The role of a lifetime 05

As Britt sat in front of the newly installed piano in his apartment, dressed in a short skirt and sky-high heels, he was starting to think that going ahead with the bet, was a perhaps a stupid idea. As he sat there playing the same song for perhaps the hundredth time that day, he thought back to that text from Jim weeks ago and wished he could go back in time and agree to cancel the contract.

“Dam it”, he yelled, pressing the wrong key and messing up the song he was practising once again.

Natalia looked up from the sofa, where she was messing around on her laptop, “Woah, someone’s in a bad mood today”, she announced.

“Can you blame me”, Britt replied annoyed, spinning around on his stool to face her, “All I’ve done for the last four day is sit here, wearing tight uncomfortable clothes, playing this dam song over and over”.

“I think it’s time you took a break, babe, come over here and sit with me for a while”, Natalia said, patting the cushion next to her.

Britt stood up, his body aching, having sat in the same position for hours, and click-clacked across the room before sitting down next to her, “I don’t think I can do this anymore, Nat, I mean, this whole thing is a ridiculous idea, no one in their right mind is going to think, I’m a woman and give me a part in a big-budget movie”.

Natalia tilted her head, “and what makes you think that”? she asked.

Britt breathed a heavy sigh and shook his head, “Come on Nat, I may look passable from a distance but what’s going to happen if I get through the initial casting stage? Do you really think they’ll look twice at me when they’ve got a choice of all the other beautiful and talented actors”?

“Yes, I think they will”, Natalia answered bluntly as Britt looked on shocked, “look at what you’ve achieved already in just a few weeks, you can move and behave in a feminine manner, your girl voice is coming along nicely, and at this point, you know Gabriella inside out, I think you’ve got a shot”.

Britt thought for a moment before he answered, “I just feel so frustrated, doing the same thing every day, I don’t feel like I’m improving at all”, he moaned.

“Honey”, Natalia said in a soothing voice and rubbing his back, “these things take time, you know that. And I know you, you always get what you want, you’re the most determined person I’ve ever met, I know it’s tough when you can’t see the progress your making, but I’ve been sat here listening to you for the last few days, and I can tell you now, I don’t think many people could pick up what you’ve learned so quickly, A few more weeks of practice and you’ll be more than competent, easily good enough for what the movie people are looking for”.

Natalia watched as Britt smiled, sitting up and looking more confident, she always did know how to push his buttons, “yeah, you’re right, perhaps I need to stop feeling sorry for myself and do what I need to do to win, thanks Hon, I feel much better now”, Britt said as he leaned over and gave Natalia a kiss on the lips.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better because you’ll need to be 100% committed from now on if you are going to beat Jim”, Natalia said feeling strange kissing Britt while he was looking like a woman.

“Oh, don’t worry about Jim, I know he’s been putting in a bit of effort, but it won’t last, he always quits eventually, he can never stick anything out”, Britt replied confidently.

Natalia didn’t smile and had a serious look on her face, “I think this time might be different, with Vicky pushing him and with the risk of them losing everything, I think you might be underestimating him”.

“Ha, there's no way can he win”, Britt announced”, I mean, I’m surprised as you at how good he looks dressed up, but Jim can’t act, and he definitely can’t play the piano”.

Natalia slowly shook her head before turning her laptop so Britt could see the screen, “You sure, babe? Because my friend request for Jem Stevens was just accepted and it looks like you’re not the only one practising”.

For a moment Britt didn’t know what his girlfriend was talking about as he looked down at the screen, but as Natalia looked on, his expression quickly turned from one of confusion to one of utter shock, “Woah”, Britt announced, as he examined at the image before him,  finding it hard to believe he was looking at Jim.

 The person in the image looked like a really sexy woman girl leaning against a piano, her legs on full display below her indecently short skirt, and balancing precariously on heels so high, Britt wondered how anyone could possibly walk on them.

(See image 5.1)

“You see, he’s not going to quit, if you want to win this, you need to drop the arrogant macho attitude and put in the hard work. Unless that is, you don’t think you can beat him”? Natalia asked.

Britt looked up with a fire in his eyes, “Of course I can beat him, I always beat him”.

“That’s more like it, babe”, Natalia announced, "So how about you get your cute little butt back over to that piano stool and let me hear that song one more time”.

Ten days later, Britt stood Infront of the full-length mirror in his bedroom, examining his image for any imperfections that might reveal his true gender. He felt a mixture of terror and pride as he looked at the image of the woman reflected back, standing tall on her fashionable suede ankle boots.

It was truly bizarre seeing himself dressed up about and ready to go out into the city, compressed into in the little black dress Natalia had worn for their last anniversary, he remembered how sexy she had looked wearing it that night, but as much as he hated to admit it, he knew he wore the sexy dress just as well as she had that night.

It was the first time he had gotten himself fully ready without Natalia’s help, and even with her insisting his makeup skills advanced enough that he didn’t need her help, he still couldn’t help but feel nervous.

“Wow, looking hot, Brittney, ready to go”? Natalia asked from the doorway.

Britt took one final look at himself in the mirror, still not used to his new feminine name, but with the sight of his dark fluttery lashes and smoky eyes, looking back at him from beneath his new black wig, made from real human hair, he knew the name suited him more than his old one, he turned around and smiled, “ready, I think, do I look ok”? he asked.

“You look beautiful, babe, now don’t be nervous, tonight you're in character, just think of yourself as a woman out for a few drinks with her three girlfriends”.

“So, you and Victoria are friends now”? Britt asked jokingly trying to take his mind off the situation.

“Ha, yeah, we are tonight, you’re not the only one who can act you know" she answered smiling, " now grab your purse and let's go”.

Britt and Victoria took a taxi to the bar that night, not wanting to worry about how much they drank and having to leave the car in the city. It was a silent journey, as Britt sat with him nyloned legs tightly pressed together looking out of the window, trying not to make eye contact with the young cabbie who kept staring back at him through the rear-view mirror.

As he watched the familiar streets pass by and saw random men out for the night with their girls, he couldn’t help but feel strange. Not so long ago he would have been dressed like them, in a pair of trousers and a smart shirt instead of his girlfriend’s black mini dress and heels, but a lot had changed in the past few weeks and tonight was going to be the first time the four of them had seen each other since the bet, it was going to be a surreal experience for sure.

It was a few days ago when Victoria had text Natalia, taking her up on the offer to meet, and being curious as to what Jim would look like in person and wanting to gauge his progress, she had eagerly agreed.

Britt was reluctant at first, not really liking the idea of going out to a bar on a Saturday night, where he would be surrounded by drunken men, but having been persuaded by Natalia, he was sat in the back of a taxi dressed to party and well passed the point to back out.

As the cab pulled up outside the bar, Britt’s heart was pounding and his legs were shaking as Natalia paid the driver and he stared out through the window at the bar full of people.

“Have a good evening, ladies”, said the cabbie, as Britt swung his legs carefully out on to the pavement trying to keep his modesty. Ignoring the pervy driver he lifted himself on to his heels and slammed the door. He watched the taxi drive off and looked over at Natalia looking stunning in her little red dress and matching pumps and felt truly emasculated knowing that tonight he looked nothing like her boyfriend.

Britt let Natalia take the lead as he followed her through the door of the bar, hearing the chatter of people talking and the faint sound of a 90’s brit-pop song in the background. Natalia set off through the crowd as Britt tried to keep up, mincing his way between the people trying to look confident and not out of place.

Carefully traversing a few steps and taking a right, the pair entered a second room where Britt stopped in his tracks, stunned as he came face to face for the first time in weeks with his old-time pal Jim.

An equally shocked Jim stared back, sat on a tall stool, next to Victoria, by the bar. upon seeing them Victoria lept to her heels to greet them, “Natalia, Britt, you two look gorgeous tonight, how have you been”?  She asked leaning in and giving Natalia a hug and an air kiss.

“Vicky, great to see you, we’re doing great, but it’s Brittney not Britt tonight if you don’t mind”? Natalia replied air kissing her back.

“Oh, my bad, sorry Brittney, how rude of me”, Natalia said before moving over to Britt and repeating the greeting, as he got a face full of her blonde hair. 

“Jem, get over here and say hello”, Victoria announced, turning towards the bar.

Britt could hardly believe his eyes as he watched Jim gracefully lift himself off his stool and on to his tall silver peep toe shoes. He patted down his flared black and white polka dot skirt before stepping over to stand shyly next to Victoria, “Hi guys", he said quietly, "so this is weird, huh"?

Britt didn’t know how to respond, his old friend looked better than he had in the pictures, stood there with his makeup perfectly done, and a pair of very realistic breasts stretching out the almost see-through mesh white top he was wearing.

Sensing the awkwardness, Natalia stepped forward to greet him, “Wow, Jem, look at you honey, you look amazing”, she said, giving him a hug and a kiss on each cheek.

“err… thanks Natalia, you look nice too”, Jim replied shyly.

“Thanks, babe, that’s sweet of you”, Natalia said happily, “but I think Brittney has outdone me tonight, what do you think of her outfit”?

Jim looked over at Britt in his tight black dress and shook his head slowly from side to side, “Wel, I guess you’re not quitting then”? he asked his friend, scanning him up and down.

“Not a chance Jem, you know me, I never back down from a challenge”, Britt replied tottering forward on his heels, repeating what he had seen the girls do, greeting a frightened-looking Jim with a hug and kiss on both cheeks.

(See image 5.2)