Day One

My excitement for the 2-day Empress adventure was so high that I could hardly contain myself waiting. Even though Angel had set our appointment for 3 p.m. I found myself entering the Emerald Fantasy building 15 minutes early. Angel was waiting and directed me to the make-up room to wait. There I was surrounded by racks of dresses, skirts, and blouses, wigs, make up, and even a few pictures of the other girls. Angel began by giving me a tour of the facility, showing me the only restroom (the ladies room!), the upstairs club room with its deck overlooking the freeway and the locker room where other girls can keep their outfits, if they desire. After offering me a drink, we sat and visited for a few minutes, but my mind was only on beginning the adventure. I wanted to pack as much into the six hours as possible!

Angel made me feel at ease by telling me what the plan of action was; she would get me fitted with undergarments and breast forms, and then let me try on lingerie until I found something just right to wear. She thought a black lace negligee was the best for me. I sat in her make-up chair wearing black pantyhose, a black negligee, and a 40 C bra with breast forms while she began the amazing transformation with the make-up. I couldn't believe the make up detail she went through starting with the beard covering and proceeding with the foundation, rouge, eye shadow, mascara, and lipstick. She explained how to apply the makeup and all the time informing me that the purpose of the whole process was to highlight my feminine features, and downplay the less than feminine features.

What excitement when she brought out the first skirt and blouse outfit. It was a mini-skirt that looked so small that I was sure it wouldn't fit. But it did! And when she brought out the top, a necklace, and fitted me with a blonde wig, I could not believe my eyes when she spun me around and let me look in the mirror. I couldn't believe it was I! It wasn't, it was Lynn! Out into the hall we went for the first picture of Lynn! Next came a black top with a black and purple below the knee skirt with a dark brown wig. Then it was a different skirt and wig, and each time, Lynn had a different look. Picture after picture was taken showing the ever changing Lynn. I was astounded and excited to see how Lynn's appearance changed. I always new it was true that girls can change their looks because they have so many styles. I have never liked the fact that men's clothes, styles, and hair always are so predictable and drab. I guess that is partly why it was so much fun being Lynn!

During the time I was trying on different outfits and wigs, several other 'girls' came in, and they welcomed me warmly. It turned out this was their night 'on the town', and they had come in to transform themselves in preparation for their evening activities. Debbie was a lot like me (balding on top and in the 50s) and she transformed herself before my eyes. Karen had long hair pulled back into a ponytail, so she had the luxury of using her own hair and didn't need a wig. She looked stunning after she styled her hair, put on make up and a fashionable red pant suit. She and Debbie were going out to dinner with several lady GG lawyers. Anne was a very prim and proper 60ish lady with a gray wig and a very fashionable outfit and coat. I think she and several others were going to a performance of some kind.

After about ten different outfits and wig combinations, I was ready to go shopping. I needed to buy some make up for my return trip home. I had driven about 1200 miles for this adventure, and Lynn was going to drive the 1200 miles back home! Angel and I headed out together to get me my exposure to the public. (I had been out in public many years ago, but I was still a little nervous because in the past I had done my own make up, without professional guidance, wore bras stuffed with Kleenex's and not always the best choice of clothes.) We went into a Walgreen's and Angel told me just to be Lynn. She and I picked out the necessary make up, and then Lynn went over to get a couple of pair of pantyhose. Angel then left me alone to go to the cashier. The young lady at the counter just smiled nicely and rang up my order, and Angel and I were on our way. The purchase of make up and some pantyhose was successful with the positive reinforcement from Angel.

It was then off to a dress shop. I wanted to try on a party dress for tomorrow night's adventure, and Angel did not have any in her stock that would fit me, so Angel and I went looking for party dresses for her inventory. Lynn selected a black dress with a sheer overlay and another step in the process of transformation began - I was trying on a dress in the women's fitting room! After receiving a number from the attendant (who treated me as any other woman), I entered the fitting room and found the dress fit perfectly, a saucy looking dress with silky arms and a hemline three inches above the knees. Angel also found a dress she liked and we left the store with two new dresses to try on tomorrow night and no second glances by the store staff.

Being from the Midwest, Lynn wanted to have seafood for dinner that night. Angel knew just what seafood restaurant to go to. It was a beautiful restaurant overlooking the yacht basin on Lake Union. The dinner was delightful - two girls chatting and enjoying a meal. A picture of Lynn at the table concluded the fabulous evening.

I headed back to the motel with a different set of clothes, ready for Lynn to have a day on her own in public the next day. I must say it took me a while to get to sleep because of the ecstasy of the evening. I lay in the bed looking and re-looking at the pictures Angel had taken of Lynn. I couldn't decide which outfit I liked best. Lynn looked so nice in all of them.

Day Two

Morning came early, because I hardly slept. I was on my own that morning for make up, and wow, it was a lot tougher doing it myself than it was having Angel do it. I really messed up the eyes (Angel said later that I had raccoon eyes!), but then I can't see close up without my glasses, and it showed. After some touch up, I felt comfortable going out in public. Lynn forgot to buy a blush brush the night before, and also needed a brush to style the wig, so off to Target to buy some essentials. From there, it was to the South Center Mall and into Bon Marche'. Lynn found the ladies clothes section and had a blast trying on some very sophisticated outfits. Again, she negotiated the dressing room without incident. In fact, despite being very self-conscious, I discovered most people didn't give me a second glance and others smiled naturally. Angel encouraged me to smile as that highlighted the feminine features of my face. There was not any overt reaction of passers-by to Lynn walking down the mall. Angel's advise worked - just be Lynn and don't worry about what other people are thinking! I went to lunch at the food court. I went through the line, ordered lunch, sat down in the middle of the busy food court and enjoyed lunch, although I continually looked to see who was looking at me. I realized again, that acting normal would allow people to see me as Lynn.

The plans for the second night were to try on more outfits, take more pictures, grab a bite to eat and go to the dance club for some girl gyrations and then to the drag show. Angel said that sometimes the shows had audience participation, so I decided Lynn was going to try to lip sync a song at the show, if the opportunity arose. One big problem though, I had to find a song and get it memorized fast! So, as part of the adventures of Lynn out shopping on her own was a visit to Sam Goody's in the mall to find a song to lip sync. I was familiar with LeAnn Rimes' music so I bought the "You Light Up My Life" tape, hoping that a Seattle nightclub wouldn't mind country music.

Even with the shopping and lunch, there was still a lot of the afternoon left before I was to meet Angel again, so I made a quick stop back at the motel to freshen up. Then I hopped in my pick up, put in the cassette, and headed to downtown Seattle and the Market Place. With LeAnn Rimes singing 'You Light Up My Life', I began memorizing lyrics for tonight. Unfortunately, the Market Place was so jammed that I wasn't able to find a place to park, but that was no deterrent. On up to the Seattle City Center I went, listening to LeAnn and memorizing like mad! After a brief stay at a souvenir shop at the Space Needle (because it was cool weather in January and I had no jacket and my right big toe was being blistered by the high heeled shoes), I decided to go back to the motel and prepare for the night.

I was early again for the appointment that night, so I sat in my pick up, continuing to memorize LeAnn Rimes, waiting for Angel to arrive. After Angel arrived (and gave me the 'raccoon eyes' critique of my makeup!), she and I began the transformation for the evening activities. Lynn's make up that night was to reflect an evening make over, so I removed the 'amateurish' make up job I had done, and Angel began the process of making Lynn look proper for evening activities. There were more pictures, and more outfits to try on, again, each one presenting a different look. Lynn decided that the party dress she picked out last night was too much of an attention-getter, so she decided to wear the one Angel bought; a reddish, lacy, just below the knee, dress. After Lynn put on a LeAnn Rimes style blonde wig, selected a pair of black patent leather flat heel shoes, beige nylons, several pieces of jewelry, and had her nails painted to match the lipstick, off we went to eat. We headed up to the Capitol Hill district and Angel mentioned several places to eat, including the popular Charlie's and a Thai cuisine restaurant. I had never eaten Thai food, and I always like to try new things, so Thai it was that night. As had happened last night, the maitre'd greeted us with a "good evening, ladies", and the waiter served us as he did every one else. What tasty food! It was a delightful meal, two girls talking about food, theology, and families.

The dance club was just down the street, and Angel led Lynn to the dance floor so Lynn could develop her feminine moves. Mirrors were strategically placed around the dance floor, so Lynn could see what she danced like. I was sure every eye in the room was on Lynn, as it was awkward to let Lynn be Lynn, but the beat of the music and my observation of other girls moves soon partially released Lynn out of the self-conscious state, and she began to loosen up. Due to time it had taken to eat, and the need to get to the show on time, we couldn't stay as long as I would have liked. It was a fun experience, though, to allow the feminine side to show up. It was something I had never experienced before, and I won't soon forget it.

On the way to the drag show, Lynn began to get cold feet about performing. With only one day to memorize words, and then having Angel inform me that I needed to use some of the moves I had practiced at the dance club, increased my anxiety level. Upon arrival at the show, Angel disappeared to find the head girl and soon Miss Roxie, wanting information about my song and me, stopped by our table. This show did allow audience talent and she then informed me I would be the fourth one to perform. After hearing the first three performers and their professional abilities, I wondered why I had agreed to do this, but, it would be a long time before I was back, and here was a chance for Lynn to be Lynn again. Once again Angel's advice proved valuable - just let Lynn come out and don't worry about the audience. Well, the last thing I had to worry about was the audience, because Miss Jessie had spilled a drink on the mixer board, and the cassette player wasn't working. But, I was not off the hook. Miss Roxie assured everyone that the tape player would get fixed and they would have a chance to hear Miss Lynn later in the show.

The tape was fixed a couple of songs later, and I went on stage. Miss Lynn began to lip sync and do some gestures (I thought they were awkward, but Angel said they were great). I guess the audience liked the act too, because they began bringing up tips. (Of course, Angel set the example by being the first one to tip just before she finished the last two Polaroid pictures, which had been saved especially for this event.) But, all was not well, three fourths the way through the song, the sound system quit and Lynn's debut on stage in Seattle ended early. She did get to keep the $5 in tips, though!

The night had gone way too fast, and soon we were back at Emerald Fantasy wrapping up the adventure. Lynn wanted to buy some clothes, breast forms, and a wig because she was going to drive home the next two days. So, two outfits, breast forms, a wig, and miscellaneous accessories later, Lynn was on her way back to the motel, her mind full of experiences, and excitement. Here are some of her thoughts:

The transformation that took place with the make up, clothes, and wig was indescribable. I had never thought that I could look so feminine, and it was the realization of a lifelong dream. I had wished all my life that 'fairy godmothers' were real and that I could be transformed into a girl. Angel and Emerald Fantasy showed me that there was a real fairy godmother, and I was it, by transforming myself!

The way to release the feminine side is to take risks. The advice of Angel to just be Lynn and not worry about what others are thinking, or what I think they are thinking, was good advice. It was that advice that helped the adventure at the mall and using the dressing rooms.

The breast forms are fabulous. The closing night, Lynn had bigger breasts (because Lynn is 5'11, 200 pounds - a big girl) and the larger breasts fit well with her build. The sensation of the breast forms against the skin and their bouncing really enhances the feminine mystic.

Taking the risk of performing on stage at the drag show really allowed Lynn to begin to come out. I only wish that there could be more opportunities to let Lynn come out in the future. I hope she will be able to be herself more at home.

Angel runs a very professional operation and she really made me feel at ease. Her instructions on how to walk, talk, stand, and move as a girl allowed Lynn to become more feminine. Because I was only there for two days, the uneasiness of appearing in public never fully left to the extent it probably would have had Lynn taken part in the full three-day adventure.

The interaction with the other Emerald City girls that came in the first night really let me see that I wasn't alone with my feminine desires and characteristics. The conversation I had with the girls gave perspectives to my issues back home.

It was definitely worth traveling 1200 miles to experience. I hope that someday if I get back to Seattle for some reason that I'll be able to see Angel and the girls again, because they have made a big impact on my life.

Thanks, Angel, for a great adventure!