21.
Jeanette’s diary, 29 March 2022, continued…
My own work being over now the show was under way, I was going to make sure I had a ringside seat for the upcoming event.
“I’ll go keep an eye on them, Dolores,” said Pat.
“Me too,” I added.
Dolores watched with a wry smile as we hurried off in pursuit of the kids. We soon caught up with them, the girls skipping along in front, Donna Mae trotting along behind, intent on keeping his lead slack. As they passed by, heads turned, people stopped and stared, there were gasps and giggles. Arriving backstage, with only half an hour before the show, the girls decided to freshen up their makeup. While they were in the bathroom, they simply tethered Donna Mae to a radiator pipe outside, knowing he was incapable of freeing himself. He attracted quite a little crowd of admirers, including most of the models preparing to go onstage. Of course they started asking him questions. Where did he get that lovely outfit? Was he going down the catwalk? (With giggles), what the bell was for? In the end, he found it less embarrassing to reply than to stand there red-faced and dumb.
“I-I’m going to be miss’s special announcer. I’m going to introduce the models. I-it’s a very important job…”
“But darling, why are you holding up your skirt like that?” sniggered one girl.
“N-no, i-it’s all part of the costume, you see… I…”
“You must be very proud of your panties,” said another, straight-faced. “They are very pretty, I must say. I wish I had panties like that…”
“I bet you wish you had a little bell-post like that too, Michaela,” laughed her friend. She gave it a gentle flick, making the bell tinkle. “I bet that gets up to some mischief, eh, little boy? When it’s free, at least. At the moment, though…”
“At the moment, all it can do is to look cute point the way,” said another. “You’re obviously very proud of it, despite its smallness, showing it off to everyone like that…”
At this point the girls emerged and, ignoring Donna Mae’s admirers, untethered him and led him away to the side of the stage. At the same time Dolores arrived holding some sheets of paper, a and a small bunch of record cards.
“Girls, come here. You too, Pat. And Sam, yes. Right. This is the order of appearance. On these cards are the descriptions. Girls, when you get the cue from Sam or Pat, you bring Donna Mae out onto the stage - there, stage right. Introduce him to the audience, and tell them that today he will be introducing the models. Now, Donna Mae. This is what you have to do. It's very simple. You'll be standing on that right-hand wing of the stage, where you can be seen but you’re well clear of the catwalk itself. Amira, you will be in charge of him, holding his lead. Before each model, give it a little tug so his bell rings. That will get everyone’s attention. Then Terri? You come on and hold up the appropriate record card so he can see it, and then, young man, you need to read out the name of the model and the description of her outfit in a loud, clear voice. Understand?”
“Yes, miss,” said Terri, excitedly.
“Yes, miss. I understand,” added Amira.
“Donna Mae?” Dolores looked at him sternly. He looked as though he was about to cry. She took out her phone. “Donna Mae? Do you understand?”
The response was immediate. “Y-yes, miss. A-absolutely, miss.”
“Good. Now put on a good show. All the big buyers are here. Including, by the way” – here she looked straight at Donna Mae – “including Sherri Anderson from Bashful Boys. I invited her specially just because I thought she might find you interesting. You’re more in her line than ours. You never know – she may make you an offer.”
With this cryptic remark, Dolores retired from the stage to take up her special place in the front row of the audience. It was her philosophy that success or failure could only be judged from the point of view of the client.
The lights were dimmed, and Sam opened the show. She stood on the left hand side of the stage. A spotlight sprang up, surrounding her with a bright circle of light.
“Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the eighteenth Delicia Designs fashion show. Most of you have been here many times before, so I won’t bore you with the format, except to say that our two little mistresses of ceremony, Amira and Terri, will today be assisted by the latest addition to our staff. Please welcome them.”
From behind the half-drawn curtain on the other side emerged Terri. The first spotlight waned, and a new shaft of light fell upon her, twinkling on her jewelled eyelashes and illuminating her rouged cheeks. She had an excited look on her face. She smiled, and bowed three times to the three sections of the audience. Then, throwing out her left hand in a dramatic gesture, and simultaneously drawing back the curtain with her right, she cried, “Say hi to my co-MC Amira, and meet our new assistant, sissy-boy Donna Mae!”
Amira strode forth into the light, holding the end of the lead. Whatever was on the other end seemed a little reluctant to follow, but a sharp tug changed its mind. Donna Mae came stumbling forth. He looked around, blinking. He could see nothing. But his audience could see everything. He stood there, blushing, skirt lifted high, apparently at his own volition, everything on full display.
There was a moment’s absolute silence as the audience took in the scene – the terrified teenage boy, bare girlish legs exposed from the lacy tops of his sweet little socks right up to the ruffly legs of the shimmering rubber satin panties, a pink bow in his golden ringlets and another at the root of his little tightly-sheathed trembling coc-k, with its slightly bulging tip glistening with moisture. Amira took advantage of the sudden hush to give the lead a gentle shake, the musical sound audible all around the crowded room.
Then pandemonium broke out. Gasps and screams and whistles of delight. Several women, Dolores noted, were making good use of their opera glasses. A hand touched her shoulder, and a voice from behind her whispered in her ear.
“Dolores, you scheming bitch. Where did you find him? He’s absolutely darling!”
“I didn’t, darling. He came to us. It was too good a chance to let go. Do you like him then, Sherri Anderson?”
“I like him. I want him. He would be ideal for our shows. A sissy introducing sissies. What could be better?”
“Well he’s not for sale. If this doesn’t make them sit up and take notice, I don’t know what will.”
“Hmph.” Sherri looked up and down the rows. “The ladies love him all right. And those disapproving ones are the worst. Look at that sourpuss Patience Carshalton over there – her eyes are nearly falling out. Well, anyway, we’ll talk about it later. I’ll see you after the show, yes?”
“Okay, darling.”
“Later, darling.”
The show proceeded. The first model was set to come out onto the catwalk. Amira gave a tug at the bell-pull, and Terri thrust a card in front of Donna Mae.
“Read it!” she hissed. “Nice and loud and clear.”
Donna Mae stared at the typewritten card. The letters swam before his eyes. Amira gave another tug on his lead.
“Get on with it!”
“L-ladies and g-gentlemen…I…I’m proud to p-present out f-first m-model. Er…Cheri is wearing a…er…one of our latest creations, a l-liquid g-gold…er…l-lame…p-pleated halter…er…dress. Cheri’s hair by Ralph Ferguson of M-Melbourne, jewellery by Denise of Sydney…”
“Good. Keep it up!” whispered Amira.
And so it went on until lunch, which was served as a buffet at the far side of the room. There was a buzz of conversation, little of it devoted to the ensembles which had been paraded in the morning.
To Donna Mae’s great credit, he had become more confident with each model, despite the fact he seemed to be receiving at least as much attention as they were. Dolores was pleased. After the last model had left the catwalk, she gave him a couple of little short buzzes, not as punishment, but as a sort of “well done”. He sighed with relief at the prospect of a break, but after a brief visit to the toilet, Terri, who was having her turn with the lead, took him back towards the stage, where Dolores was waiting.
“Well done, Donna Mae! You were sensational – just as I knew you would be. Now, I think it’s time you met your public. Girls? Will you take Donna Mae to the buffet, please? Have whatever you want to eat and drink, all of you. Here, let’s take your lead off for the time being, shall we Donna? Pat will go with you to keep an eye on you.” And she bent down and untied the ribbon from his sheath.
“No… Miss, I’d rather just stay here, if you don't mind. It’s going to be awkward…my arms… I won’t be able to shake hands or anything… I’m sure no-one will want me down there… Anyway, I'm not hungry at all...”
“Nonsense! You’ll me mobbed. And Babs is there, and your mum and her sister and Chelsie… They’re dying to see you. I saw Babs and Chelsie jumping up and down screaming for you at the end of the first session! And my clients are wild about you. No, you go and have fun.” She hesitated and raised a warning finger. “But look out for that Sherri Anderson. I guarantee she’ll be all over you. Be very careful what you say to her. She’d like nothing better than to steal you away from us for her boys…”
“Her boys?”
“Oh, yes, well, never mind about that now. Just go and mingle.”
“Please, miss…”
“No arguments. Pat, would you look after him? He must be starving, and he’ll need help eating and drinking.”
"Happily, Dolores. Come on Donna Mae." She hooked a finger round his spreader bar. "Let's go meet everyone."
Dolores smiled. "Girls? Behave yourselves, won’t you. And don’t drink too much pop. Remember there’s the whole afternoon session to go yet…”