Their forces are reducing in size. Political support for our forces is waning so we can’t put as many people in the field. The situation would be a ...ot less dangerous if we had a few more boots on the ground. We could put an end to all of these revolutionary armies in a short time,” George said.Alice said, “It’s always politics.”“Yes, it is,” George said.Charlie, wearing long pants, walked into the room. She stopped upon seeing the uniform and said, “Hey, Marine!”“Hello.”“Third Division, Third. "So she knew my sissy name. I wondered how much detail Helen had provided.But no-one else spoke about anything other than work-related matters. Onthe way home I called in at the supermarket again. It was the same girl atthe checkout. She gave me a somewhat puzzled look at first, but then shesmiled in a friendly way. Perhaps she noticed my hair and nails. Or maybeshe too had noticed I was wearing a bra.On Thursday morning I sat in front of my dressing-table mirror in my teenbra, knickers,. “There’s been a change of plans. The basketball team will be entertained by the silver girls from last night. All of the gold girls, including you, will be going to a private party for VIP donors. We’ll have a meeting at the hospitality room at noon.”“What should we wear?” asked Barb. “Wear the robes that are in the bathroom. No one will be on that floor at noon. After the meeting, you will have your clothes in your rooms to wear. We’ll be leaving the hotel at 2” offered Bill.A simple “No” was. Their clunky black boots, the strange hairdos, the piercings, their dark layered rags, their chains and pins, it all seemed an affront to who we were. They were throwbacks to the past; we Miamians were rushing to the future."Ten bucks and I'll tell ya," she promised."I'm going to lunch, no time," I said, ready to brush her off."So... I'm hungry... buy me lunch." They wouldn't let you in," I said, but now was interested by her insistence, my photographer's eye all of a sudden aware of her good.