AN: All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.
This chapter is also a prologue more or less to the beginning of the story Hunger. This and the first chapter were also creative writing assignments designed to help the authors learn more about their characters. Hope you like it.
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Chapter 2 – Papers Tucked Away
The following papers were among the personal items of Rosalie Hale. I am sealing the papers in a safe place either to be returned to their owner later or to be destroyed. Depending on how the results of the transformation and Rosalie's feelings afterwards, I will then decide what to do with said papers. Until then they will remain sealed.
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Rosalie Lillian Hale
Box 23
Rochester, New York
1933
To the New York Beauty Pageant Committee:
I could not find information on where to obtain an application so I am writing a letter of application to demonstrate my interest in being a participant.
Personal Information:
Name: I, Rosalie Lillian Hale, would like to apply as a contestant for the Beauty Contest being held in New York this year.
Address: Box 23, Rochester, New York
Parent's Name: Mr. & Mrs. Hale of Rochester, New York. I was born in and still reside in Rochester.
Siblings: I have two younger doting brothers who cherish and look up to me as their perfect older sister.
Cause: Causes that I support include good personal improvement, strengthening of family, and charity work.
Physical Appearance:
Height: I'm 5' 9" tall, and my mother has spent extensive hours training and prompting me on the proper way to walk and hold my carriage straight and tall. She constantly stresses how to walk and hold my carriage to promote my statuesque figure to its full potential.
Weight: A lady should never have to divulge that information, and a gentleman would never ask.
Eye color: I have light blue eyes, which the other girls at school were always jealous of, plus I have long dark lashes and my eyebrows are well shaped, arched slightly, and match my natural hair color.
Hair color: I have long naturally blond hair with golden highlights flecked throughout. In an attempt to improve myself I spend extra time brushing my hair so it shines, and if I could change one thing about it, I would like it to have more waves in it. It is unfortunate that the weight of its length pulls most of the natural wave out, but there is no way I will ever cut it. I love having long hair.
Other Information:
I go to church with my parents once a week, I was a member of the Girl Scouts when I was younger, and my father is a member of the Democratic Party although I don't know how helpful that information is since I cannot vote at this time.
On a more personal note, I was born in 1915 in Rochester, and I am the oldest of my parent's three children. My complexion is fair and my mother does allow me to wear make-up but only sparingly. She says make-up should enhance my features not over shadow them; she says my natural beauty should always be allowed to shine through. According to her when a woman overdoes the make-up, it makes her look like a painted floozy. My lips are full, perfectly shaped, and turned up slightly at the corners. The boys at school always said my lips were tempting and crying out to be kissed, but I didn't allow that sort of familiarity.
Father constantly reminds me that well-brought up girls do not flirt or tease. They keep themselves chaste and pure. He claims I only deserve the best in a bow and husband, and he is striving to present me to the upper echelon of Rochester's society. Father also reminds me that I am not only beautiful but also charming, intelligent, witty, and caring. Mother claims I will one day make some lucky man an excellent wife, but I am not in any hurry to marry anyone.
Father always says charity begins at home; therefore, I spend time helping my mother take care of my two younger brothers. I make sure they have their homework done, their rooms cleaned, and their teeth brushed before retiring for the night.
When I win the crown, I can promise to wear it with dignity and grace. My beauty is widely known in Rochester, and many heads turn when I glide gracefully into to a room. My bearing and carriage are enchanting and awe-inspiring to behold; there is nothing awkward or coarse about my figure, charms, or manners. I would be an asset to the program and I would exemplify the perfect beautiful young woman in New York today.
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from your committee soon.
Rosalie Lillian Hale
Rosalie Lillian Hale
Letters of Reference attached.
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– Reference Letters
Mr. Hale
Box 23
Rochester, New York
1933
Dear committee members:
As Rosalie Lillian Hale's father, I would like to vouch for her character and personality. Rosalie has always been a dutiful daughter. She is very precious to her mother and I, and we have done everything within our power to provide her the best life has to offer. We have also spent time teaching her the values of life and the difference between right and wrong. Rosalie has never disappointed her mother or me; she always makes her choices carefully and wisely.
I have given her permission to enter this contest because she is a worthy candidate. She is beautiful, intelligent, charming, and witty. She would shine brightly as an example of New York's best in young womanhood.
When it comes time to choose a husband for my precious daughter, I will search as high in Rochester's social register as possible. Rosalie deserves only the best; it is what her mother and I have always strived to give her. She is the perfect daughter and the perfect candidate for you pageant.
Respectfully
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(Signature unreadable due to red stains.)
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Mrs. Hale
Box 23
Rochester, New York
1933
Dear committee members:
Rosalie Lillian Hale is my oldest child. She is a lovely young lady who deserves the opportunity to participate in a program to that will allow others to recognize how truly lovely and charming she is.
Rosalie knows how to carry herself with poise and grace; she is able to glide effortlessly across a room and brightens up any room she enters. Her statuesque form is the perfect example of what all sophisticated young ladies should strive to achieve. All admire her and even her two younger brothers dote on her. She is the ideal of what is expected from an older sister.
You will not find a more charming young lady in all of the coastal states. She did well all the way through school, and for a time, she belonged to the girl scouts until they began teaching radical ideas such as a woman could become more than just a wife and mother. Rosalie is a traditional young lady and she understands and respects her place in our great society. She will grace the arm of any young man who is lucky enough to call her wife. She will make an excellent hostess, as well as an admirable mother.
Thank you for taking the time to consider the merits of my daughter as a candidate for this pageant.
Cordially
Mrs.Hale
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(Signature and part of name missing due to water damage.)
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Box 23
Rochester, New York
1933
Dear Sir:
My sister is very beautiful, everyone says so, but I only see her as my sister. I guess she is pretty, but she is a girl. She is nice to me. She doesn't tease me, doesn't say nasty or mean thing to my brother or I. She is a good sister and I do love her.
Mother and father think she is perfect, and they give her everything she wants. All she has to do is ask for it and father makes sure she gets it, but she does think about asking for things for my brother and me also. Last Christmas she even talked father into allowing Santa Claus to bring my brother and me a puppy. That was really nice of her. I think you'll like her too once you meet her.
Rose is very pretty. I love her a lot. She is good to me. We all love her. Everybody should love her because she is so nice and so pretty. She can even help you get a puppy if you want one.
Sincerely
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(Heading, signatures and closing salutation smeared by what appears to be either jam or jelly.)
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Mr. Jonathan Smith
Box 95
Rochester, New York
1933
To Whom It May Concern:
Rosalie Hale was one of my shining graduates. She excelled in my class and was an asset not only because of her physical beauty but also because of her intellectual contribution to class. If Miss Hale has any weaknesses, it would be her tenaciousness; however, it could also be considered an asset because she doesn't give up. Miss Hale will hold on to a belief or conviction even in the face of others counter beliefs and convictions. In fact, once Miss Hale takes a stand on some issue or belief she refuses to let go of it especially when she believes she is right.
It may seem as if this does not make her a good candidate for the pageant; in all actuality, it makes her a highly qualified candidate for your consideration. Once she sets her sights on a goal, she will stay with it until she achieves that goal, so if chosen, to be crowned, she would whole-heartedly give herself to her role and would live up to the expectations made for her.
In the category of beauty, Miss Hale will not disappoint any members of you committee, nor will she disappoint the judges. She is an unsurpassed beauty and every male in the community would agree with that statement. You will discover that she will not disappoint anyone in that category which is an upmost requirement for you pageant.
I hope you will seriously consider Miss Hale as a qualified candidate.
Respectfully
Mr. Jonathan Smith
Mr. Jonathan Smith
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The following two letters had large X's through them.
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Miss Agnes Hale
Box 202
Rochester, New York
1933
To Whom It May Concern:
Rosalie has the perfect doting parents. As far as they are concerned, Rosie can do no wrong. She is the perfect angel, sometimes hiding behind a spoiled brat. She gets everything she asks for, she doesn't have to share – not even with her brothers – and no one says no to her. She is also vain always primping and preening in front of the mirror and always seeking complements. 'How does my hair look? Do you think this color flatters my complexion?' It is very annoying, if you ask me. I wonder what she would say if I told her the color looked hideous on her, or that it looked like her hair was thinning in the back. Sometimes, I absolutely hate her, but never as much as I envy her. I could just scratch her eyes out when she bats those long lashes over her enviously blue eyes.
She believes everybody else should treat her as a special person just as her parents do – she believes it is what she deserves. She believes she is worthy of everyone's love and admiration even though she has done nothing to earn it. Rosie believes everyone should love and pamper her just as her parents do, but life doesn't work that way.
I do not deny that she is beautiful and that every male head turns when she walks into a room, but she is as cold as an iceberg. She considers her own feelings and needs before the needs or feelings of others. I can honestly say she is as vain as she is beautiful. She may be pretty on the outside, but she sure is ugly on the inside. She doesn't think about anyone but herself. She is too overconfident in her own self worth and overly pampered; maybe she does need to be in this pageant just to learn that there are others prettier and more worthy of this honor than she is.
I know all of this because Rosie is my cousin. If your pageant is only looking for outside beauty then she will do fine for you, but if you're looking for internal beauty, you will not find it in her.
Yours truthfully
Miss Agnes Hale
Miss Agnes Hale
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Master Robert Greenbow
Box 23
Rochester, New York
1933
Dear Sirs:
Rosalie Hale – Rose – has the looks that turns all men's heads. Her eyes are the most striking shade of blue and are absolutely beautiful. She is the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen.
She has the kinds of lips that every male wants to kiss. They are full and plump, and when she licks them with her tongue and it drives me mad. I just want to rush up to her, grab her, and plant a big kiss on them – but then I'd bet in trouble and my father would take me out to the wood shed, and then there would be another long lecture on how a gentleman treats a lady. I bet he'd want to kiss her to, if he saw her.
She would definitely grace your stage when she walked across it. She is graceful, has a perfect figure, and knows how to show herself off to her best advantage. You will not regret choosing Rose as a candidate for your pageant.
Sincerely
Master Robert Greenbow
Master Robert Greenbow
An Admirer of Beauty
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The following are believed to be journal entries left by Miss Hale but the actual Journal was not found. None of the entries was dated.
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A monumental event has occurred; mother has finally agreed to allow me to wear a bit of makeup. 'Nothing overly done or cheap looking,' she warned, but even the little she has allowed will now cover the despoiling blemishes I have discovered on my skin this past year.
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I have the perfect life. I'm beautiful, I'm perfect, my parents love me, my brothers love me, and my life will always be perfect. Other than a husband who is as handsome as I am beautiful, what more could I ask for? Well, a wealthy husband is also a given. Father will make sure whomever I marry is kind, generous, a reasonable age, from a good family and is well situated. I have many friends who admire me and think very highly of me. I do have the perfect life. My parents love and cherish me, and they lavish me with all that I could ever want.
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Father calls me his sparkling jewel, and says I am the apple of his eye; I love being the center of attention and admiration in my family. It is only right that I become the center of attention wherever I am. I love to see heads turn as I enter a room; I should be the focus of everyone's admiration. I never leave the house until I'm sure that everything about me is perfect. My hair, my make-up, and my clothes must be perfect or no heads will turn as I walk into the room. I love being the center of attention. I deserve the admiration of others. I do not deserve the envy of others. Everyone should be happy for me.
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Males of all ages admire me because I am beautiful. Most of them would be very willing to court me, and I have my pick of all of them who want my hand in marriage, but I don't want to settle for just anybody. I hate it when men and boys ogle me as if I'm a piece of meat or a toy for their pleasure and entertainment. I am nobody's toy.
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Many girls at school don't like me. They are petty and jealous because I am so beautiful and they are not. I cannot help that God made me perfect but that He chose to give them imperfections. It's not as if I walk around pretending to be better than them; if I'm better, it is because I am not because I pretend to be. I definitely am not going to play down my looks just to make them feel better. This is wholly their problem and they need to get over their pettiness about not being the most beautiful girls in school or in town for that matter. They have to learn to accept the fact that I am more beautiful than they are and that is just how it is.
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I can't believe it. Mother and father have finally agreed to let me enter the beauty contest New York is holding this year. I took every ounce of flattery I had to persuade them that this would be a character building experience for me. It will help build my character to some extent, I believe, and besides that, I want to be able to prove to all the girls that I am the most beautiful woman in all of New York. Once the judges see, it will be all over; there is no way they will vote for anyone else. I am so excited by this opportunity. Just wait, I'll show them all who the most beautiful is, and it won't be them.
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Father brought home a gentleman for dinner this evening. He pulled me aside and informed me that I should consider him for a future husband. He seemed old, maybe 5 years younger than father. He had pleasant manners, a nice voice, and somewhat pleasant to look at, but there seemed to be something missing. I felt distant from him; as much as I tried to like him, I just couldn't. If father pushed the idea of marriage, I'm not sure what I will do. I will have to think about this for a while because I'm not sure I can marry a man I don't love or even like.
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Miss Hale held the same beliefs as most young people, she believed she had all the time in the world to live her life and reach her goals. It came as a complete shock to her when her life was abruptly abridged.