Here's a possible explanation for the pink jumpsuit.  And as it turns 
out, maybe Jessie isn't the only one wearing pink on a regular 
basis...<VBG>


"Why Pink?''
by Winnie Lim


All three teenagers looked up as the intercom in the study buzzed.  
Jonny hit the intercom switch, and his father's voice came out.

"Jonny, Jessie, Hadji, come over to the lighthouse.  I want to show you 
something."  Jonny grinned.  His father's voice had an edge of 
excitement in it that the boy hadn't heard for far too long.

"What are we waiting for?"  Jessie said, already halfway to the door.  
"Last one to the lighthouse is a Vibrio cholerae!"


"Come in, come in," Benton said, a big grin on his face.  He looked 
almost boyish, and for a moment Jessie thought she saw a flash of Jonny 
in the older man's expression.

"What did you want to show us, Dad?"  Jonny asked.

"This."  Benton indicated his workbench. 

A length of fabric lay on the work surface.  Other than being a rather 
vibrant shade of pink, it seemed like perfectly normal cloth. 

"Go ahead, touch it," Benton said.  Jessie went over and fingered the 
fabric.  It had the crispness of pure cotton - a little silkier, and 
surprisingly light.  She lifted it up to the light, expecting to be able 
to see right through it, but it was opaque.  Experimentally she took a 
corner of it in her hand and crushed it; no trace of wrinkles remained 
when she released it.

"What is it, Dr Quest?" she asked.

"It's my new invention," Benton said proudly.  "It's a fabric that 
doesn't wrinkle, and doesn't stain.  Look at this."  He upset an ink 
bottle onto the fabric, and rubbed the resulting pool of  india ink well 
into the fabric.  He carried it over to the sink and ran the cold tap on 
it.  As if by magic, the ink washed off, leaving no trace.  "When it 
gets wet, it dries in seconds." 

He handed the fabric to Jonny, who ran a finger over it.  The blond 
youth's eyes lit up.  "Cool."

"It doesn't tear, either," Benton said.  "In fact, it's guaranteed never 
to wear out.  It's tough like a synthetic, but breathes like a natural 
fiber.  So the wearer stays at a comfortable temperature at all times."

"Why is it pink?"  Hadji asked, frowning.

"It's a by-product of the chemicals I used,"  Benton said.  "I tried 
dying it, but it won't hold any known dye, natural or artificial."  He 
smiled.  "That also ensures that it remains stainproof."

"Makes sense, I guess," Jonny said, touching the fabric again. 

"I need someone to test it, though," Benton said thoughtfully, stroking 
his beard.  "It's stood up to all my laboratory tests, but I want to see 
how it holds up to daily wear and tear."

All three teenagers exchanged doubtful looks.

Hadji was the first to speak.  "Dr Quest, due to the often sedentary 
nature of my work with you, I do not believe that I would be able to 
sufficiently explore the limits all of this fine fabric's properties."

"Gee, Dad,"  Jonny piped up.  "You know I like to help out any way I 
can, but -"  He held up the fabric.  "*Pink?*"

"Oh, you guys," Jessie said, taking the fabric from him.  "I'll be glad 
to try it out, Dr Quest." 

Benton looked grateful.  "Thank you, Jessie.  I'll call the finest 
tailors in Rockport.  You'll be able to wear it in any design you want."

Jessica had a mischievous look on her face.  "I think its applications 
extend beyond just outer clothing, Dr Quest," she said.  "Such a fabric 
would make fine undergarments as well, I'm sure."

Benton's face lit up.  "I never considered that!"  he said.  "Of course. 
And I'm sure you boys won't mind helping to test that aspect, would 
you?"

Jonny and Hadji's faces fell.  "Um? Sure, Dad," Jonny said.  "Why not?"


The tailor, Mrs Lowell, was somewhat surprised at having both fabric and 
thread supplied, but pleasantly so.  "It's not often that my customers 
provide all the materials I need," she said.  She turned to Jessie.  
"Now, what would you like, dear?"

"I have a few sketches," Jessie said.  "Let me show you?"

She and the tailor locked themselves in the study for about an hour.  
Both had big smiles when they were done.  "Such a lovely design, dear!  
And so practical, too," Mrs Lowell was saying.  "And now," addressing 
Jonny and Hadji, "I understand that you two need undergarments."

"Boxer shorts," both said at the same time.

"Of course," Mrs Lowell said.  "But I'll need your measurements -"

Both boys handed her a piece of notepaper with numbers on it.  Mrs 
Lowell scanned it, looked the two boys over, and nodded.

"All right, then," she said.  "I'll have them ready for the first 
fitting in about three days."


"I love it!"  Jessie exclaimed, twirling around in front of the mirror.  
"The cut's just perfect.  Thanks, Mrs Lowell."

The dressmaker nodded.  "I'm glad you like it, dear."  She turned to 
Jonny and Hadji, who had emerged from their rooms.  "And what do you 
boys think of yours?"

"Very comfortable, Mrs Lowell, thank you," Hadji said.

"Yep.  They're great," Jonny added.

"Why don't you let us see them, guys?"  Jessie asked mischievously.  
"After all, you get to see my new outfit."

Jonny and Hadji both turned bright red - at least, Jonny did.  Hadji's 
skin was too dark for Jessie to see any significant change.  "You look 
great, Jess,"  Jonny said, trying to change the subject.

"How great?"  she asked, placing her hands on her hips and affecting a 
look of expectation.

"Um? terrific?"  Jonny said.  "That color really brings out the color of 
your, uh, eyes."

Jessie decided to take pity on them.  "Why, thank you, Jonny," she said 
with a smirk.

"A fine job, Mrs Lowell," Benton said.  "Thank you very much for your 
help."  He paid her, adding a little extra.  She beamed.

"It was a pleasure working with this fabric, Dr Quest," Mrs Lowell said. 
 "So easy to cut, and drape, really.  No need to worry about the bias or 
anything.  And so easy to clean up!"

"I'm glad to know that," Benton said.  They saw her to the door and 
waved as her car pulled out of the compound.

"Well, I'm going to test this out right now," Jessie said, picking up a 
hoverboard.  "Anybody coming?"  She activated the board, hopped on it, 
and took off.  Jonny was soon in hot pursuit, with Bandit barking after 
them.

"I believe I will try out the aquatic durability of this fabric," Hadji 
said, heading in the direction of the pool.

Benton watched his son and his friend disappear over the horizon, and 
smiled.  "Couldn't have better test subjects," he thought.


The End


Comments?  Suggestions for other uses of the fabric?  Falafel bombs?  
Send 'em on!

Winnie


© 1998 Winnie Lim