The Great Novel Life: August 2014

"Linda Rella" - M -WTF

She sighs as she stares into the hotel bathroom, her green eyes twitching at the horror before her as her nose cringes at the odor it smells. The bachelor party that stayed here last night decided to use every surface as a toilet. There's puke and who know what else covering every inch of the marble surface, including the white tile ceiling. She closes the door, and heads back to her cart in the hallway outside the hotel room. She quickly pulls out her rubber boots, and some thick rubber gloves. Now ready to tackle the mess, she heads back in.

An hour later, she finally cleans up the mess when she hears a voice behind her.

"Linda, I need you to finish up here soon, and go to Room 542. Kid puked all over the bed," states her boss, Tim.

"All I have to do in here is change the sheets," she replies as she tosses her gloves into the trashcan. Her black hair sticking to her face as the sweat pours down her cheeks.

"Good. Change them, and head right to that room," Tim orders as he leaves.

"Yes, sir" she replies.

She quickly finishes the room, and heads down the hall. As she waits for the elevator, a very young boy tugs on her apron.

She bends and asks, "Yes, sir?"

"You're an ugly woman," the boy says as his parents stand here quietly, their eyes wide in disbelief at the statement the boy said.

"Why thank you, sir," replies Linda smiling. She can never fault a child for being honest.

"Welcome," says the boy as he skips onto the elevator.

She is about to enter when the father stops her from entering the elevator by holding his arm across the doorway.

"You can take the next one, sir," says the father while giving Linda an evil look. "I don't to expose my boy to your kind."

"As you wish, sir," Linda replies as she rolls her eyes. The father is a typical person she deals with on a daily basis. They take one look at her, and act like she's a leper or a burden on society. Then again, the fact she's house cleaning doesn't help her much. They see her as a maid, and go on with their mundane lives. They never see the tortured soul inside her skin, or the woman struggling to pay bills.

Later that evening, she finally clocks out after ten hours of cleaning up all bodily fluids imagined, and getting snide comments from hotel guests. She tosses her soiled apron into a plastic bag she carries her backpack as she leaves the hotel. She quickly makes it to the bus, and heads home.

As she enters her apartment, she quickly kicks off her heels, and slumps onto the couch. Exhausted, she takes off her wig, and tosses it onto the coffee table. She leans back and yawns when she hears the front door slam.

"Get up, Carl!" orders the voice. "It's dinner time."

"Give me a few minutes, John,” Carl nervously replies as he keeps lying on the couch, looking at the ceiling. "I only walked in a minute ago."

"Take your ass out of your Linda uniform, and make dinner!" shouts John while slamming the door.

“Fine!” snaps back Carl as he stands up. He is about to walk off when he feels a hand grab his arm. He turns around and sees John's nostrils flaring with a look of range in John's brown eyes.

John grabs Carl by his work shirt, and slaps him across the face.” What did I hear you say?” John shouts as he throws Carl to the floor.

“Sorry, John. Dinner will be started in a minute," Carl replies as he pulls himself off the floor.

“That's what I thought!” John shouts before storming off down the hall.

Carl drags himself into the kitchen while cursing under his breath. He shouldn't fear his stepbrother John, but because of that night in Vegas, he does. Despite all the claims it was consensual, Carl was wasted due to all the drinks John kept giving him through the evening. Since that day, he's become very submissive to John, almost to the point he's John's bitch. He wants to end this relationship with his stepbrother, but he fears what will happen if he does, to the point he's afraid for his life.

A few minutes later, the front door slams again. Carl glances up, and sees his second stepbrother Max at the door. A gorilla of man, he stomps over to the couch, and plops down in it. He grabs Carl's wig, spits in it, and tosses it onto the floor.

"What did I say about putting your gay lady shit onto my couch?" bellows Max as he turns on the TV. "Get me a damn beer!"

Carl lets out a loud sigh as he heads towards the fridge. He grabs a beer, and walks over to the couch. Max snatches the beer out of Carl's hand, and punches him in the gut hard. Carl drops to the floor gasping for air, but Max grabs his neck, and yanks him off the floor, and shoves his nose against Carl's face hard.

"What did I say about back talking to me?" Max yells, spitting all over Carl's cheek.

"It won't happen again," Carl apologizes.

"It better not!" yells Max before slamming Carl into the floor. "Now finish dinner!"

Carl hits the floor hard, his back throbbing in pain. He winces as he slowly stands up, gasping for air as he slowly limps back to the kitchen. Without a word or a glance towards the TV, he finishes making dinner as Max watches a sports channel.

With dinner made, he walks down the dimly lit hall to the master bedroom. He knocks once on the thin wood door, and waits for a response.

"Bring my supper in here, boy, and be quick about it!" yells a voice from behind the door.

Carl heads back to the kitchen, and quickly makes a plate of food for the master bedroom. As he begins heading down the hall, his left foot hits something hard causing him to stumble. He lands on the hard tile floor as the plate of food crashing a few feet away from him.
A large black boot crashes inches from Carl's head. He looks up, and sees John hovering over him. His long blonde hair is pulled up into a ponytail as his eyes are focused on the broken plate. John scoops up some of the food, and rubs it in Carl's face.

"Better fix him a new plate, Carl," laughs Jessie. “Master hates when dinner gets cold.”

Carl picks himself up, and wipes his face with a wet kitchen towel. He makes another plate, and carefully walks it down the hall. He knocks once again, and waits.

“Enter,” says Master from behind the door.

Carl opens the door, and slowly walks in. He finds Master sitting in his mahogany chair staring out the window at the approaching thunderstorm. Master's baldhead is covered by a black knit cap, and is wearing a maroon rob. Carl sets the plate on the small table in the corner, and waits patiently.

“Supper is late, boy,” says Master.

“Sorry, Master. The chicken didn't finish in time,” lies Carl. Even though he wants to tell the truth about what happened, it will only get Carl in trouble. Master believes the other two do not nothing wrong, and it's only Carl that's a troublemaker. So, Carl learned to keep his mouth shut, and do as told.

“No excuse. For that, I need you to scrub the tile floors with your toothbrush after you finish the dishes,” snarls Master. “Also, need you to wash all my wigs before you even think about going to bed.”

“Yes, Master,” replies Carl before quietly leaving the room. He closes the door behind him, and begins his nightly tasks.

As the sun begins to rise, Carl finally washes his wig after completing Master's tasks. He hangs it on the clothesline outside of the fire escape, and stares out over the city's skyline as tears forms in his eyes. He dreams the day he can move out of here, and live his life free from Master and his two stepbrothers. Sadly, whatever money he does bring home from his job, it goes right to Master towards the bills. He knows it's slavery, but every time he thinks about leaving, something is holding him back. He has created a mental prison because of Vegas, and until he moves on in his mind, he's stuck here.

He wipes away his tears, and heads inside. He quickly makes breakfast and a pot of coffee. He makes a new plate, makes a cup of coffee, and heads towards Master's door. He knocks once as always, and waits.

“Enter!”

“Breakfast, Master,” says Carl as he walks in, and sets the plate onto the table. He walks over, and hands Master his coffee. Master takes a sip, and waves his hand. Carl quickly leaves the room, and heads towards his. He walks into the closet that is his bedroom, and changes into pajamas. Exhausted, he collapses onto his cot, and passes out within minutes.

Some time later, his door is flung open. Carl jumps out of the cot, and sees Max standing in the doorway.

“Master wants to see you now!” shouts Max.

Carl walks out of the closet, and heads towards Master's door, which is opened. He knocks on the frame, and waits.

“Enter, and close the door, Carl,” says Master without looking back from the window.

Carl closes the door, and sits down at the table. He notices a large purple envelope on it addressed to him.

“Now, care to explain the envelope, Carl?” inquires Master.

“I can't, Master,” replies Carl.

“Go ahead. Open it.”

Carl opens the envelope, and see it's an invite to the biggest event of the year for the transgender society tomorrow night: The Glass Butterfly. He stares at the envelope with his frown wrinkled in thought. He's clueless on how he got an invitation considering he has no social life, but someone sent him one. “I can't, Master. I have no explanation at all.”

“Well, forget about going. You got chores that night,” states Master. “Also, burn that envelope. I don't want to see it or hear about it ever again!”

“Yes, Master.”

“Now, leave!” shouts Master.

Carl leaves, and heads back to his closet. He closes the door, and slumps into the cot. He pulls out a lighter, and stares at the invite. He knows Master wants it destroyed, but he hasn't been out since they went to Vegas, and he still was stuck in the hotel room. This is his golden ticket to a night of freedom, and he refuses to destroy it. He pulls out the invite, and folds it up. He tucks it inside one of his old work envelopes, and lights the purple envelope. He feels horrified for disobeying Master, but he won't pass up this chance.

He gets off the cot, and walks over to the vent. He pops it open, and pulls out a backpack. He unzips it, and smiles at the contents. The dress is still sealed, but will need to be unwrinkled with the steam press at work. The wig is also in good shape. All he's missing is heels, but he has a pair stored at work. He has the outfit, but needs to find a way to sneak to the party without Master finding out. He zips up the backpack, puts it on the cot, and closes up the vent.

He grabs his work backpack, and gently slides it over the one holding his outfit for The Glass Butterfly. He looks at the clock, and sees he has to get to work soon. He quickly gathers his work uniform, and gets ready for work. Now dressed as Linda, he flings his backpack over his shoulder, and heads out the door.

After a grueling day at work, he walks into the apartment, and finds Master sitting on the couch, in his maroon robe, drinking some cheap canned beer. On the table is an empty bottle of cheap bourbon.

"Close the door, Carl," says Master.

Carl closes the door, and turns back towards Master. Master makes a motion for Carl to take a seat with his hand. Carl grabs one of the cheap, wooden dining chairs, and sets it in front of Master. He sets his backpack next to the chair, and waits for Master.

"Hand over the backpack," orders Master.

Carl hesitates as he hands Master his backpack. Master snatches it out of Carl's hand, unzips it, and shakes out the backpack. The silk dress falls right on Master's lap as the other contents scattered on the floor. Master picks up the dress as his brow begins to wrinkle, and his face turns red. He grabs the dress, and shouts, "Max! Come here!"

Max enters the room, and walks over to Master. “Yes, Master?” he asks while he gives Carl a dirty look.

“Take this dress, and burn it outside on the grill,” says Master as he hands Max the dress. “I need to have a chat with Carl.”

“Yes, Master,” replies Max as he takes the dress, and heads out the front door.

“Now, follow me, Carl,” says Master as he stands up, and stumbles a little. He catches himself, and heads down the hall. Carl follows behind, head hanging as tears form in his eyes. When they reach the door of Carl's room, Master opens the door and waits for Carl to enter the room. Carl slowly enters, and Master closes the door.

“The invitation now,” orders Master as he pulls out his gold Zippo, the infamous click echoes in the room as Master lights it.

Carl lifts up his cot mattress, and retrieves the envelope. Master grabs it out of Carl's hand, and puts the Zippo to a corner, a smirk on Master's face as it begins to burn.

“This is the last time you disobey me, Carl,” states Master. “For punishment, you lose your cot for a week. Now wait in the hall!” He tosses the burning paper into a small metal trashcan and yells out, “John, remove the cot from Carl's room please.”

Carl exits the room as John enters. John slaps him in the face while carrying his cot into Master's bedroom. Carl stands there, hands shaking as the tears run down his face. He wants to lash out, but he already knows that he's about to be punished for the invitation, and lashing out will only make the punishment last longer. So, he stays quiet as he loses everything once again.

Master walks out and orders, “My room, now!”

Carl inches his way down the hall, and opens the door. He waits for Master to enter before closing it.

An hour later, he enters his room, and collapses on the floor. His shirt is soaked with sweat and blood. He tries to make himself comfortable by wrapping himself in his old, torn blanket, but his broken ribs make any position uncomfortable. He crawls over to the vent, pops it open, and pulls out pill bottle. He quickly takes out a pill, and swallows it. Within an hour, he's dead to the world while dreaming of leaving here forever.

He wakes up the next morning, and leaves before anyone else is awake. He knows that his plan for today is a rebellion against Master, but he is going to that party. He quickly hops on the bus, and heads towards his destination. For the first time as long as he can remember, he is going to do what he wants.

The bus drops him off in front of an old brick building. He quickly makes his way over to the plain, red steel door in the front of the building. He pulls out a key from his pocket, and unlocks the door. He looks around to make sure he wasn't followed before entering.

He enters the building, and turns on the lights. In the middle of the barren, cobweb covered room is an old cedar chest caked in dust. Carl sneezes as he breathes in the stale, dust-filled air that reeks of mold.

He makes his way over to the chest, and uses an old rag to wipe off the dust. His eyes brighten when he sees the gold plate with the name "Rella" engraved into it. He uses another key, and unlocks the trunk. He gently pushes open the massive lid, and smiles.

"One thing I'm glad Master doesn't know about," he says as he pulls out another silk dress, this one sky blue.

"He does know," says a stern voice behind Carl.

Carl almost begins to cry as he knows it's Max behind me.

"Get your ass up, Carl!" shouts Max. "Master is not going to be pleased about this!"

Carl stands up, and hangs his head in defeat as his tears fall to the floor. His last resort to make it to The Glass Butterfly has been discovered by one of his stepbrothers. Max will destroy it, and Carl will be punished by Master later on this evening. He wants to fight back, but as always, he stands there cowering as Max destroy his dreams

Max pulls out a small bottle of lighter fluid, and pours it all over the contest of the chest. He pulls out his Zippo, and begins to light up the silk dress. "You need to learn you will never escape," he sneers as he tosses the burning dress into the chest. The contents quickly catch fire while Carl watches his freedom go up in smoke.

When the fire finally consumes the chest, Max grabs a fire extinguisher, and puts it out before the whole building burns down. He tosses the empty container down, and grabs Carl by his neck. He pushes Carl's face into the ashes, and rubs his face into the smoldering remains of the chest.

"We're going home now," he orders while keeping Carl's face in the ashes. "Master is going to love hearing about this."

Max yanks Carl up, and flings him over his shoulder like Carl is nothing but a sack of potatoes. He carries Carl out the building, and tosses him into the back seat of his car. He gets into the driver seat, and rushes them back home.

As they enter, Max carries him right to Master's door. Max knocks once, and waits.

"Enter!"

Max opens the door, and pushes Carl inside to face his fate.

Four hours later, Carl stumbles into his closet, and lands on the floor. His face is still blacken with ash mixed with blood, and his right eye is swollen shut. His shirt is stained with blood as he lands on the floor with a thud. He crawls forward, wincing in pain to a small bucket. He pulls out a wet rag, and does his best to clean his face.

With the ash and blood cleaned off his face, he pulls himself up, and looks out the window. "All I want is to escape this place," he sighs before slumping back to the floor. "Too bad that fairy godmothers aren't real," he says before making himself a makeshift pillow out of his dirty clothes. He lays his head down, and goes to sleep: the only time he can escape his wretched life.

He is suddenly awakened by the sound of bells, and a cold blast of wind across his face. He also begins to smell a mixture of vanilla and lavender. He looks out the window, and sees a ball of pink light floating over the fire escape. He pulls himself off the floor screaming in agony, and rushes over to his door.

"Don't be alarmed," says the pink light.

Carl slowly turns around, and stares at the light, his eyes wide in shock. "Who said that?" he stammers out as his hands shake in fear.

"I did," says the pink light again. The light slowly dims down, and Carl's mouth opens up. Standing in the room is a tall woman with long blond hair, and eyes bluer then a clear spring sky. She's wearing an all white silk dress, and her hands are covered in satin forearm gloves. In her left hand is a crystal wand with a pink rose at the tip.

"Who are you?" asks Carl as her beauty spellbinds him.

"My name is Crystal, and I'm your fairy drag queen," she says in a masculine voice.

Carl looks at her, and does a double take. Even on his best day, he can't look this feminine. If it weren’t the voice being so deep, he would swear Crystal was born a woman. He is tempted to check under the skirt, but stops because it's bad etiquette in the transgender world. "My fairy drag queen?" he finally asks.

"Yes, and I'm here to help get you to The Glass Butterfly in style," replies Crystal as she waves her wand.

“How?” Carl replies as he slams his hand against the door out of frustration.

Crystal rolls her eyes and replies, “Hello? I appeared out of a pink ball of light, and you're asking how?”

“All my dresses are burnt, and I have no good wigs,” Carl sighs.

Crystal walks over to Carl, and backhands him across his cheek. “Shut up and listen, Honey. I'm going to have you the envy of the ball!”

“Yeah, like magic exists in this world,” retorts Carl as he rubs his cheek.

Crystal taps the wand on top of Carl's head, and his hair turns into a man of thick, straight black hair. Carl grabs it, and tugs on it. He winces as he feels his hand trying to tug his hair out of his own scalp. Crystal taps her wand on Carl's shirt, and he begins to glow. The light becomes so blinding that he can't see anything but white light. He closes his eyes, and moans as he feels his body filled with severe pain.

“Open your eyes,” says Crystal.

Carl opens his eyes, and sees he's standing outside in front of a brand new, white, Cadillac limousine. He looks down, and notices his hands have changed into a more female shape with bright red nails. He almost faints when he stares the silky smooth and shapely legs sticking out a black dress covered in sequins that end in a pair of red, crystal slippers. He walks over, and looks into the passenger mirror. In the reflection, he is gazing at the Linda that's been trapped inside of his body for many years.

“Now, you're ready to go, Linda, and wow them at The Glass Butterfly,” says Crystal beaming. “However, do remember one thing. At the stroke of midnight, you will change back into Carl.”

“I'm beautiful!” Linda shrieks as she jumps for joy.

“Yes, and you better hurry. Your invitation is inside. Now go!” orders Crystal as she opens the rear passenger door.

Linda climbs in with her legs pressed together as Crystal closes the door. The driver starts up, and they head off.

Thirty minutes later, the limo parks in front of the entrance. The driver runs around, and opens her door. Linda takes his hand as he leads her onto the red carpet. Linda looks around, and is amazed as she stares at two, blue, 50' tall lighted butterflies perched on either side of the marble steps that lead into the hotel. Linda straightens her dress, and begins to walk up the red carpet.

As she walks up the marble steps, there are a few gasps from the crowd. Linda blushes as she keeps heading towards the large, oak doors. At each door is a man dressed in a tuxedo collecting the invitations. She hands the doorman her invitation, and he opens the door.

She walks in, and finds herself in a world that she's only read about in fairy tales. The vaulted ceiling soars over the room, gold leaf glittering in the light from the crystal chandeliers. The entire floor is black marble, smooth and shiny like a mirror. The chairs are covered in red velvet, and tables covered in the finest cotton table clothes. She pinches herself to make sure she's not dreaming as she makes her way to the main room.

As the party picks up, she finds herself outside on a small balcony staring down at the passing cars below while slowly sipping on some champagne. Even though this is her night, she still feels afraid and alone. Master was right. This is not a part of her world, but all a fantasy that never should became a part of her reality. She finishes her glass, and begins to head back in.

As she's about to leave, she feels a hand gently grab her arm. She turns around and finds herself staring into the most handsome blue eyes she's ever seen. They look like sapphires tucked into a soft, porcelain skin with light freckles, and topped off with a thick, curly mane of red hair. She almost faints when she sees the tuxedo the stranger is wearing.

“Mind if I ask where such a beautiful woman in a rush to get too?” he asks.

“I was about to head home,” she replies, her face burning as her skin is glowing red.

“Not even one dance?” he asks as he offers her his hand.

She takes his hand and curtsies while replying, “One dance.”

He leads her onto the dance floor, and they begin to slow dance. As she stares into his eyes, she loses track of time as they dance the night away. For the first time in her real life, she's being treated like a princess, and doesn't want this night to end. She finally is experience happiness and love from a complete stranger. She wants to freeze this very moment, and live it for the rest of her life.

Suddenly, Linda hears the chiming of a clock as it strikes midnight.” I have to go,” she says in panic as she pushes away from her dance partner as the clock strikes one more time.

“Why?” he asks with his brow wrinkled in confusion.

“I have to go,” she says as she pushes away.

“Can I at least know your name?” he asks as she begins to walk off.

She ignores him as the man tries to stop her, but a dancing couple blocks him. Linda takes the chance, and rushes out of the hall. She is in such a hurry, her right shoe comes off, but she keeps running. She makes it around the corner as her dress begins to slowly turn back into his old t-shirt and jeans. He ducks into an alley, and slumps to the wet asphalt. The one night of pure bliss ran out of time, and he's forced to go back to his living Hell.

He pulls himself off the alley floor, and begins the long walk home. He regrets not learning his dance partner's name, but it will only be a dream. After this, he doubts Master will even let him out to go to work. This was his one night of independence, and all he has to show for it is a memory of a dance. He might as well hang himself instead of facing years of torment and oppression.

A month has gone by, and he's still forced to work because Master needs the money. He is taken t to work by Max, and is picked up by John. The instant he gets home, he has a list of chores waiting for him. By the time he's done, he's exhausted. Master isn't punishing like he normally did, but making Carl work himself to death. Every night, Carl pulls out a noose he made from spare rope he found at the hotel. He cries himself to sleep with the noose in his hand.

One night while getting ready to leave work, Linda steps onto the elevator and drops the dirty sheets she was carrying. On the elevator was her mystery dance partner from The Glass Butterfly. He's in a very fancy business suit carrying a small duffel bag. He looks at her, and smiles.

“Hello,” he says smiling. He looks at her face and asks, “Have we met before?”

“I don't think so, sir,” replies Linda as she picks up the dirty sheets. She looks up, and sees the man staring at her feet.

“This might be an odd request, but can you do me one favor?”

“What is it, sir?”

The man reaches into the duffel bag, and pulls out the ruby heel she lost. “Can you try this one for me?”

“May I ask why?” asks Linda as her heart begins beating faster.

“Because the most amazing person lost it one night, and I've been dying to find her,” he replies as he holds out the crystal shoe.

“If it will please you, sir, I will try it on,” replies Linda as she stands up, and removes her right shoe.

The man bends down, and gently slips it on. He looks up at her, and asks, “Now, what is your name?”

“Linda Rella,” she replies smiling. The man of her dreams has returned.

“Such a lovely name. My name is Peter Harmon,” he replies. “You still owe me a dance.”

“I would love too, but I have to go home after work,” she sighs.

“Why?” inquires Peter.

“I have to take care of my family.”

He hands her a business card, and replies, “Well, call me whenever you get a night off.”

“I will,” she says. “Need the shoe back?”

“No, it's yours, so keep it.”

“Thank you, Peter,” she replies as she slips off the slipper, and puts on her work shoes. As the elevator stops, she quickly rushes off. She heads down to the basement with the dirty sheets. She tosses them into the bins, and heads to her locker. She gently places the shoe and Peter's card into her locker. She slumps onto the bench, and begins to cry. No matter what she does, she will die in Master's apartment.

She gathers her stuff, and heads outside. She goes to the spot where John picks her up. However, there's a white limo inside of it. The rear door opens, and out steps Peter.

“Please, get in, Linda,” he says as he waves his hand towards the open door.

“I must go home,” she replies as she starts walking.

“I did some research. You owe them nothing.”

“Like you know my life!” she bitterly shouts back.

“I do, Carl. Now, please get in.”

She stops and looks back at him. Peter knows her birth name, and her history. She's paranoid at first, but anything can be an improvement over living with Master. She walks back to the limo, and calmly gets in. For the next hour as they drive out of the city, she tells Peter everything, and Peter returns the favor. With the city skyline in the rear-view mirror, she finally begins to feel free as she agrees to return to Peter's hometown.

A year later, Linda finds herself walking in the soft sand of a tropical beach, a far cry from the hellish city and her closet bedroom. The last she heard was Master and her stepbrothers were evicted, and forced to live out in the streets. She should feel sorry, but all she can think about is she is now living with someone who loves every part of her, and treats her as a human being. In the end, happiness came from one red slipper that is now mounted with the matching left one above the bed Peter and her share.

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"Linda Rella" - M - WTF