I WILL FEAR NO EVIL by Robert A. Heinlein

Salomon sat still. “Johann.”

“What, Jake? Hurry up, man!”

“You’re female.”

Johann Smith was silent several moments, then said, “Well, it’s a relief to be sure. At least I’m not crazy. If ‘female’ and ‘crazy’ aren’t synonyms. Well, Jake? How did it happen?”

“I’ve known it all along, Johann. It’s been a strain on me to see you and not let on. For you are correct; your doctors were afraid that you might not take it well. While you were still weak.”

“They don’t know me very well—it’s not half the surprise it was to me when—at about six, it was—I found out that girls really are different from boys. Little girl down the block, it was. Showed me. ‘But how did it happen, Jake? It wasn’t what I signed up for.”

“Oh, but it was.”

“Eh?”

“No instruction you gave said one word about race or sex. You specified ‘healthy,’ and around twenty to forty years old, and with AB-Negative blood. Nothing else.”

Johann blinked. “Yes. But it never occurred to me that they might put me into a woman’s body.”

“Why not? They put women’s hearts into male bodies and vice versa every day.”

“True. I’m simply saying that I never thought about it. But even if I had, I don’t think I would have risked cutting my chances in half by making such a restriction. As may be, I’ve never been one to cry over spilt milk. Well, now that I know, there’s no reason to continue that silly business about ‘no mirrors.’ Will you step out and tell that stubborn doctor that I want to see myself at once and no more nonsense? If necessary, knock his ears in.”

“I’ll see, Johann.” Salmon buzzed for the nurse, then went out. He was gone five minutes, returned with Drs. Hedrick, Garcia, and Rosenthal, and a second nurse, who was carrying a large hand mirror.

Hedrick said, “How do you feel, Miss Smith?”

She smiled wryly. “So it’s ‘Miss’ Smith now, is it? Much better, thank you; my mind is at ease. You could have told me weeks ago; I am not as unstable as you think.”

“That is possible, Miss Smith, but I am bound to do what I think is best for my patient.”

“No criticism, none. But now that the cat is out of the bag, please ask the nurse to show me what I look like. I’m curious.”

“Certainly, Miss Smith.”

Dr. Garcia waved the nurse at the console aside and sat down; Hedrick stationed himself on one side of the bed, Rosenthal on the others Only then did Hedrick take the mirror from the nurse, hold it to let his patient see herself in it.

Johann Smith looked at her new face first with intense interest, then with unbelief—then her features broke in horror. “Oh, my God! Dear God, what have they done to us? Jake! You knew!”

The lawyer’s face was working in the convulsions of a strong man trying not to weep. “Yes, I knew, Johann. That’s why I couldn’t find her for you—because she was here all along. Right here—and I had. . . to talk to her!”

He gave up and sobbed.

“Jake, how could you let them do it? Eunice, oh Eunice my darling, forgive me—I didn’t know!” Her sobs echoed his, an octave higher.

Hedrick snapped, “Dr. Garcia!”

“Started, Doctor!”

“Dr. Rosenthal, take care of Mr. Salomon. Nurse, help him, he’s about to fall! Damn it, where’s that aspirator?”

Five minutes later the room was quiet. The patient had been forced into sedated sleep. Dr. Hedrick satisfied himself that Miss Smith was safe and turned the bedside watch over to Dr. Garcia. Hedrick then left the sickroom.

He found Mr. Salomon stretched out on a couch at the remote watch station; Dr. Rosenthal was seated by the couch, a stethoscope around his neck. Hedrick cocked an eyebrow at the, psychiatrist, who mouthed soundlessly, “Okay,” then added aloud, “Perhaps you will check me.”

“Very well, Doctor.” Hedrick sat down where Rosenthal had been, hitched the chair closer, took Salomon’s wrist and felt his pulse. “How do you feel?”

“I’m okay,” Salomon said gruffly. “Sorry I made a fool of myself. How is she?”

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