As the elevator doors opened with a chime, Anne entered, enjoying the sound of her heels click-clacking across the lobby floor. Her smile was one of pure satisfaction "“ she had nailed the interview and knew she was well on her way to a better life. She reached into her clutch and, finding what she was looking for, pulled out her new business card. "Anne Regal," she purred, enjoying the sound of her own name. "Associate Manager." The words were soft and melodious as they left her painted lips. She smiled again "“ she was so excited she stopped at a stationary store and paid extra to have these ready, same day.
Her smile still plastered on her face, she closed her eyes and reflected on her good fortune. It's funny how life works out sometimes. She hadn't gone in expecting to get a job. Hell, she hadn't even gone in to apply. She had gone in for
What did I go in there for? Something to do with the clothes they delivered was there a problem with the fit? She looked down, absently rubbing a perfectly manicured hand lightly across the top of her breast. She giggled to herself, *of course there's nothing wrong with the fit. Look at me! I look perfect. But I KNOW I had a complaint "“ the clothes did something *
She looked down at her body again, inspecting every inch of her fabulous flesh, looking for some flaw or imperfection that would have caused her to storm of to D'Jane. But, her inspection brought nothing to light "“ her body was as perfect as the day she was born.
Her body.
Her body.
HER BODY.
"Oh, right." Anne mused, "I was someone else before I touched the clothes I was a boy? Is that right?" She furrowed her brow in thought for a moment. If she concentrated, she knew on a purely intellectual level that she had been a man before. However, she could no longer remember his name. She could not recall any feeling associated with being male. She attempted to identify her sense of self, and came up only with the name "Anne".
This didn't bother her in the slightest. How could it? She had no other frame of reference. Opening her clutch purse, she dug through, moving the gaudy stolen necklace aside until she found her ID. "Anne Regal" it said. 28 years young, female, and a picture of smiling face peering back at her. She knew it hadn't been like that when she left her apartment. She knew her age was in her 30s before. She knew that the face peering out of her ID had been a mans face. She didn't know what the name on it was, but she was pretty sure it wasn't "Anne".
The elevator moved slowly. She continued to think.
Why did I go to D'Jane in the first place? It wasn't for an interview "“ that was luck. Did I need clothes? That would make sense "“ I would have only had guy's clothes before. But what changed me in the first place? She tapped her foot while chewing on her bottom lip. Right "“ the suit. It changed me. I was going to go down and become a guy again. Wasn't I? But that doesn't make sense "“ being a girl feels right. I don't even know what being a guy would be like. Too much hair, external genitals, the smell "“ GUH! Boys are nice to look at, but I don't want to be one! But why else would I have gone down there? And moreover, if that IS why I went down there, why didn't I go through with it?
In truth, she had had every intention of heading straight to D'Jane and causing a scene. But as she arrived at the mall, her straightforward march became a slow meander throughout the mall, window shopping for clothes, shoes, toys and boys. By the time she had arrived at D'Jane, she had nearly forgotten why she had come in the first place "“ until she saw the "Now Hiring" sign. She was dressed to impress, and had (somehow) brought all necessary information with her "“ ID, Social Security Card, and her no-nonsense, business-like demeanor. The manager had only been hiring salesgirls, but Anne so impressed him with her business knowledge and professional acumen, he offered her a job as his assistant. She left on cloud-nine, a spring in her step and a new, promising career in front of her. She never realized that she had never bothered to ask anyone working at D'Jane how and why their clothing had changed her.
After all, it wasn't like she was planning on changing back.
Thirty-eight thousand a year, medical, dental, paid vacation AND a bonus to spend on clothing. Sure beats delivering pizzas. Anne smiled to herself, satisfied with the day's events. She stopped thinking about the past, with every second falling more and more into her new life. The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, and she walked toward her door, only slightly concerned about the middle-aged man pacing nervously in front it.
John paced back and forth, nervously. Fifteen minutes and no answer "“ did the manager give him the right address? Was he on the right floor? What if this Tom kid had sold the necklace to someone? Or worse, run out of town with his stolen goods?
John continued running through scenarios, unaware he was blocking someone in the hallway. A soft hrm-hrm from behind him brought him back to his senses. He looked up from the floor and met the gorgeous green eyes of a stunning redheaded woman in a professional outfit. John attempted to speak, only to have his voice caught in his throat "“ his eyes drinking in an unexpected yet welcome vision of beauty.
A vision of beauty eyeballing him suspiciously. "Take a picture "“ it will last longer." Her sexy, musical purr overlaid with sarcasm. John froze, but managed to say a single word, "Tom?" before his voice failed him.
She looked confused for a moment "“ almost frightened, John thought to himself. She screwed up her brow, as though digging up an old memory, before asking "Excuse me?" a hint of indignation in her voice.
John cleared his throat, having had a few seconds to recover. "I'm looking for Tom? I was told this was his apartment."
She relaxed for a moment, looking down at herself for just a brief second before taking a quick breath. "Oh, I thought never mind, it's fine. I'm Anne. Anne Regal. Tom doesn't live here anymore "“ I kicked him out yesterday. I don't think we'll be seeing him again."
John looked distraught, but resigned "“ he wasn't any sort of threat. "Oh, I see. That's too bad. Are you his girlfriend? Would you have any idea where he might have gone?"
She seemed to relax, smiling a warm, kind smile. "His girlfriend? No I guess you could say he's my ex. We split up rather suddenly yesterday "“ he left, and here I am "“ all that remains of the life in that apartment. As for where, I really wouldn't have any idea where to find him at this point. He could be anywhere "“ hell, he could be nowhere for all I know."
John felt his heart sink "“ Tom was gone, and with him, the medallion. For a sudden break-up, she's taking this awfully well "“ it must have been a really one-sided breakup. He pulled a pen and a scrap of paper from his pocket, and began writing down his number. "Well, he took something from me "“ it was extremely valuable, and I need to get it back. If you hear from him, can you please let me know? My name is John, and you can reach me at this number anytime "“ really, any information is helpful." She took the paper wordlessly, cautiously opening her clutch purse and putting it in.
John turned to leave, slowly heading back to the elevator. He pressed the button and waited for the doors to open, lost in thought.
Valuable? Anne thought "“ looking at the cheap, ugly medallion still sifting around in her purse. I knew it looked old, but I figured it was crappy old costume jewelry if this is some sort of antique or relic I could make a mint. Of course, if it's one-of-a-kind or stolen or something, I could wind up in major trouble I need to find out what it is and how much it's really worth.
"Was it a necklace? Kinda cheap and ugly looking?" Anne asked, trying not to give too much away.
John turned from the elevator doors, a look of confusion on his face. "How did you " he began to ask, before Anne cut him off.
"Tom came home with it yesterday "“ tried to offer it to me as a present. He didn't expect me to throw him out right then and there. He still had it on him when he left." She tried to look apologetic as she continued. "I didn't know it was stolen, and I didn't know it was valuable. Since him disappearing on you is partly my fault, I'll tell you what "“ I'll come with you, and we'll check out some of Tom's favorite haunts "“ bars, nightclubs, restaurants, what-have-you. Plus, you don't know what he looks like "“ I can point him out to you if we find him. Would that help make up for my part in your troubles?" She asked, putting on her sexiest pout and fluttering here eyelids as she walked closer and closer to him.
John seemed to get a second wind right then and there, and his smile slowly spread from ear to ear. "That'd be fantastic, Anne. I've got my car downstairs."
Anne saddled up close to John in the elevator as it descended towards the parking structure. And while we're looking for 'Tom' I get to learn exactly how much money that necklace will bring me. Win-win.
