26

CONTEMPORARY TV FICTION

adorned with candles.

"Here we are, Susan. This is our float. Come on now, climb up." He stepped up onto the float. He felt so alone, yet only feet away were others in their pretty dresses. The difference was that he was a boy and they were real girls! Then one blonde girl noticed his arrival and shouted, "HEY, HE'S HERE! OH LOOK AT HIM! JUST LOOK!" The girls needed no more invitation. They rushed over to him, laughing and giggling.

"Oh, God, look at the pansy!"

"Look, he is dressed just like us, how

lovely!"

"He's really wearing some outfit, isn't he?"

"It suits him! Hey, girlie, what's your name? Come on sweetie?" Jeff shuddered with frustration and embarrassment as his sister's young friends crowded around him.

"Go on, tell them your new name, or I'll tell Mom you refused," Karen said.

"No! Please don't make me," Jeff pleaded with her as the girls stared in disbelief at his frothy attire.

"Tell them," said his sister menacingly. "It's.. it's...," the girls waited impatiently, "it's.. S-Susan," he blurted out. There were shrieks of laughter, then chants of "Susan! Susan! Susan!" all around him. Suddenly he felt a girl pull up his dress.

"NO! DON'T!" he cried in alarm pushing

it down.

JEFF'S HUMILIATION

27

Party & time

Jeff felt so alone, yet only feet away were others in their pretty dresses.