With your swapped bodies you nervously opened the door of the test room and looked out. As far as you could tell the shop was still empty but for the sales assistant woman, who immediately looked your way. " Umm.... Could you help us? We can't switch back" Brooke spoke from behind and slightly above you. Her voice was that of a teenage boy. It certainly wasn't feminine.
"What seems to be the problem?" the woman asked as she walked across.
You thought it was rather obvious "We can't take the collars off" you replied. Your voice came out way too high.
"Don't do that. They have a time lapse before they work again. 12 hours I think. Didn't you read the instructions?"
"Umm... The tag didn't say anything about 12 hours" said Brooke defensively.
"Inside the box" She gestured towards the black box Brooke had picked up.
Brooke opened the box and sure enough inside the lid was more writing, although the writing was too small for you to read.
"What does it say? The writings too small" said Brooke echoing your thoughts.
The woman whipped out a magnifying glass from a pocket of her coat and peered at the intructions. "There it is 12 hours, clear as can be. You have to wait 12 hours before the collars will release. So I'm guessing you want to pay for them now. $15.95 I believe"
You were too stunned to answer. Brooke had her handbag over her masculine shoulder. She followed the woman back to the counter and handed over some cash.
After dawdling for a minute you walked after them "We can't go outside looking like this" you told Brooke as she accepted her change.
"Why not?" Brooke answered. I don't want to stay here all day. The shop will close at some time. We won't be able to change back until tonight"
'But I look like a woman. What if someone we know sees us?"
"We explain what happened. We have nothing to be embarrassed about"
"Perhaps you might like to purchase a wig?" the sales woman suggested. "We have very realistic wigs. A huge range of colours and styles"
Brooke's eyebrows shot up. She looked at you and a smile came to her face. "That's a great idea. Show me"
The woman led the way towards the front of the store. "Here is our range" There was a row of male and female manniquin heads each wearing wigs of multiple colours and styles.