Shared beliefs will change the world.

This story is based more or less on a theory that I like quite a bit. Has the world always been a sphere, or did the common belief of millions shape the world when a plausible theory had been found? In what way do expectations influence the result? Do we believe we can go to the moon because we can, or can we go to the moon because we believe we can? Our protagonist is about to find out what the expectations of millions can do to you.

This story is a repost (after editing and fixing the tense) from my original post on fictionmania in 2003

---

Finally the big day had come. After a lot of practice Jesse and his band had finally managed to put together enough original material to fill a full hour with music. They all sat together around the stereo, waiting in anticipation. In about five minutes their first song would be aired on
the local alternative radio station. They'd tried some other radio stations first but most wouldn't even listen to the tape. As soon as the station heard that the music they played was metal, they would usher them out with comments like: "Metal is not what the public wants to hear”. They wouldn’t even listen to the material itself.

They had managed to keep the band a secret for quite a while now. The idea was to come out with a big bang. Each and every member of the band was quite a musician in his or her own right. But during an impromptu jam session, they found out together they were phenomenal. So obviously they decided to make more of it.

The drummer, Eric, had been tapping on everything in his house from back when he was five, until his parents bought him an electric drum set. It was a compromise that allowed for some manner of peace in the house (as long as he used the headset instead of the speakers).

Then there was Vicky. She and Eric had been an item for several years now and they were on the exact same wavelength where music was concerned. Eric's work on the drum was backed up by her bass. Every subtle shift in rhythm was felt by her and acted upon. Together they formed the perfect base setting for all their songs.

John, on the guitar could match the most intricate patterns note by note. He was completely self-taught and had developed a unique sound to his play. The only reason he hadn't been discovered yet was because he never played for anyone but friends. He always used to claim he was not good enough, and always found points to improve, where others found none.

And last but not least Jesse himself. His role in the band was a dual one. Having a high (and crystal clear) voice he could reach notes even Vicky couldn't reproduce. The violin was his weapon of choice. He loved to play the wailing gypsy songs and medieval tunes but always twisted them into something that sounded more modern.

When combined they fit like pieces of a single puzzle, and tonight they would finally start to see the fruits of their labor. It was almost time for the tape and Jesse's motioned for everyone to be silent.

"Tonight on Radio NR-key, we have a brand new premiere. How this group has been able to maintain a complete media-silence during the making of their album is a complete mystery. But here they are now, the Steel Angels with their first number ever: 'Just after midnight'!"

'Let's go to the club down on Mortimer street,'
He said when she wanted to dance.
'I have this friend there I'd like you to meet'
He lied, hoping this was his chance.

Just after midnight,
The party is dying.
In moon's silver light,
She's sitting there crying.

Drink after drink he forced down her neck,
Until she could no longer stand,
Then leaving her someplace in the club at the back
He went for another girl's hand.

Just after midnight,
The party is dying.
In moon's silver light,
She still sits there crying.

Sobering enough to see her boy cheating,
She tried in vain to stand up.
She tripped and fell down; her head took a beating,
Her life was lost, there in the club.

Just after midnight,
The party is dying.
In moon's silver light,
Forever she's crying.

Still haunting those grounds, a lost lonesome teen,
Betrayed by a cheating boyfriend,
And just after midnight her form can be seen,
Weeping each night without end.

"I am certain that this is far from the last we'll hear from Jessie and her Steel Angels. Just remember that you heard it here first, on NR-key Radio!"

Eric snickered: "And HER Steel Angels? Jesse, is there anything we should know about?" Jesse started protesting but soon saw they where only making fun of him. "Oh stop it already; we'll get this sorted out in the morning. But for now, we've been on air and they liked our song! Let's party!"

---

*RING*

*RING*

Slowly waking up, tossing the alarm clock through the room Jesse sat up.

*RING*

Bewildered, Jesse looked at the clock and realizes belatedly that it's not the clock but the phone that was ringing. Half drunk with sleep he picked up the phone. "Yes?" he said while trying to clear his head from the cobwebs.

"Jesse? Vicky here, turn on the news on Station 2 if you will."

He grabbed for the remote and switched the TV on. After a few seconds the screen lit up and Jesse heard his own voice singing on the television.

"This new song by the previously unknown band called 'The Steel Angels' has taken over the town. Since their debut yesterday at NR-key Radio the phones haven't stopped ringing with requests for more and info about the band. Already after such a short time people are claiming that Jessie has the best female voice in this branch of music."

Bewildered, Jesse turned off the TV. "Are you still there?" Vicky asked.

"Huh? Oh, yeah... I'm here. How did this happen? Why do they think I'm a woman?"

"Well, I think first and foremost it's your voice. You do have a beautiful voice, and it's quite high for a man. It does not really show when you talk, but if I heard you while you are singing without knowing you, I think I might have made the same mistake. And the fact that your name might be short for Jessica doesn't really help either."

"But for now we need to figure out what to do. I'm calling a band meeting in an hour at my place. Can you make that?"

Jesse picked up the clock that had landed in a corner of the room to see what the time was. "Yeah, I'll make it... I'll be there at eleven."

---

"Okay Jesse, don't take this wrong, but the problem is this: within a day we have gained such fame that we it's going to be very hard to tell everybody you're not a girl. Lets forget the dent in our reputation as a band it would give us for the moment. You are more important to us. But what would it do to you? People will start talking about you. It's almost sure people will think you are gay, transsexual, transvestite or whatever they'll think sounds appropriate. We can probably set it straight, but is that the result you want?"

"Much as I hate to admit it you are right," Jesse sits down with a depressed look on his face. "just when we got this far! Uhm... Vicky… I'm not sure if I look the look in your eyes. What are you thinking? Spill it."

"Well, there are several things we can do. We could stop the band, and start a new one under a different name. But since we all have rather unique qualities, people might start to suspect we're one and the same. Never mind about the public. They will want to know what happened to
their 'new discovery'. The same will happen if we decide to just quit. We can't tell them you are a boy as we've just seen. But we can continue...”

"Wait a minute before you comment on this. You could pose as a woman. With the right make-up and accessories we could pull it off. Your lean figure and long hair will only help. This way you can maintain both a normal social life and we can retain the band. Please think on it a few minutes before you decide."

Jesse pondered on this for a while. Could he pass it off as a woman? Sure, his voice may sound feminine, but could he pull of the visual effect. And what other options were there? Being ridiculed all the time? Giving up his dreams of greatness? Pondering this Jesse remained
silent for several minutes. The rest of the band sat waiting anxiously for the answer.

Finally Jesse made up his mind. "I'm willing to try it under two conditions. The first is that I have to look completely female. If we can't manage that, I refuse. I don't want to risk this being found
out."

Eric, John and Vicky nodded their agreement. "Sure, that's only reasonable. But what's the second part?" John asked.

"It's the most important part. NOBODY gets to know about this outside the four of us, and I won't accept any so-called funny remarks about this. And I'm not kidding about this. I feel insecure enough about this without you guys pestering me on it. I'm doing this for you as much as for me so don't even think about getting your fun there."
Eric looked down to the ground, blushing slightly. "I promise man, sorry about yesterday. I only made that jibe then because there was nothing behind it at that time. You got my support." Vicky and John both agreed.

"I can't believe you're doing this. I'm not sure I would have the courage for that if it'd happened to me. I promise not to make fun of you." said John. Eric and Vicky made the same promise.

"Then we'd better get you ready." said Vicky.

"What? Ready for what?" Eric, John and Jesse all exclaimed at the same time.

"The interview of course. Didn't I tell you about that?" Vicky ducked behind the couch as several pillows flew her way.

"Okay, okay I'll fez up." She laughed. "I haven't promised anything yet. I've been contacted with the question if we'd like to come for an interview. I said that I'd check with the rest first. They left a number where they could contact us. We'll only do this if you think you're ready for this Jesse."

"Today? I don't think I could handle that. Let's first see what magic you can perform. After that we'll see how and if to go on."

---

Two hours later it was Jessie who stood in front of the mirror. Unable to believe his eyes he kept making sudden movements to fool the person behind the mirror. It really was him. A beautiful lady stood there before the mirror. After a lot of fuzz his long hair had been put into a ponytail. He was quite used to putting his hair in a tail, but this time it was almost on the top of his head.

A bit of mascara, rouge and lipstick had transformed his face beyond recognition. What previously was a boyish baby-face had become a vision of beauty. Stunned Jesse stared and stared, desperately seeking for his former self. Slowly he started to recognize features. His facial build was still the same, but every facet of his face now had a feminine undertone.

The dress he was wearing needed no padding. The form of the dress suggested just the right amount of curves, and created the illusion of breasts. All in all the effect was quite stunning.

"John, Eric, you can come in now!" Vicky called out.

Both stepped into the room and where as breathless as Jesse himself. "Is this some joke? Where did you leave Jesse and who did you get to play his part?" John asked.

Jesse looked startled, stepped up to John and looked him in the eyes. "It's me John; I never realized how feminine I already looked. It almost feels as if I should be insulted somehow. My masculinity seems so cheap if it only takes a few strokes of makeup and a different hairstyle to change me into someone so feminine."

John searched Jesse's face, and slowly realization dawned. "Oh my God, it is you. If I had any doubts before you would be able to pull it off, they are gone now. Don't take this the wrong way, but you are beautiful."

Jesse looked back at the mirror, took a deep breath and said, "I guess I can pull this off... Let's get this show on the road."

---

Several weeks passed and most of that time Jesse posed as Jessie. At first he felt a bit uncomfortable in women's clothing. He was nervously looking around all the time, afraid that anyone would see through the disguise. But after fooling the first few interviewers he got more confident. His attitude changed as soon as he was en femme. It was almost as if he was putting on another skin, another person.

The reason that he spent all that time as Jessie was because they had one gig after another. They mostly traveled between gigs and while in the hotels Jesse was forced to remain Jessie or risk being exposed. At the end of the second week Jesse got a big shock.

"Jessie, would you like to go to dinner with me?" John asked.

At first Jesse thought he was pulling a prank on him. He was about to remind John of the two conditions when he saw the look in John's eyes. John was completely sincere and had a sort of love-struck look in his eyes.

"John, what are you thinking? You seriously want to date me? I'm still male under all this, don't ever forget that!"

John looked confused for a moment and then starts to blush furiously. "How could I ever have forgotten that? What was I thinking? I'm sorry Jesse; you've been so convincingly female the last few weeks that I completely forgot you were ever male. I don't understand this, but it completely slipped my mind."

At that moment Vicky walked in. "Girl, have I got news for you. Oh, hi John, did you ask her yet? Anyway it's good you are here as well. I just heard that "just after midnight" hit the charts like a storm, and we are now at the top!"

"Vicky! Not you too, don't you remember that... Wait.. back up a seconds. Did you say charts?!? At the top?!? That's fantastic!" Jesse exclaimed, completely forgetting was he was starting to say.

"Yeah, and that's not all!" Vicky continued, "We've been elected to do a live performance, which will be broadcasted in over 90 countries! We're going to be famous around the world!"

Totally lost in the excitement of the news Jesse forgets the memory lapses his friends seemed to suffer concerning his real gender.

---

It finally was the big night. They’re all set on stage and ready to go. The announcer on the other side of the curtain called out, "And here they are, the newest sensation on rock and metal music! They have risen to the top of almost every music chart in the world within two
weeks! Ladies and gentlemen, give a big hand to Jessie and her Steel Angels!!!!"

Although the band couldn't see it yet, the crowd went wild. Slowly the curtains opened and the roar coming from the public became almost deafening. Then, as Eric and Vicky started to play the first notes the roar lessens and finally quiets down altogether.

As John kicked in with his first Solo the crowd went wild again, cheering and whistling. John played a rather happy theme, very fast. Jesse backed him up with the violin but remained on the background. He looked into the audience, and saw the first few rows of spectators filled with love-struck teenagers. Jesse started the first verse:

'Let's go to the club down on Mortimer Street,'
He said when she wanted to dance.
'I have this friend there I'd like you to meet'
He lied, hoping this was his chance.

John whipped up the tempo even more in the interlude, closely followed by Eric. Jesse still remained in background. Then in time for the refrain, John and Eric slowed down, and Jesse's violin took over the lead, a wailing melody to accompany the refrain.

Just after midnight,
The party is dying.
In moon's silver light,
She's sitting there crying.

Once again John took over the lead. The theme he played was still the same as before, but there were some variations here and there to indicate a loss of control. Then, while John was still doing his piece, Jesse started to notice something going on with his body. His skin tingled and seemed to soften. He got his attention back to the song just in time to sing the next verse.

Drink after drink he forced down her neck,
Until she could no longer stand,
Then leaving her someplace in the club at the back
He went for another girl's hand.

John here continued to follow the boyfriend with a renewal of the happy fast tune he played earlier, while Jesse's violin kicks in once more, playing a slow lament. Jesse's mind was still half on his body. It felt like some of the padding had disappeared, but when he looked he still fitted the dress perfectly.

Just after midnight,
The party is dying.
In moon's silver light,
She still sits there crying.

John's happy tune faded out as Jesse's violin began to pick up speed. With the speed came a theme filled with rage and anger. The remainder of John's guitar play lost the happiness and starts sounding more surprised. Jesse's face started tingling now and he could almost feel his features shift around.

Sobering enough to see her boy cheating,
She tried in vain to stand up.
She tripped and fell down; her head took a beating,
Her life was lost, there in the club.

Jesse, who still had the violin leading the melody, shifted the anger to mourning. John's guitar was almost completely silent now, and the backup came primarily from Eric's drum and Vicky's bass. Meanwhile Jesse was still under the spell of his body, for now his bones seemed
to shift around.

Just after midnight,
The party is dying.
In moon's silver light,
Forever she's crying.

John picked up pace again until he matches the violin note by note. Together they played a mourning duet on a young life lost. Vicky played the party theme on the background, softly, as if life far away was still continuing. Jesse looked down for a second to see his breast padding had disappeared only to be replaced by real breasts.

Still haunting those grounds, a lost lonesome teen,
Betrayed by a cheating boyfriend,
And just after midnight her form can be seen,
Weeping each night without end.

At the end of the song Jessie got her solo. Her bow danced upon the strings as she put everything into her play. Upon the first few rows tear striped faces could be seen, and Jessie's own tears were rolling down her cheeks as well. For the tugging feeling of her manhood folded between her legs had disappeared. She was now fully a woman.

The ruckus the crowd made earlier when they were announced seemed like nothing at the applause they received now. After a while they quieted down as Jessie motioned that she wanted to say something. She took a few steps forward and said:

"Thank you all! It has been a great honor to play for you all tonight! And thanks for believing in us, without your belief I would never have been here. We would never have been here! Thank you all!"

The audience once more brought down the house while the curtains slowly closed.