"What do you think Tam, the brunette or the ginger. I'm leaning toward the ginger," said a man in the silver sequined dress.
"Are you out of your mind?" Tam shrieked, "he's a natural blond, and quite a bombshell he'll make with those delicate features of his, but he's going to need a shave."
In a back room at Brandywine's nightclub, John sat in a chair before a lighted mirror as two men in dresses fussed over him. Harry and Jazz sat in the corner of the room rolling with laughter as they watched.
Tam lifted John's chin. "You should moisturize you know," he said as he smeared shaving cream across John's face. Harry whispered something to Jazz and they broke out laughing. John frowned at them through the mirror. "Now stop that will you! "Tam said, "you'll make me cut your cheek."
"I think you're right about the blond. It goes well with his complexion," Sam said holding a blond wig against John's face as Tam pulled a razor across his chin and above his lip. It had been a long time since someone had shaved him. John closed his eyes and tried to think of it as just another trip to the barber shop. Tam wiped his face with a towel and rubbed it with his finger. "There," he said, " smooth as a baby's bottom."
Sam lifted red lipstick in front of his face. "What about this?"
"Red! Do you want him to look like a slut? No it's baby soft pink for Johnny here. He's going to be a classy lady, not some common harlot." Tam bent over and pulled pink lipstick off of a tray. "Now pucker up, honey."
"I'm going to make a very ugly woman," John said.
"Trust us, you'll have men chasing after you by the time we're done with you."
"So, no change there," John said. Harry lifted an eyebrow and John's chuckle turned to a frown. "I mean, some men will go for anything in a skirt."
"Men like you you mean?" Harry added from the back of the room. John turned in his seat and gave her a cold stare.
An hour later, a John-sized woman stood surrounded by admirers who smiled and whispered among themselves. "He's adorable!" Sam said clapping his hands.
John was wearing beige low-heeled shoes, stockings, a dusky pink A-line dress covered by a flower print queen's-cut jacket. A string of white pearls with matching earrings set off his cute make-up covered face surrounded by a short blond wig whose tips turned in like the best 60s models. He clutched a pink bag to his chest, but it wasn't big enough to hide behind, unfortunately.
"I look ridiculous," John said.
"I am a genius," Tam replied.
Brandywine walked in carrying a Polaroid camera. She snapped a picture of him.
Hey," John said holding up his hands, "No evidence."
"It would truly be a crime if I didn't preserve this moment. You're quite attractive as both a man and a woman. Even more so because you are totally ignorant of your charms. Come with me, and I'll show you the secret way out."
As John walked down the hall, Harry came over to walk beside him. The ginger wig had ended up on her head.
"You look like Mom," John said.
"Stuff it!" Harry spat.
"What are you complaining of? I'm the one in drag."
"Well I'm dressed as a man dressed in drag, so I think I beat you on that count."
"Where's Jazz?"
"She's on another mission," Harry replied as they walked around a corner into a darkened corridor.
Brandywine unlocked a door and led them through it. "Go to the end of that hallway. You'll find a stairwell that exits on a different street. Wait in the doorway until some people pass. It will be harder to recognize you in a crowd."
John turned and grabbed Brandywine by the arm. "Thank You," he said.
"You're welcome," she replied her voice lower and unaffected for once. Then she stepped back into character and waved to them as she passed back through the door, " Don't be a stranger Dr. Watson. A woman like me always appreciates a visit from a gentleman."
The door shut and locked behind them.