Everyone in this story is 18 years old or older.
My stories tend to jump from reality to fantasy and back. If this isn't your cup of tea please move on to other stories more suited to your taste.
At the last meeting of the Cromwell Ladies Social Club,it was agreed that this year's dramatic production, a yearly doing, would be Tarzan, The Early Years.
The only question remaining now was who would they get to portray the young Tarzan?
Mrs. Blanche Smithers,the high school's drama/English teacher beamed up saying, "I think a student in my English class has the perfect body and is the right age to do it. He doesn't have any acting experience, that I'm aware of though. But that shouldn't be a big problem, I can coach him on that."
A member's voice sung out asking, "Who did you have in mine? Would any of us know this boy!"
"Yes, I know at least a couple of you know him, it's Ward Mathews. One of our own members' sons, Laurel Mathews. He's in my class at school and has a very athletic build for a nerdy shy 19 year old boy."
Laurel was shocked and amazed at Blanche's pick. Her son,Ward, was indeed a shy nerd. His shyness was nearly debilitating at times. He had begun to fill out physically in the past year but hid it well with his baggy and conservative clothes.
Ward would put you in the mindset of a Clark Kent type. When he took off his horn rimmed glasses and unflattering clothes he was quite the handsome young boy. With his Sandy blond hair and olive skin he looked as if he spent time outdoors in the sun.
Laurel was ecstatic to learn her son would be picked for the lead. She was such a social want-a-be, she'd do anything to climb that social ladder. If that meant sacrificing him to the women. That was okay with her.
After the meeting Laurel rushed home to announce the big exciting news. Ward was overwhelmed and terrified at the prospect of having to appear in public period, much less acting in a play. His crippling shyness was being put to the ultimate test.
His aunt Veronica, his moms sister, was the town's most well known seamstress and had been appointed to be in charge of the plays costumes. She agreed, wanting to help her sister climb up the town's social ladder.
The rehearsals were coming along fine, especially since the dialogue mostly consisted of grunts and facial expressions. This worked well for Ward. He just followed Mrs. Smithers direction.
It was finally time to begin working on the costumes. Ward's mom instructed him to be at his aunt Veronica's home after school on Wednesday afternoon.
When he walked into her home he was surprised to find not only his aunt but his mom, Mrs. Smithers, the plays director and Janie, Veronica's daughter and his cousin.
"Thanks for being prompt Ward," Mrs Smithers said.
"No problem," Ward redirected. "I'm...just a bit surprised at the 'crowd' for a meeting about costumes."
"We're accepting all ideas about costuming," Mrs. Smithers announced. "I have the basic design in mind but I'm open to all suggestions."
Ward shrugged his shoulders and started to sit down. His aunt Veronica spoke up saying, "Hold on Ward! There's no sitting for you right now. I've got to get your measurements first thing."
Ward stopped mid sit and stood back up causing the ladies in the room to chuckle at his awkward recovery. "Nice job cuz," his cousin Janie mumbled.
Ward flashed her a demeaning look, indicating his disapproval at her comment.
His aunt instructed him to stand in the middle of the room so she could take his measurements. She began with his neck and was interrupted by Mrs. Smithers. "What are you doing?" She asked the seamstress.
"I'm taking his measurements! Is there a problem?" Veronica asked.
"Not at all but I believe you're wasting your time. You're not going to need his neck measurements!" Mrs. Smithers laughed. "He's only going to be wearing some kind of loincloth for goodness sake."
While laughter filled the room, Wade's eyes enlarged nearly twice their normal size. This was the first he'd heard about what kind of costume he would be wearing. And it was a shock for him to learn that it would be some kind of loincloth only.
"I'm sorry...but what?" Ward blurted out. "I'll...be wearing what? I can't possibly wear anything like that!" He continued.
The room fell silent for a moment before Mrs. Smithers asked, "Just what did you think a person portraying aTarzan type role would wear?"
"I...I hadn't given it any thought," Ward answered. "It just never occurred to me that my costume would only be a loincloth. I'm afraid that's not going to work for me. I'm sorry but I'm withdrawing from the play."
Laurel could see her rising role in the Cromwell Ladies Social Club starting to crumble. She spoke up with authority saying, "Ladies, I can assure you that my son will most definitely be continuing his role as Tarzan in our production! He's just a bit confused at the moment. You'all are aware of his nearly chronic shyness but it will not affect his participation."
He looked at his mom with defeated eyes. He couldn't understand her announcement concerning his continuing part in the play. Surely if he didn't want to do the play now she would understand and allow him to withdraw.
Laurel said, "Please excuse us as we have a quick mom son chat." She grabbed Wade by his arm and escorted him into the nearby kitchen.
"Mom,I don't want to do this anymore," he pleaded. "I can't wear a loincloth peroid, much less in public!"
"You are not going to ruin my one and only chance to make inroads into this social club!" Laurel demanded. "You will do everything and anything these ladies ask of you! Do I make myself clear?"
Ward had bever seen this side of his mother. She was completely serious and even somewhat scary. "If you mess up this opportunity for me I will make your life at home unbearable!" His mother declared.
Ward, shocked and stunned at his momsresponse, let her drag him back out to the middle of the room where he had been.
"Is everything okay?" Mrs. Smithers asked.
"Yes indeed," answered Laurel, as the still bewildered Ward nodded his head in agreement.