Tonight on our show (part 5)

... part 4

"You do look very... matronly. I told you to put on the shapewear and the boots to break them in, not the bra. But I suppose it doesn't hurt for you to get used to it." As I opened the door, Cate was standing on the threshold, holding a very large makeup bag. As always her makeup was flawlessly done. She was looking on point, wearing a loose burgundy sweater, black leggings and low heeled riding boots. On top she was wearing a short wool cocoon coat. Envied how cozy, yet light and easy going her outfit looked like.

"Uff I'm losing my mind... I'm going to at least take off this aberration. I can't even see where I'm stepping."

Cate giggled: "I'm sorry, it's just too funny seeing you dressed like this. But at this point you might as well leave on your fancy new 'over shoulder boulder holder'. We have to see how your dress fits over it... My gosh, how much padding does that thing have!?"

"A lot! I know I look like a middle aged Jessica Rabbit getting ready to go out with Roger Rabbit... I would find it funny myself if I wasn't the one trussed up like this."

"Well let's get started.... Let's see what else we have to work with. You mentioned that you also got a dress and a coat?"

I took out the black dress from the box that I had left lying on the foyer. "Here's the dress, I have the coat inside."

"Ok, let's start with the dress, and let's see how the dress fits... We don't have too much to work with..." Cate said as she strutted inside.

"So what do you think?"

"I hate how it feels, but I do look stunning, even if I say so myself...!"

"You look fierce, you're going to knock'em dead."

The overall theme had already been set: black and gold. Black dress and black boots with golden hardware accents. Cate went all out with the theme, adding a  gold necklace, gold hoop earrings, and a wide plain black leather belt with a gold buckle carrying a small heart lock motif.

"The belt will accentuate your waist. If you're going to suffer that girdle, you may as well show it off. I've taken the dress in at the waist to fit better your new proportions. I've also taken the hem in, to just over the knee. The higher hem will work better with the knee high boots. It will make your legs appear longer. With your hair up and  those sky high heels, you look quite stylized."

"The large oval pendant at the end of the long necklace draws the eye to your waist. And the red nails and lipstick add just a pop of color, very festive."

While Cate was altering my dress, I had run out to get an emergency mani (who knew such emergencies were a thing?). Cate insisted on a very particular mani. Once I was done, I had bright red fake nails. They stuck almost an inch past my fingertips. It was cold outside, but there was no way I could slip on my leather gloves.

"Thanks Cate, I know it was a tough project." I said.

Cate helped me slip into the massive fur/puffer coat. I thought my flimsy heels would buckle under all that weight, but they held.

"You're welcome... Go, shine, and enjoy your party. And I know you hate that coat, but I think it works great for such a night out." 

"You can borrow it whenever you want it!" Cate wrapped the long fur scarf around my neck. Not that it made much difference. I was already starting to sweat.

"Well, not if your boss is making it your mandatory everyday coat."

"You're right, then I'll have to get you your own! What size do you wear?"

Cate chuckled coyly.

"I hope that I'll be able to drive in these insane heels."

"I know, but with that stiff girdle you won't be able to bend down enough to put them on by yourself when you get to your party. Be careful out there."

I was hot and sticky by the time I got to the event space where the party was to be held. It was winter, but it wasn't so cold to justify wearing the equivalent of two long coats.

"Just a bit more, make my big entrance and take this huge thing off... Then I'll only have to deal with standing in the heels and trying to breathe in this damned girdle," I thought.

I walked from the parking lot to the entrance and made my way to ensure that Megan would see me.

...part 6.