(the stutter in this is NOT to make fun of people with a stutter, but to make him selfconcious about what he says, and the character is a scumbag so the mocking is for that not directly people with a stutter, if I offend anyone sorry it is not my intention, )

The transformation room was calm, the hum of the machines a familiar background noise as Melanie and Shannon prepped for the day’s work. Shannon was busy polishing a set of tools while Melanie adjusted the clothing rack, stocked with everything from sequined dresses to sensible college attire.

“Alright,” Melanie began, scrolling through the day’s lineup. “Looks like we’ve got a real gem today. Self-proclaimed social media ‘sensation’ and self-centered influencer… goes by the name ‘Mr. Fabulous.’”

Shannon groaned, tossing her rag onto the counter. “Oh, fantastic. Another internet star with an ego too big to fit in the room. What’s he done?”

Melanie read from the file, her brow furrowing as she went on. “Yikes. Apparently, he’s been grooming young female fans, getting them to send photos, and then using those to blackmail them.”

Shannon’s eyes narrowed, a dangerous smile creeping across her face. “So, not just a self-absorbed pretty boy but a predator too. Let me guess, he thinks he’s untouchable?”

Melanie nodded. “More or less. According to this file, he’s amassed millions of followers, has brand deals, and spends his days flaunting his life while tormenting anyone who tries to cross him.”

“Sounds like he needs a serious dose of reality,” Shannon replied, cracking her knuckles. “What’s the plan?”

Melanie’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “I was thinking we’d make him the absolute opposite of everything he values. Take away his fame, his power, and his ego. We’ll turn him into a painfully shy college freshman—awkward, average, and totally unremarkable. And as a bonus, let’s add a stutter so bad he can barely get a sentence out.”

Shannon laughed. “Oh, I like that. And maybe we delete his access to all his accounts. Give him a fresh start with two loyal followers: his mom and the neighbor’s cat.”

They both shared a laugh, but the laughter died down as Anna wheeled in their “client.” Mr. Fabulous was just as obnoxious as his profile

suggested—decked out in designer clothes, sunglasses perched on his head, and a phone clutched in his hand like a lifeline.

“Ladies, ladies, ladies!” he announced with a flourish, barely sparing them a glance as he tapped away on his phone. “This place looks so... basic. Are we gonna wrap this up quickly? I’ve got a brand deal shoot in an hour.”

Shannon folded her arms, a smirk playing on her lips. “Oh, don’t worry. We’ll get you back to reality soon enough. Right, Mel?”

“Right,” Melanie agreed, her tone cool and professional. “But first, we need you to lie back, Mr. Fabulous. Just relax, and we’ll handle everything.”

He rolled his eyes, lounging back as if he were in a spa. “Sure, whatever. But make it quick. Time is money, ladies.”

Shannon leaned close, whispering to Melanie. “Time’s money, alright. Wonder what he’ll say when he realizes he’s about to lose both.”

Melanie chuckled as she flicked a switch, starting the transformation sequence. The machine whirred to life, and a soft pink glow enveloped him. Within seconds, his muscles began to soften, his broad chest shrinking as his frame slimmed. The dramatic designer clothes he wore loosened, sliding down slightly, hinting at the changes beneath.

Mr. Fabulous glanced down, a look of confusion flickering across his face. “Uh, what’s... what’s happening? This doesn’t feel like a massage.”

Shannon rolled her eyes. “Oh, it’s not a massage, sweetie. Just sit tight. We’re giving you a full makeover.”

The machine continued to hum, but suddenly there was a loud clunk, followed by a grinding noise. The lights flickered, and the machine stuttered to a halt.

Melanie frowned, tapping the control panel. “Uh-oh. Looks like we’ve got a technical issue.”

Shannon snickered, glancing at Mr. Fabulous. “Well, well, looks like your transformation’s stuck halfway.”

He looked down at himself, his voice rising in panic. “Wha... w-what’s going on? Why do I sound like—like—” He stopped, his voice faltering as he realized his once deep voice was now a high-pitched, stuttering mess. “W-what did you do to me?”

“Oh, honey, you’re only halfway done,” Shannon taunted, crossing her arms. “And let me tell you, that stutter? Adorable.”

Melanie picked up the phone, dialing the tech support line with practiced ease. “Hey, Jim? It’s Melanie. We’ve got another breakdown here... Yeah, he’s, uh, half-transformed. Got any quick fixes?”

Shannon snickered, poking at Mr. Fabulous’s shoulder. “How’s it feel, half-finished? Bet you’re regretting that attitude now.”

He glared at her, panic filling his eyes. “L-look, I’ll p-pay you. Just l-let me g-go. I-I’m r-rich! Y-you w-want m-money?”

Shannon laughed outright, waving him off. “Oh, honey, I don’t need your money. Besides, it wouldn’t suit the ‘new you.’ I’d much rather watch you stumble through your sentences and try to figure out what just happened.”

Melanie chatted with Jim on the phone, still calm. “Mm-hmm. So you’re saying it’ll be another twenty minutes? Alright, thanks, Jim. And yeah, we’ll need the reset module when you get a chance.”

Shannon leaned in close, her face inches from his. “Hear that? We’ve got time. So why don’t you tell me, Mr. Fabulous, what’s it feel like knowing you’re never going to see those millions of followers again?”

He sputtered, his face red. “N-no! Th-this c-can’t be! I-I’m f-famous! Th-they’ll c-come l-looking f-for me.”

“Oh, you’re still famous,” Shannon said, laughing. “But not for the reasons you’re used to. Once we’re done, you’ll be just another shy, awkward nobody. No one’s going to care what you say or do. Actually, they’ll probably laugh behind your back.”

He clenched his fists, desperation seeping into his expression. “N-no, I w-won’t... I-I can’t...”

Shannon feigned sympathy, shrugging. “Sorry, but you’re going to have to. You won’t have a choice once Jim gets the machine back up and running.”

Just then, Melanie came back, setting the phone aside. “Alright, it’s going to be a bit of a wait. Seems we’ve got you right where we want you.”

Mr. Fabulous glared at them, his panic giving way to anger. “Y-you b-b-bitches! I’ll h-have y-you f-fired! Y-you th-think you c-can m-make a f-fool of me?”

“Oh, honey,” Shannon said with a laugh, “you’re doing a great job of that on your own.”

Melanie crossed her arms, a smirk playing at her lips. “You know, for a guy who’s half-transformed, you sure have a lot to say. Or should I say... try to say?”

He looked at them, a pleading expression in his eyes. “P-please, d-don’t d-do this. I-I’m s-sorry. I’ll m-make it r-right.”

“Make it right?” Shannon scoffed. “You’re past that point. Just sit tight, Mr. Fabulous, and get used to the stutter. You’ll have plenty of time to practice once we’re done.”

He gritted his teeth, his face contorted with rage and fear. “Y-you’ll r-regret th-this.”

Melanie shrugged. “Doubtful. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re going to enjoy a coffee while we wait for the tech guy. Feel free to keep talking, though. It’s actually pretty funny watching you trip over your words.”

They leaned back, settling in as Mr. Fabulous fumed, his stuttering protests filling the air as he struggled against his half-transformed body, his desperation a stark contrast to the calm, amused expressions on Shannon and Melanie’s faces.

The clanking noise of the machine grew louder as it sputtered, casting a faint glow around Mr. Fabulous, who was now halfway through his transformation and barely recognizable. His once-muscular frame was diminished, and his voice had softened into a high-pitched stammer. His entire body seemed in limbo between its former glory and a more average, nondescript appearance.

Shannon leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms as she watched him struggle with an amused grin. “Gotta love a good malfunction. Looks like we’re going to have some entertainment while we wait.”

Just then, a knock at the door announced the arrival of Jim, the facility’s tech expert. Melanie’s face lit up as she hurried over, her voice suddenly high and bubbly.

“Hey, Jim!” Melanie said, almost tripping over herself as she approached. “Thanks for coming so quickly! I know it’s... um, it’s a bit of a mess in here, but you’re the best!”

Jim chuckled, brushing a strand of his hair back. “No problem, Mel. I was in the middle of some diagnostics anyway, so this is no big deal.”

Shannon raised an eyebrow, catching Melanie’s flustered expression. “Oh, you know Melanie,” she chimed in. “She’s always got things under control. Right, Mel?”

Melanie shot Shannon a warning glance but quickly turned back to Jim, her face flushed. “Yeah, totally. We’re good. I mean, we were, but then, you know, the machine did that thing, and—well, you’re here now, so it’s all fine!”

Shannon snorted, leaning over to Mr. Fabulous. “You see that? You’re witnessing something rare: Mel’s public blushing. Take notes if you can still write after we’re done with you.”

Mr. Fabulous attempted a sneer but stumbled over his words, his stammer worsening. “W-w-why’s s-s-she b-blushing? Sh-she’s a j-j-joke. Th-this wh-whole place is.”

Jim frowned, glancing down at him. “Yeah, I’m getting some error codes from this unit. Looks like the transformation process is stalled halfway. I’ll reset it, but it’s going to need a full recalibration.” He began tapping on the control panel, glancing at Melanie. “It’s going to take a little longer than I thought.”

Melanie nodded quickly, her face turning a deeper shade of red. “Oh, um, that’s fine. Take all the time you need. No rush!”

Shannon grinned, nudging Jim. “You know, Jim, you’re the hero of the day. Can’t remember the last time a malfunction worked in our favor like this. Also we're team Jim, you are so brave for being yourself, does it feel good living your authentic self?”

Jim chuckled, glancing over at Melanie, who was still hovering beside him. “Well, I aim to please. Besides, I’m just glad I’m able to help out in person. Feels nice to be in here doing my thing. I wish they'd let me use the machine to transition, but safety protocols.”

Mr. Fabulous’s face twisted in disgust, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Jim. “W-what’s th-this? A l-l-little f-freak show? H-how’d y-you g-get th-this j-job? Y-y-you sh-should b-b-be a f-f-freakin’ circus cl-clown.”

Melanie’s face hardened, and she straightened up, her earlier flustered demeanor gone. “Oh, that’s rich. A half-transformed hack of an influencer calling someone else a freak? You’ve just bought yourself a new addition to this makeover.”

Shannon nodded, folding her arms. “Yep. Looks like we’ll be adding a little something special. When we’re done, you’ll barely scrape five feet tall. And I think we’ll throw in a nice set of prescription glasses. You’re going to look as unassuming as they come.”

Jim smirked, tapping a few more keys on the panel. “I’ll make sure the settings reflect the new, uh... specs,” he said, glancing at Melanie with a smile. “I like the added touch.”

Melanie’s blush returned, and she smiled back, clearly flustered. “Yeah, uh, thanks, Jim. You’re really great. I mean, it’s just... so cool that you’re here. And, you know, being yourself and all. We, um... we totally stan you.”

Shannon snickered, watching Melanie practically trip over her words. “Wow, Mel, maybe we should check if that machine’s leaking or something. You’ve got it worse than our client here.”

Melanie shot her a look, but Jim only chuckled, his smile warm. “Thanks, Mel. You’re sweet. I’m glad I’ve got some fans here, too. And hey, if you’re not busy later, maybe we could grab coffee or something?”

Melanie’s eyes widened, and she struggled to find words. “Oh! I mean—yes! Yes, I’d love to! I mean, sure, coffee sounds great!”

Shannon rolled her eyes, clearly amused. “I’ve seen smoother proposals from our clients mid-transformation, Mel. You want me to lend you some dignity?”

Jim finished his adjustments, hitting a final key with a flourish. “Alright, settings are all recalibrated. We’re ready to finish this up.”

The machine hummed to life again, the pink glow intensifying as it resumed the transformation. Mr. Fabulous shuddered as the remaining changes took hold. His once-tall frame shrank further, his legs and arms shortening as he shrank to just under five feet tall. His face softened, his features losing their sharpness as they took on a more rounded, unassuming appearance.

The glow faded, and Melanie stepped forward, adjusting a pair of thick-rimmed glasses on his face. “Perfect fit,” she said, smiling with satisfaction.

Mr. Fabulous—now undeniably transformed into an awkward, painfully shy young woman—stared at her reflection, horror dawning on her face as she realized her new reality. Her stuttering protests were barely audible as she shrank back, her body language as timid as her new voice.

“P-p-please... I-I d-don’t... I can’t...”

Shannon leaned down, giving her a pat on the shoulder. “Oh, you can and you will. Get used to it, sweetie.”

Just then, the door opened, and a woman in her late fifties entered, her eyes softening as she looked at the transformed young woman. “There you are, sweet girl,” she said gently. “I’ve missed you.”

The newly transformed woman looked up, her eyes wide with surprise. “M-m-mom?”

Her mother nodded, smiling as she glanced over at Shannon and Melanie. “Thank you,” she mouthed, before looking back at her daughter. “I think I’ll call you Mildred, after your grandma. But I think Millie suits you just fine.and don't worry about online accounts I've deleted them all and sent that money to your victims”

As she led Millie out, the young woman’s gaze darted between Shannon and Melanie, still grappling with her new form and the unfamiliar face of her own mother.

The door closed behind them, and Melanie let out a breath, turning to Jim with a nervous smile. “Well, that was... interesting. Thanks for all your help, Jim.”

Jim smiled back, his gaze warm. “Anytime, Mel. I’ll, uh, see you later?”

Melanie nodded, her cheeks flushed. “Definitely. Looking forward to it!”

As Jim left, Shannon turned to Melanie, a mischievous grin on her face. “You’ve got it bad, don’t you?”

Melanie blushed even harder, crossing her arms defensively. “Oh, shut up. I just... like him. He’s a great guy.”

Shannon smirked. “Oh, I stan you two. You’re like my OTP now.”

Melanie rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling. “You’re impossible.”

Shannon shrugged, heading out the door. “That may be true, but you’ve got a date, and I’ve got a machine to clean up. I’d say we both win today.”

They shared a laugh, the bond between them stronger than ever as they headed back to work, ready for whatever the next client would bring.