Chapter Two: The Appointment

The website looked discreet but warm: Ava & Co. Transformations—NYC’s Premier MTF Makeover Studio. Tasteful before-and-afters. Testimonials that sounded like whispered confessions. A calendar widget with a few weekday openings and a handful of Saturday slots that vanished as he hovered over them, like they were frightened of his indecision.

Arjun booked a Tuesday evening under the name “A. Patel.” It took him half an hour to press confirm and three seconds to pray he hadn’t made a terrible mistake.

Stiff Upper Lips
Inspired by John’s Message
By Maryanne Peters

Jonathan Hanscombe and Rupert Burlew had secured for themselves the two large leather armchairs by the window in the sitting room of Arthur’s in St. James. The window offered a view down the street of St. James Square (as it was then known) to the Gardens, but in the afternoon, it was the lightest area of the otherwise dark rooms of that ancient establishment.