"Sorry, Doc. I got a good thing here. I don't want to risk losing it by doing anything illegal, " said John.
The scientist guffawed.
"Pish, posh. Nothing like that. I just need a little help with my experiment, " said the Doctor.
"Well, I would like to help you, Doc. I won't lie - I could use the money. But honestly I don't think I could be much help. I don't know anything about training animals, " said John.
He didn't want to admit the other reason. John had no desire to come near that thing.
The scientist laughed.
"Oh, I am afraid it is much too late for that. My investors will be here tomorrow morning! No, I want you to act as a substitute for my test subject during the demonstration tomorrow."
Now it was John's turn to laugh.
"You must be really tired, Doc. I don't think there is any disguise that would make someone believe I was that thing, " said John.
"They would if you actually were that thing, " said the doctor in a deadpan tone.
"Forget it! I don't want you to change me into a monster, " said John, quickly making his way towards the exit.
"Don't be absurd! My project is the work of years of genetic engineering, the genes imprinted and activated when the experiment was just an embryo. It would be impossible for me alter the body of an adult that way," said the scientist.
John paused at the door. He was curious what the Doctor had in mind.
"No, I just want to temporarily transfer your consciousness into the body of my little experiment, a little 'body swap' in layman's terms. With your intelligence, it should be a simple matter to satisfy the investors at the demonstration tomorrow morning. Then I will just swap you back into your old body and no one will be any wiser. It will placate my investors and buy me enough time to perfect my creation. And you will be much richer for your help."
"There is not enough money in the world for me to do that!" said John as he reached for the door.
"How about ....."
John paused at the door.
"You can't be serious?" asked John, shocked by the amount of her offer.
"Let's just say I have some very rich investors. And this project means a great deal to me. Listen, for just a few hours work you will be very well paid. The procedure is perfectly safe, I assure you. And it would be a great help to me. I have spent my life on this project. If I don't impress my investors, I will be ruined - not just here, but anywhere else I try to get work. They will blacklist me! So I am desperate. If you want more money, perhaps after the project I can...."
John sighed.
"No, Doc. The money is fair. More than fair, " he said. John rubbed his chin as he examined the creature staring off into the distance. "And you are sure you can do this? Put me inside it? And reverse it..."
"Yes, I promise, " said the doctor, smiling gleefully. "The technology is foolproof."
"Okay, I'll do it, " said John.
The doctor clapped her hands happily.
"Thank you so much! You won't regret this!"
But as the Doctor opened the door to the small pen to retrieve the creature from the enclosure, John already began to regret his decision.
Up close, the thing was even more disturbing. It looked like ......