Sister Hyde: The Gender Matrix

This story was inspired by two quite different sources. One was the picture of the gorgeous and classy brunette who graces the cover of this novella (and the icons and the promotion poster). She struck an immediate chord with me, for the simple reason that she rather resembles me—although it’s possible that no one else would think so. To be more precise, she looks the way I feel, on the inside, when I become a woman—if that makes any sense. In my younger days I did look somewhat like this—on my best day and given the right wig. But more to the point, her image perfectly captures the way I feel when I’m properly dressed. But I digress.

The second inspiration was the classic Hammer horror film, Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde (from 1971). I saw the movie many years ago—not upon first release, of course, or in the theatre, but on late-late-night TV—and was immediately captivated. The crucial moment, needless to say, was the hapless Henry Jekyll’s first transformation into the vivacious Edwina Hyde (Martine Beswick); in particular, as he sits crouched in his chair, face in his hands, and we watch from behind as his hair begins to grow… and grow… and—well, you get the picture. How could I NOT love that?

When I came across this picture, and realized that she could be the face of a new version of Sister Hyde, this story was born. It serves as an homage to the film itself, and also as a kind of tribute or payback to my younger self who surely was (it must be admitted) obsessed with someday becoming a kinder and gentler Sister Hyde. He never quite managed that particular trick, but he did have some fun along the way. I hope you will too. Enjoy!

I’ve never written anything quite like this, but for another long-form story of gender transformation I’ll refer you to “Dreams in the Witch House“, from 2014. It’s more in the realm of horror (as opposed to science fiction), but the atmosphere has some similarities.

Amanda

Sister Hyde: The Gender Matrix