When the Lights Go Down

Today is Gwen Thomas's 31st birthday. She's given herself T-minus 24 hours to change her life. 8:00 a.m.: Call out sick from library. 8:01 a.m.: Scour phone book for Emergency Beauty Technicians. 10:00 - Noon: Hair. Goodbye, mousy. Hello, auburn. Noon - 5:00 p.m.: Nails. Makeup. Clothes. Be bold! 10:00 p.m.: Arrive at The Hot Spot. Pretend you've gone clubbing before. 11:00 p.m.: Fight polyester lizard's advances—and the disappointment of a failed mission. 11:30 p.m.: Revel in being rescued by E