Cassandra Chapter 1

In time, I became known around the scene and was welcomed warmly wherever I went. I made some friends, including cross-dressers, Queens, gay boys, even bouncers (always nice to have around when you want to get in without waiting in line or to get rid of some abusive Yuppie jerk). I found out I had more in common with the Queens than I had previously thought. Once they got to know you, they were a lot more fun to be around than the "weekend warriors" who wore opaque pantyhose and long sleeves to hide their hairy legs and arms. We hung out, danced, got a little drunk, and just had a good time. We even ventured to some of the straight clubs when they had special events. The management loved us; we were exotic and controversial, which made us "cool", and their club the "cool place to be".

I learned the local idiom and grew comfortable in conversing in it. For instance, I finally found out a 'rock' is a (usually new) girl who has not undergone any kind of physical transformation (hormones, implants, or other cosmetic procedure). This is not to be confused with a "rock star", who is a girl on Crack. My new friends gave me tips on dressing, 'tucking', makeup and hair and other tricks of the trade. They told me they got their curvy bodies through a combination of hormones and "pumping" - silicone injections - and recommended I get myself "done". "We know this great doctor," my friend Naomi told me. "She's fish (genetic female), but she's really into us 'girls'. She gives us all the 'mones we want. Just say the word, Sugar, and I'll fix you up with her. Girlfriend, you would be sen-SA-tional!" I was a bit awed by the fact that a physician - genetically-female at that - would take an active interest in the scene. I made a mental note to inquire about that later.

This Jeckyll/Hyde existence went on for a couple of years. 'Matt' went to work at Barnes and Bidwell five days a week. He worked hard, made a good living, had fun with his friends at work, and went home.