Permanent For Life

“Well since we have you safely secured I shall take some
photos now, and then I must attend to certain other details
of your conversion. Tara has set the controls to the proper
temperature and timing to give you a firm and long lasting
curl. You will be connected to the machine for about an
hour, so Janice will be able to do something about improving
your hands while you are processing. If your head becomes
too hot, or you think one of the clamps is burning your
scalp, let Janice know immediately.” with that informative
but chilling statement Ms. Merrill left Janice to attend me
while I sat bound to this machine.

How did I get myself into this predicament?. It is almost as
if these women were just waiting for me so they could do this. No,
surely that is not true this is a business place, they make money
by fixing peoples hair, it must be my imagination. But it
certainly appears that they are enjoying themselves. What can I
possibly do when this ordeal is over? Obviously my hair is to be
firmly and permanently curled by this machine.

Even though I
don’t have any relatives or close friends, my landlady, and the
women at the grocery store, and the restaurant are bound to know
my hair has been curled. How can I face them? What if somebody
recognizes me from the pictures,—- and “conversion” what does
Ms. Merrill mean by that?—– Is that just a figure of speech?

“Your other hand!” Janice said shocking me back from my
worries. She had set up a manicure table, attached some false
nails to my left hand, and now was proceeding to do the same to
my right hand.

“Why are you doing that to my hands, I just wanted pictures
of a hairdo.” I asked.

“Ms. Merrill gave instructions that we are to make you
appear completely feminine and as beautiful as possible. She
wants the pictures to be as realistic as possible.” Janice
replied.

Oh my, how will I ever get this all undone? As I worried
what was happening to me, Janice shaved both of my hands and
forearms with an electric razor. She filed the false fingernails
into long slender ovals and then applied a clear polish to each
nail.