The Mirror

"Umm, Genesis, would you like some clothes?" Vanessa asked.

"Why?"

"They didn't have pajamas in Ancient Egypt."

"Oh, yeah."

Jennifer was already changing into her loincloth and was being painted by other maids.

Genesis looked at Jennifer. "Do I have to wear that?" She looked worried.

"No. Outfits like that are for the concubines."

"Right."

Jennifer and Genesis followed Vanessa to her quarters where she gave a Genesis a nice white cotton dress, like the one she was wearing.

"You know you could get arrested for wearing something like that back at home." Genesis said to Jennifer.

"I know."

Suddenly a maid walked in. "Oh, there you are Anck-su-namun, we've been looking all over for you." She was talking to Genesis. Jennifer and Vanessa looked at her.

"Ah, I see you've made some friends. Good." The maid continued. Genesis looked horrified. "You can go with Anura. She'll show you your outfit and get you all painted up."

After the lady left, Genesis almost wept. "Aw, crap! Can I go back through the mirror?"

"No." Jennifer and Vanessa said at the same time.

"Crap."

"Stop saying that. It means nothing here. If you want to communicate with the people, you've got to speak Ancient Egyptian." Vanessa said.

"But I can't speak Ancient Egyptian!"

"Well, you can understand it, that's for sure." Jennifer encouraged.

"How do you know?" Genesis asked.

"Because that maid was speaking Ancient Egyptian."

"Oh, yeah. She was, wasn't she?"

"Yes."

"Come on, let's get you dressed." Vanessa changed the subject.

"I wouldn't call that dressed,"

"It's okay. All the concubines wear stuff like that." Jennifer told her.

"How many concubines are there?" Genesis asked.

"About fifty," was Vanessa's answer.

"Fifty?! All for one man?!"

"The Pharaoh. He likes selection and gets bored easily."

Genesis couldn't resist it. "Is he *good*?" She joked.

Jennifer slapped her around the head. "Ow..."

They reached Genesis's room, which, thankfully, was across the hall from Jennifer's. Genesis reluctantly changed into her loincloth and had her body painted by other maids.

"It itches."

"You'll get used to it."

A maid walked up to Genesis. "Anck-su-namun. The Pharaoh has heard of your arrival and wants you."

"Aw cr-" Jennifer's hand covered her mouth.

"She'll be right there."

The maid nodded and left.

It was then Genesis started to panic. "Oh my God, why did I come here? Do I have to do this? Can you get me out of it? Please? Help, I don't know what to do!"

"Calm down," Jennifer said, "It's okay."

"Yeah, but... I'm a virgin! I don't know what to do! He'll have my head chopped off!"

Jennifer laughed. "It's okay. So was I. Just... do what comes naturally and... try not to make much noise. He doesn't like that." She blushed.

Genesis raised both eyebrows. "I'll remember that."

Vanessa sighed. "I'm so glad I'm a maid..." She said as she walked off.

Jennifer put her arm around her shaking friend's shoulder. "C'mon. I'll walk you to his bedchamber."

"I don't want to do this." Genesis whispered.

"Neither did I."

They reached the doors to the Pharaoh's bedchamber.

"It's okay." Jennifer said, "The first time's always the hardest because you're so nervous."

"You sound like you're an expert."

"I've done it twice, okay?"

"Okay."

"Just remember, whatever your feeling, he's feeling the same thing."

"How will that help?"

Jennifer shrugged.

"Okay, here goes nothing." Genesis said, trying to be brave, but it was clear she was a nervous wreck. She said goodbye to Jennifer and entered the bedchamber.

Jennifer felt sorry for her friend, but there was no way to help her now. Jennifer decided she'd go back through the mirror and go to bed. First she had a shower and put on her pajamas back on, then stepped through the mirror back into her bedroom and fell asleep.