Had it really been three weeks since she lost her purse at the mall? It was like they appeared out of nowhere, so friendly and kind. They looked everywhere together, but spent more of their time laughing and shopping than actually searching. The girls were so helpful, they insisted on paying for everything, including hours and hours at the beauty salon. By the end of the day, she could hardly recognize herself – she was gorgeous!
"Really though, it's all those fabulous shoes that you bought me," Monica laughed, "I never used to wear heels, but now I can't seem to stop!" It was true. She tried going lower, just as a lark, but quickly discovered that her feet would no longer bend, not even an inch. "Well, no more flats for me," she giggled merrily to herself, as she cleared some more room on her plate.
The truth was, her life was a mess before she met the two girls. They taught her so many things, like how to always look pretty and listen with a smile. She admired their glamour and sophistication, and wanted to be like them in every way imaginable.
"Please... have... some... more... cake..." offered her very good friend Sandra, sitting pert and attentive as always.
"Oh no, I couldn't possibly... well, maybe just one little piece!" Mmmm, it tasted so good! Monica greedily topped the sugary piece with loads of whipped cream. It seemed like she never stopped eating when she was out with the girls, but the pounds just kept falling off. She shoveled forkload after forkloard into her mouth. "Mmph, aren't you going to have any?"
"We're... not... hungry..." said Barbara, in her adorable motionless way.
"Well then, more for me!" Monica laughed between mouthfuls, and eagerly grabbed another two pieces. Strange, she never really noticed this before, but Sandra and Barbara never ate a single bite, and yet their kitchen was always stocked with every treat imaginable.
"Is... something... wrong?" asked Sandra, tilting her head ever so slightly.
"No, I was just, uh... just admiring your beautiful kitchen!" What was wrong with her? Barbara and Sandra were nothing but gracious and kind. She would do anything for them, anything at all. Monica forced her lips into a perfect smile.
"You... are... coming... along... very... nicely..." observed Barbara, her own perfect smile not wavering in the slightest.
"Why thank you, I... I…" Monica giggled, feeling dizzy. The room, it was made completely of plastic. How come she never noticed this before? The table and chairs, the oven and fridge... everything! It was as though a veil had been lifted.
"You... are... finally... ready..." informed Sandra. At least, she thought it was Sandra, because she suddenly realized that neither of their mouths were capable of movement.
Th-this was impossible. She wanted to close her eyes, to shut everything out, but she couldn't... her eyelids would not blink! What was wrong with her? It was then that she noticed the cake, half-eaten on her plate: it was nothing more than Styrofoam and pieces of sponge!
"Now... you... see... the... truth..." said the two dolls in unison, their hard plastic features now fully apparent.
Monica wanted to gag, but all that came out was a stifled giggle, her big happy smile refusing to budge. She struggled to think, and it occurred to her that she had no idea where she was or how she got here. The past three weeks were really just a blur.
"Remove... all... your... clothes..." instructed Barbara, motioning her to rise.
"No, I don't want to..." she stammered, rising to her feet. It was the oddest sensation. Her legs remained straight and elbows bent, no matter how she tried to move them. Somehow, she managed to strip herself naked. “Why are you d-doing this to me?”
"Tell... us... what... you... want..." implored Barbara, her cold blue eyes playfully gleaming.
"I want to be..." she tried to force the words from rising in her throat, to no avail, "I want to be... a doll... like you.”
Barbara shivered with delight. That was exactly what she needed to hear.
Monica watched with revulsion as Barbara started writhe, her features changing, like she was becoming an entirely different person, yet eerily familiar. She stripped out of her own clothes and grabbed Monica’s from the floor.
"What are... you... looking at…" growled the creature, "go fetch... my purse!"
"Anything... you... say..." replied the doll, spinning on her heels. It was like she was moving on autopilot, because she knew exactly where to go looking for her long lost purse. She found it in a closet, along with some of the strangest clothes she had ever encountered.
"Why, thank you very much," said the triumphant woman, accepting her prize. She could barely contain her glee as she rummaged through its contents, scanning each item and absorbing new memories. "I am now Monica," she said with an air of authority, "and your name is Barbie."
"My... name... is... Barbie... " repeated the doll, knowing it was true. Her glassy wide eyes sparkled with delight. For just a brief moment, her body seemed unfamiliar, but then she felt perfectly natural with her silky blonde hair and outrageous proportions.
Monica smiled: not much longer my love, she gazed towards Sandra, until you are with me again. The world would not see what is coming. She unlocked her new phone and dialled a number from memory. “David, it’s Monica… can you come pick me up? I want you to meet my new friends.”
