A dark caption.

Also, unrelated, but I have NO idea what that light is attached to. Not meant to be a sci-fi flourish, that is purely a glitch of AI.

Mabel had been having a hard time as of late. It seemed like she was always getting headaches. Her husband never seemed to believe her, but these were not ordinary headaches, no, these felt like someone had stuck her head in a vise. She'd be fine one minute, and for the next three hours she could not seem to do a thing.

Finally, she went to the doctor, who referred her to a specialist. He examined her, investigated her symptoms fully given his medical expertise, and then sat her down in his office to discuss treatment.

"I'm afraid surgery will be required. Don't worry, it's likely an issue with a blood vessel that can be repaired rather easily once we are in."

"What do you have to do?" She asked, scared.

"We do need to open up your skull." He said. "The blood vessel, it is right in front of your brain. Don't worry, we won't touch your brain at all, there's almost no risk, but we do need to repair it. If it degrades further, a headache will be the least of your worries."

"Oh god." She whispered. "When do you want to schedule it?"

"Today if we can. Call your husband and get him here."

She called him and soon he was there as well, with the doctor explaining that it was imperative that they do it today. Any delay, he didn't want to guess what would happen to her brain.

Reluctantly, they both agreed, and she was soon in the operating room. Her husband sat in the waiting room, nervously reading magazines and going outside to smoke every now and again.

An hour later he was called back in, with the doctor happily taking his mask off.

"I'm pleased to report that it was a total success. The surgery was quick and easy and she's up and dressed in the operating room.

"In the operating room? Why not a hospital bed?"

"No need. We simply found an operating room that was clean but not scheduled for surgery so we put her there. You two can leave once I go over the post-surgery care. Nothing major, just some things you'll both need to do. Oh, I should tell you, while it did go well, anytime you open up someone's head, there's always the risk of temporary memory loss and temporary changes in a person's demeanor. That's normal, it should last only a two or three weeks. Anyway, let's go see your wife."

Both of them entered the room to see her sort of sitting, sort of leaning against the operating table, her hands on her hips and a smile on her face.

"How do you feel?" He asked.
"I haven't felt this good in ages!" She said, beaming. "Thank you, doctor, you've been wonderful!"

As the doctor went over the post-surgery care, Sonny had a time keeping up the fake feminine smile. God, he thought, how do woman keep up that facade of false domesticity? He knew that for many it was all an act, a charade, and one that he figured he'd be as good at as any.

It was perfect. With this body and this new identity, he'd be able to scam and con people dry, all the while appearing to be the innocent little housewife with her cute dress, perfect stockings, and pretty little heels and gloves. As for his body and her brain, he didn't ask but he did hear that certain research labs will pay well and they aren't choosey about who they buy from!