He was slight in build and hunching his shoulders as he leant forward. His hair was greasy and unkempt and an undistinguished brown in color. His weak, blue eyes popped slightly behind standard issue tortoiseshell spectacles. He had a receding chin, and large ears sticking a bit out. His manner was mild and attentive, and far from stupid.
“So, Stephen,” said the voice of the invisible interviewer, “what was your reaction when it was suggested you could be modified as a real man?”
Stephen smiled gently. “To be honest, the first thing I said was that no way did I want to become an arrogant sexist, homophobic jerk with reactionary political views.”
The interviewer was obviously thrown by this reply. “So what made you change your mind?”
Stephen smiled again, looking right towards him. “Because I am so unhappy as I am. I'm sure that unless we know unhappiness and fear, we are less than fully human, but I've known clinical depression for four years now, and I've lost my job as a lecturer as a result, and I can't see life becoming any better. The things that interested me, books, poetry, classical music, are still there and now and again they remind me of when they moved me, but it is only a faint remembrance. I've thought about suicide, but if I'm to lose my present life, it might as well be to help research and have a chance of a worthwhile life. If I remember that, I'll have a sense of compassion and won't be arrogant.”
What about family and friends? Or lovers? Or sex? You mentioned not being sexist.”