Period of change

He discovered her behind the counter of a back street shop. It was
as if she had been waiting for him amongst the dusty shelves in the
drab interior.

She would be perfect for him. At last his search was over, and he could
relax to the job which lay ahead.

Tall, slim and pale, she would be the ideal specimen for
transformation. Once he had explained his quest to the manager of the
shop, he whisked her instantly away. Appearing to be understanding of
his plight, the shop owner gladly released her to his care.

On her part, she had dreamed of such a day, but never truly believed it
would arrive. Now, to be in the hands of an expert, in the exact area,
was truly amazing. Although she only had his word for it - and she had
no reason to doubt him - she could hardly contain her excitement.

During the journey to his home in his fast car, he detailed the
procedure that would occur. He would set her up in his apartment. She
would have regular, thorough, daily attention. All his friends would
admire her and observe her progress with great interest. She should not
be critical of her own shape, he added, as being bottom heavy whilst
slim above the middle, whilst unusual, was his preferred shape. Was she
prepared to undergo a process that would totally change her appearance?
Oh, yes, she thought so. It would involve heat exposure each day,
gradually increasing over a period of beyond three weeks. This, he
said, would achieve the best, most even, results. Missing a day and
then doubling up was not in his planned schedule. Therefore she would
be unable to shrink from her commitment once made. Although it sounded
very regimented, she realized that it meant a great deal of work on his
part also.

He also made her aware that she could not return to the shop. She would
be unrecognizable to all who knew her. There would, of course, be
advantages and disadvantages for both of them. Each day of his work
took him one day closer to the end of his conversion, the process of
which he actually enjoyed. Whilst it gave him great satisfaction upon
completion, it also saddened him, as he would then have to begin
searching all over again.

On arrival at his home, she admired the luxury. However, she was not
here to indulge herself, she was here for total and utter
transformation.

Work would begin the next day, so he advised her to rest and prepare
herself. They awoke early, and after breakfast settled to the task.
Although he seemed a little obsessive in his quest, she felt glad he
had chosen her as his subject. Photographs were taken from all angles
as a record of her condition prior to commencing his project. Dated and
filed, the next blank page would hold tomorrow's picture showing any
slight but clear changes. It appeared that each day would be treated
like a milestone in a journey.

She tensed as the heat licked her back. Never before had she felt such
intense burning. She smiled to herself as she thought of three weeks
hence, deciding that it would be well worth it. Soon the initial ordeal
was over and he came to cool her. Once the heat was extinguished, and
she knew there would be no more for twenty four hours, she relaxed and
reveled in the attention.

Many visitors came and went, passing comments and pleasantries. She was
glad of the company as she was unable to leave the flat until the
process was complete. She was also compared to previous transformations
viewed by his friends. In her position, she felt both envious and
proud. Jealous as she was not his first conquest, but pleased to have
been found and chosen at all. As the days passed into weeks and her
progress diary grew in thickness, she could see that his claim to be an
expert was the truth.

Increasing heat exposure daily was grueling. He carefully monitored and
timed each session almost ritualistically. He obviously knew what he
was doing, however, and was instantly there to smother the flame at the
correct time to prevent overexposure too soon. She could feel her shape
altering daily and part of her would be sad for it to end too.

She had grown used to the pampering and enjoyed the attention, but
remained aware of the ever shortening time span before her. She
wondered what her life would be like afterwards. During her stay, he
had placed her on a pedestal in every sense, but he had made it clear
that he would no longer have the need for her. What sort of person, if
any, would she attract in her new form? Maybe once she had been
discarded she would be viewed as used goods and remain unwanted.

Would the shop owner want her back? She thought not. She had definitely
moved on, and being behind a shop counter once more, held little appeal
for her anyway. No, that avenue was closed to her. What friends did she
really have? No one significant. They probably wouldn't want to know
her now after such a metamorphosis. Outward change did not necessarily
mean the inside altered though did it? But how could she convince
people?

Toward the end of her stay, she felt and looked a shadow of her former
self. Eager to please one last time and keen to prolong his pleasure,
she struggled to think of a way to elongate her stay. Ideas, sadly
evaded her, and it was soon time to say goodbye. Taking the shots of
her at the end of the process, her smile was watery and forced to think
it was all over.

He thanked her for her time and effort, praising her endurance and
willingness to participate. She was indeed no longer the same as she
used to be. It had been an exciting time, although short lived and
neither of them would forget it - but it could also not be repeated.
This they both knew. Parting was sad, but inevitable as being a
tapering advent candle, once melted to day twenty five, the only place
left to go was in the bin.