Paul didn’t immediately get a haircut after his mother had left. He did boot us his computer and check what the offerings were at the cinema’s. Following his mother’s advice he identified 3 potential movies all starting between 6 and 6.30 that he was interested in. There was also a romantic comedy that started at 6.20, but its plot sounded a bit girly. That sorted, there was one more thing he wanted to do.
He went to the hall cupboard where they had decided to store the medallion. Carefully he took it back to his room. He touched the medallion to the extra large shirt he had bought. He felt the zap then went to the bathroom to watch his muscles develop in the mirror.
10 minutes later Paul realised that his changes were not proceeding as he had hoped. Instead of developing large muscles Paul was putting on weight. Lot’s of weight. He was getting fat. When the changes stopped he was still his original 5’7 in height but had now ballooned out to 220 lb. He was fat all over and had a triple chin. He hated the obese teenager looking back at him. A double whammy was that he would not be able to revert back to himself before 10 pm tonight. He had stuffed everything up. He returned to his room in despair.
Mandy returned home at midday in a good mood. Her class had gone well and the new sports bra she had purchased on the way to the studio, had minimised her bounce. She was also eager to see how Paul scrubbed up for his date.
Paul didn’t come out of his room when he heard his mother arrive back home. He was embarrassed about his mistake and didn’t want to face her criticism.
Eventually Mandy knocked on Paul’s door. ‘Are you in there Paul?’ she asked.
‘Yeah Mum’
‘Do you want to come out for lunch? I have made a fresh salad’
‘I’m not hungry’
Mandy was puzzled that was unlike Paul. ‘Getting a few butterflies are you? That’s alright. I was always a little nervous ahead of a date’ There was no reply. ‘Did you get a haircut? I’d like to see’
‘No Mum. I didn’t. I won’t be going on the date’
Mandy felt panic herself. Had Melissa rung and cancelled? She imagined Paul being heartbroken. ‘What happened Paul? Can I come in?’
‘Come in and you will see’
Mandy entered her room and was shocked to see an obese version of her son. She was momentarily speechless. ‘That doesn’t look good… What happened? Do I need to call an ambulance?’
‘No. It’s not medical. I used the medallion thinking I could give myself bigger muscles. I just made myself fat. I’m stuck like this until 10pm tonight’
‘Oh dear……. Melissa will be upset’
‘I know. I’ve blown my chances. She will think I have stood her up’
‘You will have to ring her. She if she will take a rain check’
‘Would you? On a first date?’
Mandy thought of Melissa’s reaction. She pictured the girl smiling as she had purchased the dress for her date. ‘She will no doubt be very disappointed. But what else can you do? There will be other girls’
Then Paul had an inspiration