“So we don't talk about real things?” asks Marnie.
“No, it isn't that,” Rachel says, “but there has to be more to life than our silly conversations, don't you understand?”
After serious concerns by her mother, Rachel is taken to The Procedure Clinic by her mother to talk to a psychologist about Rachel's hesitations.
“So you must be Rachel,” The Psychologist says. “It must be just about time for you to have The Procedure. You are tired of being a monster, aren't you? I can give you The Procedure right away.”
“No doctor, it's not that,” responds Sarah, “she isn't anxious about The Procedure…”
Rachel finishes her mother's sentence, “…I don't want to have The Procedure”
“You understand it's a normal part of growing up, don't you?” asks The Psychologist.
Rachel answers with lightning speed, “What, becoming just like everyone else?”
“Now, I understand your hesitation,” responds The Psychologist, “but experience shows that it plays a very important role in maturity. Now Sarah, you don't know what triggered this resentment, do you?”
“I can't imagine”, replies Sarah.
“I see your husband died five years ago in a car crash. Did you and he ever have an occasion to discuss this matter between yourselves?” asks The Psychologist.
“Yes, he was opposed to it first,” Sarah answers, “but he chose to get it done himself.”
“Now Rachel,” says The Psychologist, “I take it that u were quite fond of your father and respected his opinion. What did he say about The Procedure?”
Rachel responds, “He said he thought it was tragic that such an event is a normal part of everyone's life. I've made up my mind, why are you trying to force me to do something that I don't want?”
“Now,” says The Psychologist in a comforting tone, “no one has ever been forced to undergo The Procedure. All we have to do is rid you of these fears of this necessary and important step in your life.”
“Why do I have to do something that I don't want to do?” replies Rachel, still without an honest answer.
“For your own good,” says The Psychologist, finally coming clean. “Many years ago the finest scientific minds were enlisted with the task of eliminating hideousness in mankind, as ugliness was one of the factors that made people hate. In the process, they eliminated the causes of illness, prolonging life. Before, a person could expect to live eighty years, but with The Procedure a person can live three times that long.”
“But couldn't you keep me young without changing me,” asks Rachel, “I wouldn't mind that.”
“Some day we might,” replies The Psychologist. “You see The Procedure must be performed when the body is at its perfect state, which is at nineteen years old.”
“I'll never want to receive The Procedure,” Rachel says in a heartfelt tone. “Have you ever heard of Shakespeare? My father gave me his books. Shakespeare wasn't good looking, but he wrote about beauty, dignity of the individual human spirit, and love.”
“That's enough,” The Psychologist replies. “Introducing the idea of reading forbidden books will not help you in this case. Reading such material is a punishable offence.”
“May I leave?” pleads Rachel, “I want to go home.”
“I'm afraid not,” The Psychologist answers. “For the mean time, you must stay here while we decide what is best for you. We just want to help you.”
The next morning, Marnie arrives at The Procedure Clinic to see Rachel. After inquiring for nearly half an hour, she finally finds Rachel's room.
“Your mum told me you spent the night here. I would have been here sooner but I couldn't find your room. Do you feel alright?” asks Marnie.
“Yes,” replies Rachel, “but they wouldn't let me leave here last night. They are going to do The Procedure on me anyway.”
“I don't understand why you are so unhappy when all they want to do is make you pretty,” says Marnie, still in denial that Rachel knows what's best for herself.
“But that's not true,” Rachel urges. “Before I went to sleep last night, I remembered something that dad said to me. He said “When all are beautiful, nobody is, because without ugliness, no one can know true beauty.” I’ll never forget that.”
“I don't see why you are so concerned about your father,” Marnie remarks. “I mean you have had nine fathers since the first one. Everyone marries everyone these days; they all look the same anyway. Besides, I've heard that your father was pretty dull.”
“Stop it!” Rachel says in an outburst, “Stop talking about my father that way! I loved him and he loved me. He cared about his dignity. He didn't die in a car accident, Marnie; he killed himself because when they took away his identity, he had no reason to continue living. Tell me, do you feel anything?”
“Of course,” replies Marnie. “I feel good, I always feel good. Life is perfect, it's a high. I am all and all am I.”
“You don't understand, do you,” says Rachel, now in tears. “Nobody does.”
The later day, Rachel's mother Sarah arrives at The Procedure Clinic after talking to Marnie about how Rachel was coping.
“How is she?” Sarah asks The Psychologist. “Does she want The Procedure?”
“I’ve already convinced her to have it,” the psychologist replies.
The Psychologist takes Sarah to Rachel's room and knocks on the door. Rachel walks out of the room and comes out to greet her mother. Rachel hasn't only been stripped of her old face and body, but her personality has been altered.
“Rachel, sweetheart,” says Sarah, “I see you selected Model Number Eight, just like we discussed. How do you feel, darling?”
“Life is perfect, it's a high. I am all and all am I.”
