Lipstick for the Ambassador: Science Fiction

The lipstick tube shook slightly in his hand as he outlined the shape of his lips. He swore. He had to concentrate on putting on the damn makeup; he didn't have time to worry about what the outcome of the meeting would be. He had been trained in diplomatic school in the way of applying the woman's face. It was a last-minute class taught by a housewife who had looked a little frightened when she was first introduced to the room full of intense men, but by the end of the class had been taking a certain amount of pleasure in their stumbles with makeup. Makeup just wasn't a manly thing to wear. He leaned away from the mirror and surveyed himself. The mask was on. He lifted the dress that lay over the chair beside him.

Inspiration: hejira--though I don't think that it means what it reminded me of.
Story Potential: medium-high? I like the setting, but I don't think there's enough impetus for a story here.
Notes: Also, there's a lot of icky gender stuff going on here. Premise: very patriarchal society meets very matriarchal society that is more powerful. So all their ambassadors end up having to go in drag. It's a one-trick pony, but it might make interesting background for another story.