Chapter 5 THE HORMONE HOTEL
Time line.......2 1/2 years
The group of patients got together and got a nice TV set and a stereo system for the dorm. I had started to do the blood work on all of them the next day. Claire and Margaret had more phone calls about the referrals to the program. But until FDA approved more, I was limited to 5 terminal patients. Yes, people would die. I couldn't think about it. Some doctors even called to see if anything could be done. The rules were hard and fast. There were people standing outside the clinic with signs. It was a very hard thing to say no. I told them to talk to the FDA. I wasn't going to do anything to jeopardize the program.
The effectiveness of the drug was so convincing to the animal patients that zoos all over the country were now sending their animals to him. I had convinced Caroline Rodgers to take the animals and continue to run the primate studies. Caroline would also be the zoo contact. She had been at the clinic and lab over the last few days and took interest in the selection process. But she stayed out of the selection.
The primates receiving the drug now totaled several hundred. The formula was out. I didn't care. I had filed a patient on it just so I would have control over it. I wouldn't allow any zoo to make it. But I would continue to administer it to animals already on it. But any animal who was admitted to the program had to come to My clinic to have the blood work done and observed. How else could I control the program and see the affects. No one had approached him to run a parallel program somewhere else. But I was ready if anyone asked. I would welcome it. The results would have to be communicated regularly. That was only reasonable. I could also see the profit being generated by the drug. Several drug companies were trying to get the rights to the formula. I was holding out.
Everyone upstairs were now on the first day of the drug. It was administered as an injection on the first day. The sooner it hit the blood stream and immune system, the better. All the women were aware that the primates changed completely and it was likely that they would do the same. This was one of the big unknowns. The ladies would have to help each other and also the two men. The men would have to teach the ladies how to be men. If anything would work, this had to.
Helen, Franks wife, had gotten his belongings shipped in. It seemed that UPS was making regular deliveries now to the clinic. Billie continued to live in the my house. If anything, to give more space to the new people. My home was big enough to be comfortable. Caroline had been coming by often. She seemed to get to know Billie quite well. They were even becoming friends. She had to find out if Billie was monogamous or if she was playing footsie. When she found out how committed to Robert, Billie was, she even began to go out to lunch with the ex-man. They even had been going out shopping with each other. Billie had quite a sexy taste in clothes. It was now obvious to Billie what was going on. Caroline wanted to hook me. Billie had to quietly laugh at this. She knew what was in the my closet. That revelation would come later and only by me. But Billie played along and Dr. Caroline Rodgers had changed her image from the almost prudish vet to a very sexy lady. I noticed too. They(Billie and Caroline) were going out more and more. A lot of what they talked about was how the community was reacting to the program in their community. The zoo work also was a big topic. But as they spent more and more time, they were developing a deep friendship.
Caroline, one day, asked me how I would feel if I was turned into a woman over night. I was glad that Billie wasn't around to smile and give it away.
"Caroline, have you ever wondered how it would feel if you had to become a man to do a job? I mean, you had to do it to get something done."
"Yes, I have. I know that if I could become a man, some of the bullshit prejudice I face everyday would change. But I wouldn't have the same feeling of happiness I have now. I like myself. I don't want to mess that up." I gulped and took the plunge. Well I know how it feels to be female in appearance."
"What?"
"I have never told you what I had to do in New Orleans. Remember Mary?"
"How could I forget her."
"Well when I spent the week down there, I became another "Queen" in the French Quarter. To get in to the people who had the original drug, they had to think I was a queen."
"Allen, I kinda figured this out a while back. I didn't know for sure, but I knew it was to simple sounding to just walk in and get the stuff. Did you like it?"
"Yes, I did. It was fun becoming someone else. I've done it several times since. Does this bother you?"
"Well I figured you weren't as boring as you appeared. You had to have something in that head besides science. The truth. It doesn't bother me. All I ask is that if your a transvestite, don't ask me to do anything kinky or go out with you here in town dressed as a woman. The main thing I already know is that your a sexually normal male. I've been watching for gay behavior for a while."
"No, I'm not gay. But down in the quarter, I went out with a bunch of gay people. Down there, if you dress that way, you go to their establishments. Its safer than going to a straight place and taking the risk of being beaten up. In fact, that is how I was introduced to Billie. Robert is the hotel security guard for the hotel I was staying in. He thought I was a hooker and stooped me one night. When he found out who I was, he called Billie. That is how he got to be the first person on the new NOL-5 drug. Do you have a problem with all this, Caroline?"
"No. I'm kinda glad. Now I know your not a stuffed shirt. We are going to have fun. I bet I know which room is the play room too."
"Yes, its the one I keep locked."
"Can I look?"
"Now?"
"Yes. I want to know how you look."
"Well I have one or two pictures from New Orleans. Remember, I was trying to look like the queens down there. I wouldn't dress that same way in normal circles."
Doc and Caroline went into the room where all the goodies were stored. The pictures that Mary took of "Alice" were amazing to Caroline. Doc even got the impression that Caroline kinda liked the thought that he dressed up this way.
"Hay look Caroline, I'm concerned about something. I don't want anyone else to find out about all of this. The patients might have a negative reaction to all of this."
"Yes, I can see that. You don't have anything to worry about. Boy am I going to have to have a talk with Billie tonight. I just muttered, "Oh God......................."
I was busy the rest of the week. But the fact that those two females were in cahoots kinda disturbed me. I had no idea what to expect. So I gave in and let what ever was going to happen, happen. The first of the patients were beginning to respond. Maureen's pain and headaches were getting better. Frank was getting stronger. He didn't need Helen's help getting up. One week. It was too good to be true. But it was happening to all of them.
Jerrie had been able to go off oxygen a little longer than normal after the first week. She had tried to get out of the wheel chair. She even had made it across the room before she fell. But all was OK. Just bruised her pride and end just a little.
Kate and Larry were becoming very fast friends. Larry was getting into the mind set of a executive female. She in turn was getting into his mind. This was going to be an interesting partnership. This was the kind of thing that I wanted to happen. And it was working. Week One, all was well.
I had set up with Billie De Leon to interview everyone upstairs every week and make a journal. Billie had set up in the computer a file for each of the patients. They would type into the computer how they felt and how they were doing. They knew this stuff would go in the record. So no one would get real personal.
Week two. Larry............
"I'm feeling better. The drug I've been started on is making me better. I don't know what to expect with the changes the doctor are talking about. But I will make this an adventure. I have a chance."
Week two. Kate.............
"I have found a new friend. His name is Larry. I think I have found someone I can trust and teach me how to be a "man". This stuff the Doc is giving me is making me better. I don't feel any changes yet. I know they will come. I will wait and see."
Week two. Frank...........
"Do I have to do this? I don't like computers. I'm feeling better. How long does it take for all the things the doctor is talking about, to happen? Helen and me are getting along OK. There will be a lot of help around here if I need it. I'm glad. I feel a little confused."
Week two. Jerrie.............
"There are a bunch of wimps around here. I can get around now by myself. I feel great. At last. A second chance. Maybe when I get out of here, I can get a decent job."
Week two. Maureen............
"No one likes my dog. He bit Frank today. He tried to pet him when he was eating. Very poor judgment. I am feeling better. This place is OK. I wouldn't have been able to stand it with out my dog."
Me and Billie read the reports. What else could you expect? They were settling in. They would get used to their surroundings very quickly. The community hadn't figured out who the new people were yet. I wanted to keep their names and faces unknown to the general population as long as possible. The local news media was trying to get in and interview them. I had run the news media off. I had told the patients that no one would change the way they dressed or acted until it was necessary. That way, the community would not suspect who was who.
It was Friday morning. I was tired and just wanted to rest and be quiet. Some how I knew it wouldn't happen. I didn't know when those two females would spring what they had been working on. I was sure it would be soon. Sure enough, Caroline called up and wanted to go to New Orleans.
"I want to meet Alice." I knew it. I could just feel something coming. Billie wanted to go to. I couldn't walk down the streets of New Orleans without being surrounded by the locals. So Alice would have to go.
"OK, I'll call and get airplane tickets and reserve a hotel room. Do we call Robert and tell him we are coming?"
Billie said "No, this is a surprise."
"Fine." Doc picked two outfits from the closet and got ready. I was ready and got the car loaded. Caroline wanted to do some shopping and so this was going to be a girls weekend out. This was going to be interesting.
They got in to New Orleans that evening. It was still light out. It would take 2 hours for Alice to appear. So the Billie and Caroline went to walk around for a couple of hours while someone got ready. Alice wasn't going too queen tonight. She was going tourist. Casual and dressed down. When Caroline and Billie got back, they thought they had the wrong room.
"I can't believe it." Caroline said. "Your not the same person we came down here with."
"That is what I'm told when I get dressed. That is why I could pull off the original deal with Mary. By the way, lets go see her. Its been a couple of months." Mary was still in the same place she always was. She saw Alice and Billie and knew who they were. It was like a reunion of old friends.
"Alice, the community is going nuts over the new drug and the program. Everyone is talking about it. I want to introduce you to some friends." There were a bunch of people in the audience tonight and they made their way out into the middle of them.
"Alice, this is some old friends of mine." They were all women. But Alice kinda guessed that there were a few who were not at one time. Alice forgot most of the names but she was sure they would remember hers. They sat down at a table and talked for at least an hour. The drug pushers had been caught by the police a month after Alice came down the 2nd time. It was a good thing. Mary would have had some real problems if they had gotten hold of her. There was no one else taking the drug who reacted to it in the same way as Mary. She was the only one who had cancer at the time.
"Alice, I got my first period. It happened two months ago."
"How are you reacting to it?"
"It was the greatest day of my life."
Caroline spoke up. "And probably the worst too."
"Yes, the good with the bad. Do you think that I could become pregnant?"
"I think it could happen. But I think there would not be a child." That seemed to help Mary.
"I got to go back on stage in 10 minutes. Then lets go out and eat."
"Yes, I am hungry", Alice said.
Billie asked Alice, "am I going to go through that too?"
"Most probably. It takes a little time for the body to make the parts." Billie didn't know how to feel about getting pregnant.
"Billie, that is what safe sex is all about. You already know how to do that." Alice said.
"So I will be a complete woman."
"Yes. This will be a completely new adventure for men. I know some real pigs who are going to have to eat a lot of crow when they take what they have dished out for years." (But I am getting to far ahead of my story.)
The show Mary did was a modified strip tease. She did an impersonation of Marilyn. In this club, the girls did total strips. This kinda bothered Caroline. Alice had to remind her where they were.
"This is sin city. The French Quarter is where you can find anything." After the show, they went to a local all night restaurant and had breakfast. The place had other queens there. There were also all the night people from the quarter who worked at the bars and clubs. No one ever bothered anyone who came in. Live and let live. But if you made the mistake and pointed a finger or said something cruel or ugly, you might get mugged later. These people took care of their own. One of the queens recognized Mary and then recognized Alice.
"Your the doctor!" "UH OH, ....................." The group eased over and started a conversation.
"Aren't you the doctor who is doing the cancer stuff with hormones?"
"Well I kind of don't want to be recognized out in public right now."
"Don't worry honey, we won't tell. We know some of your friends. We will tell them we saw you."
"O yes, Mary, who were the two girls who helped us the first week?"
"Heather and Jane."
"How are they doing?" "You can ask them later. How long are you going to be out."
"Till we get tired."
"Good, we know just how to get them. By the way, we have heard a bunch of rumors that the drug program you run is now in human experimentation. When will the stuff come out for public use?"
"You have to understand that it will never be over the counter. It will always be the last drug of choice for a terminal cancer patient. There must be cancer present for the drug to change a persons sex. I usually don't even think of a person unless they have 2 or 3 months to live. But I can tell you this. Before it is over, the American public will not look at queens or transvestites the same ever again. No one will ever be able to tell who is who. You cannot discriminate against someone who is trying to live. The religious right folks are in for trouble. It will also be open season on male sexist pigs who make the mistake of harassing one of my patients. Do me a favor girls, don't give me away. I need to be invisible. It will be harder and harder to get away from the reporters and news people. This is the only way I can do that now."
"Look Doc, we owe you a lot."
"Please call me Alice."
"No one here in the quarter will ever give you away. You have been too much help."
Caroline had been quiet during all of this. She had no idea what to expect from the Me or my patients. But now she really understood how some of these people felt and that in the quarter, Dr. Allen Gurber was safe. As Alice, I could go anywhere and not be recognized. The hotel where they were staying was even in on it. They were registered as Alice Allen. It was Robert's idea. Caroline realized that Alice had a new family and these people, unconventional as they were, were going to take care of Alice. Could Caroline share me? She would have to find out. But she trusted the person who sat beside her in women's clothes and acting like a woman. That was good.
Heather and Jane caught up with them 30 minutes later. It was a good reunion. They were working the quarter as bar maids and waitresses. They had little apartment in the quarter above one of the joints. The rent was higher than in the suburbs, but close enough that they didn't have to have a car to get around. They could walk to anywhere in the Quarter and get anything they needed. The two had to go to work soon so they couldn't stay too long. Me and Caroline invited them up to the room later on. Phone numbers were exchanged. Caroline and I decided to go back and look around in the quarter. So the group split up and went out on their own. Billie went back to the hotel to see Robert and visit. Heather and Jane went on to work. Me and Caroline just started walking. They got some pretty neat stares when they were walking down the street. They had not realized that what the public saw were two women holding hands in public. Lesbians.
Alice just thought, "FUN". "Let them gawk. We don't care.
"Caroline, how do you feel being labeled as a lesbian?"
"I don't care. Let the public think what they want. Just as long as no one from home sees us."
"I don't think anyone will."
After a couple of hours, they walked back to the hotel. Billie and Robert were out in the lobby visiting.
Robert spoke up. "Look who's here. How you doing Alice?"
"Fine Robert".
"Who is this with you?"
"This is Caroline. She is my friend from back home. She wanted to see the quarter."
"Good. I will come by before I go to work tomorrow and get with you folks. I got a lot of scoop for you. Great Robert. That is one of the reasons we came down here. Also, we needed to get away from the rat race."
"Yes I know. Good night."
Caroline was going to spend the night with me as Alice. This was going to be very interesting. They had never had sex together before. She was very interested in how I became Alice and how it was done. Alice took off the outer clothing and she just stood there and starred.
"This is amazing. You look real".
"Nice effect isn't it."
"Yes. I got an idea Allen."
"What you got in mind?" "Come here." Caroline helped me remove the outer effects and got to the gaff.
"Lets take this thing off and let me see if you've been taking that drug too."
"Nope, I stay away from that stuff." The gaff came off and suddenly it was a different picture. Stay just the way you are right now and come to bed. I have always wanted to know how a lesbian feels and tonight, I am going to find out."
"I don't know about this. Its a little bit kinky."
"Be cool. I don't care how you are dressed Allen. Its what is inside that counts. Caroline and I made love for several hours. When we were through, we both fell asleep and drifted. We would see how things went in the morning. When I awoke the next morning, there was still Alice in the mirror. I had to admit to himself that it was fun. This would not be a regular occurrence I thought to myself. I decided to stay as Alice all day. So I sat down and fixed the smudged makeup and added a little perfume and deodorant and put on the necessary garments. I looked in the closet and found a casual looking skirt and blouse and was in the process of putting them on when Caroline woke up.
"I feel great. I haven't had sex in so long that I almost forgot how it felt. You gonna stay female today?"
"Yes, I have to move around. I don't want to be recognized as the Doc."
"Come here Alice." They kissed very passionately and just looked at each other.
"I just don't know what to think about you Caroline. I always thought you were all business like me. Well that kinda goes for you too Alice." She was looking at this person who looked like a girl but wasn't.
"How do you feel about last night?"
"I think it did us both good. Now you know how it feels to be a lesbian."
"Strange, I don't feel like that. I feel all woman today."
"Well I don't feel all woman. I feel like a stage actor doing a role. But every time someone passes us and doesn't make me, I feel proud that I can pull it off." I looked in the mirror and fixed the lipstick.
I brought a towel to Caroline and said "Here, you need to wipe your face. Lipstick is showing." They both giggled and she started getting dressed.
"Should we tell Billie what happened?"
"No, and I'm sure she wasn't just sleeping last night. I bet Robert got some straight sex last night for the first time in his life."
Caroline asked "I wonder how that went last night with them."
"Don't worry too much about that. I bet they came (orgasmic) a lot last night. I had a long talk with Robert after Billie went on the drug. It seemed that they were the kind of couple that would have been together anyway."
It was lunch time. The quarter was famous for its food. So lunch was an adventure. No one even questioned Me. It was amazing to Caroline that I could do it like that for long periods of time. She would have to ask Billie about that later. We bumped into Billie and Robert together in the lobby of the hotel on the way back.
"How did you two do last night?" Billie asked Alice and Caroline.
"Probably not as good as you two."
"Yea, we did have a good time last night." Robert kinda acted shy and embarrassed. Enough said. The subject moved on to what they were going to do today and when they were going home Sunday.
"Meet us here in the lobby tomorrow at noon. We will go to the plane together. Hopefully I can get out of this place without getting mugged. All I need is to get held up on the way to the plane. The news media also is looking for us. That is always fun."
Alice and Caroline went shopping. We didn't get back until dark. Caroline had never been to such a place where you could get anything. Leather to Lace and all the accessories. She bought some very sexy stuff in one shop and said something to Alice, "private consumption only." They were openly affectionate. Several of the normal tourist were looking at the couple of "lesbians", (or so they thought) and just went on. After all, this was New Orleans and the French Quarter. Nothing was taboo here. Alice had bought some heels and stockings. She still gravitated to lace. But she also bought some regular stuff too.
"I hope we have room for all this stuff on the plane. We will ship it if we have to."
"No problem."
When they got back to the room and Alice decided to return to Allen. So everything came off. Caroline could not believe how intricate the costume was.
"You have been wearing all that stuff since yesterday?"
"Yes. I don't have a problem with it because I have a knee problem and the extra support helps. I wear some of this stuff at home when I am having trouble." After the shower and cleanup, It was time to go eat.
"We will see if I am attacked to much tonight. I am tired of Alice for a while".
"OK Allen, I don't care. Do I need to change?"
"Well, I would like you to go a little softer in appearance." She had been wearing a tank top and jeans. "Why don't you wear that nice dress you bought today?"
"Yes, that is a good idea." Allen looked at the label and suddenly realized that this woman wore the same size as himself/herself. I was sure that she had noticed and just kept it too himself. I was funny about the wardrobe. It had something to do with the secretness of cross dressing. She touched up the makeup and they went out to the restaurant in the hotel. Not more than 5 minutes went by until the waiter approached us and asked,
"You're the Cancer doctor aren't you?"
"Uh, yes."
"Don't worry. I don't think anyone else has made you. I'll take good care of you."
"Good, Thank you." I looked at Caroline and just smiled. "See what I mean about being noticed. These people seem to like me. But the attention sometimes is too much."
The dinner was quiet and good. But, as they were about to leave, it happened. A group of people recognized Me and came over.
"Your the cancer doctor aren't you. We were curious as to how the research was going."
Caroline said, "go ahead. I might drink some coffee." So the group invited them back in for coffee and they talked about the research. No one had noticed that the females in the group were not as they seemed. Caroline had not even noticed. It seemed that the whole French quarter was alive with rumors about the drug and the sex change effect of it.
"Right now, the program is closed for a year. I have 5 new patients. After those people are evaluated, we will open up the program to more people. I will make sure the word gets out. But its going to be a year until then. This is a legal program and the FDA is being very strict on the guidelines. The drug hasn't killed anyone yet and I don't want anyone who isn't terminal on it. I will not jeopardize anyone needlessly." That seemed to make them think. It was too soon to report the affect physiologically from changing from one sex to another. That would come in time. That was to be the big thing about the program and the drug. They all understood the reasons and left it alone. Caroline was beginning to see why the Doctor preferred to not be recognized in public. The news media had also spotted him and took his picture and was asking a lot of questions. When I ignored them, they started to mess with Caroline and asking her questions. "Don't tell them anything Betty". I winked at her and she got the idea.
"Hey Doc, how you feel about your picture all over the country in the tabs?"
"Do I have any choice?" "Yea talk to us and give us an interview. Who is your lady friend?"
"I think you will get an interview and then publish the pictures anyway. Go to Hell"..... We got out of there quick. The waiter and some of the party in the crowd that were talking to us, stopped the press people from following us. It was appreciated. I would see that they got word through Robert that I was thankful.
"The press are monsters."
"Yes and now you really know why I don't want to be recognized in public. I am now a public figure."
The next morning, they meet Billie, Robert and Mary in the lobby of the hotel. They got to the airport without too much trouble. That stupid reporter was still following them. But he never got close enough to bother them thanks to Robert. I told Robert of the events of the night before and he would pass along the thanks to everyone involved last night.
"We will be back". They yelled as they got on the plane.
They were finally back in Little Rock. It was good to be home. The patients were doing well. Most had gotten out and seen the community and gone shopping. Everything was very quiet. That was good.
"Now we got to talk Billie." "OK Doc."
" I don't care what ever happens when we are out. We have to stick together from now on. If we go out of town, I will take Alice. If the press get to obnoxious, then I will change. Business first. Keep your ear to the ground and let me know if you hear or see anything." "OK Doc, by the way, when you and Caroline going to start playing house?" "Not for a while. We have work to do. But I think we will go out of town once a month to unwind."
"Sounds good to me", Billie said.
"I'm sure now that you have a new relationship, you will need to see Robert too."
"O yes. By the way, how did it go with Robert?"
"Well it was awkward for a few minutes. But I now know how a woman feels when climax comes."
"It hasn't been a year yet. But I think that once your one year old, you will be like Mary. Periods and everything."
"Doc, I'm not sure I will like that."
"The good with the bad, Billie."
"Yea, Yea, Yea Doc."
"Billie, you are the first of many facing a brave new world. How do you think the others will take that news?"
"Not very well Doc."
"Keep it to yourself then for a while. OK, Billie, we have a house full of new people to watch out for. We got work to do."