Vortexes or Vortices: You're Still a Girl

People forgot about the vortex risk when months go by without an incident. Men wander far away from shielded areas even though the risks are well documented: if hit by a vortex, men transformed into women. Alex, like most men, took no heed of the vortex problem. Out of sight, out of mind.

Alex felt the vortex risk was small and he was right. Vortexes coming out of space are rare and when they strike only a small number of men are affected. Alex grew tired of living in the shielded part of his home. He wanted to take his girlfriend, Beth, out on the town. And so he did.

Alex took Beth to the nightclub and enjoyed an evening of friends, dance and drink. Alex, Beth and their friends left at closing. In the parking lot people started looking up at the sky pointing to a blue glowing light growing larger each second. Someone yelled, “VORTEX!” The men started to scramble. This part of town has no shielded shelters so the men were defenseless.

Alex knew there was nothing he could do. He held Beth’s hand and watched as the vortex sped closer. It was clear the vortex was very small as it approached. It moved so fast it was impossible to calculate a move out of the way. Alex looked down and closed his eyes. He heard a hum as the vortex raced by. A gasp went up from the crowd. Alex opened his eyes to see everyone looking at him, Beth still holding his hands. Alex was the only victim.

Beth hurried Alex home and reported the vortex incident. Alex was given a new identity immediately. Beth printed out his new papers with his name: Rhonda. Alex looked at Beth and said, “Will you still love now that I’m a girl?” Beth smiled and kissed her best friend passionately, then said, “What do you think?”