at him.  "Oh my God," thought
Ray "he knows.  He knows it's me and by tomorrow so will everyone in
town."  Ray wished that he could disappear.  He wished he could just start
over in another town.  To be a man again.  The walk to the car seemed to be
fifty miles, as he waited for George to let on that he knew who he really was.  

When they got to the car, George smiled and winked again as he
loaded the bags into the trunk.  He accepted a tip from Tracy and went back
to the store.  He looked back and grinned once more at Ray.  Ray wanted to
die.  He got into the car as quickly as he could.  Maybe, if he was lucky,
George would keep the secret to himself.  Maybe....

"Rhea, now that you are all made up, lets go over to my place,
and....what's wrong honey?  You look like you've seen a ghost!"

Ray could hardly find the words.  "That boy...the one who took your
bags....he knows me...we went to school together...he knows I'm a
guy...my secret's out...my life is ruined..."   he choked back a sob.

"Now none of that" replied Tracy sternly "you'll ruin your makeup.  
Now what makes you think he recognized you?"

"You saw him!  He kept smiling and winking!  He knew who I was!  
You don't think he'll tell anyone do you?"

Tracy smiled.  "Rhea, I don't think you have anything to worry
about.  If anyone told him you were a guy, he'd probably laugh."

"But you saw the way he kept grinning.  Why else would he?"

"C'mon, think for a minute.  What makes guys smile?"

"Well, I....."  Ray's eyes opened wide "you don't think...I mean, he
couldn't have been....could he?"

Tracy smiled.  "Speaking as someone who knows, I'd say he was
definitely flirting with you.  Good thing you were scared, if you had smiled
back he probably would have asked you out."

Ray was too stunned to respond.

"Listen Rhea, I picked up a few things for you.  I'm going to take
you over to my place and try them on you."  Without waiting for Ray's reply,
she pulled out of the mall parking lot.

When Tracy began to unpack the bags of clothes she had bought for
Ray, he realized that she had picked up more than "a few things."  She had
picked him up an entire wardrobe.  He now had enough women's clothes to
last him indefinitely.  

Ray was slightly upset.  He had accepted the fact that he would be
dressing in women's fashions for the next year or so, but he didn't like the
idea of Tracy spending so much money on it.  It was almost as if she
expected him to dress like a woman long after the Vegas gig was over.

"What's the deal, Tracy?  I though we agreed that I just wear your
cast offs.  I don't like you wasting all your money on me."

"Well, at first I thought you'd make do in my clothes, but then I
decided that if you were going to live as Rhea for a year, you were going to
do it in style.  If you have to be a woman, you might as well be dressed as
nice as you can.  Don't worry about me, this is just my way of saying thanks
for agreeing to do this."

Tracy then began to show Ray what she had bought for him.  Ray
hoped that she had picked some fairly androgynous clothes, but that was not
the case.  Everything was clearly meant for a woman.

First came the underwear.  While Ray would only be allowed to take
of his 'sex hiding device' when showering, Tracy still insisted that he wear a
nice pair of panties over it.  Ray had hoped that they would be bland cotton
ones, but he was once again disappointed.  Everything Tracy had picked out
was either made of silk or black lace.  For the first time, Ray was glad he'd
have to wear the 'device.'  Those panties didn't leave much to the
imagination.

After he had recovered from the shock of the panties, he began to
look at the hose that Tracy had bought.  Most of it was regular bland nylons
in a variety of colors to match whatever outfit he was wearing.  However,
there were three of four pairs of black, fishnet stockings.  These were clearly
designed to be erotic; to show off a woman's legs.

"Hey, what's with these?" asked Ray.

"What's wrong with them?" replied Tracy, the very picture of
innocent intentions.

"Women never wear hose like this unless they are trying to turn on
their boyfriends or are posing for one of those calendars you always see in
gas stations!"

"Well, you can wear them during the act...I always did."

"Nice try, but I know it's the hotel's responsibility to provide the
costumes.  Seriously, what did you expect me to do with these?"

"Well," said Tracy with a coy grin "I'm sure you'll figure out
something"

Ray, at Tracy's request, began to try on the outfits.  She had really
gone to town.  Blouses, camisoles, skirts, dresses, sweaters...Ray would
not have to worry about having nothing to wear for a long time.  The clothes
made him uncomfortable.  Not only were none of them androgynous, none
of them were conservative.  Every skirt was cut short.  Every shirt was
sleeveless.  Every dress showed off either his back or shoulders.  Each dress
also was cut just short enough in the front to show as much skin possible
without revealing he didn't really have breasts.  Each t-shirt didn't come
down all the way, a small portion of his midriff was almost always exposed.  
Everything seemed to be trimmed with lace and frills.  Tracy had even
purchased a pair of strapless 'falsies' so they wouldn't show when he wore
gowns that exposed his shoulders.  Every shoe, except for a pair of woman's
sneakers, had high heels.  There was not a single pair of jeans in the pile.  
Ray would be wearing skirts for quite some time.  With the exception of a
woman's cardigan and jacket (with matching skirt), there wasn't a single dull
thing in the bunch.  He would not only be wearing woman's clothes, he
would be wearing sexy women's clothes.

Tracy had even bought him a swimsuit!  It was one piece, of course,
green, and cut somewhat modestly.  There was full coverage in front, though
the back was still exposed.  Ray was glad that he had such freckled skin; he'd
hate to get a sun tan around that suit!  He also realized he would have to wear
his 'sex hiding device' very tight if he didn't want to draw attention.

Ray also noticed a very erotic red lace teddy in the pile.  Tracy had
gotten him a pair of pink pajamas to sleep in, so he wondered why she had
bothered with the teddy.  It left nothing hidden.  Ray chose to believe that
Tracy thought he might want to wear it on hot nights.  He hated to think that
she might have had another reason for getting it!

In addition to the clothes, Tracy had purchased the accessories he
would need to be a successful girl.  There were a couple of purses for Ray to
carry his makeup in.  There was a blow dryer and a curling iron for his hair.  
There was a makeup mirror, tweezers, and cotton balls to help with his
makeup.  There were even several pieces of jewelry: gold necklaces, bracelets, and a pair of gold
earrings.  Ray was surprised to notice that they were made for pierced ears.

"Now what's the deal with these?" asked Ray.  "You know my ears
aren't pierced."

"I guess I was a little premature in getting those," replied Tracy, a
little guiltily.  "I was hoping that you'd decide to get pierced.  It would really
be a lot more convenient for you, and the holes would heal up after you go back to being a man.  
I guess it's up to you."

"I'll think about it."  muttered Ray.  He knew by now that if Tracy
expected him to get pierced, he'd really have no say in it.

Tracy was still looking through the pile of clothes.  "Oh, when I saw
this I just had to get it for you!  Try it on Rhea, I can't wait to see what you
look like!"

It was a yellow party dress.  Tracy helped ray climb into it and zipped
up the back.  She then slipped a necklace around his neck
and clipped matching earrings to his lobes.  Ray walked over to the mirror.  
As he passed over a floor air conditioning vent, a gust of cold air blew up his short skirt,
giving him goose bumps.  He regarded his reflection.  The draped
neckline started just off the shoulders, and dipped down to a V just before his
'cleavage' would be seen.  The skirt came up to well above his knees.  
The girdle he was wearing underneath, gave Ray a distinctive hourglass shape.  
He looked like a young debutante on her was to a dance.  Ray couldn't help but smile;
he really did look cute.  He noticed that smiling seemed to make him look more natural
than the nervous frown he had be wearing.  

Tracy was smiling too.  "You look absolutely darling, Rhea.  You
know, I grew up with five brothers and no sisters.  I guess I never realized
how much fun it is to help a girl blossom into a young woman."

"C'mon Tracy," said Ray "I know I agreed to be Rhea for a while,
but you know I'm not 'blossoming.'  I'm doing this out of circumstance."

"But you are enjoying it, aren't you?"

"No!"

"Not even a little bit?"

Ray looked at Tracy.  He supposed he should be completely honest
with her.  "Well, I can't say that I like dressing as a woman.  But, well...I
dunno, it's hard to explain.  I don't think I've ever had a new set of clothes
in my life, now I have a whole new wardrobe.  Except for you and Brian, no
one has ever done anything for me, and today I spent the whole day just
laying back and letting people serve me.  I've never considered myself good
looking, now everyone does.  Don't get me wrong, I like being a guy a
thousand times more than being a girl.  I guess I just like having a chance to
like the good life, so to speak.  Hell, I guess anything beats shopping at the
Discount Clothes Mart."

Tracy tried not to show her alarm at that last comment.  The Discount
Clothes Mart was a local second-hand store.  It had closed down
recently when the owner was arrested for stealing clothes from the city
morgue.  Tracy realized that Ray was looking at her intently.  "Does that
make sense?" Ray asked nervously. "Enjoying being pampered for a while?  
Do you think that's weird?"

Tracy took Ray's hand in hers.  "Rhea, it just shows that you are an
intelligent person who realized an opportunity when you saw it.  Believe it or
not, you are going to have the time of your life.  If I wasn't getting married
I'd be so jealous!"

Ray smiled a relieved smile.  "Well, if you are going to make me into
a woman, you better show me how to act!  Just what do women do in the
bathroom for six hours?"

Chapter Seven

One week later, Brian stood on stage performing what might be his
last act in Dead Springs.  He had really outdone himself that night: all his
tricks went off flawlessly, all his illusions had left the audience
dumbfounded, all his escapes were breathtaking.  He couldn't stop thinking
about how great it would be to do his act in Vegas, in front of an audience
roughly four times as large.

A few feet away from Brian stood Tracy.  This was definitely her last
performance in Dead Springs.  While she had been wonderful tonight,
someone else would be assisting Brian with his last trick...

"And now, ladies and gentleman, for my grand finale.  This is a trick
of unmatched peril.  I warn you, I have never attempted this trick before;
anything can go wrong.  Tonight I will saw my lovely assistant in half!"

This was one of the oldest tricks in the history of stage magic, but the
way Brian built it up made the audience feel they were about to watch
something new and daring.

"Now," continued Brian "When I told Tracy about this trick, she flat
out refused to have anything to do with it."  There was a smattering of
laughter from the audience.  "So let me introduce you to my other lovely
assistant, Rhea!"  Brian rolled the 'r,' making the name sound somewhat
exotic.

Ray, aka Rhea, stepped out onto the stage.  Though this was the third
time he had done this, he was still nervous as heck.  He was wearing spiky
high heels, and a pink, one-piece body suit.  Ray’s bare, hairless legs almost
glowed in the spotlight.  Elbow-length gloves covered his hands, leaving his slender,
freckled shoulders naked.  Beneath his costume, padding created what Ray did not have,
hid what he wasn’t supposed to have, and basically squeezed his body into ways it wasn’t
supposed to go.  A splash of red around his lips and black around his eyes completed the image.  
For the first time, Ray had done his own makeup.

There was a chorus of wolf whistles and rude comments from some
men in the audience.  Obviously, no one suspected a thing.  Tracy winked at
Ray from across the stage; she had put up with that every night for several
years.

Tracy wheeled a gurney into the middle of the stage.  Brian took Ray
by the hand and led him to the table.  Ray lay down on top of it.  Brian
chained Ray's arms to the table above his head.  Tracy chained his feet.  
Brian then took out an open-ended, lidless box about one foot in length.  He
placed this over Ray's midsection and clamped it to the table.  

Tracy left the stage.  The house lights dimmed.  The only light on the
stage was a spotlight focused on Ray's prone form.  Ominous music began to
play.  Brian slipped on an executioner's mask.  Out of what appeared to be
thin air he produced a chainsaw bigger than most of the audience members
even knew existed.  He revved it up and with some maniacal laughter began
to saw into the box, and presumably into Ray's stomach.

Ray closed his eyes and relaxed.  Brian always played this trick for all
it was worth, so there would be nothing for him to do for a few minutes.

Despite everything, Ray still couldn't believe what was happening to
him.  Here he was, dressed in a ridiculously skimpy outfit, pretending to be a
woman!  The worst part was, no one even suspected.  It was just over a
week ago that he had first agreed to do this, now he was practically living full
time as a woman.  He hadn't even agreed to go to Las Vegas with Brian yet.

Tracy had him on a tight schedule.  If he was to pass as a woman for
a year he had better learn to act the part.  Ever gesture, every word, every
action of Ray's had to be girlish.  Ray could not just play the part of a
woman, he had to become a woman.  If being feminine wasn't second nature
to him by the time the Vegas gig started it could jeopardize the whole thing.  
Ray couldn't act like a confident, self-assured woman like Tracy, either.  That
would draw too much attention.  No, the Rhea Tracy had in mind was shy,
submissive, and quiet.

As Tracy made plans for her wedding, she coached Ray on the finer
arts of being a woman:  "Never tell anyone to do anything, and never, ever
demand anything.  Even if you are well within your rights, when you need
something the first word out of your mouth will be 'please.'"

"Stand up straight when you walk.  Guys tend to walk with their
heads forward.  A lady should walk with her hips forward.  Eyes straight
ahead, and wiggle a bit while you walk."  Ray had to practice that quite a bit!

"Don't do any heavy lifting or any hard work.  If you need a big job
done, ask a guy."

"Never hold a door open for anyone, even another woman.  Never offer to
pick up the check unless you are with a female friend.  Every so often
duck into the bathroom and fix your makeup.  And for God's sake make sure
you don't go in the men's room by mistake."

"Women have a 'breathier,' more silent voice.  We're going to have
to practice this a lot, though your voice isn't too deep.  No shouting for the
next twelve months."

"No more beer or whiskey.  If you want to drink, drink wine.  No
more burgers or fats.  You have to stay slim and pretty for this gig."

"Try to take up an interest in feminine things.  Ladies don't watch
sports and they definitely don't play them.  You might try teaching yourself
to sew.  And get a subscription to some beauty magazines.  That would be
the natural thing for a woman your age to do.  They're also great sources for
fashion and makeup tips."

Finally, Tracy added something that Ray found very disturbing.  
"Rhea," she began.  "I need to talk to you about something very important.  I
know you don't think it will concern you, but believe me it will.  You need to
learn how to handle the attentions of gentlemen."  

Ray groaned.  Still, if he was going to do this, he had better learn the
correct way to handle himself.

"Like it or not Rhea, men all have one thing on the forefront of their
minds, and I think you know what that is.  No matter how good of a friend
you are with a man, no matter how much he claims to respect you, deep
down, maybe even subconsciously, he is thinking about having sex with
you.  It will go doubly for you since you are so pretty.  I'm not trying to
condemn guys, it's just the way they are.  I've put up with it since I was
about thirteen.  I'm going to give you some feminine wisdom that will help
keep you in control.

"Whether or not they realize it, guys are overt in their quest for sex.  
They'll make lewd jokes, they'll put their arm around you in a 'friendly' hug,
some will even pat you on the rear.  All women have to put up this, but you
shouldn't have to let it go too far.  If a guy is getting a little too friendly,
just look him in the eye and tell him to cut it out.  Stand your ground, just don't
make too big of an issue about it."

"Another thing you'll notice is that guys tend to stare at you.  Some
guys are sneaky about it, others will give you a full leer.  There's not much
you can do about that; they always deny it if you confront them.  Also, a lot
of guys are in the habit of talking to a woman's chest instead of her face.  
Brian does it.  David does it.  You even do it sometimes."  Ray flushed with
embarrassment, he never recalled doing that!

"Now odds are guys are going to ask you out.  Knowing you, you'll
probably give them an emphatic 'no.' There's nothing wrong with that.  Just
don't be rude about it, you don't want to crush some poor guy's ego."  Tracy
paused.

"Something else?"  asked Ray.

"One thing.  I need to tell you how to behave if you do decide to go
on a date with a man."  Ray was about to interrupt, but Tracy cut him off
"This is for your information only.  I know it will probably never come up,
but just in case."

"Even if a guy says he wants to take you out as a friend, he wants to
get into your panties.  Always keep that in mind.  If you don't know a guy
too well, arrange to meet him rather than having him pick you up.  He'll pay
for the date, don't worry about that at all.  Try to keep the conversation
steered toward him and his interests.  Guys love to talk about themselves."

"Now most guys will try to sleep with you on the first date.  First
they'll kiss you, then french kiss you, then a quick grope, and before you
know it they're taking off their boxers.  The thing to remember is a guy can
only get as far as you let him.  They can be persistent, but once you tell them
to cut it out, they'll stop.  A proper lady gives a gentleman a closed mouth
kiss at the end of their first date and nothing more.  What you do on the next
dates is up to you."

Ray had felt very uncomfortable during this whole speech.  Just was
Tracy expecting him to do when he was dressed as a woman?  Still, all
knowledge was helpful.  When this whole ordeal was over maybe he would
understand women well enough to get a few dates.

As Ray laid on the gurney, he kept thinking about Tracy's lessons in
womanhood.  Would they be enough?  Could he pull this off?  He was
startled from his thoughts by disquieting sound of a chainsaw cutting into
metal.  Brian had sawn all the way through Ray's middle and into the gurney.  
Soon he was finished.

As the amazed audience watched in silence, Brian slid two metal
sheets into the slit the chainsaw had made in the box over Ray's midsection.  
Tracy came back from the wings.  Brian pulled on the gurney near Ray's
head and Tracy pulled the gurney near his feet.  The two halves separated.  
Ray's head, arms, and upper torso went wheeling towards the left of the
stage while his feet and lower torso went the dead opposite direction.  As the
audience broke into thunderous applause, Brian and Tracy bowed.  They then
exited the stage in opposite directions, each pulling half of Ray behind them.

Chapter Eight

Ray, now in one piece, collapsed in a chair, totally spent.  He was
sitting in Tracy's nearly empty dressing room.  He had changed out of the
silly stage costume and into his new bathrobe.  All the Nero shows were
finished.  He had performed all the acts he had agreed to.  Each one of
them had gone off without a hitch.  That was both good and bad.  While he
was delighted about not being caught, he now knew he had no reason not to
agree to go to Vegas with Brian.

The odd thing was, he wasn't upset about the prospect as he had been
when Tracy had first suggested it.  Ray had gone from viewing womanhood
as a hideously vile embarrassment to just a really big inconvenience.  Brian
was right.  If he looked at it like an acting job then it really wasn't that bad.  
Besides, he really had no choice right now.  Last night his landlord told him that
he had thirty days to vacate the premises, due to failure to pay rent.  
There was nothing left for Ray in Dead Springs.  This Vegas gig could give him a
rare chance to make a clean break.  A year from now he could start over
in a different town with a little cash.

Brian burst into the room.  He was smoking a cigar and looking very
pleased.  "Ray," he practically shouted, "You were phenomenal!  Not only did
you did you play the part of a woman convincingly, you did your part of the
trick perfectly.  It took Tracy three months to learn how to get sawn in half."

Ray tried not to let his pride show.  It was nice to perform on stage.

"Well, anyway," Brian continued "you've done everything you agreed to.  But what do you say?  Will you come to Las Vegas with me?"

Ray closed his eyes.  "Okay.  You've got yourself an assistant.  I
know I'll end up regretting this, but money's money."

Brian smiled a very relieved smile.  "I promise you, you won't regret
this.  You're a real pal.  I'll make this up to you somehow."

Ray was about to tell Brian not to worry about it when there was a
knock at the door.  Without thinking, Brian hollered, "C'mon in."  Ray shot
him an angry glance.  He was still in his makeup and looked like a woman.

A tall, good-looking man with a mustache came in.  He was holding a
large bouquet of flowers.  "I'm sorry," he said with a thick Australian accent
"I thought that this was Tracy's dressing room.  Oh, hi, Brian."

"Dave, you old son of a gun!" said Brian with a grin. "Tracy didn't tell
us you were in town!"

"Well, she doesn't know.  It's a bit of a surprise, actually.  So who's
your friend?"  David motioned to Ray.

"Oh, this is Ray." Ray shot Brian a warning glance. "Er, uh,
Rhea...he, I mean she, will be my, uh, new assistant.  She'll be taking over
Tracy's job."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Rhea," said David, and without warning
bent over and kissed Ray's hand.  It was an awkward moment for Ray and
Brian.  David had met Ray before, and he didn't even recognize him.  
Fortunately at that moment Tracy came it.  She took one look at David and
screamed with joy.  David and Tracy kissed for a long, long time as Brian
and Ray tried to look interested in the floor.  After Tracy and David had
finished their smooching and their sappy sentiments, David spoke.

"Hey, what do you say we all go out to dinner?  My treat!"

"Wonderful!" said Tracy "Just give Rhea and me a chance to change.  
She quickly hustled David and Brian out of the room before Ray could
protest.

Forty-five minutes later the four of them were sitting at a corner table
in one of Dead Spring's more reputable nightclubs.  Ray was quietly
suffering the night away in a short cocktail dress that Tracy had forced him to
wear.  He kept glancing at the clock, hoping that someone would decide it
was time to go home.  Unfortunately everyone else seemed to be having a
great time.  Brian was finishing a story about a failed underwater escape
attempt he had made several years ago.

"So anyway," he continued "by the time they finally fished me out of
the water I had been without oxygen about five minutes.  I was in a coma
for a couple of days.  Doctors said I might have brain damage!  Tracy, you
remember don't you?"  Tracy nodded glumly.  Brian seemed to think that this
story was hilarious, though she always cringed when thinking of
how he had nearly drowned.  "Now get this!  That failed attempt was the
most popular show the hotel had in (ha, ha) years!  I mean me nearly
drowning really (ha, ha) brought in some cash!  Ha, ha!"  Brian became aware
of the awkward silence.

"So...David" Ray ventured "besides seeing Tracy, what brings you to
our town?"

"Oh, not a lot," replied Dave "my company is interested in buying a
clothing store here.  It seems the owner was arrested and..."  at that moment
the club's D.J. burst out yelling.

"Hey all you kids out there tonight!  Whatdya say we get this party
moooooving?  I want all of you to get out there on the dance floor and show
me you know how to have a good time!"  Couples began to get up out of
their seat.  David and Tracy got up to dance.

"Hey, why don't you two join us out there?" asked David "There's no
point in Tracy and I having all the fun!"

"NO!" said Brian and Ray at the same time, a little too loudly.  David
shrugged.  Soon, he and Tracy were out on the floor, moving in time to the
rock and roll beat.

Brian and Ray sat at the table, nursing their drinks.  Brian wanted to
ask the cute brunette two tables down to dance but didn't feel right leaving
Ray all alone.  Ray just wanted to leave, but he didn't want to mess up Tracy
and David's reunion.  Brian eventually excused himself to go to the
bathroom.

Ray began to think.  Would all of his nights be like this?  Sitting
around bored while the 'normal' women went out and had fun?  That seemed
like an unhappy prospect.  Still, it was not like Ray went out that much
anyway.  Ray's thoughts were interrupted by a loud, slurred voice: "Hey,
sugar, wanna dance?"

Ray looked up to see a middle-aged gentleman who was obviously
quite drunk.  His bloodshot eyes leered at Ray's chest.  His shirt was
unbuttoned halfway down his hairy chest.  He was a most disgusting
specimen.

"No thank you." replied Ray curtly.

"C'mon, just one dance sweetie."  The man grabbed Ray by the arm.

"I said no!"  Ray looked around for help.  Brian was nowhere to be
seen.  Ray caught a glimpse of David and Tracy across the room, but they
were too caught up in each other to notice him.

The drunk roughly pulled Ray by the arm onto the dance floor.  Even
though the music was loud and raucous, he pulled Ray right up against his
body.  Ray could smell the whiskey on his breath.  "Now this ain't so bad, is
it baby?"

"Let go of me!"  Ray didn't know what do.  The man was a lot stronger
and obviously would not take no for an answer.  Should he put up with it or
scream or what?

"Mind if I cut in?"  Ray and the drunk turned around.  It was Brian.  
The drunk was about to protest, but Brian's height, muscular build, and
somewhat deranged expression changed his mind.  

       "Sure pal, she's all yours."

Standing a couple of feet apart, Ray and Brian began to dance.  Ray
tried to move with the beat; Brian did some bizarre techno-disco moves.  Ray
grinned to himself.  Thank God for Brian!  They'd dance a couple of
numbers and then sit down for the rest of the evening.  Ray shuddered to
think what might have happened had Brian not been there.

Suddenly, the D.J. called out to the crowd "Okay men, I want you to
take that pretty lady you are with and hold her, squeeze her, pull her close to
you!  Let her know you looooove her!"  The house lights went dim.  The
music softened to a slow dance number.  The couples began moving closer
together.  A few men snatched a kiss from their dates.  It was romance time.

Brian and Ray came close to panicking.  They would look damned
ridiculous if they didn't slow-dance to this song.  Brian glanced over his
shoulder.  The drunk was watching them like a hawk, waiting for a chance to
cut in.  Brian clenched his teeth and put his arms around Ray's waist.  After a
few seconds Ray put his arms around Brian' neck.  Ray was a lot shorter
than Brian, so they ended up pressed rather closely together.  Very slowly,
they began to dance.  

Fate was conspiring against Ray and Brian that night.  The D.J. only
played slow, romantic songs for the rest of the evening and the drunk never
stopped watching them.  He desperately wanted to feel Ray up on the dance
floor, but he didn't want to tangle with Brian.  After about forty-five minutes,
Brian suggested they sit down.  He hadn't be so uncomfortable dancing with
someone since junior high school.  If the drunk tried to butt in he'd just pop
him one.

Ray and Brian sat down unmolested.  There was a note on the table
from Tracy:

"Dear Brian and Rhea,

Dave and I took a cab back to his hotel.  Don't wait up!  Sorry to run
out on you two like this, but you guys looked like you were having such a
good time dancing we didn't want to interrupt!  Have fun, you crazy kids!  
--Tracy"

Brian and Ray groaned.  Neither of them were amused by Tracy's
joke about them enjoying dancing together (at least they hoped she was
joking!).  They quickly left the club.

Brian drove Ray home in his dilapidated Pinto that he had recently
gotten running again.  The whole trip was spent in awkward silence.  The
car rattled to a stop in front of Ray's apartment building.  There was a long
pause.

"Uh, listen Ray..." began Brian, embarrassed "Uh..."

Ray also seemed embarrassed.  "Don't worry about it Brian.  Thanks
for saving me from being groped tonight.  I owe you one."  Ray smiled a
weak smile and got out of the car.  Brian chugged off.

Ray quickly changed into a nightgown and went to bed.  He had given up trying
to hide his cross dressing from his neighbors.  Either the people in his building didn't
care or didn't notice.  Most of them were vagrants or drug dealers, so Ray really didn't
care what they thought.  He'd be moving out soon anyway.  

For a long time Ray sat up and thought.  Had he made the right decision?  
Would Vegas really not be that bad?  Would dressing as a woman result in more miserable
nights like this?  Could he make being a woman fun at all?

On the other side of town, Brian was also sitting up thinking.  One
thought flashed through his mind over and over.  It wasn't about the drunk,
or about his new job, or the insanity of dressing his friend like a girl.  
It was that for one brief, brief, second tonight on the dance floor, he had
forgotten that the beautiful girl he held in his arms was anything but what she
appeared to be.  Brian wouldn't admit it, even to himself, but for that short moment
he had enjoyed dancing with Ray.

Chapter Nine

Two weeks later Tracy officially became Mrs. David Stepstone.  The
ceremony was smaller than they had originally intended.  After trying to organize a big affair,
they both finally decided it was more trouble than it was worth.  They decided on a small church wedding and then a
private reception at a rented hall with just their immediate families plus Brian
and Ray in attendance.  As the couple said their vows it was hard for anyone
in the audience to believe there was ever a happier couple.  At the
reception everyone was consumed by their own private thoughts.  

David was thinking what a lucky chance it was that he happened to
meet his life mate, even though she had lived thousands of miles away.  He
was also excited about his upcoming honeymoon.  Tracy couldn't believe that
she had finally gotten married.  She was looking forward to spending the rest
of her life with her man.  She wished Brian would hurry up and find
someone, he was getting a little to old for his hedonistic lifestyle.  
Ray looked with envy at David.  Why couldn't he be half the man David was instead of
wearing this formal black dress and fending off passes from Tracy's
brothers?  Brian was wishing he hadn't volunteered to lead David's drunken
bachelor party the previous night.  He now had the mother of all hangovers.  
He also kind of envied Tracy and David.  Perhaps he should start thinking
about settling down himself.

At the reception, while David was talking to his parents and Brian
was in the kitchen making an ice pack for his throbbing head, Tracy pulled
Ray aside.

"So Rhea, I guess tomorrow you and Brian are off on your big
adventure."

"Yeah.  I tell you I have never been so nervous.  Not in my entire
life."

"C'mon Rhea, you'll do great."

"You keep saying that.  I'm not so sure."

"You're just jittery.  It'll be fine."

Ray took on a very serious expression.  "This is no time for false
optimism.  I've been okay up till now because I knew I could always count
on you to help me.  Tomorrow you'll be half way around the world!  I can't
call Australia every time I have a problem!  How am I going to cope without
being able to ask about the female lifestyle?"

Tracy paused.  She looked like she had something on her mind.  
"Rhea, I've thought about this.  I didn't know how to broach this subject, but
just hear me out.  How would you feel about letting someone else in on our
secret?"

Ray's guard instantly went up.  "Who?  You didn't tell David did
you?"

"Relax honey, no one else knows, though I think David would be
understanding if you ever wanted to tell him.  No, I was thinking of a friend
of mine in Vegas.  A therapist. She specializes in helping men become women.  I
guarantee you she would respect your privacy.  She is very understanding
and you'd have someone you could candidly talk to."

Ray was terrified of letting anyone else know about what he was
doing.  Still, Tracy wouldn't steer him wrong.  If she said her friend was
understanding and confidential then she would be.  It would be safer to go to
Vegas if he knew he could count on professional advice.  "Okay   Yes, I
think I should talk to her."

"You're making the right decision.  I'll give you her number so you
can look her up once you get settled in.  In the mean time I'll give her a call
and brief her."

As Tracy got up to talk to David, Brian staggered back and sat down
next to Ray.  He was clutching his ice pack to his head.  Ray smiled to
himself.  He had seen Brian in this condition many times.

"You don't look so hot, Brian," quipped Ray.

"I feel like hell.  You look good though."

"You really think so?" asked Ray, somewhat surprised.

"Yeah.  You're really getting the hang of passing as a woman.  You'll
do great.  Woman or not, you're going to have the time of your life in
Vegas."

"Speaking of which, what time does our flight leave tomorrow?"
asked Ray.

Brian pulled an airline ticket out of his vest pocket and gave it to Ray.  
"Nine in the morning.  Only I'm not flying with you."

"What?" Ray was shaken "Why not?"

"I've got to take my magic equipment with me.  Not exactly the type
of stuff I want to take to an airport."

Ray thought about it.  Swords, a shotgun, knives, saws,
explosives...not the sort of things you should spring on airport
security.  "I see your point.  But why can't you just have it shipped?"

"Well, I gotta take my car anyway.  I figure I'd just slap a trailer on
the back and haul it myself.  If I leave when I get home from here I'll make it
to Vegas by the time your flight arrives.  I'll meet you at the airport."

"How can you do this to me?" whispered Ray, sounding both angry
and scared.  "You're going to make me ride the plane by myself?  As a
woman?"

Brian looked at Ray very sternly.  "Listen, Ray.  If you really want to,
you can drive through the desert in an un-airconditioned clunker with me.  
I'd prefer the flight myself.  Just think though, do you really want to spend
the next year never leaving my side?  I'll be there for you as much as you
need me, but we aren't going to be joined at the hip.  Sometimes I won't be
able to be with you and sometimes you won't want me to be there.  We'll
both have lives of our own.  Like it or not, you'll have to do some things on
your own.  This plane ride will be a fine way to practice."

Ray wondered why he ever bothered to protest about these things.  
He never got his way.  "Okay, I guess you're right.  But what do I do when
they ask for my ID?  That is a problem, you know."

"Ah, I almost forgot."  Brian snapped his fingers.  An envelope
appeared in his hands.  He handed it to Ray.  Inside was a birth certificate
and a driver's license made out in Rhea's name.  The picture on the driver's
license was blurry but very definitely of Ray in female garb (it was a picture
Brian had secretly snapped after the first show).  

"How did you do this?" asked Ray, amazed.

"Ah, never underestimate the power of magic."  Or of a $50 bribe at
the DMV and a friend at city hall he thought.

Ray sighed and tossed back his flaming red tresses, revealing his
newly-pierced ears.  So it was settled.  Tomorrow there would be no going back.  
For twelve months Ray would no longer exist.

(continued)