Alterations

Alterations - 500 words. This is an all dialogue contest entry.

Woot!!!!!! Took third place!





         “Come young man, don’t be shy.”

         “Yes mam. I’m not shy; I just never thought I’d be coming here.”

         “Well now, I guess lots of folks think the same. For most of them it’s true, but for a few my services are... necessary.”

         “Rafael, my friend, told me you helped him once, with real magic. He swore it was real anyway.”

         “I see. Now, what desire brings you here? Are you looking for a love potion, or perhaps it’s your future you want to see?”

         “No mam. I’m already in love and I can see the future I want with her. We’ve been best friends since kindergarten and over the years we’ve grown much closer. The only problem is me; well, my body, to be more precise.”

         “And what, precisely, is it about your body that is a problem?”

         “She is only attracted to girls and well...”

         “Ah. I see.”

         “I’ve researched sex change operations. It would be years or never before I could afford one, and even after, I wouldn’t be a real girl. Rafael, he said you didn’t take money, that your magic had… other costs. He wouldn’t tell me what, but I’m willing to pay almost anything.”

         “Humph, You seem to have this all figured out. You’re willing to alter yourself drastically to pursue your love for her, but what makes you think she will love you more as a girl?”

         “We’ve talked about this all through high school. She knows how I feel and what I’m willing to do. We’ve dated for three years, but when it comes to sex, she is just not attracted to men.”

         “And what happens if you do this and things don’t work out between you? Will you seek to reclaim your manhood? The price of what you ask now is high, but the cost of undoing it is more than you can pay.”

         “I like being a man, but I will like being a woman just as well. I know there are no guarantees but I have given this several years of thought. I know what I want and what I’m willing to risk. So, will you help me or not?”

         “I will, if you really are willing to pay the price. Come, let’s find out.”

         “Who is she?”

         “Pretty, don’t you think? Oh, don’t worry, she’s in a dreamless sleep and can’t hear. She’s a year younger than you and physically healthy. Her mind is collapsing, unable to deal with some brutal memories. They’re your price and she is your solution. Along with her body, you will take those memories. Be warned though, these memories are truly horrific. Even a strong mind will have to work hard to cope with them, to live with them.”

         “What happens to her after, will she get my body?”

         “She will take your body, the rest is her business.”

         “Fair enough; when can we do it?”

         “Go home, think things over. Return in the morning if you are still sure.”

         “I’ll be here.”