The Women's Job - Part 10

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I didn't have much to say over dinner. "You have to eat something." Connie insisted.

"I'm not very hungry."

Connie got serious. "Jeffrey, you might as well just make up your mind to have fun tomorrow. Just act the way you do around the girls when we're shooting. They think you're very convincing."

"That's different. It's just fooling around and they know me." I rationalized.

"Virginia Castle knows you too. You won't be trying to fool her. You'll be pretending for people you don't know and will probably never see again."

Connie was right about that. "How am I supposed to go to work?"

"We'll go into work in the morning. You'll leave early and come home and change."

"And get ready by myself? What about my hair, my makeup."

"I'll show you how to fix your hair tonight. You already know how to do makeup. Pam says you've gotten excellent at doing the girls."

"But that's stage makeup and I've never done myself. It's not the same."

Connie thought a minute. "Pam will be there in the morning. Go up and ask her to show you."

"Can't you show me? I don't want anyone to know I'm doing this."

"Sure I can but my makeup is all wrong for you to're a fair complexion and coloring. We'll have to go out and get you some of your own."

"Alright, let's go."

"You better put on something convincing if we're going shopping through the cosmetic departments. It might look a little funny for a young man to be shopping for cosmetics."

She was right. "What should I wear?"

"Just put on the pretty fuchsia tank dress Ms. Castle just gave you. It's loose-fitting enough that no one will realize you're anything but a flat chested young woman."

"I hadn't thought about that. What am I going to do tomorrow?"

"Well, my bras are certainly too big for you. We'll have to find you one of your own. I think, while we're at it we better get you a camisole to wear under that jacket. It does sit open in the front. You'll need a slip too. With the camisole, you can get away with a half-slip."

"All that?"

"And more. You'll need shoes and a decent pair of pantyhose. You'll need a purse to go with the dress and a new wallet just in case."

"I don't know if I have enough to pay for all this"

"I'll let you owe me. We'll work it out later."

"I already owe you."

"So you'll owe me more. We better get going."

It didn't take me long to change. I was ready before Connie.

"Where's the belt that came with the dress?" She asked when she saw me. "You need stockings. Put on the black ones from the other night and your black patent leather flats. Your hair's not right and you didn't put on any jewelry. Where's your purse. Jeffrey, you're not going to fool anyone this way."

I thought I was ready. It was another half hour before we left. Clothes were first because the stores would close at nine and it was already seven-thirty.

"Just act the way you do with the girls at work but don't overdo it. Ready?" She asked as we approached the door to the mall.

"No. Yes. No."

Connie laughed "Just stay calm and relax." She stopped just short of the door. "Wait a minute." We waited for a young couple to pass through the doors. When we were alone again, Connie said, "Your name's Jennifer. Don't forget to answer to it or it could get embarrassing."

"I'll remember."

She pulled the door open for me. "Let's go, Jennifer."

"This is lovely. It should be perfect." Connie held up the white camisole by the thin straps.

"It's really pretty." I reached over and felt the lace. "I like the inset." I played along.

"Here, hang onto it." Connie handed it to me. "Follow me."

"We're lucky to even find a red slip." Connie held it up to my waist. "I think this will do." Its hem had a two-inch band of lace around it.

"It's so,"

Connie frowned at me. No one stood nearby. She whispered, "Delicate? Feminine? Pretty?"

"Pretty!"

It only took a minute to pick out pantyhose. I didn't know Taupe was a color. "Why two pairs?" I asked.

"Because the minute you only have one pair is when you end up snagging them or getting a run. It’s just for insurance Jennifer."

I laughed at her, quietly.

Buying a bra was not so simple. There were so many to pick from. Connie picked for me. "This one is so delicate looking." She took down two of the same style and handed them both to me. She looked around to make sure we're couldn't be heard "I don't know which will be more comfortable so try both the size 30 and the 32."

"In there?" I asked nervously, pointing to the dressing room.

"Well, you can't try them here, yes in there. Now go and don't forget to close the curtains."

I didn't forget. I didn't like having to pull the dress off to try them on but that was the only way. I wasted no time. I had trouble hooking them behind my back. The 30 was too snug around my chest. The 32 was comfortable. I wondered if it was necessary to buy one that was so lacy. I also wondered what I would stuff the cups with?

"This one." I tried to hand it to Connie but she wouldn't take it. "Take it with the other things, to the girl to ring up."

This was the test. I took a deep breath and walked up to the register.

"Will that be all tonight?" The older woman asked as she took the camisole, slip, and bra from my hand. She looked at me and smiled. I smiled back. "Yes, that's it." I didn't think I'd get away with it, I had no makeup on, but the woman just started to ring my things up. Even my voice didn't give her reason to raise an eyebrow.

"She saw someone in a dress with pretty hair and a nice smile, all she expected to see was a woman. Why should she question you?" Connie explained as we walked toward the shoes and handbags.

The power of suggestion worked in my favor. I was just glad it was late in the day and the salesgirls were probably tired from working all day. I didn't mind that there were no crowds to speak of either.

"Too plain. Too small. Too big." Not one of the purses I picked out was the right one. "Mass Bros has a better selection. Let's go look there." Connie wasn't easy to please.

There were still a lot of people out in the mall. I took great care to walk just so and to hold my head up and my shoulders back. I didn't look anyone in the eye, especially men. Connie warned me not to. I didn't need much encouragement.

Connie found the perfect purse. It was a shiny black bag. It was larger than the black one I carried and it had a gold chain for a strap instead of leather. "Now let's hope we can find shoes that match. We spent a half-hour finding them but they did match. I had to sit there and let the salesman try them on me. I was extremely nervous. If I hadn't worn heels when I fooled around with the girls at work, I probably would have fallen on my face. As it was, I managed all right. The toes pinched a little but they weren't too bad.

My eyes bugged when I saw the price of the shoes. They were sixty dollars. Connie was ready with her charge card. The purse had set me back fifty-five dollars and the lingerie, forty-five. My cash was gone.

"We forgot to get you a wallet." She handed me the bag with the shoes. "We better hurry. They'll be closing in a few minutes."

It still took us a few minutes to pick one out. Connie was so fussy. "Do I really need that?" I asked while we waited for the girl to come back to the register from helping another customer. "What are you going to do when you open your purse to get out your lipstick, or something else? Just imagine if your old wallet fell out. No, you're going to have the right kind of wallet tomorrow."

That was all there was to it. Still, I couldn't imagine reaching into my purse and putting lipstick on in the middle of a busy dining room.

"Are we done?" I asked after she paid for the purse.

"One more thing. They're not going to just lock us in here."

Connie held one pair of earrings after another, up to my ear. "How do you like these?"

The salesgirl was waiting. They were pearl drops. "They'll go perfectly with the dress. I love them, thanks, Mom." As nervous as I was, I was getting into it. Connie gave me a glaring look when the salesgirl turned her head.

"That was cute back there. 'MOM' indeed. Are you enjoying yourself, finally?"

I grinned at her, "It's not so bad."

"Young girls these days. What's a mother to do?" She scowled at me again, playing. "Let's go, daughter. We still have some things to get you."

I felt a little more bounce in my step as I walked beside her. I was beginning to feel more confident.

"The cosmetics’ Pam uses are heavier, darker because the bright lights tend to wash out the color. We want you to look softer, more natural. Let me pick your colors for you."

Connie was right again. She tested the foundation on my cheek. There were samples of the blush to try. The eyebrow pencil, mascara, and eyeliner were easy. She knew the brands to pick from. We spent a few minutes deciding on eyeshadow and lipstick. I tried on several shades of lipstick before Connie found one that suited me. "Now you’ll need a lip liner and see if you can find the matching nail polish Jennifer." The salesgirl had come over to see if she could help us.

"I'll get those for you." She told us pleasantly. She got involved and helped me select the finishing powder as well.

We had all the cosmetics I needed, we browsed the store. Connie picked up hair spray, curling iron, and a new hairdryer. "I need all that?"

"Yes! You need all that." She said grinning at me.

We weren't finished. "You need to have some odds and ends to fill your purse." That made sense. Most women carried a lot of junk around in their purses. We found a small make-up mirror, q-tips in a purse-sized case, tissues, and a small hairbrush.

"Are we done now?" I asked as we put the last of it into the little basket I was carrying.

"Just about. Do you have a particular perfume that you like?" Connie seemed to get a thrill out of this. She was enjoying herself, playing the game.

I hadn't even thought about wearing perfume. I supposed that if I could dress up, I should smell like a woman too. "I just love Channel. It's just heavenly." I said, joking.

"Smartass." She whispered. "Let's go see if we can find you something a little less expensive."

Connie and I both liked the White Shoulders. "That's lovely," I told her, smelling it on my wrist.

"Now maybe you'll stop using mine, Jennifer." She handed it to the waiting salesgirl. It came with a little purse-sized spritzer too.

I laid the clothes out on the bed, taking care as I snipped off the labels. Connie spread out the cosmetics on the vanity table. "Now come on over here and let's get busy. It's late and we have a lot to do."

I took off the dress at her suggestion so it didn't get messed up. I slipped into one of my tee shirts. I was sensitive about my chest. "You better go in and give yourself a close shave before we start."

I rubbed my cheek. There wasn't a bit of stubble and I hadn't shaved since... it had to be Tuesday. "I think I'm alright," I told her. I knew it was. My skin was clearer than it had ever been and it seemed so much smoother too.

She stroked my cheek. "Nice. That lotion you're using is helping. You're not going to need the foundation except around your eyes. Take off your pantyhose and let's see your legs." The circumstances of our relationship had changed so dramatically. I wasn't so concerned anymore with being so modest around her. I sat on the bed and pulled them down. As I laid them on the bed, she remarked, "Your new underwear looks much better on you. You seem to be getting used to them all right."

Actually, I was, as long as no one saw me in them but Connie. They were much more comfortable to wear than mens’ underwear, they felt nice on my smooth skin. I thought about what happened with Christy and her reaction. She'd probably get turned on if she knew what I was planning on doing.

Connie stroked my calf. "Very smooth. Your legs are fine too. You shaved them today?" She thought I just shaved them. I didn't want to tell her I hadn't done anything to them since that first time in the studio. The hair still hadn't grown back on my arms either. "Yes, before we went out." I was too embarrassed to admit the truth.

"Good, they'll look nice for tomorrow."

She sat me down at the dressing table. "We just need to clean up and trim your eyebrows a little. They're still nicely shaped but a little scraggly." I sat there while she plucked and trimmed till she was satisfied. They hadn't grown much since Pam had done them weeks ago. I had gotten sort of used to them, it was hard to remember what they used to look like.

It didn't take me too long to put on my makeup, under her direction. Pam had taught me the techniques involved. Connie simply refined them.

I wasn't as intimidated about putting on the makeup as I was that first time. It was very important to me to look as natural as I could. The black eyeliner seemed alright and my lashes looked big and well defined. "Shouldn’t it be darker?" I asked when I finished putting on my eyeshadows.

"Definitely not! What you have on is just enough. So often girls that just start wearing makeup appear so severe because they overdo it. No, you don't need any more color."

I had done everything but my lips. "We'll wait until you're dressed for that." She explained. "It's too easy to get your lipstick on your clothes when your dressing."

"We do my hair now?" I asked.

Connie smiled adoringly at me. "Yes, Jennifer. Now we do your hair. Come on."

I really liked Connie and her sense of humor. I couldn't imagine anyone who would go through this with me and have so much fun with it.

"Your hair looked very nice Saturday. We're not going to change it very much. Tonight, I'll just show you some techniques. You'll want to wash it tomorrow before you go and style it then. I'm just going to show you what I think you should do with it."

I was worried about getting ready on my own when I came back to the apartment tomorrow. "Yes, please, show me."

Connie went to work. She was frustrated when it wouldn't lay exactly the way she wanted it to. "I just want to bring it down across your forehead a little so it looks softer. If I could just get it to lay the right way."

She used the curling iron on the ends to bring them under and to the front more. She went a little farther than she did Saturday, for the party. There was no mistaking the style as a girl's now.

"I know it doesn't look very good but what do you think?" She asked, standing back.

"It's nice. Are you sure I can do this?"

"No, it's terrible and I'm beginning to wonder how we'll manage to get you home and ready in time."

"I have to."

"I know." Connie sounded frustrated.

"Let's see how you look in your dress." She had done all she could with my hair.

The new taupe pantyhose were first. I was very careful not to poke a fingernail through them. That brought another dilemma to mind.

"Let me help you fit your bra." I was reluctant to let her see my chest but there was no way to hide it and put on the bra. "Jeffrey," She said with concern, "your swelling hasn't gone down yet." She touched my chest tenderly. "It almost looks worse. Does it hurt?"

It wasn't painful but it was embarrassing. "No, as long as I don't bang myself or brush against it."

"We should get you back to the doctor."

"He said it could get worse before it got better." If it did get better. I didn't really want to go back to him if I didn't have to. The swelling wasn't confined to my enlarged nipples anymore. My chest seemed to be swelling now too.

"Well, you shouldn't let it go on too long. We should get you a second opinion if it doesn't get better soon."

Connie adjusted the straps so the bra fit, taking care not to bump me. She stood back and contemplated a moment. "What are we going to use to stuff those cups?"

"Cotton?" I suggested. It seemed logical.

"No, it won't hold a shape." Connie continued to ponder a moment while I waited patiently. "I know. I'll be right back." She went to her bedroom and came back with a pair of shoulder pads. "These may do it." She adjusted them in the bra. I'm glad we only got you one with A cups. "Let's try that. Go ahead and get dressed."

I unwrapped the outfit from the plastic. "You need to put on your camisole first."

"I know that," I said, feeling foolish.

"Well excuse me." Connie had a way of making me more at ease.

"Sorry, Mom."

"Just put your clothes on young lady." She said grinning.

"Yes ma'am." I took the delicate-looking piece from the bed and let it drop over my head. I was careful not to let it touch my face so I didn't get any makeup on it.

I pulled the skirt up and zipped it up the back. The button was a little difficult to do with my long nails.

"Don't forget your slip."

I scowled at her, still joking around. I had forgotten and started to unbutton the skirt.

"No honey, just pull it up under your skirt, to your waist."

I was her honey now. She was acting like a Mom. I didn't think she realized she was doing it. It didn't bother me.

I took the jacket and slipped it on. I had been worried it would be too small.

"She had enough measurements from you to have it custom made." Connie reminded me.

I buttoned it up. Connie looked pleased. "It fits you perfectly." She said, admiring the way I looked. I was definitely a tailored fit, narrowing at my waist. "I think we're going to have to do something different with your 'breasts'. They just don't look right. Let me see what else I can come up with."

"I want a look," I said, turning to walk to the mirror.

"No, let's finish you first. Come on over here and we'll put on your lipstick." Connie scooped the pencil and lipstick from the vanity table.

I stood very still while she carefully outlined my lips then put on the lipstick. "You have the cutest pout."

"I have a 'pout'?"

"Yes, you have a 'pout' and it's adorable." She said as she finished. "Now stand back and let me have a good look at you."

I took a few steps back.

"It needs something." It dawned on her. "Your new earrings! Go ahead and put them on. I've got a necklace that would look perfect with them. I'll be right back."

I took the opportunity with her out of the room and went to the mirror. My reflection was unsettling. I made a very convincing woman. The thousands of times I had looked at myself in the mirror, I had never seen the young woman I saw now.

"Here Jennifer. Connie said, coming back into the bedroom. She saw me in the mirror. "Oh, you peeked. Turn around and let me put this on." She draped the pearl necklace around in front of me, lifted my hair in the back, and hooked the clasp. "You didn't put on your earrings?"

"I just was distracted for a minute."

"I know. Let's finish you off and you can take a good look."

It wasn't easy replacing the hoops with the new pearl earrings. I felt so clumsy. I finally managed.

"That's much better. Now your new shoes."

I stepped into the heels sitting at the foot of the bed.

"Ok. You look fantastic." Connie grinned from ear to ear.

"You sure?" I felt so weird.

"Yes. I'm very sure. It would be nice if you smiled a little though."

I gave her the smile I showed the girls at the registers in the department stores earlier.

"Lovely Jeffrey but it's all right to show off your nice white teeth. Just relax a little." Connie beamed. "And when your hair is done properly you'll look even prettier."

I looked back to the mirror. "I'm not too fat?" I ran my hands down my waist to my hips. They seemed wide to me, or my waist was too thick.

Connie walked over behind me. "You have a lovely figure. Most girls would kill to have your hips."

That brought an involuntary smile to my face. "Thank you." I only wanted to look as convincing as possible.

"You're welcome, Jennifer. That's a much prettier smile. If your done admiring yourself, it's eleven-thirty and we haven't done your nails yet."

I looked back at her in the mirror with surprise. "Tonight? What about work in the morning?" That would mean I'd have to go to work with nail polish on.

"I've been thinking about that."

I knew that tone. I turned to look at her. It seemed strange, I was two inches taller in the heels and I was almost as tall as her now. I still had to look up a little. She still had a couple inches on me. "What?"

"This isn't going to work. It will take at least an hour to do your nails properly. Your hair will have to be washed again if you don't do it in the morning. It will take you at least two to two and a half hours to get ready. It would be much easier if you just did your nails tonight, fixed your hair in the morning and we go to work."

"You mean go to work like this?"