A call comes over the waiting room’s communication system. “James to reception.” It says. James stands with an apathetic grunt. He grabs and pulls the hem of his short tunic as he faces a large mirror, making sure it hangs straight over his hips. He quickly tidies his already tidy hair, tucks his bag under his arm, and confidently strode out into the vestibule, shutting the door quietly behind him.

“Is that what we do then… just wait in here until we’re called?” Luke mournfully asked. Gavin nodded and told Luke to scrape beneath his nails. “Can’t you have any magazines or anything?” Luke asked as he scraped under his already clean fingernails.

“No.” Gavin glumly replied. “Then use the clippers to shape them,” he instructed, showing off his own fingernails. They’re short. No longer than the tips of his fingers. They’re symmetrical too and perfectly painted in a satin shade that perfectly matched the tunic, clutch bag, lipstick, and footwear.

“So you’re stuck in here, all day with no TV, no radio, and nothing to read…. just waiting for a guest to book in or check out?” Luke glumly asked.

“We’re not supposed to chatter either,” Gavin said, handing Luke his nail file. He glanced toward the big mirror. “We can talk… providing it’s work-related,” he said. “There’s usually someone in the reception office so they’ll see if we start chattering.”

At that moment, Luke realized that the large mirror is a two-way mirror. “Can they hear us too?” Luke asked.

“Only if we shouted,” Gavin replied, before answering a previous question. “We’re either in here waiting or on door duty.” he said. “Where you were supposed to be.”

“Yeah.” Luke guiltily said. “I didn’t know that clean-shaven meant my legs too,” he confessed, before telling of the stingy cream and freezing cold hose that took all but his pubic hair off, although Luke did spare Gavin that detail.

“It happens to us all at some point,” Gavin said. “If we forget to shave and they think we’re a bit too stubbly, that’s what we get.”

“Blimey,” Luke said. “Do you shave your legs every day then?“

Gavin nodded. Luke looked at his forearms and asked if he shaved those too. “No I get these waxed every month or so… they’re not so strict on arms as they are our legs.“ Gavin replied before asking for the nail varnish. “Have you done this before?” he asked. Luke shook his head. “Right… I’ll do it for you ‘coz you’ll only cock it up.”

Luke felt totally, utterly, and completely uneasy as Gavin gently held his hand and carefully applied the varnish. Luke made nervous small talk, asking how long it took to dry and supposing that it’s easier doing someone else’s that one’s own nail varnish. “You’ll have to learn… I’m not going to do this every day.” Gavin bluntly stated.

“Yeah I know… sorry.” Luke defensively replied. Gavin reminded him that they’re not really supposed to be talking, Luke apologized again, before silencing himself. “Thanks.” he eventually said when all ten nails had been painted. “How long ’til they’re dry?” he asked.

“The first hand will be dry already.” Gavin said, “Give that one a couple of minutes.” he advised as he replaced the top of the tiny glass jar and handed it to Luke.

“Fuchsia Fandango,” Luke muttered, reading the label. “Same as our lippy.“ he sighed.

“Yeah,” Gavin grumbled. “The amount of times a guest will go Hey I love your lipstick, what shade is it?” he mimicked a valley girl accent, then mournfully added, “You’ve no idea how many times you’ll end up saying Fuchsia Fandango.”

“I can’t believe I’m actually wearing lipstick.” Luke moaned. “I deliberately avoided getting a cleaning job so I wouldn’t have to wear a dress or make-up.“

“You’ll get used to it,” Gavin replied. “Just make sure you keep checking it.” he advised, before explaining that guys who aren’t used to wearing lipstick don’t realize just how often they wipe the corner of their mouth, rub their lips or lightly brush against them when scratching their chin or picking their nose, etc. “…we have to be immaculate,” Gavin stated. “So keep checking.”

With that, Luke removed the vanity mirror from his bag and raised to his lips.