An unusual request

Hugo had worked for years under Dr. Fritz — a brilliant but undeniably mad physician whose experiments had long strayed from anything remotely ethical. His work delved into the forbidden: rejuvenation, bizarre transplants, and methods so grotesque that even the most open-minded scholar would recoil. But Fritz came from a long line of alchemists and occultists, and he carried the family torch with unwavering zeal.

As his most loyal assistant, Hugo watched the doctor’s research unfold with quiet devotion. He performed both the mundane and the macabre without question — procuring a human organ here, stealing a corpse there. Whatever tasks Dr. Fritz deemed beneath him or too risky, Hugo carried them out faithfully.

Until, one day, he made a request.

“I’ve served you for so long and never asked for anything in return. I’ve seen the impossible happen in this lab — even body-swapping. Now I want something for myself. My body is worn down from the years, from the abuse. People see me as ugly, grotesque. I want a healthy body. I want to walk into a room and turn heads — not cause revulsion.”

Dr. Fritz smiled, a knowing glint in his eye.

“Well, that seems fair. You remember how we handled that last experiment — the client specified every detail, and the result was flawless. Do the same. Use your free time to build the body you want. When you’re finished, I’ll take care of the rest and bind your mind to the new flesh.”

With the green light, Hugo threw himself into the task. For days and nights he labored, collecting each part with meticulous care. He wrapped the body in bandages, leaving only an opening at the back of the neck — just enough for the brain to be inserted. Not even Fritz had seen the final result.

When all was ready, Hugo lay down on the adjacent table, awaiting the procedure. Dr. Fritz pulled the final lever, and a bolt of electricity surged through the lifeless form.

Moments later, Hugo awoke, as if from a long, deep sleep.

“I’m alive... I’m alive,” he whispered, his voice unexpectedly soft and high.

Fritz raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Without delay, Hugo requested a moment to himself — to remove the bandages, get dressed, and prepare to return to his duties.

Still engrossed in his reading, Fritz barely noticed the figure that appeared before him... until he looked up.

“You... built a woman’s body?” he asked, stunned.

The clothing — or rather, the lack thereof — left little room for doubt. And from the way Hugo carried himself, it was unclear whether his intentions were mischievous… or perhaps, finally honest.