Changing Roles
By Julie Dawn Cole
Chapter 4

I had a wonderful night’s sleep dreaming a lot. It was so realistic that I couldn’t wake up when my alarm went. In the dream the company was now 100% female employees and was the only male. I had been retained on the basis that I agreed to live and work as a female employee and that I was receiving hormone treatment and my breasts had already developed such that I needed a bra. I was the envy of my colleagues and when I used the bathroom, I had no choice but to sit down since my appendage had shrunk to almost nothing. I’d looked for the men’s bathroom but it had been converted to a rest area with sofas and a large screen tv showing fashion programmes. Staff were now allowed to take regular breaks to relax and chat and there was a pair of massage chairs for those needing to chill out and put their feet up for a while. Several male employees had accepted Emily’s new rules for male employees the top priority of which was that they had to undergo hormone treatment to change their behaviour with a sex change as an option. That involved removing their testicles and for some all of their male parts. I was exempt because I passed the initial tests and interviews and was considered sufficiently female without any treatment. According to the report my testicles were small enough to be defined as non-existent and I was unable to achieve an erection. I could not perform even if I had urges because it was lifeless.
When I eventually woke sufficiently that I saw the time I realised that I had been dreaming. I quickly got out of bed and took a shower to wake up properly I stood with the water splashing into my face and soaked my hair . Was this the plan for our company to retire or make all male employees redundant. Would I really be retained if I passed as female in such a situation? This was impossible. No employer would get away with such sexism.

I was behind schedule, but I decided to shampoo and condition my hair. I decided to let it dry naturally and tie it back into my customary loose ponytail style on my way to work or in the men’s room in reception. It was getting quite long now, and it was full. I had missed my regular hair appointments recently due to the pressures of work supporting George.

I was actually quite excited to get dressed in my new uniform even though I’d shown my opposition to the idea. I thought this was a very androgynous look that was exciting, and it was clearly Emily’s way of putting me in my place. I was now operating at a lower level and staff needed to see I was no longer in charge. They needed to see that I also had to follow the new rules whatever my objection. The shirt only needed a padded bra underneath, and I knew I’d pass as a female employee. I decided to wear a silk camisole underneath it that wouldn’t be noticeable much like the black Sloggi panties I liked to wear. I knew that I had to take care that I didn’t get too carried away and also that nothing showed. I needed to be as certain as possible that I blended in with other male employees rather than the females and that the trousers weren’t too obvious. More like slacks I suppose than trousers.

I liked the effect that the low heel was having that seemed to go well with the cut of the trousers and a heel gave me chance to look taller although I knew that I’d still be shorter than Emily who liked to accentuate her height with 5” stiletto heels. The rumour mill suggested that she liked to cover her legs for some reason. Maybe they were scarred in an accident or something or just didn’t like men staring. I’d heard she’d been blessed with model like long shapely legs and a cute butt. She covered that with a jacket that I’d not seen her remove. No wonder she had the air conditioning temperature adjusted in my office. She clearly preferred to wear trouser suits. Maybe she had lesbian tendencies.

When I checked myself in the long mirror, I saw that the trousers were tight in the crutch area so that there was very little room for the male appendage. Standing to relieve myself would be a problem not least because there was no fly. Lucky that I was wearing these firm hold panties to keep me well tucked, but could I last all day trussed up? I opted to wear black tights since the trouser material was light and the weather forecast wasn’t great with rain expected as well as a strong breeze. Since I was wearing short boots, the tights would not be obvious to anybody interested enough to take a second glance, but I needed a jacket and a heavy coat. I opted for a double-breasted blazer from the Julie side of my wardrobe that looked OK with the trousers. Not exactly a masculine look but I was running out of time. I had a raincoat that would cover everything, and I found a computer bag that was intended for i-pads to carry my wallet and other bits and pieces. It didn’t exactly look as good as my masculine outfits I normally wore for work and again this was clearly the image that Emily wanted to distinguish between senior managers and staff.

As I walked to the bus stop it was windy as forecast, so my hair was all over the place and I regretted sleeping in and not using my drier and tying it back. One upside was that I admired my reflection in shop windows and as a result I had a spring in my step. If I had a touch of make up the image could be that of any young businesswoman heading to the office. Not that many walk to work pr take a bus these days. There were lots of people rushing around so nobody seemed to bother me and even the owner of the newsagents where I stopped to buy the Morning Post didn’t look up at me as I paid. I was glad I had kept my appearance as normal as possible.

The top and bottom of it was that I felt happier than in a long time despite the shock of the changes at work. Unfortunately, that mood soon changed when I got on the bus. I realised that I was not as comfortable dressed in the company uniform as I would have been wearing a normal business suit. Not that I used the bus service of course. I felt several sets of piercing eyes staring at me from the moment I sat down to the minute I left the bus. I tried to be as inconspicuous as possible, and I sat upright trying to look out of the window, but I was facing inwards. I crossed my legs that did seem to come naturally but unfortunately since I was sitting high up on a side seat my trouser legs lifted and exposed my leg covered in black tights rather than socks. Whatever my intent I was being seen as a female employee on the way to work. I so wanted to stare right back at the peering eyes, but I didn’t want to risk sending the wrong signals. I opened my bag and searched for my compact so I could look at myself in the mirror. I needed to get a car to avoid this sort of experience even if it was of lower standard than the one, I had been driving. Melanie’s would have to do for now.

When I arrived at the office, I headed straight to the men’s room only to be stopped by a young guy I didn’t know who re-directed me to the ladies’ rest room. I knew it was early and so to avoid a scene I apologised and went inside. Luckily it was empty, so I quickly removed my raincoat and tidied myself and then started to put a brush through my hair. Before I had chance to put on my hairband to tie my hair into a ponytail the door burst open and in came the new receptionist who we’d hired to replace a retiree. She was very pretty, and she also was wearing the company uniform but with a skirt rather than trousers.

‘What awful weather. It’s made a real mess of my hair and I’m supposed to create a glamourous image as guests arrive. I just spent a fortune on a new style, and it was obviously a waste of money. Sorry I’m Maddy by the way. Who are you?’

I introduced myself as Jules, Emily’s assistant, that clearly impressed her. ‘Oh, the new chief. I haven’t met her yet but I understand there have been some big changes. I half expected the job offer to have been withdrawn. How long have you worked here then? I can’t afford to lose this job I’m getting married soon and we’ve taken out a big mortgage on our apartment.’

‘I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get a word in but I took the chance. I’ve worked here several years but things have changed a lot. Ms Waterton is my boss but she’s new to the business so there is a lot of nervousness and uncertainty around.’

‘Well at our level we don’t need to worry. Let them do what they like as long as I keep my job until we settle down. I don’t intend working for long, we want a family asap.’

‘Oh, that’s expensive. Are you sure you can afford it?’

‘Well, we both can rely on the bank of mum and dad if we get in a mess, but I must make sure I’ve hooked him first. His family are loaded. They are paying for everything on our wedding day as well as the honeymoon. They are desperate for grandchildren. Are you in a relationship? You don’t have a ring.’

I needed to escape before I got the rest of her life story. Women can certainly talk and that was one thing I needed to work on during my excursions as Julie. My voice was fine, but I was too polite and very quiet in company of others.’

I escaped before anybody else came in with my hair roughly tied back into my normal style, but I had no shirt collar to tuck it into. The polo shirt was a looser fit around the neck even with the top button fastened. My hair found it’s own place to settle. I wish I’d sorted it out properly before I left home.

I arrived at my desk as Emily appeared. ‘Morning Jules. Can you pop into my office after you’ve made a fresh brew of coffee? I just tried myself but I made a bit of a mess. I’m not very good at domestics.’

Sally was just clearing the mess when I went into the kitchen and said that I had a challenge on my hands looking after Madam. She just smiled and said welcome to the club. I’d soon been relegated to office admin level even in Sally’s eyes. The King is dead long live the Queen.

‘Morning Sally I just met the new receptionist downstairs. Did I really select her from the shortlist provided by HR?’

‘Yes, you approved it because you felt she had potential as well as the right image for a receptionist. By the way you look good in the new uniform. It really suits you. Just turn around let me see front and back. Are you happy with it?’

‘I can’t be anything else but happy since I have no choice.’

‘Well Jules you’ll have to take care around some of the male employees or you’ll be covered in bruises. Those pants are quite tight and lots of the guys have wondering hands. Still, I think Emily will soon be sorting them out.’

‘Well, I must admit I’ve had more attention already. The bus ride was awful. I felt like a piece of meat. You don’t think the uniform is too feminine do you.’
‘Not too feminine more total feminine. You look great and if you had boobs, you’d look more like a female member of staff than most of us do in pants and shirts. Not everybody has the slim features that you have.’

‘Well, I am already aware I’m going to have to try to adjust my outfit and buy some men’s pants. I met a young guy coming out of the gent’s bathroom as I was entering the office building, and he pointed me to the ladies. It was embarrassing. Good job I didn’t know him from Adam.’

‘Well get used to it I think Emily will be happy with this look. Just you wait and see.’

‘What do you mean? What are you saying? Do you think she’s done this to me on purpose?’

‘Maybe. But I was warned by Melanie. Apparently, she does have an eye for attractive women and not just the young ones. Maybe she is anti-men and sees you as more female than male. If you play your cards right and flirt a little you could be in there like me with Melanie. I won’t be hanging around. You look great and with some make-up and eye-lash extensions you could cash-in. My friend could help. Imagine the fun you could have. Have you ever gone out fully dressed? I bet you have.’

‘I don’t know what you are talking about. I don’t intend changing my appearance. Anyway Emily is too serious about her career to let her image slip or show weakness. She hasn’t been here for long, I hardly know her. I thought she was just a feminist and a workaholic.’

‘Probably you’re right but just wait for your chance to test the water and then jump right in. That’s all I’m saying. Melanie says she told her and Jenny that she went to a girl only college as a boarder. Most of them get intimate and turn out preferring the company of girls. You might be a half-way house. A girlfriend with extras.’

I just couldn’t believe how this conversation had developed with Sally as she was never normally so open. I certainly had no intention of playing the bimbo with Emily and lowering my guard. It was bad enough that I’d been outed by somebody, and I didn’t need rumours to get worse.

I arrived at my desk and gathered my notebook and took Emily her coffee.

‘Thanks Julie.’

Did I just hear her right?

‘Julie before we start an update. There was a problem with your replacement car. If you pop to see Melanie she will explain. You might be on public transport for a day or too but I’m happy to give you a lift home anytime that fits. Especially if we need to work late whilst we are getting things turned around.’

I didn’t like the delay and was too kind giving up my own car to Melanie. Neither did I fancy the bus every day after my earlier experience, but it might be better than accepting offer from Emily.

Things were going from bad to worse.