"Good morning, Mrs. Jason. Can I come in?" asked Samara.
"Of course, my dear! But why are you calling me Mrs.? You know that this kind of formality is no longer necessary. We're friends!"
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Mason, I mean, Suzanne! Sometimes it's hard for me to call you just by your first name."
"Are you implying that I'm old?"
"I would never do something like that! It's just that you're such an impressive woman... I think you deserve some reverence…"
Patricia – now Suzanne – didn't even realize that Samara had begun to address her by his new name. That diary was really having a strong impact on her, together with some other Mr. Larsen's tricks, of course.
According to the manuscript, Suzanne Marie Mason was born in 1970 in London. Her father was a wealthy man, owner of a factory; while her mother was a beautiful and classy woman. Suzanne had been raised in a comfortable, large house, and had access to the best schools.
During her childhood she had been a very cheerful and girly girl, always dressed as a doll by her mother. And the girl loved it. Since forever Suzanne had enjoyed looking pretty and feeling soft and silky materials against her skin…
"That's very kind of you, my dear" she said.
"I'm simply telling the truth, Ma'am. Also, I'm very grateful because I've learned a lot from you."
"From me?" Suzanne raised her eyebrows.
"Of course, Ma'am! You're a very experienced woman, even though you're still so young and beautiful."
Suzanne felt a shiver and smiled. She realized that just like the girl in the diary, nothing pleased her more than having her beauty praised. Her beauty was her greatest pride… it was what defined her.
"And that's why even having the honor of being your friend, I prefer to call you Ma'am. It seems like the right thing to do."
Suzanne didn’t quite understand what was going on there. She had known Samara for nearly two months, but now she was treating the guest as if she were another person… As if she really was the girl who wrote that diary many years ago, and now was a forty-seven year old woman.
The friendship between them still existed, as Suzanne could feel, but it had somehow changed.
"That's okay, my dear" she said. "If it makes you comfortable, I don't see why not. Call me as you want."
"Oh, thank you very much, Mrs. Mason!"
Suzanne thought that Samara was probably just following orders from Mrs. Larsen. The therapist had said that for all intents and purposes Suzanne had never been someone else, after all. But maybe Samara was acting a little too well… All that seemed to be real, which was a bit scary.
In the past, when Suzanne needed someone to talk about her old life and her fears about her new female condition, she had Samara. Now, however, she doubted the girl would admit she knew that Suzanne had been a man. She was completely stuck in her new persona.
On the other hand, she began to feel an increasing contentment by being called "Ma’am". She felt a certain power, and all of Samara's devotion was kind of intoxicating. Also, it seemed appropriate. She was supposed to be much older than the girl, after all… And being an experienced woman didn’t seem so bad...
"Would you like me to prepare your bath, Mrs. Mason?" Samara asked.
"My bath?"
"Yes, Ma'am. I brought some bath salts that I'm sure you're going to love!"
Suzanne remembered that in those two months she had been in the clinic she hadn't yet used the tub in her bathroom. Taking a shower had always seemed more practical to her. Now, however, she thought that taking a luxurious and long bath could be the most desirable thing ever.
"Yes, Samara" she said, smiling. "I would appreciate that."
"Okay, Ma'am. I'll prepare everything. I promise it'll take only a minute!"