Dreams R Us                                 by: Paul G Jutras

It seemed like a typical Wednesday afternoon. Dad was off playing poker and mom was out shopping. I was at home watching tv on the couch in my favorite Ranma ½ shirt and blue jeans. What I didn't notice until mom came home early was that I also had a pair of her nylons on. I quickly reached for a blanket but it was too late.

Being a little upset and disapointed was to put things mildly. She went up to the attic and brought down a large trunk full of female clothes. Before I knew what was happening, I was in a corset, a dress that nearly reached my feet, 2 inch heel shoes and long gloves that went all the way up my arms. Finally a wig with the hair curling out at the ends.

"C'mon." she said as she grabbed her purse. "We're going to the bookstore at the mall. When we return your punishment will be over."

I couldn't believe my ears, but knew it would of been a lot worst if my father had seen. I wanted the punishment to be over before he got home and could see me. Mom didn't say a word all the way to the mall.

Getting out of the car, I tried to keep my balance as I moved in th heels. When we got into the mall I notice that the shoe store across from Waldenbooks was gone and in its place was a sign saying SPELLS R US.

"Is there a FICTIONMANIA convention in town." I thought as I told mom I'd join her in a second in as girlish voice as I could make. I didn't want anyone in the mall to think I was a boy considering the way I was dressed.

Inside I found the store as big as a warehouse. Not just costumes but toys. Enough for 3 or 4 Toys R Us stores. That was when the door from the back busted open and a heavy breathing figure entered the area with a laser sword and knocked me to the ground. I landed next to a spin around rack of pre-packaged action figures. As the figure reached a hand to help me up I thought I saw a missing friend of mine in the face of one of the dolls. It seemed to mouth "leave while you can."

"Sorry to scare you, Paul." The Wizard said as he helped me up. "I was trying out my new Space Wars costume for the Halloween party I'm going to tonight." "It's not Space Wars-." I began.

"Do me a favor and turn on the TV for me. My old hands aren't what they're use to be," he said as I did so.

Suddenly I was nolonger in the store but my Uncle's living room with the Marx Brothers. Harpo Marx started a wolf whistle and chase me like he use to chase girls in his old black and white movies. Each room I entered seemed to belong to a different family member house.

Noticing I still had the remote in my hand i tried to get myself back. Suddenly I was black and white myself. The heels had grown in length and I was wearing a peal necklace. I realized I was on some 1950s sitcom.

Clearing my head I remembered trapped in TV movies like STAY TUNED and PLEASENTVILLE. Closing my eyes and praying I pressed the off button and took a deep breath before opening them.

The first thing I notice was that I was back in the shop. Then I looked down at my hands and saw how much bigger the remote seemed to be. I looked in a mirror and was too shock to scream. I was back in color and no longer a mom. That was for sure. But instead I was a little nine year old girl in a pink play dress.

"C'mon Paula." I heard my mom call from the book store. Your favorite series have come in."

"Coming mom."

END

 

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