1435 Words, this chapter. OK, this chapter mentions two period uniforms. I got a bit confused but I think they're kind of accurate. Keep in mind that I'm not an expert but feel free to correct me.
Chapter Four, Just a Costume 2, Redressed
Becker stood in the back of Joe's costume shop, in front of the changing booths. "Which one should I try on, Jess: the Hessian soldier from the time of the American Revolution or the French regiment Hussar from the Crimean War?"
"Huh?" she asked, from inside the booth. "Does it matter? They're both soldier uniforms."
She heard a huge exasperated sigh. "Are you serious?" he asked.
She had to giggle.
"They're not the same, Jess!"
"Sorry, sweetie. I'm not a soldier."
"Obviously not. 'Does it matter?' she asks," he muttered. Jess just giggled more.
"First of all they're from different countries and times. Then they look nothing alike! The Hessian is red, white, and blue," said Becker, "While the Hussar is blue, white and gold with elaborate embroidery on the chest."
"Ooh, that sounds good. Try that one on," she said.
"OK."
"I wish it had a companion piece for me," said Jess. "I love going in pairs."
Becker let out another exasperated sigh. "Of course it has a companion!"
"It does?"
"Sure. You can go as another Hussar."
Jess rolled her eyes. "That's not appealing to me, Becker." She stepped out of the costume booth, and admired herself in the mirror. "Hmm...I don't think this will work."
"No?" asked Becker, beginning to change inside another booth.
Suddenly Jess heard a whistle behind her, and another, and another. Becker's head jutted quickly out of the booth.
Jess turned to see three men staring at her. Actually, they were ogling her.
"Uh-oh," she whispered. Two of the men were standing still, but the third approached.
"Wow! You're smoking hot!" he cried.
Jess nervously backed up. "Um...thank you?"
"Yeah, baby!"
"Watch it!" cried Becker, jumping out of the booth with only his pants and shoes on. "Back off!"
"Easy!" cried the man. "I'm just admiring..."
"Don't," said Becker.
Jess grabbed his arm. "It's OK, Becker."
He turned and saw her for the first time. His eyes bulged out. His mouth dropped open and he was speechless.
"What?" she asked.
"What?" he repeated with disbelief. "What are you wearing?"
Jess looked down at the costume. It consisted of a white vest, long white gloves, knee-high boots and a bikini panty.
"What's wrong with it?"
"Are you kidding?"
"I like it," said the man. "She's...sexy," he said with a leer and drool.
Jess looked at his face and realized she had done it again: chosen something over the line.
"I'm changing, right now."
"No!" cried the man, moving toward her. But Becker moved faster, blocking her off from him.
"Easy," said a new voice, as Joe intercepted them. "It's my fault," he said. "I'm the one who put it out on the floor. It should be with the ones not suitable for trial in store. Sorry, Becker."
He gently pushed the soldier back. He then turned to the ogling man. "Dude, that lady is his girlfriend, so I'd suggest you cool down and back off."
"I'm so sorry," came Jess' voice, choked with a sob.
"It's OK, Jess," said Joe. "Right?" he asked the customer.
He seemed to be stuck or confused. He shook his head. "Right. Sorry." He then backed up and got lost in the racks.
Joe took a deep breath and chuckled. "I love you guys, honest I do, but sometimes I have to admit it makes me nervous when Jess tries on costumes."
"You and me both," said Becker, scanning the aisles to see if anyone else was ogling his girl, even though she was safe inside a booth.
"I'm so embarrassed!" Jess cried. "I didn't think...She's a character from the Anime cartoon called Bleach. Her name is Lilinette. I thought she looked cool."
Becker chuckled. "And sexy."
"Yes. I like sexy."
"So do I," Becker said, "just not that sexy in public."
Jess began to sob.
"Ah, Jess..." started Becker.
"I was completely covered..."
"It didn't really look like it," said Becker, making Jess sob more. "It was just a vest and panty," he said.
Jess sucked in the sobs, and spit out, "But the vest covered everything and was buttoned closed at the strategic points..."
Joe chuckled.
"And the bikini bottom was actually wider than normal bikinis..."
"Again, it didn't look that way from here," said Becker, calming. His voice was gentler, trying not to be mean.
"I thought it was OK to try."
"So did I, Jess," said Joe. "So did Linda. She has the final say-so when we put the female costumes out. We can't look at every costume out of the package."
"No," said Jess, blubbering a little.
"Are you still wearing it, Jess?"
"Yes, Becker."
"Let me in."
The curtain parted a tiny bit and Becker disappeared inside. "OK. Yeah, everything is covered. It's just..."
"Too enticing?" asked Joe.
Becker laughed. "Way too enticing. It gives the illusion you're seeing more."
"Which is not something I want," said Jess.
"I'll move all of the Lilinettes from Bleach out of the 'try-on' costumes and into the Adult room."
"I think you should, Joe," said Jess.
"I second that," said Becker.
Joe heard a kiss and then Jess suck in her breath. "You OK?" he heard Becker ask.
"Yes."
Joe sighed with relief. "I'm going to go move the costumes. You guys are good, right?"
"We're fine," said Becker. "Sorry, Joe."
Joe laughed. "This time was really my fault. Thanks for not maiming anyone Becker."
"Thanks for intervening before he did," said Jess.
"I've learned to be vigilant when you're in the costume booth, Jess," said Joe. "If it helps, I've seen Becker go ballistic when you're wearing long sleeves and a long skirt."
Jess giggled. "So have I actually."
"I can't help that you're breathtaking and drop dead sexy, can I?"
She laughed. "No. I guess not."
Joe chuckled, shaking his head as he went to move the Lilinette costumes. "Another day at the shop."
"Well, this is a no," said Jess.
"Obviously," said Becker, with a chuckle.
"Yeah, it's not enough color."
Becker burst out laughing. "Yeah, and that trumps the fact that it has no top."
She laughed. "It has a top. It's just..."
"Alluring."
"In a bad way," she said. She sighed. "I thought I was better at judging sexiness. I thought I learned my lesson! This is worse than that cat costume that attracted the creep two years ago!"
"Jess, its not your fault. You didn't make the costume."
"Yeah, but..."
"It's OK."
"It's not, Becker! I can't always tell how others see me."
He smiled. "That's what I'm for." He kissed her.
She chuckled. "Yes. Reign in my sexy."
"My pleasure."
"OK, let me try something else on. How about this?" She took another costume out of the bag so Becker could examine it. He held it up to her. His eyebrows rose. "I think its OK, but I'll have to check the angles once its on, make sure your knickers aren't showing."
"Or worse," said Jess.
"Oh, don't worry, I won't let you come out in worse."
"OK."
"And put Lilinette to the side to buy."
"I thought you didn't like it," she said.
Becker smirked. "Oh, I like it. I just don't want you showing it to anyone else. Ever."
She giggled and nodded.
He started to leave but stopped. "Or do you want me to stay and help?"
She laughed. "Not enough room. Plus Joe doesn't like us in here together. He doesn't trust us."
Becker growled slightly. "Wonder why?"
She laughed and gently pushed him out. "I want you to put on the embroidery soldier."
His eyebrow shot up and he chuckled. "You mean the Hussar, Jess?"
"Yeah."
He laughed as he walked to his booth.
The he heard a whistle. And another. And another.
"What now?" asked Joe.
Jess' head peeked out of her dressing room. "Becker! Get inside and put on a shirt!"
Becker blushed as about five women all stared at his naked chest.
Joe arrived, pushing back two of the younger women who were approaching. "Just another day..." he mumbled.
Becker laughed as he fled to the safety of his booth.
"You two are just too good-looking!" cried Joe.
Jess giggled from her booth.
End of Chapter Four