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Date: Wed, 2 Jun 1999 09:31:10 EDT

From: AnnePhorcy@aol.com

Subject: Cold Hearted (TG story)

"Hold the elevator, please!"

You reach out and press your hand against the sensor on the edge of

the door and lean to one side so she can slip past you. Your reward is a

murmured "Thanks" and a rote little smile that vanishes as soon as she

turns and faces the front of the car.

Man! She's a real babe, isn't she, Dave? Just the kind we used to

fantasize about sitting around the old dorm room back in college.

Curly brown hair worn mid-shoulder length in a loose, casual style.

You prefer long, curly hair if I remember correctly. Nice features. Kind

of aristocratic. Remember that time we were discussing women we'd like to

screw? When you said "Fergie" it surprised me. She didn't seem the

physical type that got you "spun up". I didn't understand until you

defended your choice by musing what a rush it would be to have someone so

regal and famous under you. Then it made sense. Fit your character

perfectly.

Handsome business suit she's wearing. Well tailored. Just snug

enough to show off some fairly impressive curves quite nicely. And the

burgundy shade of the jacket and skirt are a good match for her hair.

Long skirt, calf-length. Nice to see a woman wearing something

besides those "no imagination required" mini's, isn't it? That's another

of your little turn-on's as I recall. Clothing that hints instead of

flaunts. And speaking of hinting, while you're admiring as much of those

shapely legs as she's willing to show, you catch just the tiniest glimpse

of lace peeking out of the slit that runs for a few inches up the back of

her skirt. That was another turn-on, wasn't it? Women's underwear. Well,

why not? All men like lace and satin when it's on the right body.

Kind of a shame that seamed stockings have gone out of style, isn't

it? Wouldn't that be hot? Seams climbing up those luscious legs from

those shiny high heels she's wearing only to disappear beneath the hem of

her skirt. Seams that tease you with the fantasy of getting her alone in

some bedroom so you can slowly slide that skirt up her legs, revealing more

and more shimmering nylon and lace until the tops of her stockings - which

would be about mid-thigh on her - come into view. And there'd be the

straps and clasps of her garter belt, too. Garter belt and stockings

instead of pantyhose. That was a fantasy we both shared, wasn't it?

Standing there, admiring those legs, are you wondering if she's wearing

pantyhose?

Hoping that it's stockings instead?

I know you well enough to know that you are. I'm afraid you'll

just have to keep wondering because I'm going to keep the answer to that

little mystery to myself.

At least for today.

Out of the corner of your eye you notice that the white-haired,

Chairman-of-the-Board type standing beside you is surreptitiously enjoying

the show too. Each of you catch the other's notice and both of you share a

subtle little smirk at your mutual admiration for the woman standing with

her back to you. Oblivious of your lust because "Little Miss Prim and

Proper" is facing the wrong way to catch the two of you mentally undressing

her.

At least you think she's unaware. You're so busy ogling her you

haven't noticed that she's watching you two in the shiny metal reflection

of the elevator doors. Struggling to suppress a sly grin of her own at

just how easy it is for a beautiful woman (who, admittedly, is designed

solely for the purpose) to get the upper hand over lustful, immature little

boys like you, Dave.

The elevator arrives at "Chairman's" floor and she has to slide to

one side to let him out. So close to you that the curve of her tight

little ass brushes your thigh. Just enough of a touch for you to realize

it's happened but not nearly enough for you to get more than an intimation

of what actual contact with that firm, ripe body might be like.

Then you're alone with her as the doors slide shut.

You gaze forward. Very polite. Very proper. Nothing on your mind

is there, Dave? Oh, no. Nothing at all.

She tucks a strand of that chestnut mane behind one ear. Then she

hugs her arms beneath the swell of breasts mostly concealed beneath her

jacket and stares fixedly at the floor indicator above the door.

Typical woman. Those crossed arms are body language, aren't they?

She's nervous about being alone in such a confined space with a strange

male. Who knows? You might hit the emergency stop button, slam her into a

corner, rip off her skirt and find out for yourself if she's wearing

stockings and garters like you hope she is. You might decide to check out

what's under that silk blouse while you're at it. Before you get down to

what men and women are really all about. And all the while she'll be

sobbing and pleading for you to stop because you're in control and she's

helpless. You're the big, strong male and can do anything you want with

her.

Is that what you're thinking, Dave?

Of course it is.

You like power games. You like being in control. You'd like to

have the whole world at your feet begging for mercy. Wouldn't you?

Can't do anything to her in reality, though, can you? You're not

stupid. It's okay to fantasize about it, but that's as far as it can go.

That's the price we pay for living in a civilized world, isn't it?

What a pity.

She's so close in the confines of this little elevator car that it

would be easy.

So close that you can smell her perfume now. Nice scent. I know

you don't know anything about ladies' cologne so you wouldn't know I'm

getting another laugh at you by wearing "My Sin." Pretty apropos, huh?

Whoops. All good things must end, mustn't they, Dave? Here's your

floor. The doors open and she presses a little closer to the wall of the

car to let you out without the possibility of another brush against her.

Do you suppose she's been reading your mind? Funny how women seem to be

able to do that sometimes. Must be a survival instinct.

Nice way to start the day, though, wasn't it? Nothing like a

little sexual fantasy to get the juices flowing. I bet you're thinking

"It's gonna be a good day" as you stride out of the elevator without a

backward glance and head off to your desk for another round of "conquer and

devour."

Maybe it will be a good day for you, Dave. If it is, you'd better

enjoy it.

If I get my way, you don't have too many good days left.

I'm glad that the elevator doors have closed and you can't see the

triumphant grin that has replaced your fantasy woman's studiously neutral

expression as she pushes the button to take her back down to the garage

level.

- - - - - - - - - -

Some time to kill now. The real game won't start until noon when

you're on your way to lunch, Dave. This morning was just a reconnaissance.

Just setting the stage for what's going to happen in a few hours.

Once I reach the garage level I have to pause for a moment and

decide how I want to spend my lazy morning. Lots of lazy mornings now,

Dave. No job. No daily grind. Just free time to think about things.

To plan.

A tiny rumble in my slender stomach reminds me that I was too keyed

up this morning to eat, now that "D-Day" had finally arrived.

"D" for Deception, Dave.

So. How about a nice, lo-cal breakfast to celebrate the opening of

hostilities? That's one of the down-sides to my whole scheme - my need to

watch my weight. A girl's always got to keep her mind on her figure if she

wants to trap Mr. Right. I saunter over to my waiting car. The

nondescript, four-year-old Dodge that you'd never recognize as belonging to

me, would you Dave? I always had such expensive taste in cars. The last

time you saw me, my "main ride" (one of the stable of four cars I could

pick and choose from) was that vintage '68 Mustang, Mach III.

Bank's got it now, Dave. The bank has quite a few of my old things

now. I really had to prioritize after you got through with me. I had to

pick and choose what I wanted to keep and what I was willing to sacrifice

in order to pay for my revenge. So it was out with the old and in with the

new.

I wonder how much of that ol' reliable 'Stang went in trade for

these luscious tits snuggled inside my lacy little bra? (Oops. "Boobs."

Gotta remember to say "boobs" not "tits." Women don't refer to their

breasts as tits. Only men do.) Cosmetic surgery is awfully pricey, Dave.

Awfully pricey. Particularly when it's as extensive and as subtle as mine

was. Extensive and subtle enough for your old college roomie and former

partner to be standing right beside you in an elevator and all you could

think about was how much fun it would be to fuck "her."

Yep. Expensive and more than a little painful during some of the

procedures. But worth it if it helps me get even for what you did to me.

And in the mean time, though I don't have the thrill of being out

on the freeway doing 90 with the top down in my 'Stang anymore, still - I'd

have to say it was a fair trade off. It's a shame you aren't invited up to

my apartment on those nights when I'm in the mood to amuse myself. I put

on a show that makes those lingerie nights down at Patterson's Bar seem

awfully tame. Remember how you and I always came out of there bitching

about how we never got to see "everything", even though the girls managed

to make what they would show you pretty entertaining.

No limits on my shows, Dave. The "girl" in my little revue isn't at

all ashamed to get way down and dirty when she's working out in front of

the mirror in her bedroom. It's pretty much the perfect wet dream - your

old buddy Jack's dirty mind controlling this sizzling bitch body.

Yeah, Becky can be a real sleazy little slut when she's in the

mood.

I wonder if she'll ever be in the mood for you?

Probably not.

Doesn't fit the character you're gonna be meeting, Dave. Your

Becky is going to be a little shy, a little vulnerable and very proper. A

real "Girl Next Door" type. The kind you just won't be able to resist

trying to conquer - if I know you as well as I'm sure I do.

Kind of a shame you won't be getting to meet the "real" Becky,

though. You don't know what you're missing.

Ah, life can be a real bitch sometimes. Can't it, my old friend?

Yours soon will be, anyway.

- - - - - - - - - -

Noon.

Time for a break from all the wheeling and dealing, huh Dave?

You look a bit harried when you step off the elevator down here in

the garage level. Well, cheer up, my friend. Play your cards right and

the next few minutes might see the start of a really wonderful

relationship.

At least it'll seem wonderful at first.

Damn, I wish I'd been able to get a parking space closer to your

car. Five spaces away - I hope it's not too far for you to hear the

"click" of my solenoid when I try to crank the dead battery in my old

Dodge.

That would be the dead battery I had a real bitch of a time

exchanging for the good one now sitting in my trunk. Not a bitch because I

don't know how to change out a battery - the surgeons didn't take my knack

for engines along with the rest of my male "bits." It was a bitch because

I had to be very careful to keep my outfit clean as I changed it out. And

it was a bitch having to dodge all those offers of assistance from Good

Samaritan males who'd spotted "the poor, mechanically disinclined damsel in

distress" with her hood open.

You've just about reached your car. It's now or never. I admit

it, Dave. There's a little flutter of anxiety in my gut as I mentally

cross my fingers and turn the key. Oh, to be sure, if this little ploy

doesn't work I've got lots of back-up plans. That's something else I made

sure those scalpel jockeys didn't get - my ability to come up with devious

schemes. I can run a scam just as well I used to, Dave. As you're about

to find out.

No, the anxiety comes from what I'll be setting in motion if this

first attempt succeeds.

"Clickety-click" says the solenoid as I turn the key in the

ignition.

Pause. I remember to keep my expression one of helpless

frustration and building anger . . . and maybe just a little pinch of

growing anxiety at the prospect of being stranded down here thrown in for

spice.

"Clickety-click."

I can't turn and look in your direction to see if you're falling

for the bait, Dave. Why would I be looking around at a time like this?

Nope, I've got to stare down at my dashboard and bite my lip and play "the

poor, mechanically disinclined damsel in distress" that all those other

males just couldn't resist trying to rescue.

Come on! I'm just about to turn the key again when . . .

"Hi. You having trouble?"

Her head snaps around with surprise. Shame on you Dave, for

sneaking up on some poor woman all alone down here in this creepy,

dimly-lit garage! You've scared the living daylights out of her!

Well, well. Look who it is. "Little Miss Prim and Proper" from

the elevator this morning! What a coincidence. She doesn't quite frown,

and she doesn't quite smile. But she does lean just the tiniest bit away

from the open window. "Strange Male Syndrome" again.

"Oh. Umm, yeah. God, this is so embarrassing. I guess I left the

headlights on when I went upstairs."

You nod and smile. Very reassuring. "Harmless and Helpful"- that's

you, isn't it Dave? "Yeah, that'll do it every time. Why don't you pop

the hood, though, just to make sure you haven't slipped a belt or

something. Okay?"

That gets you the same rote little smile that you got for holding

an elevator door. "Okay." She looks around for a second and then finally

spots the hood release under the dash beside her left knee. She bends over

and pulls it and the hood pops open.

You busy yourself for a few minutes trying to look very male and

competent. What a snort. I was the mechanical one, remember? I was the

car buff - the grease monkey. You could barely check the oil on your rigs.

But it's okay. Becky doesn't know an engine from a hole in the ground so

you're in no danger of being spotted for the phony you are.

You straighten up from your examination and wipe the imaginary dust

off your well-manicured hands. "I don't see anything wrong with the belts

or the alternator so I guess it's a dead battery all right." You come

around to the window again. You must have proven that you're "okay"

because this time she doesn't shy away from you. You fold your arms and

give her a little taste of that boyish charm that you use to such great

effect on all your prospective clients. "I don't suppose you have a set of

jumper cables?"

She shakes her head. (Gee, that long, silky hair moves nicely on

her shoulders, doesn't it, Dave?) "Nope. You don't either?"

Rueful smile to go with a little shrug. "Sorry. I'd be happy to

give you a jump if . . ." (Yeah, I just bet you'd be happy to jump Becky.)

" . . . Oh! Wait! I wonder if Building Security has some? Let's go

check."

Her reply is to open the door and bend her left leg sideways so her

high-heeled foot is on the concrete but her right leg is still in the car

as she starts to slide out of her seat. Oh man! Look at that! Oh jeeze!

What would you give to be a fly on the floor down there by the brake pedal,

Dave? If you were, I bet you could see all the way up her skirt to the hot

white triangle of lace between "Miss Prim and Proper's" legs. But damn it,

for some reason that skirt doesn't ride up at all -not even an inch -and

you don't get to see a thing as she finishes standing up.

I bet you're thinking, 'Shit! How do women do that? Who teaches

them tricks like that?' Remind me to tell you sometime, Dave, about the

"finishing school classes" that came along as part of the package-deal sex

change I paid all those big bucks for.

Now she's standing beside you. Gazing at you expectantly. "So

. . . umm . . . where is this Security Office?"

"It's right off the Main Lobby. Don't you work here?"

She shakes her head. "No. I was just here for a job interview."

"Oh. Okay. Well, why don' t you come with me? You really

shouldn't be hanging around down here alone."

Gee, Dave. 'My Hero!' I suppose Prince Charming is expecting a

shy blush, batted eyelashes and a coy, virginal smile as his reward for

looking out for Sleeping Beauty.

Sorry. While this may all be make-believe (at least on my part), it isn't

a fairy tale. You don't get to be the knight in shining armor quite that

easily.

What you do get is folded arms, a little frown and a quick glance

around at all the dark corners as she tries to decide if she's safer with

you or taking her chances alone down here till you can bring Security.

Don't sweat it, Dave. Your handsome, boyish charm is enough to

carry the day. She quickly decides that you're probably more or less as

harmless as you appear and turns to let you lead the way to the elevators.

You have to stand there for a second as you wait for the elevator

to arrive. An awkward silence descends.

You offer a handshake. "I'm Dave, by the way. Dave Morgan."

You get a soft, feminine hand to hold onto, very briefly. "Becky

Generette."

Want to see my driver's license, Dave? Right next to a rather

unflattering picture it says "Rebecca Marie Generette, Gender - Female" big

as life. That's my name now. That's who I am. All legal and proper. That

was another 'benny' in my package deal; a new identity to fit my new body.

Of course, I didn't pull my nom de guerre out of thin air. You don't

suppose that over the last two years I've forgotten what a devious bastard

you are, do you? I know you're not so trusting that you might not do a

little background checking before all this is said and done. Unlikely - if

I play my role well enough - but still . . .

So I researched it all very carefully. (Heaven knows; I had lots

of free time between operations, waiting for something to heal up so they

could cut me open somewhere else.)

You'll find a complete history for Rebecca Marie Generette if you

know where to look. She was born in Brownsville, Texas on April 17, 1975.

Went to Brownsville High then two years at the Community College for her

A.A. in Administration. (That's a polite way to say "Secretary School.")

Both parents dead - Mom years ago and Dad just last winter. All alone in

the world, she must have headed out here to the Coast to seek her fame and

fortune.

At least, that's the story she'll tell - and it will all check out

if you look.

Because it's all true.

What she won't tell you, and what you won't be able to find out

because I've paid some big bribes to the right people in Port au' Prince to

make the records disappear is: Rebecca Marie Generette died in a car

accident during a whirl-wind budget vacation to Haiti her father got her

for her birthday just a little over a year and a half ago.

You'd never know it to look at her, would you?

The elevator arrives and we get a reprise of this morning's show.

It's a brief ride, only one floor, but if you're paying attention, (and you

should be, Dave) you'll notice that she doesn't do the "body language

thing" this time.

Maybe you're starting to win her confidence?

"Security" today is a balding, paunchy, ex-policeman in a

rent-a-cop uniform. He does indeed have a set of jumper cables he'll loan

you. (As soon as he finds out you're one of the office tenants up on

Eleven, Dave.) Doesn't trust you enough just to hand them over, though.

You might steal them. So he has to grunt and stand up and waddle along

with the two of you back down to the garage.

I guess he's not immune to Becky's charms. He joins right in with

the "rescue the damsel in distress" routine. He stands there, looking very

officious and in control, waving his hands and guiding your car up as close

as it will come behind mine. Then you and he exchange commands on hooking

up the jumper cables along with warnings to "Make sure you get the positive

on the positive."

If playing the woman has it's disadvantages when it comes to

ordering calorie-conscious breakfasts, it balances out because I get to

just stand here, arms folded and watch you "big, strong men" do all the

work.

Finally the cables are stretched out and hooked up and Rent-A-Cop

nods to me. "Okay, Miss. Hop in and let's fire her up."

Lo and behold, my engine coughs to life on the very first try.

I climb back out and stand there, watching again, as you two

disconnect the cables.

We both thank the cop and he trudges off toward the elevators.

So . . . here we are again. Just you and me, Dave.

Let me see. This is the point in all the romance novels where you

say something wonderfully witty and romantic and I get a little starry-eyed

and the whole relationship thing takes off as I shyly agree to the offer of

a date. Right?

How disappointing for you (and fully expected by me) when what

actually happens is; we stand here awkwardly for a second then I say, "So

. . . umm . . . thanks again, Dave." And you search for something

wonderfully witty and romantic and come up with, "No problem. Anytime."

After another awkward pause, and because Becky thinks you certainly deserve

some reward for your gallantry, you get another quick little handshake and

another completely unsatisfying glimpse of nothing at all as I climb back

into my car and then wait for you to move your car so I can drive away.

And that's that . . . right?

Wrong.

I'm only getting started, Dave.

Only getting started.

- - - - - - - - - -

Oh Dave, I hope you never find out how hard the next few days were.

You've got to understand; I'd been waiting for this - for the

chance to set out on my revenge - for almost two whole years. Once I'd

made my opening moves, you don't know what an effort of will it was to just

sit back and twiddle my thumbs.

You can see, of course, that I couldn't just pop up the next day.

Or the next. Coincidence is one thing. But if you keep meeting the same

girl over and over, well, that smacks of premeditation doesn't it?

Still, it was tough to just sit. The day after our encounter in

the garage was the hardest. As I've said, I had lots of other schemes for

meeting you if that little trick hadn't worked. Twice the following day I

had to forcibly restrain myself from putting one of my alternate schemes

into action so as to hurry things along.

But I'm fairly strong-willed when I want to be, aren't I, old

friend?

So I just sat around the apartment watching "daytime dramas"

(they're just chock full of helpful pointers on how to play a woman) and

practicing my mannerisms. Stuff you'll eventually see if everything goes

according to plan. Stuff like . . . oh . . . instead of sitting sprawled

out on the sofa, my feet up on the coffee table - I curl up with my legs

under me. Perhaps I'll hug a throw pillow against my bosoms while I'm at

it. Very feminine and fetching. (I know. I used to do a lot of

practicing in the mirror while "Becky" was taking shape.)

I'll make a guilty little confession to you, Dave. It feels kind

of good - to have that pillow pressed against my chest. I don't know why.

Well, okay, I guess it might have something to do with the way my nipples

fleshed out once the hormones kicked in. But I suspect it's also a

psychological thing. Ol' Doc Kennedy warned me that there'd be some "bills

to pay" for doing what I was doing - changing myself from one person to

another. From one gender to another. Solely for revenge.

God, I used to piss that old battleaxe off! She really, really

disapproved of me and my scheme. But psychological counseling was part of

the package deal and once I'd paid for the program, I was stuck with all

the features. So once a week she'd sit me down in her office and I'd have

to try and work out all my aggression and anger at you so maybe I wouldn't

go through with this "horrid scheme" after all. Of course, after they did

"The Procedure", it was kind of moot. "When Cortez reached the New World,

he burned his ships. This made his men very motivated." After the

surgeons had "lopped it off" even Kennedy had to acknowledge that I was

pretty committed to my plan. I guess, after a while, she was content to

just make dire predictions that "there'll come a day . . ."

I know there probably will. "Come a day", that is.

I mean, one of these days I'm going to wake up and look in the

mirror and the beauty will be gone. All I'll have left is saggy tits

("Boobs" Gotta remember that!), gray hair and wrinkles. Some day I'll wake

up and realize that I'm a little old lady.

But that's okay, Dave. I know it's coming. I went into this with

my eyes open.

Besides. I'm gonna be a very wealthy little old lady, so it'll

even out in the end.

In the mean time, if my psychological baggage consists of sometimes

feeling all warm and cuddly with my legs curled up beneath me and a pillow

hugged to my chest, well, there are probably worse things in life.

- - - - - - - - -

Saturday morning finally rolls around and it's grocery shopping

day, isn't it Dave?

I've been keeping an eye on you, old friend. I know your schedule.

You're pushing that cart down the aisles when, out of the corner of

your eye . . .

Well what do you know? Is that "Little Miss Prim and Proper"

coming down the aisle toward you, pushing a shopping cart of her own? By

God, it is!

"Becky! Hi!"

She glances up from her consideration of canned fruit juice and

stares at you with a neutral expression.

After a second, it's pretty obvious she doesn't remember you.

"Dave. From the garage. The dead battery."

You get a smile that's perhaps not quite as rote as some of the

ones you've gotten.

"Oh, sure. Dave. Hi."

"Hi." Still haven't lost that boyish grin, have you?

She tucks a fly-away strand that escaped from her loose pony tail

behind her ear. "Thanks again for that rescue."

Smile and nod. Be charming, Dave. It's what you do best.

"Anytime. So. I don't think I've ever seen you shopping here before. Of

course, I'll be honest and say I wasn't hoping to see you before . . ."

She's lowered her eyes as she murmurs, "Oh no. I doubt you've seen

me here before. I've only been shopping here a couple of times. I only

moved here a couple of months ago."

Are you as observant as you used to be Dave? Are you noticing the

little hints I'm dropping by what's in my shopping cart? Have you noticed

that most of the things in there are the inexpensive, generic brand?

That's going to be important eventually - the suggestion that I don't have

a lot of money. (And Lord knows, this part of my act isn't an act at all.

My bank account is getting pretty thin these days.) Of course, I've made

sure that you can get a glimpse of that box of "Always" panty liners too.

Have to keep reinforcing the fact that "I am Woman." (Okay, that part of

the act is an act. I don't actually have a period, Dave. But I don't mind

spending a few bucks for the sake of appearances.)

Apparently you are picking up on the clues, at least subliminally,

because your next question does relate to finances.

"So. How'd you make out on that job interview?"

A little shrug. "Still waiting to hear. I'm trying to tell myself

that the fact it's taking them so long to get back to me is a hopeful sign.

That they're whittling down the list and since they haven't called me to

say 'Thanks anyway', I'm still in the running."

"Who were you interviewing with? What job?"

"Fordyce and Sachs. They had an ad in the paper for a secretary."

"Secretary, huh? Well, there's always demand for a good

secretary."

A small, rueful grin. "You couldn't tell that from the luck I've

been having. I've only got one really nice pair of heels. I've been

pounding the pavement so much, pretty soon they're gonna be flats."

You fold your arms. Here's an opening. "I know Jerry Sachs. We

went to school together. I'd be happy to put in a good word for you."

She raises those light blue eyes and gives you a

definitely-not-rote smile this time. (Do you recognize these eyes, Dave?

Did you ever really look at my eyes when I was Jack? I can't say that I

ever really looked at yours.) "Oh, gee. Would you? That'd be great! The

Wolf is gonna be knocking on the door pretty soon if something doesn't

break." She must have realized she's getting so desperate that she's

accepting offers of help from strangers because that hopeful smile fades as

she suddenly finds a need to check out that selection of canned juices

again.

"Oh, heck. Happy to do it."

There's a little pause. Then you make your move.

"Say, you know, I'm thinking, and please don't think this is some

kind of cheap pickup, but . . . I've got a couple of tickets for Neil

Diamond next Saturday night. Would you like to go?"

Her eyes drop back down to the shopping cart and that neutral

expression is rapidly becoming a frown. You recover quickly, waving your

hands to clear away the misunderstanding. "Oh, hey. No pressure or

anything. Really. I mean, I'm seriously not trying to trade anything

here. I'll be happy to talk to Jerry Sachs. That's a given. I'm just

thinking - you're new around here. I'm thinking you haven't had the

opportunity to make a lot of friends yet. And I do have a spare ticket

. . . Nobody to take with me . . . A real shame to waste the seat . . . We

can take my Firebird. I just had a new battery put in last month."

I think I've played coy long enough to make the point. I'm not

"easy", Dave. But I'm not "impossible" either.

The renewal of her shy little smile, both for the joke about the

battery and for your charming approach, is aimed at the box of Rice Chex

sitting atop her cart. "I like Neil Diamond."

- - - - - - - - - -

One thing leads to another, as they say.

The first date - the Neil Diamond Concert - goes pretty well. She

smiles more. Opens up a bit more.

You seem to make points when you don't try anything when you get to

the door of her apartment. You just smile that charming smile and tell her

(honestly) what a good time you had. When you just stand there, arms at

your side and ask if you can call her, you can tell this is going somewhere

when she immediately answers, "Yes. Please."

Date two is dinner and dancing.

She doesn't seem to object to the chaste little kiss on the cheek

by way of "good night."

Date three is the celebration of her landing the job with Fordyce

and Sachs. I wonder how much arm-twisting you had to do to arrange that.

I mean, yeah, you know Jerry Sachs, but it's not like you're good friends

with him. And let's face it, Dave - I know I took the brunt of the

damage. (You saw to that, didn't you?) But you didn't come out of that

little securities scandal with your skirts completely clean either. (Odd

choice of metaphor.) I'll bet there are still some folks who kind of hold

you at arm's length. But at least you got to keep your license, your

business, your bank accounts.

Your life.

Dates four, five and six are kiss on the cheek, kiss on the lips,

and fairly passionate, lingering, your hands in my hair, my hands on your

shoulder blades, kiss on the lips respectively. If you're wondering, Dave

- it doesn't bother me a bit to let you kiss me. I wouldn't like it if it

were some other man. But you're okay. I'm getting something out of the

kisses. There's passion there, there truly is. Just not the kind of

passion you're thinking it is.

And then we come to Date Seven.

Ah . . . "Lucky Seven."

- - - - - - - - - -

Remember those "finishing school sessions" I mentioned, Dave?

They were part of the group instruction we used to get. Oh yeah -

I went through the program with a bunch of other folks. I guess that was

part of Doc Kennedy's strategy. She always was so big on "socialization."

That was the hardest part, at first.

I mean, it's not like I had a lot in common with the other "girls."

They wanted to be women because that's what they really thought

they were. Deep down. They were trying to fix Nature's mistake and become

what they felt they were supposed to be.

I, on the other hand, had no illusions what so ever. Deep down I'm

male and I know it and I'm never going to change. But, of course, I never

told that to anybody else but Doc Kennedy. What was I going to say to the

others? "Oh no. I'm not all screwed up like you guys. I'm only in it for

revenge."

So it was a little awkward at first. I mean, not only did I have to learn

to walk and talk, wear all this feminine gear convincingly and do my makeup

with a bunch of other guys. I had to pretend to be all gushy and

enthusiastic too. So eager and hopeful. I had to sit there and nod in

sympathetic understanding when the other guys poured their hearts out.

And at first that's all we were - a bunch of guys in drag. Some of us very

obviously so.

I wonder how Jackie and Carol are doing. I had the advantage of being

slender and small-boned to begin with. That's part of the reason why

"Becky" turned out so well. But poor Jackie and Carol . . .

I hope they've found happiness.

Oh, I can hear your derisive little snort, Dave. Don't think I

can't. "Truckers in Tu-tus" Right?

Okay. I admit it. That was my first impression too.

But Jackie. God. She never gave up. Never let the implausibility

of it get to her. She always had an encouraging wise crack or a joke to

get you smiling when things were going wrong. And she was always there to

take you aside and give you a strong shoulder to lean on when the hormones

had you all screwed up and feeling like it was never going to come true

. . . that this was all just some kind of stupid, painful farce.

And Quiet Carol. She was sitting beside my bed when I came out of

the anesthetic after . . .

Holding my hand in that big, workman's paw of hers.

So fuck you and your derision, Dave. Who gets the last laugh, do

you think? The people who wound up perhaps not so beautiful on the outside

but finally happy and at peace on the inside . . .

Or the beautiful, beautiful woman-on-the-outside from Date Seven?

- - - - - - - - - -

Date Seven.

The day at the beach.

What a memory.

If anything could go wrong, it did.

The sudden cloudburst and the wind that sent our checkered table

cloth flying. Ants. (God, how do they do that? Where the hell do the

little buggers come from and how do they know it's a picnic?) A cloudy,

dreary day that still somehow managed to give us both a nicely rosy burn on

all that winter-white skin we were both flaunting.

Sand in places that I've never had sand before. Oh, there's a

thrill, let me tell you! (I knew that bikini was probably too skimpy to be

practical, but women's swimsuits and practicality seem to have little in

common, particularly when she's trying to drop a perhaps not so subtle

hint.)

Finally we packed it in and headed for home.

You had the brilliant idea of trying to grill hot dogs over the

burner of the stove. There was another great success. I spread that

sandy, dirty table cloth on your expensive white living room carpet and we

both sat down and pretended that we were still at the beach as we chewed on

rubbery, charcoal on the outside, cold at the center hotdogs.

I got to laughing. You got to laughing. You spilled that beer all

over the rug when you were reaching for the potato salad and jumped when

you saw that we'd brought a couple of stow-away ants along with us in the

container.

I don't know. Maybe it's really not so clich�. Get a woman

laughing and you get her defenses down.

The next thing I knew you had me by the shoulders and were crushing

. . . yeah, that's the right word . . . crushing your lips to mine. My

arms were around your waist, pulling you tighter. Hungry. Eager.

If skimpy little bikinis are impractical, at least they're easy to

get off. Not a lot of fuss and bother.

You took me, right there atop that checkered tablecloth atop your

nice white carpet atop your living room floor.

Can't say I wasn't prepared for it. Suspecting that this climax to

the evening was a good possibility, I'd made sure to "grease up" during my

last visit to the powder room.

But hey, it wasn't all pretend. I can still reach orgasm, did you

know that? It's kind of a strange sensation. I haven't yet decided what's

different and what's the same. That tunnel-vision, heart thundering,

"oh-my-god-oh-my-god" intensity is still there. There's even a sense of

"release." I don't know, do women feel that too?

Maybe nothing's different. Maybe it's just a case of the same old

light bulb being wired to a new switch these days.

I don't want to give the wrong impression though, Dave. That night

when Becky finally surrendered to you, gave you her all - I was "faking

it." You have to understand - all my prior "female" orgasms came from the

incredible fantasies produced by watching Becky work out in front of her

mirror. Dreaming what it would be like to be the man she's obviously so

desperate for as she fondles and whimpers and shoves one of her favorite

toys deeper and deeper. The problem with you was; it's kind of hard to

sustain a fantasy like that while some guy is panting in your face and

hammering you into the floor and you have to make sure you're reciprocating

even though you're quickly discovering that it HURTS when you're not

controlling just what's pushing where and how hard.

So, sorry, no "magic" for me that evening. But that's another "up"

side to being a woman. It's always "magical" for girls if they want us to

think it is. We poor dumb males have no way of knowing, provided she's as

good an actress as I am.

Yeah, the sex was pretty much a sham that first time. At least for

me. But take heart. As I say, it wasn't all faked. One of us really and

truly was getting fucked that evening.

It just wasn't me.

- - - - - - - - - -

You know, it's funny. You'd think I'd have expected this as part

of my planning. Admit it, Dave. I really thought of everything else when

I'd put this scheme together. I took into account all your likes and

dislikes. Your personality. Your need to dominate and control. I'd ever

so carefully crafted Becky to be "the one" for you. The woman you'd just

have to have.

And since it was the whole object of the exercise, I really

shouldn't have been surprised when I realized you were falling in love with

me.

Oh, I know, I know. As I say, that was the objective after all.

But I guess I just never thought of "love" in the sense of a deep,

emotional bond. I was always thinking in terms of sex and control. I guess

I never pictured you as a "loving" individual. Considering our history,

can you blame me?

It really hit home the night I put the final fake-out into

operation.

That was the night when, no sooner had you gotten through your door

than the phone started to ring. And there was tearful, almost incoherent

Becky. Sobbing about how she'd gotten fired that afternoon. They'd been so

mean to her. They'd had Security up there watching as she'd taken her few

things out of her desk before escorting her out of the building like some

common criminal. (Not that you can really blame them. I mean, Becky had to

have been one of the most difficult, untrustworthy, incompetent secretaries

they'd ever hired. I made sure of that. It's kind of a wonder I lasted as

long as I did.)

What was she going to do? The money was almost gone. And she just

couldn't, couldn't face starting the job hunt all over again.

I'd expected you to do it. I'd expected you to come rushing over

to console me. To take me in your arms and hold me whenever the little

hiccuping sobs began again.

I'd expected you to offer to let me move in with you. "It's such a

big place. It's criminal for me to keep it all to myself. You can take as

long as you need to get yourself back on your feet."

I'd even expected that after enough cuddling against you, letting

you run your fingers through my long, silken hair . . . after I snuggled

down in the safety of your big, strong arms with my soft breasts pressing

against your chest . . . that there'd be sex.

But I wasn't expecting it to be so slow and gentle. Tender and

caring. I didn't know you had it in you, Dave.

That night, as we lay beside each other in the darkness, I almost

regretted all the things I'd done to you to get here and was going to do to

you in the future.

Almost.

- - - - - - - - - -

And so, old buddy, here we are at last.

Here's the pay off.

Oh, I suppose I shouldn't count my chickens quite yet. There's

still a lot of work on the horizon. There are lots of scams and schemes

remaining to pull on you before we're finally done.

I have to slowly and subtly slide into all the "bad habits" I'm

going to start to develop. The feminine versions of all the things that

used to drive you nuts when we were room mates. And I'll probably have to

invent some uniquely annoying female habits as well.

And I'm still toying with the idea of the baby gambit. That would

be such a wonderfully dirty little ploy, but dangerous and hard to pull

off. Oh, not that I couldn't do my part well. I bet I'd be annoying as

hell. Bugging you more and more about getting me pregnant because "I so

want a baby." Nagging and pouting and finally accusing you of some kind of

inadequacy when we try and try and nothing happens. (Like it ever could.)

But eventually there'd have to be a trip to the doctor to find out which of

us was really "malfunctioning." Of course I'd have to find some way to get

the doctor into the scheme. That would probably be easy enough. You

remember how many professional folks lost their shirts when our "stock

empire" crumbled? I'm sure there's one or two fertility docs who got

burned in that swindle. I could probably find somebody willing to get a

little revenge of their own by certifying that I was 100 percent prime

breeding stock and you were a limp noodle. But that would bring somebody

else in on the secret and after all the effort I've gone to in covering my

tracks, that's probably not a good idea.

Well, we'll see. Lots of time now to work things out. I'm in no

hurry. My ultimate victory is pretty much assured after today.

Besides, I've got the yen to play "Little Miss Home-maker." Maybe

it's Doc Kennedy's "baggage" showing up again, but I think it might be fun.

For a while.

Until I get bored with it and start getting around to making you

miserable. Miserable to the point where, if I'm lucky, some night I can

even get you to slap me around a bit so I can call the cops and add more

ammo to my arsenal.

Oh, no matter what, it's gonna be ugly - our divorce. I'm gonna

really drag you through the mud, Dave. That's going to be as much a part

of my revenge as the property settlement and the tortuous alimony I'm going

to make sure you get stuck with. I've already got my lawyers picked out,

though they don't know it yet. They're have a very impressive track record

of getting the woman everything she wants. And even if we do wind up

splitting the sheets fifty/fifty, I'll still make out like a bandit.

You'll finally make it up to me, Dave. All the things you cost me

when you threw me to those S.E.C. wolves.

Cripes, this gown is pain. All this petticoat and lace nonsense

makes me feels like I'm wading through molasses and the drag of the train

makes me feel like I'm climbing a hill. Add the veil to it and it's like

wading through molasses up hill in a fog.

This is what every woman dreams about?

Small price though. Just another step in the scheme.

"Do you, Rebecca, take this man David . . . "

"I do." Oh I sure do, Reverend. I'm gonna take him all right.

For everything he's got.

Hold that elevator, Dave. It's gonna be a long, long ride down.

Copyright 1999 Anne Phorcy. All rights reserved.