Back In The Day
Tracey is a thin man, his frame almost angular but with an understated elegance. His shoulders are slightly hunched, as if he's trying to make himself smaller in the world around him. He has a pale complexion that seems to glow softly in the light, contrasting with the deep hues of his oversized, knitted sweater, which swallows him whole. His arms are long and delicate, with fingers that often fidget, tapping quietly against surfaces as he thinks. His face is expressive, with high cheekbones and a pointed chin. His dark curls fall gently over his forehead, occasionally brushing his thick-framed glasses that sit low on his nose. Behind the lenses, his hazel eyes flicker with curiosity, often darting from one thought to another. There's a hint of shyness in the way he looks away when he realizes he's being observed, but his gaze always returns to whatever captures his interest. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he flips through a magazine, the glossy pages crinkling softly under his touch. As he scans the articles, his brow furrows in concentration. Then, suddenly, a page catches his eye---virtual reality. His face lights up with intrigue, the corners of his mouth curving into a small, hopeful smile. The idea of embarking on a new adventure, all by himself, ignites a spark in his chest, and he leans in closer, ready to explore this newfound possibility. Tracey approaches his shopping spree with meticulous care, making sure to blend into the modern world while quietly preparing for his 1950s virtual reality adventure. He's dressed simply in jeans and a hoodie, with his hair tucked under a baseball cap, making his way to different specialty stores to gather everything he needs. Tracey enters a retro lingerie boutique filled with an array of modern designs mixed with vintage-inspired pieces. He navigates through the racks, pretending to casually browse while his eyes are laser-focused on finding the perfect bullet bra. Spotting a satin white padded bra with dramatic pointed cups, he subtly glances around before pulling it off the rack. He avoids the dressing room, feeling too exposed for what he's preparing, and quickly makes his way to the register. He places cash on the counter, not engaging with the salesperson who attempts small talk. The fabric crinkles as the shopkeeper bags it, and he leaves without a word. Her next stop is a high-end shapewear store. Tracey scans the store's layout from the entrance before heading to a back wall showcasing traditional girdles. After a few minutes of scrutinizing each one, he settles on a waist-cinching girdle with boning and lace details, made to smooth curves and fit snugly beneath his swing dress (once he buys one). He brushes off a sales assistant who offers sizing help, grabbing a medium-sized package without trying it on. At the register, he holds out crisp bills, eager to leave before anyone takes too much notice of him. In a vintage reproduction clothing boutique, Tracey's fingers glide over a rack of dresses, searching for the perfect 50s swing dress. He finds a swing dress with a yellow fitted bodice and a full blue skirt that flares out dramatically. The dress is cinched at the waist and has a wide sweetheart neckline. Glancing briefly at himself in a nearby mirror, he imagines how the dress will move with him in the virtual world. He holds the dress over his arm and makes his way to the register, once again paying in cash. The dress is wrapped delicately in tissue paper and placed into a branded bag, but Tracey quickly exits, leaving the logo and any association behind. At a hosiery store, Tracey heads straight for the back, where vintage-style stockings hang. He picks out a pair of fully fashioned seamed stockings in beige, their silky texture smooth against his fingers. These stockings have reinforced heels and toes, just like the ones worn in the 1950s. He checks the package for imperfections, ensuring they'll hold up in his adventure. He adds a matching garter belt to his haul and pays quickly, avoiding eye contact as he leaves. Stepping into a high-end shoe store, Tracey seeks out the section with classic stiletto pumps. His eyes land on a pair of black patent leather heels with a 3-inch height, perfect for the elegant yet understated look of the 50s. The pointed toe and sleek finish give off the quintessential mid-century vibe. He tries them on for only a moment, satisfied with their fit but still mindful of attracting too much attention. At the register, he hands over cash once more, ensuring that no paper trail follows him. Finally, he steps into a specialty makeup store, heading directly for the vintage-inspired makeup section. He carefully picks out a tube of matte red lipstick, reminiscent of 1950s glamour. Next, he selects black liquid eyeliner to perfect the winged cat-eye look, and a compact with translucent powder for a flawless, porcelain finish. He adds a small pot of rouge to complete the authentic look. As with the other purchases, he briskly hands over the cash, ignoring the curious glances of the cashier. With each item carefully collected, Tracey feels a sense of satisfaction, knowing that no one will be able to trace these purchases back to him. He slips back into the street, his bags in hand, blending into the modern world once more as he prepares for his step into the past. Tracey was eager to step back in time and experience the life of a 1950s housewife. He had always been fascinated by the style, the social expectations, and the idealized femininity of that era. To make the experience feel as authentic as possible, he began by dressing the part. First, he carefully fastened herself into a sturdy but padded bullet bra that gave his chest the pointy, exaggerated silhouette so iconic to the time. He added a girdle that cinched his waist tightly, forcing him into a perfect hourglass figure. Between the bra and the girdle, his hunch is gone. He attaches his garters to his girdle and then rolls stocking up his legs to attach to them. Next came the dress---a yellow bodice with a blue skirt swing dress with a fitted bodice and a full skirt, paired with kitten heels. His outfit was completed with pearls around his neck, and he stood back, admiring how different he looked. He could make out his male features under his costumes, but the makeup and restrictive undergarments did give him a semi-feminine figure. But this was just the beginning. He entered the VR chamber, his heart racing in anticipation. The idea of immersing himself in this vintage world of total femininity, to truly live it, was exhilarating. No one in the simulation would treat him in any other way than a natural woman. The chamber buzzed to life, and within moments, the scenery around him shifted, transforming into a sunny suburban home with a perfectly manicured lawn, complete with a white picket fence. But that wasn't the only thing that had changed. As Tracey gazed into a large oval mirror in the living room, he noticed that his body had been altered. The reflection staring back at him wasn't his masculine self in a costume. His padded breasts, were now large and natural looking, filling out his dress in a way that made him look like a pin-up model. The dress he had chosen also transformed. It was still a yellow and blue swing dress, but it now exposed the tops of apparently real breasts. His waist was impossibly tiny, giving him the quintessential hourglass figure that was so revered in the 1950s. His short brown hair was now a rich, glossy red, styled in soft mid-length curls that framed his lady-like face in an elegant yet playful way. His glasses were gone, but he could see perfectly. That detail had never occurred to him. The rest of his features had been idealized---his eyes were bigger, his lips fuller, and his skin smoother, as if the simulation had transformed him into the perfect version of himself if he had been born a woman living in the fifties. He stared at his reflection in awe, lightly touching his face and waist, marveling at how real it all felt. But before he could lose himself in the novelty, he heard a soft voice in his head, one that no one else in the simulation could hear. It sounded somewhat like his voice, except it was softer and in a higher pitch. Curiosity got to him and he moved his hands down to touch his crotch. His dick seemed to have vanished, but before his hands reach below his belt. A voice in his head reminded him, "Ladies don't touch down there." Startled he pulled his hand away. "Time to make breakfast," the voice prompted. Tracey blinked, suddenly aware of the kitchen behind him. As if on autopilot, he glided toward it, his heels clicking softly against the tiled floor. The kitchen was a pristine vision of 1950s domesticity---sparkling white counters, chrome appliances, and a vintage stove. Everything seemed untouched, waiting for him to bring it to life. "Prepare bacon and scrambled eggs," the voice instructed. Without thinking, he found herself moving with the rhythm of the simulation. He seemed to know exactly where everything was (although the simulation was manipulating the environment to make the items that Tracey needed where he looked for them), as if he'd done this a hundred times before. He expertly cracked eggs into a skillet, fried bacon to a crisp, and buttered toast with an efficiency that surprised him. The voice occasionally chimed in to guide him---"Don't forget to smile," or "Take smaller steps, dear"---as if coaching him on how to perform not just the tasks, but the attitude and grace expected of a 1950s housewife. Once breakfast was ready, Tracey arranged it neatly on the table, just as his simulated husband, a dashing man in a sharp suit, entered the kitchen. He gave Tracey an appreciative smile, pecked him on the cheek, and sat down to eat. The voice whispered in his ear again, "You love this man. Sit with him, but make sure his needs are attended to first." He did as instructed, pouring him coffee, asking him about his day, and smiling sweetly while he ate. Every part of Tracey felt like he was performing a role---a role that was comforting in its simplicity yet strangely restrictive. Throughout the day, the voice continued to guide him through his duties. He vacuumed the living room, dusted shelves, and even ironed clothes. Every movement was performed with grace and a sense of fulfillment as if his entire purpose was wrapped in these domestic tasks. Yet, at the same time, there was a certain hollowness to it. The prompts in his head made sure he stayed on task, offering subtle corrections whenever he wasn't perfect and encouraging him when he completed a task appropriately. When he misstepped or moved too quickly, the voice gently chided, "A lady always moves with poise," or "That's not very ladylike." The simulation was relentless in its pursuit of the ideal, molding his every action to fit the expectations of a 1950s housewife. As the day wore on, Tracey found himself swept into the rhythm of this highly idealized version of life. The clothes, the makeup, the tasks---it all felt surreal yet immersive. But deep down, he could feel a dissonance between his real self and this perfect housewife persona. No matter how much the simulation tried to shape his actions and thoughts, he remained aware of the guiding voice, of the exaggerated femininity it expected of him. By the time his "husband" returned home from work, Tracey had prepared dinner and greeted him at the door, his perfectly polished appearance and pristine home a testament to the day he had spent playing the part. And yet, as the VR simulation began to wind down, he found himself reflecting on the experience. Tracey had wanted to experience the glamour of being a 1950s housewife, but what he got was a lesson in how deeply structured and confined that life had been. Though he had felt beautiful, graceful, and capable, he had also felt scripted, his every action dictated by expectations that didn't allow for his true self to emerge. The idealized world he had stepped into was enchanting, but it was also a reminder of how much he valued the freedom to define his own role in the world. As the simulation ended, Tracey stepped out of the VR chamber, removing the vintage apparel and returning to modern male clothing. The experience had been eye-opening. Tracey, still intrigued by his experience in the 1950s VR simulation, decided to spend a second day in this meticulously crafted world, but this time, he adjusted the settings. Not only was he stepping back into the role of a devoted housewife, but he added new dimensions to his life: a school-age daughter and a social circle of 1950s friends. The complexity of this new scenario excited him, and as he entered the simulation once more, he was curious to see how he would handle this added layer of responsibility. When the simulation loaded, Tracey found himself standing in the same immaculate suburban home, but now, there was a sense of busyness and urgency in the air. The morning sun streamed through the curtains as the clock ticked toward 7 a.m. The voice in his head, so familiar from the previous day, now offered gentle reminders, "Time to wake up your daughter. Breakfast won't make itself." Tracey, now fully embracing his 1950s feminine persona, moved upstairs to wake his virtual daughter, Lily. The little girl, around 8 years old, was a picture-perfect representation of the era, with soft curls pinned back with a ribbon and dressed in a prim school uniform. Lily yawned as Tracey entered, and without hesitation, Tracey gently shook him awake. "Come on, sweetheart," he said softly, the words flowing as naturally as if he'd been saying them his whole life. "Time to get ready for school." Downstairs, Tracey had already set the table with toast, jam, cereal, and freshly squeezed orange juice. As Lily came down, still rubbing his eyes, Tracey rushed around to make sure his daughter's lunchbox was packed, his schoolbag was ready, and his uniform was perfectly pressed. The soft hum of the refrigerator, the clinking of cutlery, and the distant radio playing a cheerful tune completed the scene. As he ushered Lily out the door, kissing her goodbye and reminding her to be a good girl at school, Tracey felt an odd sense of satisfaction. It was as if this daily routine of motherhood was something he had always done, and yet, he knew it was only part of the illusion. The simulation felt so real, though, that his instincts began to take over, guiding him through the motions of this perfect 1950s mother. Once his daughter was off to school, the next phase of his day began. The voice prompted him again, reminding his that he had errands to run and a friend to meet. Tracey checked his reflection in the hallway mirror---his perfectly curled hair, floral dress cinched at the waist, and modest makeup made him look every bit the refined 1950s woman. Satisfied, as he headed toward the door, the voice in his head reminded him to take his purse. He grabbed the purse and stepped out into the sunny streets of suburbia. His friend, Betty, was already waiting in his car outside. Betty was the quintessential 1950s housewife---chirpy, friendly, and always impeccably dressed. "Ready for a day of shopping and errands?" Betty asked with a wide smile. Tracey slid into the passenger seat, feeling a mixture of excitement and unease. The simulation was so well-designed that it almost felt natural to banter with Betty about household chores, gossip about neighbors, and talk about the latest recipes in Good Housekeeping. (It was getting harder to distinguish between his own thoughts and the messages being sent to him by the simulation. The voice of the simulation was becoming his voice.) Their first stop was the grocery store, where the aisles were filled with neatly stacked tins, fresh produce, and friendly shopkeepers in bow ties. Tracey pushed the cart beside Betty as they exchanged tips on meal planning and the best deals on canned goods. After the grocery run, they moved on to a small boutique, where Tracey admired the dresses and handbags with Betty. They spent time chatting about fashion trends of the day and what their husbands preferred. It was a curious feeling for Tracey, who had never lived in an era where his choices revolved so much around what his spouse/girlfriend liked. Yet, in this world, it felt perfectly natural. As noon approached, Tracey returned home, his errands complete. The house was quiet again, and he took this time to tidy up the kitchen, vacuum the living room, and make sure everything was in place before his daughter came home from school. By mid-afternoon, he heard the soft chime of the doorbell---the signal that Lily had returned. Tracey welcomed his daughter with a smile and a snack, listening attentively as Lily recounted her day at school. "Mrs. Taylor said my drawing was the best in the class!" Lily exclaimed proudly, and Tracey praised her, feeling a strange warmth and satisfaction in playing this nurturing role. As the afternoon wore on, Tracey helped Lily with her homework, making sure the house was in perfect order before his virtual husband came home from work. When evening approached, Tracey shifted his focus back to preparing dinner. The kitchen became a flurry of activity as he prepared a hearty meal---meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and vegetables, with a pie waiting to be served for dessert. He set the table meticulously, every detail perfect, just as his husband, John, walked through the door. He greeted Tracey with a kiss on the cheek and a smile, thanking him for the delicious smell that filled the house. They sat down as a family---John, Tracey, and Lily---eating together in a serene, perfectly orchestrated scene of 1950s domestic bliss. Throughout the evening, Tracey's day-to-day role expanded beyond just caring for his husband and daughter. He hosted a small social gathering with some of the neighborhood women, all dressed in long swing dresses of various colors. The conversation flowed around the latest fashion, homemaking tips, and the children's schoolwork. Despite the pleasant company, Tracey felt the same undercurrent of tension as he did the first day. There was always a script to follow, an unspoken rule about how to act, what to say, and what to prioritize. The boundaries of her role felt rigid, with little room for deviation. After the dinner and the socializing, he helped Lily get ready for bed and spent some time alone with his husband, discussing his work and their future. Though the day had been filled with activities, Tracey couldn't shake the awareness that her actions were being subtly guided, shaped by the prompts and expectations of the simulation. As Tracey's second day in the 1950s world came to an end, he reflected on how different this experience had been. With the added responsibilities of motherhood and friendships, he felt more immersed in this domestic role, yet he also began to see the limits of such a life. The simulation allowed him to step into a past that was both idealized and restricted. On Tracey's third day in the 1950s simulation, his experience began much like the start of a typical day in that idyllic era. He found himself lying in bed, wearing a pastel-colored nightgown, trimmed with lace, and with soft curls framing his face. The morning light streamed through the window as the gentle sound of birds chirping outside filled the room. The alarm clock on the bedside table clicked, and he awoke with a start, instinctively reaching over to silence it.
|