CHAPTER 138: Once You Are Seated, The Test Will Begin

 

Jeremy Saint had finished his morning jog around the neighbourhood but something was playing on his mind.  Usually he would come home after a run and grab a glass of water or fruit juice but this time he headed straight for the bedroom and sat down in silence on the bed.  His girlfriend, Barbara, knew the signs that all was not well with him.

She knocked on the bedroom door.  "Are you OK, sweetie?" she said.

"Oh, yeah, you can come in if you like" came Jeremy's reply from inside.

She walked in to see him there, still in his running gear, sitting on the bed with a serious expression on his face.  She could guess what it was.

"Worried about today's interview?" she asked, gently.

Jeremy let out a sigh.  "Yeah, it's the third and final one and I haven't prepared for it...well, I can't prepare for it:  Landgraab's haven't told me a single thing about it other than the time, the place and that I have to attend.  I don't know what they're going to ask me or what I'm expected to do.  They've seen my resume, they've seen my portfolio and they've interviewed me...what could this third interview be about?"

"Maybe that's the point?  They don't tell you anything in advance so they can throw some questions at you to see how you react spontaneously?  But I'm sure you can cope with chance and randomness...after all, that's how we met" she said, smiling warmly at him.

"You're saying I should stop getting wound up and go with the flow, eh?" he replied.

"Precisely.  Now make sure you're not late.  You go and have a shower and I'll lay out your suit on the bed for you."

An hour later both of them had headed off to work.  For Barbara, she hit the ground running at Pack's Clothing, which was particularly busy today...

Meanwhile Jeremy had arrived at the Landgraab Corporation building and was instructed to report to Room 142.  The officious secretary there told him, starkly, to proceed to another room...Number 9...on the ground floor, where he would find an elevator that led down one level.

"What room do I go to from there?" asked Jeremy.

"You'll already BE in that room" she said, curtly.

Jeremy followed the directions down to the ground level and then on to a door right at the back of the building.  This part was deserted, where no employee set foot by the looks of things and, if he didn't get his directions right, there was no one to ask for help.

He approached the door to room 9 and knocked on it.  There was no answer.  He tried knocking again and there was still no response from within.  He slowly turned the door handle and found it was unlocked.  Slowly opening the door he poked his head around it and found it was uninhabited.  What was contained in the room were ducts, pipes, machinery and all kinds of industrial accoutrements:  Could this possibly be the correct room or had he stumbled into the maintenance room by mistake?  However, there was an elevator at the far end and he remembered that the officious secretary said to take it down one level...

The elevator doors opened and he stepped inside it, the brushed aluminium walls contained no mirror and only two buttons:  Up and down.  Jeremy pushed down and wondered what would be waiting for him there.

The doors opened and revealed a large, sparse dark room illuminated by a single bank of lights on the wall behind the elevator.  There was almost nothing in this room except for an ultra modern chair atop a low dais and, facing it, a large projector screen flanked by two speakers.

A voice boomed from the speakers.  "Please sit down, facing the screen.  Once you are seated, the test will begin..."

Jeremy slowly made his way to the chair and sat down, not knowing what to expect.  

Then the room went completely dark before light from the projector screen came on to provide some illumination.  Strange, electronic music emanated from the speakers and a series of images appeared on the screen.

A deep, booming voice came from the speakers.

"THE LANDGRAAB CORPORATION...SINCE 1810 IT HAS GROWN FROM A SMALL, PROSPERIOUS TRADING COMPANY TO THE MASSIVE CONGLOMERATION IT IS TODAY.  EVERYTHING YOU USE, EVERYTHING YOU WEAR, THE TOOLS YOU DEPEND ON EVEN  WHERE YOU LIVE....MADE BY OR PROVIDED BY LANDGRAAB...."

Oh great...thought Jeremy...one of those motivational publicity films.

"FROM BIRTH, THROUGH LIFE AND UNTO DEATH:  LANDGRAAB IS WITH YOU, EVERY SINGLE STEP OF THE WAY"

Jeremy sat there watching to the montage of all the "achievements" and aspects of the Landgraab Corporation whilst listening to the commentary but every so often an image accompanied by a word would flash before his eyes.  Images that passed so quickly they were recognised unconsciously by him.

Jeremy remembered that time he met with Geoffrey and had a warm memory from it.  That was the day Geoffrey had offered him a position at the corporation...yes, he was being friendly that time.  Actually he was always friendly to Jeremy...

Wait...how did they get a photograph of them that day?  The thought had evaporated when the next images appeared on the screen.  But then an image of Nancy Landgraab came and went in a flash.

Wait, what?  Jeremy thought.  That's Mrs Landgraab...although his own mother had fair hair and green eyes like Nancy's.  But then another warm thought came into his mind...Mrs Landgraab was a mother, a carer, someone who shoulders maternal responsibility.  More images flashed by him in an instant.

Was that Edna Sneedley on a "League of Decency" protest?

I get it, he thought, bins are my enemy?  Maybe the garbage collectors?

Action?  My enemy?  But....

Yes...Geoffrey is my friend.

Suzy...Suzy....is....my....

Action...Action...is....my...ENEMY!

THE VISITORS ARE OUR FRIENDS said the booming voice over the speakers.

"The....Visitors...." Jeremy replied, dazed and increasingly confused by the pulsating sound and flashed images.

THE VISITORS ARE OUR FRIENDS....LEARN THE WORDS, SAY THE WORDS

"The....Visitors....are our.....friends" he gasped.

SAY IT AGAIN

"The Visitors are....our friends"

LOUDER!

"THE VISITORS ARE OUR FRIENDS!"

WHO IS SUZY KENT?

"Suzy Kent is...my..."

SAY IT!

"Suzy Kent is....my....ENEMY!"

The music and film stopped.  The lights came up again.  Jeremy sat there in a trance.  Slowly, he started to regain his senses.

Thank you, Mr Saint.  The test is now complete.  You may leave.

"Wait?  Was that it?  Surely it hasn't started yet!  I just sat down in the chair and..."

You may leave.

"But what was the test?  When will I know the result?"

You will be informed.  Stand by for further instructions.

Meanwhile, back at Pack's Clothing, Barbara had her hands full selling clothes and redressing mannequins.  The stock was flying off the shelves today.  She didn't have time to notice a well known customer approach her.

"Are you the manager?" came a snooty, refined voice.  Barbara turned around and saw Nancy Landgraab standing behind her.

"Yes I am, how may I help you?" Barbara replied.

"My name is Nancy Landgraab, maybe you've heard of me?"

"I have.  Is there something in particular you desire from our range?"

"Yes, I have a very important social event to attend....very important, you understand, and I require the most 'with it' party dress you have."

"A with-it party dress you say?  Let me think what we have in store...."

"I saw something in your shop window that is pleasing to my eye.  The blue dress with the chiffon sleeves."

"Oh that?  Yes, let's take a look and see if we have one in the correct size.  Is this dress for a younger relative?"

"It is for ME!" came Nancy's cold, harsh reply.

"The only reason I ask is that is a very young, contemporary look, generally favoured by those in their late teens or early 20s..." replied Barbara, apologetically.

"I keep my body in the peak of condition, Miss.  I am the same dress size now that I was when I was 20.  Which wasn't that long ago...."

"Of course..." said Barbara, diplomatically.

She found the dress in two sizes and offered them both to Mrs Landgraab to try on.  Nancy emerged, a few minutes later with the larger of the two sizes.  "This one fits me the best.  Hmmm, it shows off my legs to wonderful effect!" she said, pleased with herself.

Barbara had to admit that Nancy Landgraab still had the legs, and body, even at her age.  Her face, however, seemed set in a permanent sneer and which betrayed her true age.  However, that particular dress was one of the most expensive items sold in the shop and it was yet another satisfying ring of the cash register till at the end of the day.

When she had flipped the shop sign to "closed", she looked at all the empty spaces on the clothes racks and shelves and counted the takings.  At that moment, Jeremy had arrived.

"Oh Jeremy!  This has been the best day's business since we opened!  $1,400 dollars in takings this day alone...even with ground rent and restocking that puts us in a clear profit!" she said.

"That's........great" he said, haltingly.

"What's the matter, sweetie?" she asked him.

"I've got a headache, that's all." he replied.

"Oh, sorry to hear that.  Anyway, how did your interview go?"

"It....was....fine.  Yes, fine" he said, distracted by trying to remember what had happened but failing to think of a single thing that happened from the moment he sat down in that strange chair to the moment he stood up and left.

"That's good" said Barbara, looking concerned because she could tell all was not well with him.  But she didn't want to press him.  "Listen, sweetie, I've got a little bit of stocktaking to do but how about we celebrate your work and mine by going out to dinner tonight?" she asked.

"I'd like that.  I'd like that very much" he said with a thin smile.

The Villa Bovine was their destination and, after stopping by home to change into more appropriate outfits, they were soon savouring the menu and the wonders on it.

"I was thinking" said Barbara "Suzy and Neil's wedding is coming up soon and I haven't a suitable outfit for the occasion!"

"What you're wearing now would be fine.  I'm not bothering to get anything new" Jeremy replied, flatly.

"Really?  I mean, wouldn't you want something a bit more snazzy than your work suits?" she asked.

"They'll do fine.  I'll probably won't be going anyway" he replied, curtly.

"Not going?  But we're invited and Suzy's one of your oldest friends!" said Barbara, shocked.

"Friend?  I hardly think so.  She's nothing but trouble that one"

"Jeremy, I'm shocked to hear you say that!  We're neighbours, friends..."

"We'll be moving out soon, what with my pay rise.  Good riddance to Suzy...and Action for that matter"

"Jeremy, this is a complete turnaround for you!  These are people we know and like"

"LOOK!  CAN WE STOP TALKING ABOUT SUZY KENT AND JOHN ACTION!  Just for one evening?" he said in a sudden outburst.

Barbara dropped the subject.  Something had happened to Jeremy...what that was, she didn't know.  He barely mentioned his job interview today except to say it went 'well'; whatever that meant.  He was clearly upset by something but he was revealing nothing.  She had to keep a close eye on him...was it a co-incidence that as he was having his final interview at the Landgraab Corporation, Nancy Landgraab had visited the boutique?  Surely a woman as wealthy and as influential as her would shop at the finest couturiers or, instead, have all her clothes perfectly tailored by the top fashion houses?  No, she was visiting Pack's Clothing for something other than a few blue wisps of nothing much.  In a world of mysteries, Barbara added another one to the growing list.

CHAPTER 137: George's Little Secret

 

Edna Sneedley began her day by bathing, getting dressed, having breakfast and finding things that annoyed her on the news.  After a particularly strenuous television news watching session, she had found 12 things that annoyed her and of those 8 required the sending of stern letters to the people responsible for stopping those sorts of things.

Outside of Sneedley Burrow, she noticed Geoffrey Landgraab out on his daily run and decided to approach him as he was taking a breather.

"Geoffrey...so lovely to see you.  What a fine morning this is" she said.

"It is, Edna.  Are you and George keeping well?"

"We are, thank you Geoffrey.  Can I bend your ear just a little?"

"Is it about your cause?"

"Yes, I do hope we can count on your continued support"

"Don't worry, Edna, I won't cut the donations to your League of Decency...not while you're targeting the right people."

"Why thank you, Geoffrey.  Do give my regards to Nancy"

It was important to keep important, powerful...and wealthy...people onside and Edna was always ready and prepared to do that.

She returned home in preparation to go to work, which meant putting on her campaigning suit and league badge and getting her clipboard and pens ready.  She was going to do some serious canvassing and market research downtown and was prepared to put in the long hours on foot.

"Right, I'm off, George.  Hopefully I'll be back before you head off to work" she said, calling to her husband.

"Do you know what time you'll be back, dear?  I mean, to the nearest hour?" he replied.

"I would say not before 3pm"

"3pm...got it"

"Well, have a nice day, dear.  See you later."

Edna grabbed her bag, clipboard and pens and left, shutting the door firmly behind her.  George watched her head off down the road to the subway station and, when she was out of sight, he breathed a heavy sigh and put his plan into action.

It had been some months since he and Edna had spent a considerable time of the day apart:  They were often seen as a permanent double act.  Now she had become more involved in campaigning and would be out and about without him for long stretches of the day, George could indulge in his little "hobby" a little bit more.

He headed downstairs, into the basement bunker they had constructed during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.  There, tucked away in a storeroom, there was a suitcase containing what he required.

He found it, dusted off a cobweb and returned upstairs; his heart already beating faster at the prospect of what he was going to do.

He headed straight for the main bedroom and stripped down to his underwear, then he opened up the suitcase and looked around for a make up bag contained within it.  Today, George was going to transform into his alter-ego:  Georgina.

He sat down at the dressing table and laid out the make up and brushes before him.  He had made sure he was clean shaven after awakening that morning so his face was smooth.  Then, he started applying the foundation and got to work changing his looks.

"Georgina" began life back when he was 18 years old and serving in the navy in WW2.  He was stationed on some backwater atoll in the Pacific, far away from the front line danger, where life got boring and servicemen had to make their own entertainment.  It was an environment without women and Bob Hope, Betty Grable and the U.S.O. never visited.  To keep up morale, the base put on their own concerts and men who could sing, dance, play a musical instrument or act were roped in to perform.  George, being the youngest, got picked on to play the girl parts.  He was a lot skinnier in those days and had a round, fresh and smooth face which meant he got cast as the pretty girl in plays and skits.  The first time he dragged up, he got a thrill, found he enjoyed the experience and did well so he got cast again and again...soon he had the reputation of being the "go-to girl" whenever the topic of putting on a show came around.  

This persisted even after the war and into Korea as well.  His role had changed when actual nurses, WAVES and female personnel were stationed where he was and they could play the pretty girls on stage.  He instead became an Ugly Sister, or comedy drag act.  He didn't mind:  He liked the make up, the wigs and getting to wear frocks....although he never admitted it to anyone.

In civilian life the urge to dress up in women's clothing remained, indeed, it seemed to intensify.  He had built up a collection of outfits, wigs and developed his make up skills.  Even after marrying Edna he managed to get dressed up as Georgina on the odd occasion.  It was kept secret from her as well.  No one knew except George.  He liked the fact he had a secret no one else knew.

Once the make up was on, he took out a wig from the suitcase and brushed it.  Then he carefully placed it on his head, brushing and combing it so it looked smooth and as natural as possible.  He was getting very excited by now.

Now it was time to shed the last vestiges of his male attire so he stripped off his underwear and exchanged it for lingerie.  He padded his brassier to give himself a bit of a bosom, although he noticed that he had the beginnings of man boobs himself (to diet or not to diet; that was the question), and strapped on a garter belt.  As he slipped on a pair of sheer stockings, his heart was really pounding now in excitement.

Finally he selected a flowing pink dress and matching heels and put them on.  His transformation was now complete:  He was now "Georgina", a lady.  He twirled around, flicked his long hair and let out a giggle.

As Georgina, she walked around the house enjoying the feeling of the clothes and mincing about.  It had been such a long time since she had done this and there was a sensation of release. 

She thought about Edna, who was a style role model for Georgina.  George had always been impressed by Edna's fashion sense and was envious of it...but it had been some years since he was able to fit into her clothes so he started buying his own.  But the fashion world was changing as well and this was creating a dichotomy in George's mind:  He was as appalled by the permissive society as his wife and yet...and yet...those new fashions were enticing.  He had seen hemlines rise and wondered what Georgina would look like in a mini skirt?  He had watched the Lothario Kittens prancing about at Cuffe's house and was shocked by their antics, but he coveted the outfit.  When he was in Pack's Clothing Boutique the other week with Edna he was looking at some of those outfits in envy whilst condemning them.  With these twin desires locked in a struggle in his head it caused him to have a "turn".  Edna thought it was a heart problem George had, triggered by shocks, but in reality it was a psychological battle going on in his mind.

Georgina was now comfortable and relaxed, the dress felt loose and flowing, her hosiery like a second skin, her hair felt natural.  She felt all 'housewifey' so she decided to do some chores, imagining that she was a dutiful housewife keeping the home all nice and neat while her partner was away at work.

After tidying up the house, she settled down to watch a daytime soap opera.

"Oh Stone!  What if Ridge catches us together?"

"He won't, Echo, I've seen to it that the brakes on his car will fail at the crucial moment! Bwa-ha-ha!"

"Don't go with him, Echo!  Stone's no good for you!" exclaimed Georgina at the TV screen.

The soap ended with the fate of Ridge Hardtackle held in the balance and Georgina then spent the next phase of her day prancing about, enjoying the dressing up experience and reading some of Edna's style magazines.  Every so often she checked herself out in the mirror and considered maybe next time doing something a bit different with her hair and make up.

It had been a joyous time for Georgina but she noticed the time and in about an hour Edna was due to return home.  Georgina couldn't be seen by her, nor any trace of her could linger in the house so, she knew it was time to become George again.  Transforming back was as methodical as becoming her:  Shoes off, then wig, dress, stockings and lingerie.  All had to be carefully folded and stowed back in the suitcase.

Then it was a matter of removing all the make up...he rubbed his face in the special goop women used to get rid of it, then made sure it was 100% off by washing his face in the sink in hot water.  Once he was sure every trace of it was gone, he put his male clothes back on and was George Sneedley once more.

With the last of the make up kit stowed away in the suitcase, he took it back down to its hiding place in the bunker basement.  He had made it with 15 minutes to spare so he got on with practicing mixing drinks for his job.  He was happy he had that time as Georgina but soon his very real wife would be returning and that pleased him as well.  Maybe one day they could meet, but he suspected Edna would not approve at all.

"George, dear, are you home?" came the sound of Edna's voice.

"Downstairs, at the wet bar, my sweet" he responded.

Edna's footsteps could be heard thumping as she came down the stairs.

"Hi, honey, I'm home" she said.  "Phew...what a day!  My feet are killing me.  It was a tough day at work but I think I got a lot accomplished.  Made a lot of good new contacts but DON'T get me started on the traffic!  Have you got a drink for me?"

"Here, have this.  I freshly prepared it" he replied.

"Oh you are such a dear, George.  Did you have a good day?"

"Oh yes, but it wasn't the same without you"

Edna downed her drink and shut her eyes.  "Ahhh, that was good:  I really needed that.  You wouldn't happen to have another there?"

"I certainly do" he said, pouring another gin and tonic for her.

He got up and walked over to where she was sitting.  Edna, her bravado fuelled by two gin and tonics, was checking out George.

"Hmmm, there's a definite swing in your step today, George.  Have you been having fun while I was gone?"

"I was focussed on what I had to do, as always, my dear."

"Maybe, if we get some free time, you and I can return to the closet to have a little fun, eh?" she said, suggestively.

George glanced in the direction of the suitcase with his 'fun' items.  No, he thought, Edna meant a little woohoo.  Well, he was still feeling the buzz of earlier on and would welcome a visit to the closet.

"I would like that very much" he replied.

They finished their drinks and raced upstairs to rendezvous in the closet.  For George, this was a win-win day.