"All the little pieces in place, neat and proper! All the pawns ready to fight..." Edna mused one morning as she and her husband, George, enjoyed the beautiful warm air of a June morning in Oasis Springs. " I must get better at this game" she added.
George, however, wasn't paying attention. He was lost in his own thoughts; thoughts that Edna couldn't be privy to.
Once they had finished breakfast and Edna grew bored with chess stratagems, they went inside, showered, dressed and got ready for their respective days. Edna was out on the campaign trail all day and George had a day off from the hotel, although he did have to do one small task for work the rest of the day was his and he knew how he was going to spend it.
"So first of all I have a meeting with the Mayor's deputy assistant commissioner for the removal of litter, waste and unauthorised scribble on walls, then I'll be having lunch with the Concerned Mothers About Television Violence and after that I'll be doing a door to door opinion polling in Willow Creek so I'll be rushed off my feet, as usual. And what about you, George? What are you going to be up to?"
"I'm typing up the menu for the weekend, dear. I have the recipes all worked out"
"Very good. You know, we must have a big dinner function for the League and its supporters at your hotel one of these days. I get to show off your culinary skills to the people who matter. Anyway, I must change...this outfit is totally unsuitable for my meeting: My new grey skirt suit would be more appropriate. I won't disturb you, George. Bye bye for now."
Edna went to the bedroom to get changed and George frantically typed away, determined to finish the menu in mere minutes. Again, Edna called out goodbye and the front door slammed shut. He could hear her footsteps jog down the street to the bus stop and, satisfied she wouldn't be coming right back, he stopped typing and headed downstairs to the basement bunker.
He got out his special suitcase, went back upstairs to the bedroom and began his transformation into Georgina. Alas his cross dressing experience almost ended before he began as he struggled to fit into his corset. George had put on weight and already the lingerie was barely fitting him. He struggled and puffed, letting out groans and grunts until he had managed to squeeze his portly body into the corset and then almost tired himself out putting on a pair of stockings and attaching them to the garters.
"That was more trouble than I thought" he muttered. "I'm going to have to go on a diet; no more of my own rich food. If I keep putting on weight I'm not going to need false boobs" he said, feeling his enlarged man breasts. However, he did put the falsies into the corset.
Then it was on with the makeup, the false nails, the dress, cardigan, high heels, jewellery and wig until his transformation was complete. The dress was a little tight but still wearable. Checking himself out in the mirror he was at least pleased with his hair and make up and the dress was nice...even though he was a larger lady today.
Georgina pranced around the house in a feminine manner and occasionally paused to admire herself in the mirror. She liked the little feminine touches like sitting cross legged, brushing some lint off her dress or adjusting a stocking.
"What to do, what to do? I'm a lady and I shall do ladylike things" she said as she did some chores or looked in one of Edna's fashion magazines. Outside, the weather was beautiful and Georgina had a hankering to step out of doors. It was a risk if anyone saw or recognised her so she peered out of the window to see if either the McGregors or Zest were out in their yards.
"OK...I'm going to do it!" she decided. Just a short walk, down the road...away from the McGregors and Zest...and back. But getting the timing right was all important: When there were as few people around as possible. Georgina's heart started pounding faster and faster as she slowly turned the handle of the front door, opened it gradually and then looking out on to the porch and beyond. She inched her way daintily forwards, through the doorway and on to the porch as a first step.
This was exciting for her and looking around the next thing was to walk down the road for a little bit. Not too far and definitely not attracting attention. She couldn't see anyone nearby and was pretty sure no one had seen this lady stepping out of Sneedley Burrow but there was a concern that someone might rumble that she was a he and that Georgina was none other than George Sneedley.
Georgina was an old hand at walking in heels but rarely had she done so on a sidewalk. On stage with the USO and prancing around the house, yes, but a public pavement, no. The issue wasn't maintaining balance as she sauntered down the road it was nerves. But there were only two other people out and about and Georgina didn't know them so the fear of discovery wasn't overpowering. There was a mild breeze which blew through her wig and around her legs with a slight updraft up the dress. This sensation gave Georgina a thrill and now she was actually enjoying this little walk.
Up ahead was a bench and she decided to sit down and catch her breath. This was exciting, she thought. Again, she sat with her legs crossed in the feminine manner and enjoyed watching the world go by for a few minutes. "I feel so feminine!" she thought to herself.
She sat there and sighed in bliss but that soon went when she saw who was coming down the road: Nancy Landgraab, on one of her seemingly never-ending runs. George knew Nancy somewhat and was now worried she'd notice him dressed in women's clothing. Georgina dropped her head and pulled a strand of hair over part of her face to obscure it. Fortunately Nancy was in one of her "zones" and wasn't distracted by anything...especially not a 270lb man in a dress.
Georgina thought she'd chanced her arm enough and that it was time to head home. She got up, brushed her dress again and sashayed back along the road. However, just as she was getting there she heard a voice behind her.
"Oh excuse me, madam, do you happen to have the time on you?" said a man's voice. Georgina pretended not to hear him and walked on.
"Only I forgot to wear a watch today and it's important I know what time it is. Please, madam. You in the blue dress."
Georgina couldn't ignore that any longer and she turned around to see who was asking for the time. Her heart sank when she saw it was none other than Geoffrey Landgraab. Now Geoffrey did know George quite well and he was sure to see through the disguise but Georgina was trapped in a corner and it would take all of her amateur acting skill to get out of this one undetected.
"Oh the time, sir?" she said, suddenly speaking in a high, feminine register. "Why it's 11:47am". Not only was Georgina speaking in a high female voice, she had somehow developed a Deep South accent.
"Thank you...my that's a very nice watch you're wearing there. May I have a closer look?" said Geoffrey, seemingly oblivious that he was speaking with George Sneedley. In a dress.
"Oh this little ol' thang..." Georgina giggled Why the hell am I speaking in a Southern accent? she thought. "It's nothin', just an adornment"
"It's exquisite for an adornment" Geoffrey replied, taking Georgina's left hand and holding it in his whilst he examined the watch. "It's my wife's official 29th birthday, again, and I'm looking for something like this to give to her as a present"
"She must be a very lucky lady to have such a fine gentleman like yourself to buy her presents" Georgina continued the Southern Belle act.
"Keeping her happy is a full time job" he replied, wistfully. "But where are my manners, my name is Geoffrey...and yours?"
Georgina froze momentarily. She couldn't use the name Georgina as that would be too much of a giveaway so she had to think fast.
"Erm...Beulah." she said on the spur of the moment.
"I'm guessing by your name and accent that you're from....Georgia? Am I right?" asked Geoffrey, turning on the charm.
"Oh yes sir...a regular Georgia Peach am I!" said Georgina with a nervous giggle.
"I can see that" said Geoffrey, looking up and down at her in a slightly lecherous way. "On a visit or do you live around here?"
"Oh no, sir, ah don't live in this here neighbourhood, ahm jus' passin' through so to speak. Never been here before"
"Hey, I saw you come out of that house. That one, over there!" said another passer-by: This time it was a little boy who had overheard the conversation and had stopped to interject.
"My, how observant you are little boy" said Georgina/Beulah in her falsetto Southern accent but through gritted teeth. The boy smiled, smugly.
"That's Edna and George Sneedley's house, do you know them?" asked Geoffrey.
"Oh the Sneedleys?" began Georgina/Beulah, desperately thinking of something to say. "Why yais ah duly do. I do...erm...some cleaning for them. Lovely couple."
"Ah, you're a cleaner are you? I'd never have guessed. Such a pretty dress to be doing the cleaning in...you must have very high standards."
"Oh Geoffrey, ah do declare that you'll make me blush with all this fancy talk!" She was really getting into character as Beulah now.
"You're a pretty big lady" said the little boy.
"That's on account of my big bones" said Beulah, glaring at the boy.
"As a matter of fact I live in a large mansion and my wife is very busy these days and good cleaners are hard to find. I don't suppose you have the time to manage another property; I imagine you get a lot of work." said Geoffrey, again turning on the charm.
"Yes sir indeedy I am kept busy." she replied.
"Well, I pay well and...anyway...here's my card if you're interested" he said, handing her a business card which she took and then, impulsively, she curtseyed. "Please think about it" he said, softly.
"Ah will, sir, I will" replied Beulah.
"It was lovely meeting you... Beulah" said Geoffrey, saying her name in a sultry voice. "Another time, perchance?"
Beulah just nodded before Geoffrey waved goodbye and continued his run.
"He has the hots for you, lady!" said the boy, who also walked off. Georgina was picturing ways of strangling the precocious little brat.
Georgina wasted no more time in getting home. Once inside, she shut the door firmly and slumped against it.
"I hate children!" she muttered. "Phew, that was close old girl. I can't believe I fooled Geoffrey Landgraab! Oh good grief; I'm 'Beulah' now as well! I need a coffee..."
One strong, black coffee later Georgina...or was it Beulah?...was feeling calmer. The experience of going out and about in drag was a real buzz and one she wanted to repeat, and there were good improvisation skills upon meeting Geoffrey but maybe choose a different time or place for the next excursion. But reflecting on that encounter, not only did she fool two people into thinking she was an actual woman but it seemed as though Geoffrey was flirting with her! And the Southern accent....well, it might come in handy in future; it helped her sound more feminine.
She walked over to the bookcase in the lounge, pausing to check herself out in the mirror. "OK, I could do with losing some weight but my face with this hair...with the right make up I look convincing. I have the mannerisms and now the voice...still need to work on that...yes...YES...I could lead a very convincing double life!"
She found the business card Geoffrey gave her but instead of throwing it away, she put it on a shelving unit in the lounge. Feeling very feminine now, she picked up a popular romance novel and lost herself for an hour in the steamy passions of the fine art world...
Fun, exciting and sometimes terrifying this experience had been it had to come to an end. Bit by bit Georgina...or was it Beulah?...was put back in her case, the clothes folded neatly, the nails and wig came off and the make up removed. George had returned to Sneedley Burrow in time for when Edna came home.
"Phew, George, what. A. Day." she said when she arrived home. "That lunch I went to? Completely dry it was! Their boss is a fervent tea totaller! I need something to pick me up..."
"I'll make you a Wrench" said George.
"You read my mind! But...and here's the really good news! I got a promotion!" she said, excitedly.
"Congratulations, darling. You deserve it!" he replied.
She kicked her shoes off and walked around the lounge in her stockinged feet. "You have no idea how hard it is to walk a whole day in heels, George" she said. As she enjoyed her drink she noticed the business card on the shelf.
"George...this is Geoffrey Landgraab's personal card with his home phone number on it! I've only got his office number and you have to go through his secretary in order to speak with him! How did you get this? This will make contacting him so much easier."
George froze in his tracks again and had to think quickly. "Oh, I have a contact...they gave it to me." he said.
"Well do thank them; this is gold dust!" she said, excitedly. "Now is there any dinner for me? And I'm sorry not to be more sociable but I'm beat so I'm just going to have some food and go to bed."
"No worries, dear, there's food. We'll catch up more another time" he replied.
When she finished her dinner and went to bed George put on his sports clothes and went for a run. He was sure going to shed those pounds now!
