The Hottie!
Like what you see? Look closer! All of these Swans are just Average
Joes! From the creators of such shows as Is That Thing Loaded? and Turn
Your Head and Cough, comes the next generation of reality TV. Sexier
than Who Wants to Marry a Refrigerator?, crazier than Queer Eye for the
Blind Guy, more shocking than Amish Boot Camp...this fall, get ready for
The Hottie!
How far would a man go to make his dreams come true? Would he give up
what makes him a man? To win the girl of his dreams would a man become
the girl of his dreams?
"The problem with reality shows is that there is really nothing at
stake," said producer Juan Venada, the mind behind such hits as My Big,
Fat, Obnoxious Rabbi, and Bowling for Orphans. "After the show is over,
the participants can just walk away. With The Hottie, the contestants
know that even if they don't win, they won't be using the men's room for
a year or so...if ever!
The premise is simple. Eight contestants spend a year living full time
as women. Drag queens will not be tolerated: any man who judges feel
has not achieved his potential as a woman gets the high heel boot. If
any man is 'read' during proceedings (if an outsider realizes he is not
really a woman), then he'll be put on the next bus home.
"These 'ladies' can drop out any time they like...no one's stopping
them," says director G. Gordon Greyson (While You Were Out: Home
Burglary Edition and Pimp My Wheelchair). Of course the entire country
will have seen them chuck their Brut for Obsession and their Fruit of
the Looms for Victoria's Secret! After we're done with them they may
find they prefer being just one of the girls!"
The contestants were picked from a pool of thousands of men, aged 18 to
25. These men thought they were auditioning for the new American
Eyesore, and were rather shocked to realize that, if accepted, they'd be
shaving their legs for the next twelve months! One hundred men met the
challenge to let the woman inside come out. After two months of intense
training, only eight men remained.
The contestants will be divided into two teams, who will each live in a
'Sorority House.' No leaving the toilet seat up, men! They'll be
expected to be in fem form twenty four/seven. House mothers Suzanne
Danforth and Lupe Rodriguez will see to that.
"When they told me about The Hottie, I just had to get on board," says
Suzanne Danforth, 40, a former actress, and professional makeup artist
and stylist. "When I get through with those boys, their own sisters
won't recognize them...or at least they'll think they're looking in a
mirror!"
Lupe Rodriguez, 25, couldn't agree more. In addition to being a former
Miss Chile, this South American model has appeared on several American
reality shows, including Dirty Slobs and Nanny 555-1212.
The House Mothers will not be the only eyes on our hims turned fems.
Each contestant will have a sponsor from home, a woman who can help them
learn what it really means to be a female.
In addition to daily makeup, hair, fashion, and comportment lessons,
each of our teams will have to pass the weekly Estrogen Challenge
(televised each week, though may have actually occured months apart).
As for the losers...one of the girls will be given a ticket home, back
to a pile of unpaid bills and clothes that no longer fit. Which man is
macho enough to become a woman?
At the end of the year, any remaining TV TV stars will complete a final
challenge. The girl left standing will forever be known as THE HOTTIE!
(In addition, the winner will receive $5 million, tax free).
***
MEET THE LADIES
Chris:
Age: 20
Job: Personal trainer
Hometown: Chicago
Hobbies: Baseball, guitar, basketball
Favorite football team: The Bears
"I know this is a crazy thing to do, but I tore my hamstring last season
and lost my athletic scholarship. I figure with all expenses paid I can
spend a year healing up and get back on the team in the fall. And if I
win, I wouldn't even need the scholarship! Go Sox!
Chris is sponsored by his friend Jenna, 19.
Chris is a hell of a guy, but I don't think he takes female athletes too
seriously. After a year in skirts I think he'll feel different.
***
Brian (Brianna):
Age: 21
Job: Student/researcher
Hometown: St. Louis
Hobbies: Reading, gaming, classical music
Favorite football team: The Rams
What can I say? I was never much of a macho man. I'd always rather
read than play sports. I'm going to graduate next year, and I cannot
afford to stay in school full time. If I win this contest I can go on
and get my doctorate in psychology.
Brian is sponsored by his mother, Leah, 44.
Brian has never dated much, I think he's still a little nervous around
girls. I bet if he were to spend a few months applying makeup, he'd be
more confident.
***
Carl (Carla):
Age: 20
Job: Driver
Hometown: San Francisco
Hobbies: Backpacking, canoeing, hiking
Favorite football team: The Giants
I knew I'd never finish college, and I can't see myself working a nine
to five job, either. I entered the contest in hopes that I could earn
enough money to take a few years off and travel. I think that would be
worth spending a few months shaving my legs. Peace.
Carl is sponsored by his sister, Amy, 15.
Carl's been a great older brother, but I always wished I had a sister.
Now, for a year, that wish will come true!
***
David (Deena):
Age: 23
Job: Waiter/actor
Hometown: Los Angeles
Hobbies: Theater, music
Favorite football team: The Raiders
I've been trying to make it in Hollywood for almost five years. I
figure with this show to my credit, I can at least get some auditions.
Hey, acting is acting, right?
David is sponsored by his wife, Rebecca, 25.
David is going to have a star on the Walk of Fame one day. If he has to
be my sister for a year to achieve that, then it's worth it.
***
Nick (Nikki):
Age: 22
Job: Bartender
Hometown: Miami
Hobbies: Partying!
Favorite football team: The Dolphins
I ran up a lot of credit card debt in the past few years. Five million
big ones would pay that off! And a lot of brewskies! Woo!
Nick is sponsored by his girlfriend, Kiah, 20.
Nick is a fun guy, but sometimes I wonder where he's going in life. I
think the discipline on this show will be good for him. Don't tell him
I said this.
***
Timmy (Tammi):
Age: 18
Job: None (recent high school graduate)
Hometown: Two Rivers, Nebraska
Hobbies: Basketball, hunting
Favorite football team: The Corkhuskers
In all my life I've never left Nebraska. There's got to be more to the
world than this. I don't want to join the army, but if I don't leave
Two Rivers now, I never will. This is my only chance.
Timmy is sponsored by his friend, Sarah, 18
Timmy has big dreams, but I don't think he's doing the right thing.
Once this show airs, he won't be welcome back here. I pray that he
wins.
***
Rodrigo (Ramona):
Age: 20
Job: Migrant worker
Hometown: Ciudad Juarez, Mexico
Hobbies: Soccer, home repairs
Favorite football team: I'm Mexican, remember?
I make ten dollars a day working the farms in California. I get
deported when the growing season ends. The US won't accept me because
I'm too poor. If I had that money I could build a better life for
myself and my soon to be wife.
Rodrigo is sponsored by his fianc?e, Pilar.
Rodrigo is a good man, and we want to build a life together. I regret
that he has to be on that silly American show to achieve this, but when
it is over, we can get married and buy a house.
***
Tyler:
Age: 19
Job: Cook/musician (bass)
Hometown: Boston
Hobbies: Music, travel
Favorite football team: The Patriots
What can I say? I've been with three bands in two years and nothing
ever happened. This gig might get me some recognition, or a least the
money to buy some decent equipment.
Tyler is sponsored by his friend and bandmate, Jeff, 20. (Producer's
note: Tyler was originally supposed to be sponsored by his sister,
Tanya, but her job was relocated at the last minute).
Hey, this is crazy, but what the hell. I don't know that I can tell
Tyler much about makeup or clothes, but maybe I can help look out for
him.
***
Episode One
This week's episode started with our eight girls revealing the results
of six months of intense training. Our audience, who had been informed
that they were about to meet eight male contestants, were both delighted
and confused when eight lovely young women paraded across the stage in
evening gowns. The audience members were even more shocked when they
realized that the beauties were actually men.
"The whole point of this show is we are not doing low comedy," says
producer Juan Venada. "We didn't put the men through rigorous girl
training just to laugh at them. We want our audience, as well as the
rest of America, to realize that these boys have tried their hardest to
become the girl next door."
The contestants certainly have changed during the six months since their
audition. As each hopeful paraded down the runway in heels and slinky
dress, his interview photo was projected on the screen behind him.
Where once stood a stubble-chinned, scraggly haired slob, now stands a
princess. You'd think only a real woman could achieve such long legs,
such supple arms, such sooth skin. What's the secret?
"Well, I wish I could take all the credit," says Suzanne, one of our
house mothers. "We certainly worked hard breaking the male mold. And
to their credit, each of our contestants rose to the occasion. Almost
none of them complain about shaving their legs or wearing their bras.
Of course, the daily dose of estrogen certainly helped soften them up."
"Estrogen therapy is certainly a big step," says Lupe, the other house
mother. "That's probably why there we only ended up with eight girls.
But we made it clear: only those who were willing to do anything to
become a woman would be eligible for the grand prize."
Each of our faux females took to femininity in a different manner. From
the time they moved into their sorority house, no male behavior was to
be tolerated. Team Vixen was made up of Chris, Brianna, Carla, and
Deena, under the supervision of Suzanne. During the show we were
treated to in-depth interviews with the ladies and how they adapted to
their change in gender.
Chris, who in her former life was a college baseball star, was upset at
the implications for her sports career.
"I've never taken any steroids for fear of the side effects. But thanks
to those hormones, it's happening anyway: I'm growing boobs, my penis is
shrinking, and my muscles are going away. I can quit this show any time
I like, and they swear none of the changes are permanent, but I worry
that next spring training I'm not exactly going to fit in in the locker
room.
"On the other hand, as long as I'm stuck on the DL, I might as well be
doing something. Suzanne has been real good about letting me exercise,
provided I don't lift weights. Every morning I do the treadmill, run an
aerobics tape, or do yoga. Obviously not what I'm used to, but it does
keep me thin. I'm allowed to go running, but Suzanne makes me do it
wearing an athletic bra. The most embarrassing thing is, I don't think
anyone suspects I'm a man, at least not when I'm going by so fast. Some
guys even whistled at me the other day!"
Brianna, our resident bookworm, took a more philosophical outlook to his
blooming womanhood. "Gender is nothing but a societal construct. I
know I'm really a man, and will be, no matter how feminine I look. On
the other hand, these heels are killing me. And being the shortest one
here, I also feel the least manly. Maybe that will give me an
advantage.
"Since I didn't have any really male hobbies to begin with, I'm not
giving up a lot. Suzanne allowed me to get on the internet, provided I
only did so in female persona. I usually was online for two or three
hours a night, chatting and playing games. Now I'm on for maybe an hour
a week. I can't stand all the guys who want to hit on me in cyberspace!
Remember that, next time you try online flirting!"
Carla, our outdoorswoman, took issue with the skirts and heels she was
required to wear.
"Suzanne insists that we dress like we're going to the prom, even when
we're just going for a walk. She refused to allow me to go rock
climbing at the gym or go for my weekly five-mile hike at the state
park. I finally had to show her all the pictures of my women friends
who can canoe, backpack, and mountain climb with any guy. Suzanne says
she'll think about allowing me to do some of those things, but I'll have
to be extra careful not to give myself away."
Perhaps Deena, our young starlet, took to femininity better than anyone
in her house. "As an actor--sorry, an actress--I have to learn how to
stay in character constantly. So long as I look at this as a role, then
I'm comfortable. In the morning I make a game of seeing how long I can
think of myself as Deena. It's not hard. I just worry about how I'm
going to get male roles when all this is over."
Over at the other sorority house, team Kitten was also learning how to
deal with the changes in their lives.
"I've obviously never done anything like this," says Tammi, our country
girl. "Where I come from, anyone who's not 100% male is considered a
fag. I always hated that. I just hope the people at home understand
what I've done. I'm already an A cup, and if I lose, I don't know if it
will be safe for me to move back home."
Tammi has become good friend with Ramona, our Mexican seniorita. "I'm
happy to have met Tammi. Like her, I come from a place where-come se
dice?-cross dressing is not accepted. I only do this so I may build a
better life for myself and my future wife. This is the first time in
years I have many new clothes. They are dresses, but sometimes it is
comfortable to wear something nice."
Tyler, our rock chick, tries to look for career advantages. "In the
world of music, nothing is strange. I don't exactly like being the new
Boy George, but, except for maybe that actress girl in the other house,
I have the least to lose. It's not like anyone ever failed as a rock
musician because they were too weird!"
Alas, Nikki, the house's party animal, was having a hard to adjusting.
"Look at this shit! I've got tits! I used to be the biggest badass in
the Kappa Delta house, now I have to dress in halter tops and do my
hair! I hate this! If I didn't owe so much money I'd quit."
After six months of hormones, makeup, and intense training, we felt that
these girls were ready to show themselves to the world. But before we
put them in the spotlight, we decided they deserved to see a friendly
face. We allowed each of our Janes to meet with their sponsor for a
relaxing dinner. Here's how they reacted.
Chris' friend Jenna: To tell you the truth, I was all prepared to make
fun of him. He's been teasing me for years about lesbian golfers and
how bad female basketball stars are. But I couldn't do it. He'd
obviously been through a lot and I could tell he was really trying to
win. He looked so good. Less muscular, more curvy. And we wore that
dress well. It wasn't awkward at all. It would be too much to say we
were chatting like girlfriends, but I think this experience will help
Chris be a better man.
Brianna's mother, Leah: Brian...Brianna has always been socially
awkward. He'd only ever wear shorts and a t-shirt, he never asked girls
out, and would spend his evening on the computer. I was a little taken
aback when I saw what a graceful lady he'd become! His dress, his hair,
his makeup...my child had never looked so good! Of course, this is only
temporary, but I hope he'll remember how nice it feels to take care of
your looks.
Carla's sister, Amy: Oh my God, he looked so cute! I can't believe my
big brother's turning into a girl! I hope he wins, then maybe I can
convince him to be my sister! I know it won't happen, but still. Next
year I'll go to junior homecoming. It would be nice if Carla could help
me get ready.
Deena's wife, Rebecca: My husband has breasts! I had no idea things
were going to get that serious! I mean, I know things will go back to
normal, but still! Wow! The craziest thing is, we're almost the same
size! Maybe he'll let me have his new clothes afterwards.
It's funny, really. This isn't as upsetting to me as I expected.
David's my best friend, and I guess that's even more important to me
than a lover.
Nikki's girlfriend, Kiah: You know, I'd hoped this experience would
make Nick grow up, but it hasn't. All he did was complain about the
clothes, his so-called bitch house mother, and the 'fags' he has to live
with. He's going to get himself kicked out and expect me to support him
again.
Tammi's friend Sarah: I tried to keep a happy face. I mean, my God,
Tim looked great. But I knew something I had to keep to myself. They
found out what Tim's doing back at home. He's not popular. Even his
father is calling him a queer. I hope to God he wins this, it's going
to kill him if he comes back home as Tammi, and I'm not sure I mean that
figuratively.
Ramona's fianc?, Pilar: (Pilar does not speak English. Her responses
were translated). My fianc? is now my fianc?e! He's gone from handsome
to pretty! (translator's note: that sounded better in Spanish, but
doesn't directly translate). It's strange, but I almost was embarrassed
to eat with him. Not because of the way he was dressed, but the way I
was. My clothes were so shabby compared to his.
Tyler's friend Jeff: He looked fine. I said he looked fine, OK! What
do you want me to say? I'm sorry. It's just a bit weird. Yeah, he
looks good. Really good.
So what's up for our contestants next week? Here's the estrogen
challenge:
Accompanied by your sponsor, you must go a local beauty salon and get a
makeover. You must talk intelligently about what you want, and stay en
fem at all times. If anyone suspects that you are a man, then you will
be dismissed from the show.
***
Episode Two
Our twelve young ladies were nervous when they entered the beauty
salon, to put it mildly. While our Team Hottie stylists had been warned
ahead of time, none of the other patrons knew what secret our eight
babes were hiding. And no red-blooded girl would cringe at the sight of
a curling iron! What's more, our candidates found they would not only
be getting makeup, but a full fashion makeover!
"You may think this is a challenge for me, but it's not," says Hottie
fashion consultant Lori Perry. "Give me three hours and I can get your
husband ready for bikini season. I turned Johnny Knoxville into Jessica
Simpson, and I was more than ready to do the same for these guys."
Chris was our first candidate, along with his friend Jenna.
"Chris' problem is that her years of working out have left her with
broad shoulders. As the tallest of our contestants, we needed to
minimize her size. After much work, Jenna and I decided Chris would
look darling in a cashmere sweater and matching skirt. It wasn't easy,
convincing her to turn in her cleats for high heels, but after some
practice, she got the hang of it.
"Chris has been letting her hair grow for six months now, and with a
little treatment, it's as long and as smooth as Tyra Banks'. Chris was
very reluctant when we gave her her first electrolysis treatment, but
seemed to recover when Jenna told her that lots of women like a smooth-
faced lover."
Our second candidate was Brianna, accompanied by her mother, Leah. As
Chris waited for her nails to dry, she was able to watch Brianna's
transformation.
"Brianna's always been the quiet one in the house. It didn't surprise
me when she really didn't say anything about her makeover. Her mother
and Lori made all the decisions. Quite frankly, I was a little
surprised that they chose such a racy outfit. The off-the-shoulder
sweater, the sassy pony tail, the dangly earrings-yes, we've all had our
ears pierced-Brianna looks likes she's straight out of an 80's music
video. But for some reason, it works for her. I dunno, Brianna's
probably been so used to being the brain, she might find it nice to be a
ditzy valley girl for once."
As Brianna's mother arranged for her daughter's bikini wax, Carla
arrived for her turn.
"Carla is the most slender of our girls," says Lori. "I just had to
show off that flat stomach. And since she's such an outdoorswoman, I
couldn't resist putting her in some Daisy Duke cut-offs and sandals.
Those tan legs are to die for!"
Carla's little sister Amy couldn't agree more. "My brother-sorry, my
sister-sure turned out cute! They even got him to get a belly button
ring! Now maybe Mom will let me get one!"
While Amy chatted with the three older ladies, Deena, our rising
starlet, put herself at Lori's mercy.
"Deena was the easiest to handle," says Lori. "As an aspiring actress,
she's used to long sessions being made over. With that attitude, it
wouldn't surprise me if she walked away with first prize. I chose a
sleeveless black dress for her, just the thing for those fancy Hollywood
cocktail parties she'll be attending. As we finished early, I also made
over her wife Rebecca, for free. They could almost pass for twins now."
Housemother Suzanne soon arrived to take Team Vixen out for a champagne
brunch while team Kitten was ready to release the women within.
Nikki was the first undergo Venus therapy, and she did not like it one
bit.
"Nikki whined so much I was sure some of my other customers would be
suspicious," says Lori. "I was almost ready to kick her out, when her
girlfriend Kiah reminded her of her massive debts and how this was the
only solution. Nikki pouted the whole time. I'm afraid that tiny
halter top and cherry red lip gloss wasn't totally necessary, but that's
what you get for having a tantrum."
Tammi, our youngest contestant, had a much more open mind. "While I
could tell she wasn't really enjoying herself, she was a good sport
about it," says her friend Sarah. "She rather liked the gingham dress
they picked out for her, as well as the braided pigtails she settled on.
Me, I would never dress like that, and I'm from Nebraska! Still, Tammi
looked cute. I just wish the people back home-it's not important."
Ramona accepted her fate without complaint. "I didn't care for all the
waxing, and, the, what do you call it, electrolysis, but being Hispanic
I have more hair than most. This flashy red dress-I wish I could buy
something like this for my fianc?e. She didn't seem to mind. She
giggled the whole time."
Tyler, our punk-rock chick, was the last to visit the salon.
"I have to say I had the most fun with Tyler," says Lori. "Due to her
wild lifestyle, she was willing to try things her companions would never
dream of. Fishnet stockings, leather mini, grungy T-shirt, denim
jacket-I never thought I'd send one of my customers home that way! She
did look great, though. I had to draw the line at the mohawk, but the
pink hair is kind of cute.
"Of course her friend Jeff was next to useless. I didn't expect him to
have any fashion advice, but I thought the boy's head was going to
explode. We finally had to send him off to the hardware store next
door. I wonder what was upsetting him?"
After bidding a sad farewell to their sponsors, the ladies set out for a
day on the town.
"Those poor girls have been cooped up the sorority houses for months
now, with only supervised trips outside," says Lupe. "It was time they
had a day to themselves."
Carla and Chris decided to spend an afternoon at the gym, playing
basketball and getting back into training.
"We played a little one on one," says Carla. "It was fun, but kind of
distracting to play with an athletic bra. In fact, we didn't bother
with tops. By the time we were finished, there were like twenty guys
watching us! They acted like they were watching the game, but lord!"
Carla agrees. "Afterwards, we enjoyed a leisurely session in the sauna.
We wore towels, of course, but not all the ladies there did! The only
tricky part was using the showers without being noticed."
Brianna spent the day at a local coffee shop, catching up on her
reading.
"I had fun, but every guy thinks that if a girl is there by herself, she
wants to be hit on. Of course, I never had to pay for my own coffee."
Deena decided to work on her California tan at a local salon.
"I should have left my bra off, but my nipples are still sensitive. I
guess I have a bikini tan now!"
Tyler treated Tammi and Ramona to drinks and a show at a local club.
Both Tammi and Ramona enjoyed a chance to experience a side of life not
available in their hometowns.
"Both those girls were really tossing back the drinks," grins Tyler.
"It's a good thing I was watching their backs, a lot of guys were giving
them the eye."
Out of all the girls, Nikki was the only one who did not enjoy her day
of freedom. "This f***ing sucks! All I wanted to do is go have a beer,
and some guy comes
on to me. I ain't no fag! F***!"
That evening, worn our from their day in the city, our eight ladies
returned to their homes. They were in for a surprise.
Meeting in the common room of the Kitten house, our half-dozen cuties
were introduced to Dr. Walter Freeman, and informed of what the next
estrogen challenge will be.
"Ladies, thanks to estrogen, all of you have rounded out nicely.
Unfortunately, none of you have progressed past an A cup. Therefore,
you all have appointments at my office two days from now. I have a
large selection of implants for you to chose from, though nothing below
a C cup. Any of you ladies who do not want to participate may leave
now."
***
Episode Three
(note: episode three was filmed one month after episode two, in order
for the ladies to heal from their surgery)
"I couldn't be happier with the young ladies," says Dr. Freeman, our
official surgeon. "I thought for sure we'd lose have the contestants,
especially when they were informed that the implants could only be
removed at their own expense. Every one of them accepted the challenge.
Every woman opted for C cups, with the exception of Chris, who we
allowed to get B cups for the sake of her sports career, and Deena, who
asked for D cups.
"Remember, all you ladies, breast implants are surprisingly cheap and
affordable. Come see me at my office. Mention 'The Hottie' and get
four implants for the price of two. Why shouldn't your husband join in
the fun?"
Now that our eight young ladies have passed the point of no return, we
thought it would be nice to reintroduce them to our studio audience.
And what better way for our young temptresses to show off their goods
than a song and dance number? Coached by their sponsors, each
contestant performed a musical act. Afterwards, the audience voted on
their favorite girl. The girl from each house with the lowest score
would be eliminated from the show.
Chris started our show with a rendition of 'Be True to Your
School.' Fittingly, she wore the cheerleading uniform of her favorite
football team, the Chicago Bears. Chris didn't miss a detail, during
some of her cheers it was obvious that even her panties were team
colors! With those long legs and pert breasts, it wouldn't surprise
us if the real Bears' cheerleaders offered her a berth next season.
"I've always thought of cheerleaders as just that: someone to cheer for
the men," says Chris. "I had no idea the amount of practice, skill,
and physical fitness this takes. Jenna was sweet to help me with
everything, from choosing the music to selecting my skirt."
If Dr. Freeman skimped on Chris' implants, he must have given the extras
to Deena. Audience members could barely keep their eyes off Deena's
cleavage as she sang a husky rendition of 'Black Velvet,' wearing, what
else? a strapless, black velvet evening gown. Are you watching,
Tinseltown?
"In Hollywood, you have to be willing to go the distance to make it
big," gushes Deena. "That's why I went for the larger cup size.
Producers have to know I'm willing to do anything to land a part. Well,
not anything, but you get the point. Plus, my wife Rebecca has the same
size bra, so I guess we can share."
The audience barely had time to scrape their jaws off the floor when
Brianna took the stage. Unwilling to abandon her bookish personality,
Brianna treated us to a Beethoven concerto on piano. Her conservative
backless evening gown was quite a departure from her friends' more
risqu? outfits, but sometimes the prettiest woman is the one who leaves
you wondering.
Brianna is unapologetic about her performance. "I had originally
planned to get decked out in spandex and sing 'Whip it into Shape.' But
in the end, I decided to go with the piano piece. I've been playing for
years, and it's what I'm good at. If the audience doesn't like it,
well, you can't say I didn't do my best. Heck, I can't even look at the
keys anymore, not with these two girls in front of me!"
If Brianna felt she had to be conservative, it certainly didn't rub off
on the last member of team Vixen. Carla brought down the house with the
classic 'If You're Going to San Francisco.' And yes, she did wear
flowers in her hair. Her fringed halter-top showed off Dr. Freeman's
work nicely, but the smooth legs in those short shorts belonged only to
Carla.
"Everyone says I'm a hippie at heart, so why fight it?" says Carla. "Of
course, I did shave my legs and pits."
Team Kitten certainly had a rough act to follow, though each and every
one of them rose to the challenge. Tammi started us off with an soulful
version of 'Strawberry Wine.' With that half shirt and those cutoff
jeans, I imagine every country boy out there would like to take Tammi up
into the hayloft!
"I'd never performed in front of an audience before. I wanted to try
out for my high school musical, but Dad said it was too sissy. Well, no
point in worrying about that now!"
The audience's howls turned to groans of disappointment when Ramona took
the stage. She was dressed in full mariachi gear, including sombrero
and false mustache. The groans quickly faded, however, when the band
struck up 'The Mexican Hat Dance,' and Ramona's clothes seemed to fall
off. Her spangled shirt flew open to reveal a sequined bikini top. Her
hat was tossed to the audience, letting lose a mane of raven-black hair.
Finally, she removed the stache, showing us the face of a senorita that
any man would be happy to watch shake her maracas.
"A year ago I was picking fruit in California for ten dollars a day.
Now I'm doing a striptease for a group of men on television. Only in
America."
If the males in the audience needed a cold shower after Ramona's number,
they needed a blast with a firehose when Nikki walked on stage. Clad in
nothing but gold boxers and tassels, Nikki proceeded to torture network
censors and judges alike with an erotic fan dance. Unfortunatley, it
was evident that she had not practiced very much. What she had gained
in curves, she lacked in enthusiasm.
"I kept telling her she needed to work on her act," says Nikki's
girlfriend, Kiah. "But after that surgery, she kind of started moping.
Well, it's her problem. I certainly won't pay to have those implants
removed. Maybe Nikki'll stop obsessing over my boobs now that she has a
pair."
If Tyler though she'd have to work to impress the audience after the
previous seven acts, she certainly didn't show any nervousness.
Accompanied by her friend Jeff, Tyler belted out a hard core version of
'She's a Lady' on her bass guitar. Halfway through the first verse, her
skimpy bikini top somehow 'came off.' While she managed to cover
everything with her instrument, it was clear the audience liked what
they saw.
"I'm going to win this. Period," boasts Tyler. "It was hard enough
getting these stupid implants, I might as well show them off. I guess I
should have warned Jeff, though. He might have cost me points when he
dropped his guitar like that."
In order to give the two losing ladies an extra week in the sorority
houses, we decided not to inform them until the end of the week.
Unfortunately, the week got off to a rather tragic start. Tammi
received an unexpected visit from her father.
"Tammi and I were sunbathing in front of our house," says Tyler. "I had
just complimented Tammi on how good she looked in her bikini when I
realized there was this big angry hillbilly glowering at her. It was
Tammi's father and I think her heard me."
"Dad didn't lose any time," recalls Tammi. "I didn't have time to pull
on a T-shirt before he'd called me a sissy-ass faggot and a homo queer.
My own father."
Taking a second to pull herself together, Tammi continues. "He said
everyone back home was ashamed of me. He said he was embarrassed to
have me for a son. I tried to tell him that I was eighteen and I had to
make my own choices. I thought he was going to punch me. He told me we
were going home and get my tits cut off. He said after that, I was
going to join the army. That would make a fucking man out of me."
Tammi refused to leave, and things almost got ugly when her father tried
to drag her to his truck. Luckily, Tyler had apparently learned a thing
or two in her music career and was able to fend off the violent attack.
"Damn, was that guy steamed," says Tyler. "I don't think he appreciated
me dropping him like that, but, hell, he was attacking my sorority
sister. He was practically frothing when he drove off. He told Tammi
that he was out of the family, not to come home. And some much meaner
things. Tammi was crying. Ramona took her inside and comforted her
while I called her friend Sarah. We all sat in Ramona's room trying to
comfort her. Well, the three of us. As usual, Nikki was moping in her
room."
Sarah was at the house in under an hour. "Tammi was no longer crying,
but she looked like she'd never smile again. I wish I could say I
didn't see this coming. Ever since the first episode, everyone back in
Two Rivers was laughing at her, or worse. I kept telling everyone we
ought to admire Tammi for her courage, but they just laughed at me.
Said she was a fag and they'd beat her up if she ever came back to town.
To hell with it. I star school at the University of Nebraska this fall.
I'm never going back to Two Rivers."
After a tearful night, many group hugs, and a gallon of rocky road,
Tammi was ready to face another day. "No one in my family, and none of
my friends except Sarah would have stood by me. But these girls did.
They're my real sisters."
(producer's note: While all the girls signed contracts allowing us to
air anything that happens in the sorority house, we volunteered to edit
out the episode between Tammi and her father. Tammi declined, saying
she had nothing to be ashamed of).
Friday came sooner than later, and all eight of our girls gathered in
the Kitten house living room to hear who'd been eliminated.
"I don't know what was worse," says Deena. "The fear that I'd be cut,
or the fear one of my sisters would be. This isn't like reality TV at
all. I don't want anyone to lose."
The audience had voted, and seven of the girls had received high marks.
It was Nikki, predictably, who came in a distant eighth.
"Nikki is pretty, but she really does not try," says Ramona. "With her
curves and pretty face she could have easily stayed another week, but it
was like she wanted to lose. I can't say I'll miss her."
Nikki packed up and left without a goodbye to her sisters.
"She just showed up in my hotel room with nothing but a suitcase full of
dresses," says girlfriend Kiah. "He honestly expected me to help him
buy new clothes, get his implants removed, and get back home. And I'll
probably end up doing it. Unless...hmm."
While the first cut was the easiest, no one could fault any member of
Team Vixen for a lack of effort. House Mother Suzanne delivered the bad
news.
"I'm sorry, Carla. It was very close, but you were edged out."
Carla's three sisters teared up, and it was hard not to notice the tears
in the eyes of Team Kitten as well. Only Carla managed to stay
composed.
"I can't say I'm not disappointed. I kinda wish they'd cut me before I
got these hooters. Still, no regrets. I've got to be on TV, made some
good friends, and I'm much closer to my sister Amy. In fact, Amy and I
are going to take a month-long road trip as sisters. When we get back
to San Francisco I'll borrow a little money to get back to being Carl.
Good luck, ladies, I'll be watching!"
The women had very little time to mourn their lost teammates. The next
estrogen challenge was about to be revealed.
"Girls," announced Lupe, "we're going on a little trip tomorrow. To a
tattoo parlor. Tonight, you must decide what tattoo you'd like and
where. Hearts, flowers, butterflies, the choice is up to you."
***
Episode Four
"Yes, it will hurt," says Mark Delacroix, 'The Hottie's' official tattoo
artist. "But just be brave, and you'll have a design that will last a
lifetime.
Mark was kind and gentle with our contestants, helping them decide which
girly art they would like permanently etched onto their flesh. Of
course, Mark had no idea that these ladies all had a little secret! We
told them it was part of a reality show, but didn't go into detail.
Chris, our firm and toned athlete, was the first to go under the
needle. "I can take it. The ink wouldn't show up well on my dark skin,
so I opted for a chain of flowers around one bicep, and another around
my ankle. I certainly hope I win this. Tattoo removal is expensive,
and this will be a little hard to explain in the locker room."
Brianna, however, was not so eager to become a work of art. "I've
always been afraid of needles. Just a sissy, I guess."
With Chris and Deena each holding their sister's hand, Brianna allowed
Mark to put a Celtic design on her lower back, and a butterfly on her
ankle.
"That'll look great with a cropped shirt," says Mark. "Brianna was a
real trooper. I tried to convince her to get her nose or navel pierced,
but she said that will have to wait until later."
Deena, our starlet, was worried about what a tattoo would do to her
chances at an audition. "Sometimes it will make you stand out, others
it'll hurt your chances. I chose a long-stemmed red rose on my
shoulder. Sexy, but not too out there."
As Team Vixen left to let their wounds heal, Team Kitten presented their
own bodies as blank easels. Tammi was the first to be decorated.
"If I'm going to do this, I'm going to do this right. If everyone back
home thinks I'm no longer a man, who am I to argue." That's how she
explains the three-inch-tall letters spelling PRINCESS across her
shoulder blades.
Ramona was demure, as usual. "They said a feminine tattoo. Eyeliner is
feminine, right?"
Tatooist Mark agrees. "While I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, it
looks good on Ramona. She'll never have to worry about eye makeup
again. It really brings out those dark, haunting eyes."
Finally, Tyler took her turn in the chair. Without pause, she ordered a
pink Valentine heart on her arm, with space left over for a name. Who's
name?
"That special someone, of course," tittered the young musician.
As Mark bandaged Tyler's arm, we let him in on the girls' secret. He
was not amused.
"I would never have done their ink if I'd known that. Tattoos are
permanent, and if they're doing this to win some stupid contest, they're
going to regret this."
When informed that each woman had already submitted to breast implants,
Mark grew calmer. "So they're all actually dudes? Even Brianna?
Jesus, I never would have guessed."
If the ladies thought becoming works of art was going to be the hardest
part of the week, they were 'sorely' mistaken.
"The tattoos were just to get them to believe the worst was over,"
laughs housemother Lupe. "Actually, the real challenge was about to
begin."
Friday night, girls from both houses were ordered to make themselves
pretty for a night on the town. Nothing too fancy, but not casual
either. Soon, the bathrooms of both houses were filled with women
showering, doing each other's hair, and putting on makeup.
"We're probably going to be judged on our makeup and such," says Deena.
"We can't skimp. Oh, Chris, can I borrow your hoop earrings?"
Sitting in the parlor of their sorority house, each lady waited in giddy
anticipation to find out where they'd be showing off. A dance club? A
fancy restaurant? No, something much more exciting.
"Ladies," Suzanne addressed Tyler, Ramona, and Tammi. "It's Friday
night. Girls as pretty as you shouldn't be sitting home alone."
Tammi gasped at that point. She knew what was coming.
"And so, we've arranged a gentleman to take each one of you out. In
fact, here comes one now. Remember, none of them know how you achieved
womanhood, so don't let the cat out of the bag. And remember, a proper
lady only kisses on the first date, nothing more-or less."
"Of course, they guys really knew the girls' secret," says producer Juan
Venada. "We'd be opening ourselves up to a lawsuit, otherwise. But our
contestants thought they were expected to be ladies?and you'd be
surprised how far they'd go to play the part."
"My man was the first one to show up," laments Chris. "Barely ten
seconds after we find out that I've been set up with a date! To make
matters worse, the guy, Darnel, was a college baseball player, and I
faced him on the field once! Thank goodness he didn't recognize the new
Chris."
Darnel suggested a bite to eat, and Chris recommended a local sports
bar. "Too manly? Maybe. But I tell you this: if a girl I took out
ever wanted to go to 'The End Zone' on a first date, I'd marry her."
Darnel and Chris hit it off well, not only having a love of baseball in
common, but many other hobbies as well.
"Chris and I got along great," said John in a private interview. "I
wonder if he remembers tagging me out at second base last year. He did
the same thing to me in the car tonight."
Chris apparently did not mind Darnel's attempt to steal second, and
allowed him a brief kiss at the door.
"A nice guy, but let's face it, so am I. I did my duty and it's over."
Brianna shrieked in recognition when her date arrived. It was Mark, the
tattooist from earlier in the day.
"It was my first date," relates Brianna. "I know, how pathetic is that?
21 and never asked anyone out. I was afraid they'd set me up with some
hulk for laughs, but Mark was really nice. And smart. I really enjoyed
listening to him, but he also insisted I talk. What a nice guy."
When asked if Mark was handsome, Brianna was non-evasive.
"Yes."
Mark took Brianna to a university concert performance of one of her
favorite symphonies. Afterwards they walked through the quad, hand in
hand. Ran, more like it. While our cameraman was adjusting his
lighting, our young couple gave him the slip, and did not return to the
sorority house until well past midnight. Mark then gave Brianna a
chaste kiss. A little too chaste, perhaps.
"Mark is a nice guy. I think he felt a little guilty about convincing
me to get tattooed and wanted to make it up to me. I'd never had anyone
treat me so special. He was so funny, so sweet, so gentle..."
Mark was even more closed-mouthed. "This show stops filming in a couple
of months right? I mean, after that, Brianna's free to do whatever she
wants, right?"
When asked about Brianna's new back tattoo, Mark was quick to stick his
foot in his mouth.
"Oh, it was still bandaged...I mean...um, that's what she told me."
Deena was the last Vixen to entertain a gentleman caller. "I haven't
been on a first date since I married Rebecca three years ago. I hope
she's okay with this. I mean, I'm doing this to win, nothing more."
George, a twenty-three year old bartender and part-time actor, showed
Deena a swinging good time.
"We went dancing," says George. "She was a little awkward, at first,
she kept trying to lead. After a while, she just put her arms around my
neck and let me hold her. It felt like prom night, but without the
soul-crushing awkwardness and frustration. She'll make a great leading
lady someday."
George kissed Deena as she exited the car, and again at the doorstep.
They kissed for some time, actually.
"I kissed him because I had to. I mean, for the show. It's not like it
was unpleasant. Not that I enjoyed it! But to kiss someone new after
three years...It was acting! That's all it was!"
While Team Vixen was painting the town pink, the girls in Team Kitten
certainly weren't slacking. Tammi giggles when she talks about her date
with Terrance, an intern for a local newspaper.
"He took me to a screening of an independent film, then out for coffee.
I kept thinking of excuses I could use to leave, but never did. It was
nice to talk to a guy about something other than killing animals or car
racing. I guess that's a side of the world I never experienced in
Nebraska."
The attraction seemed only mental, however, as Tammi only allowed
Terrance the briefest of kisses at the end of the night.
"Tammi was a beautiful girl," says Terrance. "But I could tell she
wasn't that in to me. I wish her luck in the contest."
Ramona was the second one out of the gate, but certainly not the first
one back home. Her date, Cuban-American photographer Antonio, took her
for a moonlight paddleboat ride in the park. While out cameraman
couldn't tag along, his telephoto lens did manage to catch Antonio and
Ramona holding hands.
"It's not cheating, is it?" asks Ramona. "My love is Pilar. I did let
him kiss me in the little boat, but he's a man, so it doesn't count,
no?"
Of course, not every girl could be expected to go on a blind date. We
figured at least one of our contestants should have a night on the town
with a friend. When Tyler's date showed up, she shrieked with surprise.
"Jeff!"
"They told me Tyler was in the lead, but she'd be kicked out if I didn't
go on a date with her. Christ, we both dated sisters once. And now
he's...pretty."
Jeff was more awkward than a thirteen-year-old on his first date as he
escorted his friend and band mate out for the night.
"Jeff was so awkward, I thought he was going to fall down," laughs
Tyler. "It was so cute. He had no idea what we were supposed to do, so
I took him to a club and made him have a few drinks. He wouldn't dance
with me, and he almost got into a fight when some guy wouldn't leave me
alone. What a gentleman!"
Jeff stood frozen like a deer in the headlights when he dropped Tyler
off at her door. Then, very slowly, he made his move.
"It wasn't like kissing my old friend," he relates. "It was-soft. And-
nice."
For hours afterwards, two groups of girls stayed up, giggling,
exchanging stories and describing kisses. Saturday morning dawned,
however, with a sense of foreboding. One woman from each house would be
eliminated today.
"I think it's going to be me," sighs Brianna. "I've been playing little
miss bookworm. It's not what they want."
Brianna's prediction did not come true.
"I'm sorry, Chris," said a grim-faced Suzanne. "You've tried harder
than anyone. But the judges felt you were too manly on your date."
Chris took the news with just a bit of anger.
"I talked sports, went to a bar, and held my own in the conversation.
If a woman did that, she'd be considered independent and strong. I do
it and I get kicked out. So this is what sexism feels like. It sucks.
I'll never make fun of a woman again."
After announcing plans to move in with her friend Jenna to decide what
to do next, Chris exchanged hugs with her two remaining sisters and
left. Over at the Kitten house, another tearful goodbye was taking
place.
"Not Tammi," said Ramona, not hiding her tears. "Where will she go?
She has no home! Her father is a terrible man. What will happen to
her?"
Both Tyler and Ramona offered to leave in Tammi's place, but she would
have none of it.
"They both said they'd give up everything...the tattoos, the implants,
the hormones would all be for nothing...so that I wouldn't have to face
what's waiting for me back home. That's true friendship. But I
couldn't let them do it. Of course, I have no idea what's going to
happen to me. My dad says I'm out of the family, and Sarah is moving
into the dorms in a month. I guess I'll be the prettiest homeless guy
out there."
Tammi burst into tears and refused to answer any more questions.
Now that the group had been reduced by half, the housemothers dropped
another bombshell on their girls.
"Next week's estrogen challenge will be a little different. We're all
so proud of the women you've become, we feel it's time to show you
off...at home. Next week we'll be sending you all back to your
hometowns, to meet with your families, your friends, and your coworkers.
None of them will know you're doing this for a TV show. You have to
tell them you became a woman out of your own free will."
***
Episode Five
With dresses packed and airplane tickets in hand, our four young ladies
set out for home in what was probably their most daunting challenge yet:
introducing the women they've become to their old friends.
"It's one thing to become a woman if everyone thinks you did it to be on
TV," says producer Juan Venada. It's quite another when they think you
did it because you wanted to be girly!"
Brianna stands in the quad at St. Louis University. With her cropped T-
shirt and butterfly tattoo, she draws appreciative glances from passing
college men.
"It's weird to be back," says the co-ed cutie. "I told people I was
taking a year off to travel. This is going to be a shock for everyone."
Brianna's first stop was The Cheshire Cat, a local gaming store.
"I can't count the number of Saturday nights I spent here, just playing
Dungeons and Dragons, not a woman in sight. Well, for the first time in
history, a girl is going to sit in on a game."
When Brianna walked into the back room, the jaws of the six gamers hit
the floor in awe. It took a second for Brianna to realize that her
friends were not shocked over her transformation, but merely by the
presence of an attractive woman. When Brianna informed them that she
was actually their old dragon-slaying partner, her buddies could not
stop talking.
"You look amazing!"
"Are those things real?"
"So you live with other women? I know they're actually guys, but you've
seen them naked, right?"
"Did you see the new Stargate DVD?"
Brianna patiently answered her friends' questions, and then joined them
in few rounds of roll playing.
"A year ago, I couldn't think of a better way to spend a weekend. Now,
all I can wonder is don't these guys ever date? They'd be cute if
they'd just clean up a little. When I get back, I'm going to help them
pick out some new clothes, and teach them how to talk to girls. I can
serve as a warning as to what might happen otherwise."
Brianna made her excuses, and laughingly declined to set up a webcam.
Her next stop was the psychology department at her university. While
her colleagues knew she was taking a year off for personal development,
they did not expect just how much Brian had developed.
"To be honest, I expected Brian had gone off to do research at NYU or
some other college," says Dr. Peter Franks, the assistant head of the
psychology department. "This is a most amazing transformation. I'd
love to study her. Her psyche! To do a psychological study...oh, grow
up."
Fellow students of Brianna's were more blunt. "Brian was getting so
pale, I thought he lived in a mushroom cave," says one anonymous grad
student. "I don't care that he's turned into a girl, I'm just happy
he's getting out of the house. Nice legs, though."
Brianna spent the rest of the weekend visiting with her mother, and
shopping for clothes.
"It's odd being back in the old neighborhood. When I first signed up
for The Hottie, the only things I noticed around here were the libraries
and gaming shops. I had no idea there were so many fun things to do
here! It's going to be hard getting back to my studies."
Brianna's mother winks at the camera. "I told her that all through high
school. I'm just glad she's finally realizing it."
While Brianna was charming the pants off academia, Deena and her wife
Rebecca were enjoying Tinseltown.
"Deena's really been working hard these past months," says proud wife
Rebecca. "I figured before we met up with her friends, we'd do a little
shopping."
The two women hit Rodeo drive, and didn't spare the charge card (The
Hottie gave Rebecca a bit of a clothing allowance, so she could show her
wife a good time). Soon the ladies had purchased everything from
matching evening gowns to skimpy bikini tops.
"More than once, a saleslady asked if we were sisters," says Deena.
Obviously we couldn't say we were husband and wife. We denied it at
first, but eventually we just played along. It's sad, but during this
whole weekend, I had a lot of alone time with Rebecca. We did each
other's hair. That's all."
But Deena had other things on her mind when she crashed a party given by
Zach, a fellow actor.
"I had just landed a speaking part in new movie Austin Powers goes to
Pittsburgh. I was having some friends over to celebrate when I notice
that Rebecca had shown up. I went over to see how she was doing, when I
realized that the girl in the tube top was DAVID!
Zach's successes were momentarily forgotten, as a dozen out of work
actors grilled Deena on her new life.
"You you're doing television now? Do you think you'll still try for
films after all this?"
"National exposure? Damn, you get all the breaks."
"Is plastic surgery that expensive?"
"Are they looking for other contestants?"
"Everyone in Hollywood is so desperate for exposure, I don't think
anyone really thought what I'd done was that desperate," says Deena.
"Weird, maybe, but not desperate."
Everett Evers, Deena's old agent, seemed especially happy at this turn
of events. "All this TV (pardon the pun) exposure is great! I think we
could find some good parts for Deena when she comes back. David who?"
A thousand miles to the east, Ramona was preparing for a reunion with
some of her family. There was some concern that if she crossed the
Mexican border, she would not be allowed back to the U.S. on 'Rodrigo's'
visa. Instead, she met with some cousins and old friends who were doing
some seasonal farm labor in El Paso, Texas.
Ramona stands in the blazing southern heat, her backless sundress
billowing in the dry Texas wind. By her side is her fianc?e, Pilar,
more modestly garbed in jeans and a T-shirt.
"I am very worried about how my friends will...what is the
word?...react. In Mexico, well, it's the land of macho. Homosexuals
are not accepted. How will people react when they learn I became a
mujer?"
Ramona and Pilar approach the group of laborers with trepidation. They
are having their noontime meal, after a morning of grueling work at a
truck ranch. The half dozen or so men recognize Pilar and shout
greetings in Spanish. They look on expectantly, waiting for her amiga
to introduce herself.
"Guys," says Ramona, in Spanish. "It's me. I...I used to be Rodrigo.
Please call me Ramona now. I moved to the United States and am trying
to become a television star."
For a few minutes, no one says anything. Eventually, someone laughs.
"Ramona, I don't blame you. I guess you were willing to do anything to
give up this life. Looks like you'll never have to pick any fruit for
the rest of your life. Do what you have to. Just don't forget us."
Ramona bursts into tears and is hugged by her friends. It is not until
she gets back to the motel that she lets her true feelings show.
"I feel such shame. Not because of my dress, or because of my breasts.
It is because everything thinks I became a girl so I wouldn't have to be
one of them anymore. So I wouldn't have to cross the border every year,
and come back just as poor. The worst part is, I think they may be
right."
Ramona sits mutely on the motel bed, as Pilar rubs the shoulders of the
woman who used to be her man.
Finally, up in chilly Boston, Tyler gets back together with her old
bandmates.
"They guys are playing a gig over at Drink to Forget. I think I'll
surprise 'em."
Tyler pulls on some ragged army pats, some ratty sneakers, a stained T-
shirt, and a black leather jacket. Her pink hair hangs tangled down her
shoulders and she's not wearing any makeup. As she waits in line to
ender the dank club, the other rockers can't keep their eyes off her.
She gorgeous and she doesn't have to prove it to anyone.
Tired of waiting, Tyler barges her way to the head of the line. No one
stops her, and the bouncer waves her through without paying the cover.
Inside, Tyler's old band is playing a slower number. Her friend Jeff
nearly drops his guitar when he recognizes the sexy rock chick in the
audience. He whispers something to the keyboarder, who relays the
message to the drummer, and then to the singer. The song screeches to a
halt.
"Ladies and gentlemen," announces Jeff to the annoyed crowd, "our old
bassist, Tyler, has joined us tonight. Wanna come up on stage,
beautiful?"
The crowd cheers as Tyler picks up a borrowed instrument and finishes
the set with her friends. Afterwards, backstage, her buddies ply her
with questions.
"I ain't telling why I did this. But I look f***ing sexy, don't I?"
Tired of the barrage of questions, Tyler grabs Jeff by the hand and
drags him into the band's van.
"We're going for a ride. Be back tomorrow."
When our cameraman informs them that she is required to finish the
interview, she flips him off and disappears into the alley, a surprised,
but not unhappy Jeff in tow.
Two days and four plane trips later, the girls are sitting in the living
room of the Kitten house. It's tense; everyone knows there's a fifty-
percent chance that they won't survive this cut. Even carefree Tyler
seems high strung.
"Ladies," announces Mr. Venada. "All four of you...actually, all eight
of you, performed above and beyond our expectations. If I had known you
were going to try so hard, I would have arranged for every one of you to
win a prize. But rule are rules, and two of you must go.
Suzanne looked to be holding back tears when she broke the news to her
young charge.
"I'm sorry, Brianna. God, I'm sorry. You're a woman anyone could be
proud of. You've become such a beautiful young lady. But the judges
feel that Deena is just a little more feminine. Good luck."
Surprisingly, Brianna is the only one who doesn't look miserable. She
hugs Deena, whose tears are causing her mascara to run.
"Please don't feel bad. These past few months, I've done more living
than I have in my whole life. Strange as it seems, I'm glad I did this.
School doesn't start for a few more months, and there's still a lot I
want to do. All I ask is that we all keep in touch. You're my best
friends."
Brianna left the house with a smile on her face. We last saw her
climbing into a car that looked suspiciously like Mark's, the man who
took her our on her first date.
But speculation about Brianna ended, when Lupe announced the cruelest
cut of all.
"Ramona, it was almost a tie. But Tyler was more of an audience
favorite."
Ramona was unable to speak, and quietly left the room to back. Tyler
joined her soon after.
"I feel sick," said Tyler, later. "Ramona never once made me feel
guilty, but where will she go? She's supposed to get married soon, for
Christ sakes! There's no way she can be a groom now."
Ramona left silently, and the two remaining girls were given a few
minutes to compose themselves. Finally, Mr. Venada offered the final
challenge.
"Ladies, this year, you've allowed us to alter your wardrobes, your
bodies, and even your minds. Now it's your turn. For the final
challenge, for the millions of dollars and the title of 'The Hottie,'
you must convince us that you want to win more than anything. You have
one week to decide how to prove that you're the best woman for the job.
All our resources are at your disposal."
***
Episode Six
The show opens with a montage of clips from the past several months:
eight guys arriving at the sorority houses; their first makeover, their
first time in public; the laughter, the tears, the smooth skin and
curves. The screen fades to a group photo of the original eight girls,
then switches to a shot of Deena and Tyler, the two finalists.
"It's been a crazy year," says Juan Venada. "I never would have thought
all the girls would try so hard and turn out so beautiful. Before we
see the results of our final challenge, let's see what our housemothers
have to say.
"I couldn't be more proud of my girls," says Suzanne, Team Vixen
housemother. "All four of them tried their hardest. I'm not surprised
Deena made it to the finals, though it could have gone either way. Out
of the girls, I think it was Chris who had to change her body the most.
I think it was Brianna whose personality changed the most."
And was Suzanne surprised at how well her young ladies turned out?
"Not in the least," says the forty-year-old starlet, still looking sexy
and glamorous in her low-cut evening gown. "Everyone changes. Before I
was a beautician, I was an actress. Before I was an actress, I was a
model. And before I was a model, I was a nightclub singer. Before that
I was a marine."
The audience laughs until Suzanne lowers the shoulder of her dress,
revealing a faded USMC tattoo. On the screen behind her is a photo of
her at age 19: crew cut, in dress uniform, and every inch a man.
"This was not the life I'd have chosen for myself. But I was wounded
during the invasion of Somalia...let's just say I lost something that no
prosthetic could replace. Rather than be half a man for the rest of my
life, I decided to become a complete woman."
The audience is only stunned for a moment, this is not the most shocking
thing they've seen on this show. Soon they are on their feet, cheering
the boy who lost his manhood to war, and the lovely woman he turned out
to be.
Later, Juan interviewed Lupe, housemother of Team Kitten.
"I knew being housemother would be fun, but I had no idea it would be so
heartbreaking. Tammi's problems with her family, Ramona's poverty, and
Nikki's poor attitude. If it weren't for Tyler cheering us all up, I
don't think we would have survived. I'm pleased she's winning, though
my money was on Tammi.
Juan asks the twenty-five-year-old model if she can take credit for the
success of her girls, the former Miss Chile shakes her head.
"I couldn't have made these girls do a single thing against their will.
Well, maybe Nikki. The point is, they achieved everything on their
own."
When asked if she has any interesting secret she wants to reveal, Lupe
winks at the camera.
"I've had a bit of plastic surgery myself. This isn't my real nose."
The audience groans, at least one of the pretty women on stage is real.
Lupe continues. "I had to have surgery. Back when I was a
featherweight boxer, I broke it at least three times."
After the commercial break, we're ready for our final two contestants to
present themselves. Their final estrogen challenge was up to them.
They had to convince the judges how far they were willing to go in order
to win.
The first lady on stage is Deena. The audience waits expectantly,
wondering what over-the-top stunt she could pull in order to achieve
victory (she's a two-to-one favorite in Vegas). But when the gorgeous
woman walks out on the runway, it's not Deena, but her wife Rebecca!
The audience claps, but confused. Rebecca is lovely in her simple, one-
piece swimsuit, but she's not a contestant. Then, just as the audience
is beginning to mumble. Another woman walks out on stage. Rebecca!
An absolute mirror image of the first woman, Rebecca II prances down th