Disclaimer: I do not own Uglies.
McKenzie stared at her reflection, still in shock.
What did they do to me? She thought. What am I?
"You're finally awake," said an automated voice in the room. McKenzie looked around for the source, but she couldn't find it. "How do you feel?"
"Doctor Blanch!" screamed McKenzie. "You are a liar, a fraud, and a crazy man! What did you do to me? I thought you were going to make me pretty!"
"I apologize," said the automated voice, which was being used by Doctor Blanch. "This surgery was too important to disclose to an ugly. We spoke to your parents and dorm moderator, and they agreed, as long as you did too."
"I agreed to become pretty, not for you to turn me into a…a…" McKenzie fumbled for the right word. What had they turned her into?
"I believe the word that you require would be Special," said Doctor Blanch.
"I think freaky would be a better description," she said.
"No, not special. A Special. A human being with augmented muscles and senses who works for the city's Special Circumstances," said Doctor Blanch.
"A Special?" said McKenzie. "I thought they were rumors."
"No, McKenzie. Specials exist; they just don't show themselves unless they need to."
A Special. McKenzie looked at herself all over. She could see the muscles in her arm. She could see that she was strong. And maybe that cruel beauty face of hers wasn't that bad either. But one question still lingered in her mind.
"Why did you need to turn me into a Special, then?"
"McKenzie, you are not the normal kind of Special. The surgical procedure for your changing was altered, so your surgery was experimental."
"At least you were somewhat truthful," McKenzie muttered under her breath.
"You are a new type of Special. A special Special," said the Doctor. "All of the Specials working for Special Circumstances are going to receive the new surgery. Now that yours is finished, we have some options to give you."
"Options for what?"
"For your new lifestyle."
5 minutes later, McKenzie and Doctor Blanch sat inside the doctor's office. McKenzie was fully dressed and looking much more pleasant than before. But with them in the room was a Special by the name of Doctor Lakson.
"Since we have already altered your body, it is pointless to send you back to Uglyville," said Dr. Lakson. "So, you have two options. One, you can keep your current form, and we would be pleased to have you join us at Special Circumstances."
"Or, we can despecialize you and send you to New Pretty Town," said Doctor Blanch. "But I would strongly recommend staying a Special."
"Why?" asked McKenzie.
"Well, it would save us having to do another surgery on you," said Doctor Blanch. "But there are other reasons. Reasons that we can't tell you unless you accept a position as a Special."
"Besides, it would be such a waste," said Dr. Lakson.
"A waste? Why?" said McKenzie.
"Because Special Circumstances was already going to consult with you about joining us. You see, McKenzie, we at Special Circumstances don't just recruit anyone. It's the tricky uglies, and the ones that stay tricky as pretties, that we employ. And of the tricky uglies your age, you are the cream of the crop. So please, consider joining us."
"We'll leave you alone to decide," said Dr. Blanch. He and Dr. Lakson walked out of the room. "Ping us with your decision."
McKenzie sat, pondering her choices. Did she want to stay Special? All her friends became pretties, and they all became lazy and stupid. Was that the life she wanted? Since she can avoid it, should she take the opportunity? After 5 minutes, she made up her mind. She took her interface ring out of her pocket.
"Message to Dr. Blanch." The doctor immediately picked up.
"Well?"
"I'll stay Special."
"Thank you, McKenzie. Come out to the front entrance."
When McKenzie reached the front, Drs. Lakson and Blanch were waiting for her.
"Dr. Lakson will take you to Headquarters from here. Good luck, McKenzie," said doctor Blanch. He smiled politely at her, and retreated into the hospital.
"Hop in, McKenzie," said Dr. Lakson. "I have much to talk to you about."
On the ride to the Special Circumstances Headquarters, Dr. Lakson briefed McKenzie on the basics of being a Special, what her job will be, and the benefits of the job. She also told her about the bubblehead surgery. But her put more emphasis on the supposed good of it. And McKenzie believed all of it. She was beginning to like all of this a lot better.
So I am different from my pretty friends she thought. No, I'm not just different. I'm…better.
"You will work as a doctor, and we will train you to do the surgery. From now on, everyone will address you as Doctor. Here we are," said Dr. Lakson. The hovercar landed in front of a building surrounded by security devices. McKenzie opened the door and stepped out. Dr. Lakson took her up to a door, which opened up to a long, white hallway.
Dr. Lakson looked at her and smiled.
"Welcome to the Special Circumstances Headquarters, Dr. Cable."