The midday sun blazed overhead, casting sharp shadows on the bustling sidewalk. The air vibrated with conversation, the rhythm of footsteps, and the occasional burst of laughter from passing strangers.
At a small café table, Archie and Linda lingered over their coffee, their plates littered with the remnants of toast.
Archie's gaze drifted, drawn to a dark-haired girl weaving through the crowd with the quiet grace of a dancer. She was slender--almost boyish--but the sway of her hips was deliberate, assured. She knew she was being watched. A faint smile ghosted across her lips before she disappeared into the tide of pedestrians.
When Archie turned back, Linda was already watching him, her eyes gleaming with quiet amusement.
"You always look at other women," she said. "Everywhere. Every woman in this city. Especially the ones in high heels. Or the ones in short skirts. Or the ones in long skirts with slits."
Archie smiled, feigning innocence. "Oh, come now. Only the pretty ones. And, after all, how many pretty women could there be? Two? Three?"
"More," Linda scoffed. "Far more. At least, according to you."
"That's not fair," Archie protested. "Occasionally, maybe, I glance at a woman as she passes. A fleeting look. Nothing more."
"Everywhere," Linda countered. "Restaurants, work, movies, trails, concerts. Every single place we go."
Archie leaned back, his tone playful. "Now, darling, I look at everything. God gave me eyes, and I use them -- to admire women, men, movies, the little flowers of the field. I casually inspect the universe."
"You should see yourself," Linda said. "When you casually survey the universe of women's legs."
"I'm a happily married man," Archie declared. "A shining example to the entire city."
Linda tilted her head. "Are you, though? Are you really happily married?"
"Of course," Archie replied. "Now what the hell is the point of a question like that?" "I'm wonderfully happily married," Archie said, with forced patience.
"Yes," Linda murmured. "And you look at every woman that passes."
"That's an exaggeration."
"Every woman," she said. "If she doesn't have pretty legs and high heels, you lose interest quickly. If she has halfway decent legs, you watch for about three seconds. And if she has truly pretty ones -- you practically break your neck."
Then, casually, she added, "Would you like to wear high heels yourself?"
Archie nearly choked on his coffee. "Do what?"
Linda just watched him, head tilted, waiting.
Silence stretched between them. Then, almost before he realized he was speaking, Archie muttered, "Wait -- do you think I'd look good in them?"
Linda's gaze swept down to his legs. They were long, lean, and muscular -- undeniably masculine, with a dusting of hair, calloused heels, and toenails that had seen better days. All of which, in her mind, could be easily fixed.
"We're going shopping," she declared.
*** The Transformation. ***
Five minutes later Archie sat in the women's section of a shoe store, staring at his reflection in a floor-length mirror. Nude pumps encased his feet, incongruous against his shorts and t-shirt. He flexed his toes, feeling ridiculous.
A saleswoman appeared.
"They look great on you," she said smoothly. Then, "Turn around, please."
Archie hesitated, glancing toward the door. Any moment now, someone he knew would walk in. He could feel it.
"You look fantastic!" Linda clapped her hands, her delight unmistakable.
Archie exhaled. "I look like an idiot."
Linda ignored him. "Now, hands on your hips."
He blinked. Excuse me?
She gave him a pointed look. He sighed and did as he was told.
"Good. Now raise your hands above your head and turn around again," she instructed.
His feet ached. His pride ached more. But he complied.
"Alright. Now walk."
Archie took a cautious step, then another. His knees locked, his balance wavered. He moved with all the grace of a malfunctioning robot.
Linda watched with a critical eye, finally nodding. "Not bad, but the legs need work."
Archie groaned. "You want me to lose my masculinity completely? Not in this lifetime."
The saleswoman stifled a laugh.
Linda tapped her chin thoughtfully.
Archie just sighed and reached for his wallet. The price was ridiculous. But at this point, what was one more small defeat?
"Let's go," Linda said brightly, looping her arm through his.
The spa staff welcomed Archie with warm smiles, ushering him into a plush chair.
"My, you have hardworking feet," one of the technicians chuckled, eyeing the rough calluses.
Archie wasn't sure how to respond, so he just let them do their thing. His feet were soaked, scrubbed, massaged, and smoothed. His legs were shaved. And before he could protest, his toenails were painted a bold, glossy red.
"Women love it when men wear bright or golden colors," another technician remarked, adding the final touches.
Archie stared at his feet. They looked... different. Almost unrecognizable. But oddly fascinating.
As they left, he turned to Linda. "You know... I might actually come back here."
Linda grinned. "I thought you'd say that."
Back on the street, Archie glanced over his shoulder, half-expecting the dark-haired girl from earlier to appear again. He wasn't sure why.
Linda suddenly stopped in front of a boutique. "I need to shop for clothes," she announced. Her gaze flicked to Archie's newly polished legs, the heels making them look sleek, almost elegant. She smiled.
"Archie, you look absolutely stunning."
Before he could argue, she pulled him inside.
Archie sat waiting as Linda tried on outfit after outfit, asking for his opinion each time. He was just starting to zone out when a salesgirl sidled up beside him.
"Do you mind if I pick something out for you?"
Archie blinked.
"What?"
"Just let me try," she said. "I promise you won't regret it."
Archie shook his head.
"I'm not into that."
"Just say yes. Please?" She tilted her head, watching him expectantly. "I'll make it worth your while."
Archie sighed.
"Fine. You can try."
Moments later, she returned -- holding up two mini-skirts.
Linda emerged from the dressing room in a sleek black dress and immediately beamed. "Come on, just try it. It's perfect for you."
"I'm not looking for skirts," he protested.
"But it would look good on you," the salesgirl added, her voice oddly serious.
Linda's tone turned coaxing. "Just put it on."
Archie groaned.
"Well... okay."
Inside the changing room, he stared at the flimsy fabric in his hands.
What the hell am I doing? This isn't me.
Yet, when he pulled it on and turned to the mirror, the reflection wasn't entirely awful. The skirt sat snugly at his waist, showing off his legs. He turned slightly, examining the silhouette.
"Are you done?" Linda called from outside.
"Uh... yeah, but don't come in."
She ignored him, pushing through the curtain. "Come on out."
"Linda! No!" His voice came out sharper than expected -- anger? Embarrassment?
She tugged his arm. "Don't be silly."
He let himself be led forward, acutely aware of the very obvious erection pressing against the fabric.
The salesgirl lit up. "It looks good on you."
Archie shifted uncomfortably.
"Turn around," Linda instructed.
He hesitated but obeyed. His face burned. What if someone walked in and saw him like this?
"Hands on your hips."
He sighed and complied, feeling utterly ridiculous.
"Good. Now raise your arms above your head."
"I -- "
"Just for a second," Linda coaxed.
Against his better judgment, he lifted his arms. The movement made him feel even more exposed.
Linda smirked. "Mmm, women would adore you in that."
The salesgirl's voice was casual. "Try taking the t-shirt off."
"What?!"
"Take the t-shirt off," she repeated, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Archie turned in surprise. When had she gotten here?
"You can't be serious."
Linda chimed in smoothly. "What about me? You might want to wear it without the t-shirt... for me."
Archie stared at her, dumbfounded. She was actually encouraging this?
"I... I think I'll just change back."
Linda grabbed a white one-piece swimsuit from a nearby rack. "Wait! Let me put this on first!" Then, before he could argue, she disappeared into the changing room.
Archie stood frozen, suddenly hyper-aware of the salesgirl watching him.
"You've got a little time," she said, her voice light. "Just take the t-shirt off -- let's see how it looks."
Archie was about to protest when movement in the mirror caught his eye.
A woman browsing nearby had turned toward them.
His stomach dropped.
Barbara.
His beautiful neighbor.
She was walking straight toward them.
The salesgirl touched his arm lightly. "It won't be that bad."
Archie's pulse pounded in his ears as Barbara drew closer. She hadn't seen him yet -- hadn't registered what he was wearing.
Maybe she'd walk past. Maybe she wouldn't notice.
"It won't be that bad," the salesgirl murmured again, her hand still on his arm.
Archie yanked his arm free and took a half-step back, but Linda reappeared before he could retreat any further.
She was breathtaking. The white swimsuit clung to her curves, her bare legs extending in smooth, elegant lines. She knew exactly what effect she had -- and she was using it.
Her eyes flicked to Archie's chest, and she frowned.
"You're still wearing the t-shirt?"
Barbara's gaze snapped to them, and in that instant, she saw him. Saw the skirt. The heels. The red nails.
Her lips parted, and Archie felt the ground sway beneath him.
"Archie?"
Silence stretched.
He forced a smile. "Hey, Barbara."
Her eyes darted to Linda, then back to him. She blinked.
Linda, ever composed, grinned. "What do you think?" she asked Barbara, tilting her head.
"Doesn't he look gorgeous?"
Barbara exhaled a short laugh, a mix of amusement and disbelief.
"I... didn't expect to see you here."
Archie's face burned.
"It's not what it looks like."
Barbara raised an eyebrow, her gaze dropping to the short hem of his skirt.
"It looks like you're modeling outfits for Linda."
Archie opened his mouth, then closed it.
Linda stepped closer, her fingers ghosting over his waist. "Oh, he's doing more than modeling."
The salesgirl nodded. "He's exploring a new look."
Archie shot her a glare. "I am not -- "
"I think it suits him," Linda interrupted, her voice honey-smooth. "Doesn't it, Barbara?"
Barbara hesitated. Her eyes traveled over him again, slower this time. Something flickered in them. Curiosity.
Archie swallowed hard.
She smiled. "Actually... yeah. It kind of does."
He stared at her. "You're joking."
Barbara's lips twitched. "I don't know, Archie. Maybe Linda's onto something."
Linda's hand brushed his back. "See? It's not just me."
Archie exhaled sharply, shifting on his feet. "Okay, great. You had your fun. I'm changing back."
He turned toward the fitting room, but Barbara caught his wrist.
"Wait."
Archie stopped.
Barbara tilted her head. "You should at least try walking in it first."
"What?"
Linda's grin widened. "Oh, that's a great idea."
The salesgirl clapped her hands. "A little runway moment! Just a few steps."
