"I like it! I think it makes you look very handsome!" was all Shannon could say. Alex didn't look quite as enthusiastic about his wardrobe. He looked closely at the full size mirror, posing and trying to decide how he could get away with looking the way he did. His tan suit and safari-type hat made him look like he was ready to go for a jungle hunt. Alex wanted to look scary. He glanced over at Shannon and couldn't help laughing. His girlfriend was standing there in a huge black gorilla suit. She had just put the rubber ape head on and was walking around the costume shop like a gorilla.
"C'mon Alex! Have some fun - it's Halloween!" she said pulling off her hairy mask. Alex just smiled. He loved Halloween as much as Shannon; he just wasn't too thrilled at her idea for costumes. He turned back to look at the mirror, posing and observing himself when Shannon called him over to the front window of the shop.

"Look at this Alexn! You gotta get it! It'll be perfect!" she turned to look at the lady at the cash register to her right, "can I pick this up?"

"Sure thing - just grab the top of it and wiggle it off the stand." The cashier didn't bother to get up.

Alex couldn't see what Shannon was doing.

She turned around to face Alex "Well, what do you think?" She handed Alex a big latex mask. Alex examined it in his hands. It looked very realistic. The rubber head looked like a slightly balding, middle aged man with a bushy mustache and a monocle.

"At least put it on." Shannon prodded. Alex relented. He grabbed the bottom of the huge neck with both hands and stretched the mask open. Placing both each on either side of his head he tried to slide the rubber head on. It wasn't working. The neck almost seemed too small.

"I don't think it fits me." Alex said.

"Here... " she said grabbing the mask from his hands. She secured her hands on the front and back of the head. Placing the inside back of the mask on top of the back of his head, she re-adjusted her grip taking hold at the front of the neck. With one quick motion, she pulled down. The mask effortlessly slid over Alex's entire head. He adjusted it and smoothed it out so it would fit better on his face.

"Well, whaddya think? It looks great! Comfy?" Shannon was grinning widely. Alex walked over to the large floor mirror and gazed at his new head. She was right, it was very convincing; it was snug, not tight though.

"It looks pretty good," he admitted - the rubber face and mouth moved perfectly with his speech.

"Pretty good?! Fix your neck!" Shannon walked over and started stuffing the neck under Alex's shirt and did the top button up.

"You look very good!" the cashier suddenly chimed. She had gotten up and walked over to the pair.

"We'll take it!" was Alex's response.

Fifteen minutes later the couple walked out of the store, each holding a box containing their costumes. Alex however, had the big latex head draped over the top of his box. Placing their outfits in the trunk of Alex's Chevy Cavalier they headed home. The rest of the day seemed to fly by for the two. Alex had the day off from his job at the aerospace research company. Shannon didn't work. She lived at home with Alex and had for some time. They had begun dressing at seven and left the house just in time to miss most of the little trick-or-treaters.

Alex looked over at his girlfriend. Shannon looked as good as ever, except of course for the obvious differences. Her long brown hair draped onto her black furry body, her stubby ape hands clutching the good looking rubber gorilla head in her lap. She met his stare and smiled. Alex turned back to face forward, keeping his eyes firmly on the road ahead. He smiled in anticipation of their evening. The car slowed and came to a stop at the red light. In front of the car a ghost, rabbit and a witch clumsily made their way across the street, tightly holding their candy and laughing amongst each other.

The light turned green and Alex accelerated. He had been with Shannon for as long as he can remember - which isn't saying much. Alex never could remember anything past a few years ago ever since that car crash he had been told he was in. Shannon had told him that someone running a red light had broadsided him. But Alex had no recollection of the event. He remembered no childhood, no graduation. He had no memory of his experiences in high school or university, yet he still retained all of the learned knowledge.

The two had both been looking forward to this costume party for quite some time. They both loved dressing up for Halloween and had rented their costumes in the hopes of capturing the best costume prize. The two were a pair - Shannon, the noticeably shapely gorilla, and Alex the perfect caricature of a wealthy safari hunter.

The car pulled into a gravel parking lot and stopped. Shannon whipped open the door and flew out. She opened the back door behind her seat, reached inside the darkness and pulled something out. Alex had meanwhile gotten out and locked the doors. Shannon was holding his mask in her hand and was displaying it to Alex who couldn't help but smile. The rubber head looked very realistic and it was a tight fit, but it was comfortable once he was able to stuff its neck under his collar. Alex walked over to Shannon on the other side of the car and grabbed the head. Turning around and bending over slightly, Alex grabbed the bottom of the mask and pulled it open wide enough to accept his head. He started pulling the rubber head over his own with little success. So he readjusted the opening so that the inside back of the mask rested against the back of his head and gripping the front with both hands pulled down. The mask began to slowly slide over his head until he was fully inside. Alex stood up and smoothed the rubber face over his own and fit his lips into those on the face. He could now talk with relative ease. After tucking the neck under his collar and buttoning it again, Alex turned around to see a big, hairy gorilla. Shannon's mask was also a snug fit, and although she could not move her mouth nearly as well as Alex could, she could talk pretty well.

"Nice mask... Dr. Livingston I presume?" the muffled voice joked.

"Yeah, thanks... at least I look human!", Alex was looking into the side mirror on his car while he adjusted his face and put on his hat. He did look very convincing and so did his ape. Satisfied with his appearance the two walked, hand and hand into the arena. At the door the couple met up with a clown, Shawn, who was a good friend of the two and who worked with Alex at the aerospace company.

"Evening folks. You guys have ID? There's alcohol at this party." was all the clown bouncer said.

The couple produced some ID, much to the clown's surprise. "Shannon?! Alex?!!?" their was noticeable shock in his voice. Shannon pulled off her head and smiled broadly, "Hey Shawn, nice getup! I didn't think that clowns were your type... "

Shawn took the joke with good humor and laughed... "How 'bout you sir?" he looked at Alex, "I need to see your REAL face to let you in..." Shawn was smirking.

"Shawn, c'mon, you know it's me... jeez, it took me forever to get this thing on..." the mouth and face of the safari hunter moved in perfect synchronization with the voice.

"Holy crap Alex! That's not a mask is it?"

"Yeah, it was Shannon's idea..."

"That's incredible!" Shawn inched forward to look at his face "you mind?"

"Nah, just don't play for too long, eh?" was Alex's reply as he stood under the nearby light while Shawn examined his face. Shawn was touching it and pulling the hair. He took one strong grasp of the nose and tugged - the hunter's face distorted as it was pulled outward.

"Jeez! Stop it will ya? That hurts!!" Alex cried. Immediately Shawn let go and the mask snapped back to place on his face. Alex rubbed the nose.

Shannon had already replaced her ape head and began walking inside, her muffled voice cried, "See ya Shawn!" Alex followed quickly behind and the two entered the arena to mingle with the several others already on the dance floor.

The evening went on for hours, the gorilla and her captor never breaking away from each other. It was a fun evening Alex had thought, although he was hot. Since he could talk, eat and drink without any problems, he hadn't removed his mask all night. It was really hot and he needed some air, so after motioning to Shannon he left the arena. Immediately the cool air outside was refreshing. Partially relieved, Alex walked across the parking lot and sat at a picnic table. He was under a large oak tree, with just enough light from a nearby street lamp to illuminate the tabletop. He closed his eyes and sighed loudly as he unbuttoned his collar. He placed his hat on the table and reached under his shirt to liberate the rubber neck. Cool air flowed under his neck; it was quite a relief. With that, Alex grabbed a tuft of warm brown hair on the top of his head along with some of the rubber scalp. With a quick burst of effort he pulled upward. He could feel the head stretching, but it didn't feel at all like it did before when he had unmasked at home. Never the less, he continued for what seemed like minutes while he made little progress. Finally in classic cartoon fashion with a loud snapping sound the mask released his head and returned to it's original form. With his eyes still closed, he placed the mask on the table, although it seemed a bit heavier than it did when he put it on earlier - but he just assumed it was all the sweat from his four hours inside.

Enjoying the cool outside air, Alex wiped his hand down his face but stopped midway. His face felt really smooth, and was covered in a sticky gel. In disgust he wiped his hands on his pants, making green streaks on his tan suit. Looking around the empty parking lot he got up and walked over to a nearby window on the arena's side. He looked at his reflection in horror. A lime-green, bald headed reflection stared impolitely back. Where were his ears? His nose was much flatter and he had no hair at all. Panic-stricken, Alex bolted over to the picnic table and grabbed the latex mask he had just taken off. It was still warm. Frantically he grabbed the bottom of the mask and tried to pull it open - but something didn't look right. It looked as though there were two layers inside. Curious, Alex pulled the inner layer away from the side and quickly examined it. With the inner layer in one hand, he grabbed the hair on hunter mask in the other and began pulling in opposite directions. Almost immediately the inner layer came out. Shocked, Alex dropped the hunter and stared in disbelief - the inner layer was another mask! A mask that looked exactly like Alex's real face. He examined the new flexible head - inside was a sticky green gel, like that on his face right now. By now the cool air outside had begun to dry the gel on Alex's face. With little more though, he began pulling the human mask over his head and adjusted it. Almost immediately it felt as though the rubber head was attached to Alex's face. He pulled at his nose, and it didn't move - but it did hurt a lot!

Grabbing the hunter mask and hat, he ran inside the crowded hall where the announcer had gotten on stage and was talking to the large crowd. He found the big gorilla and stood next to her.

"Alex! Where have you been? And why aren't you wearing your mask?" without waiting for a reply Shannon continued "c'mon, put it back on! It's the judging!" Alex just stared at her for a moment. Shannon wasted no time. She grabbed the hunter mask from his hands, opened the bottom up and started pulling it over his head. The sweat inside the mask had lubricated it and it slid right over his head. He just sighed and started tucking the neck back under his shirt then buttoned it up. Shannon had already put his hat on him.

"The winners of this years costume contest are... Peter and Julie as Mickey and Minnie mouse!"

He could tell that Shannon was disappointed, but the announcer continued, "the runners up are… that crazy amazon hunter and his gorilla, Alex and Shannon... C'mon up all of you guys!"

Mickey and Minnie stood hand in hand next to the hunter and his ape. The crowd silenced again as the announcer blasted through the noise, "all right, since it is midnight, it's time for the traditional unmasking! Everyone take off your masks and show us who you really are!" The audience was again rustling with noise as everyone pulled off their masks. Minnie and Mickey had also removed their heads. Shannon, who had waited to unmask, looked at Alex and removed her gorilla head. Alex didn't budge though. With the audience finished, the announcer walked over to Alex and looked him right in the eye. "C'mon Stevie, it can't be that comfortable in there?" he was grabbing Alex's face. Amidst the laughter in the audience, the announcer began stretching his mask and moving it around trying to get it off. Alex lashed out! "NO! STOP IT!" he knocked the announcer's hand away and ran for the door. Shannon followed, "Alex! HEY WAIT! What's wrong?" She didn't catch up to him until the two were at the car. "C'mon, let's go! I need to get out of here!" was all he said as he unlocked the doors and got inside. Shannon jumped in after him and the car sped away.

"Alex! What's going on?" there was no answer.

"Alex!"

"Just leave me alone..." was all he said until the two were parked at his house. He bolted out of the car and ran inside. Shannon followed her ape head tightly in hand as she entered.

Alex was in the kitchen sitting at the table. His head, still wearing the mask was resting on his folded arms on the tabletop.

"Alex? What's wrong?" Shannon said. She had removed her gorilla costume and placed it on the counter.

"I, I can't explain it... besides you wouldn't understand..."

"Alex, c'mon I know you well enough to understand you. Hey, let's get that mask off ya so we can chat person to person", Shannon said touching his head. Alex smacked away her arm and stood up.

"All right, you want to know? It's gonna scare the hell out of you though... I warn you!"

"Fine, fine! Anything, I want to help you", Shannon drew closer.

"All right." Alex reached under his shirt and produced the rubber neck. He grabbed the front of the neck and began to peel up the mask. Slowly the rubber hunter was drawn off his face until finally, he had the inside-out latex mask in his hand. Just the one mask though.

"This! You see, this..." Alex was pointing to his face. Shannon seemed confused.

"I don't understand. What?"

"MY FACE SHANNON! LOOK AT MY FACE!"

"I don't see anything... this isn't about a zit is it?" she was becoming annoyed now.

"Nothing? Nothing!" Alex ran over to a wall mirror in the hall. He looked exactly as he had always looked - plain, human, Alex.

"I don't get it... I looked... different before. I had green skin, no ears... and there was this goo on my face!"

Shannon's smile disappeared. She turned away from him and started walking towards the window. She pulled down the blinds.

"Shannon? What're you doing?". There was no response.

"DAMN IT! I should have thought about that damn Halloween mask! It was too tight! Alex, were you hot in there?", Shannon was pacing around the room frantically.

"Shannon? What the hell is going on?"

"AlexN! Was it hot in there??"

"I guess... yeah it was... really hot at one point - that's why I went outside." Alex looked really confused.

"DAMN IT! The heat in that mask, the tight fit and then the temperature change you experienced outside! How could I be so careless!!" Shannon hit her fist against the wall. "Everything screwed up because of a stupid man-made, trick-or-treating mask!"

"Shannon? What's going on? What the hell are you talking about?" Alex was looking scared, and had sat down again at the table next to his Halloween mask.

"All right. Your real name is not Alex. It's..." Shannon let out an odd screeching sound, "and you're not a human. You're my partner. We were sent here to study the humans and observe them as they enter the space travel age." Alex's jaw was hanging wide open; he was in disbelief.

Shannon continued pacing as she spoke. "In order to effectively infiltrate their society, I was to pose as your jobless girlfriend who lived with you. You had your memory altered so that you would not remember any of your past. When you awoke for your memory de-programming I fed you your information about Alexn under hypnosis. We were both sealed inside these rubber human bodies before we were sent here."

"Really? Then, why did my face come off?" Alex was puzzled. He walked toward Shannon and reached at her face "why doesn't yours come off?" He backed away.

Shannon sighed loudly, "when our craft landed you hit your head on a control panel and were injured. I had to cut away your human head to save your life. After that I basically glued on this face", she pointed at Alex "which I got from our supply of replacement disguises and which you removed earlier. Apparently the heat and the other mask inadvertently helped you to take off your human face. I'll have to manually reprogram your memory and we'll have to restart our study in another area. We'll have to eliminate Shannon and Alex so that no one suspects anything."

Alex started to laugh. "Really? Now you're scaring me. Besides, how come your memory wasn't erased?"

Shannon looked grim, "Firstly, the memory is not erased - it's... displaced with other information. And secondly I am the leader of this mission, and I was left as per normal so I could deal with extenuating circumstances and log our findings. That's why I'm at the house all the time. I don't have the full cover benefit of ignorance like you do. You can't accidentally reveal your true identity or the mission because you don't know it... at least consciously."

"Uh-huh... well, I know what I saw tonight, and I've heard your explanation, and I just don't believe it! It is Halloween, and weird things have been known to happen." Alex snickered.

"Oh really?" Shannon walked over to the counter and grabbed a pair of scissors from a drawer. She dug a blade into her neck and began cutting her skin around the bottom of her head. There was no blood. Alex had gotten up to stop her, but sat back down when he saw that she was not bleeding. Shannon filled the sink with hot water, sardonically smiled at Alex and dunked her entire head in. After several seconds, she came up. Her face was distorted. Shannon grabbed the top of her head, hair and scalp, and tugged quite hard. There was a loud sucking sound as her scalp raised up. Within seconds her still dripping head slid off and was in her hands. What was underneath looked very similar to what Alex had seen in the window reflection of himself.

"The goo," Shannon began as she wiped her hand across her lime-green forehead "is the bio-adhesive."

Alex was not nearly as frightened as he thought he might have been. In fact he looked at Shannon and grabbed his own scalp in an attempt to unmask. However there was no movement, and Alex felt great pain.

"Ow! Crap that hurts! How come..." He was cut off as Shannon began laughing loudly.

"The bio-glue is very stable at room temperature, but under extreme heat or temperature change it's useless", Shannon led Alex to the sink and dunked his head. The water was very hot, and Alex had to resist the urge to come out immediately. She pulled his head up and motioned for him to try again.

Once again Alex took a hold of his scalp and started pulling upward. Slowly his neck broke away from his chest and allowed his entire head to move upward. In a short time he too was holding his flabby human head in his hands. Looking in the mirror only confirmed what he had assumed. Alex looked exactly as he did in the window reflection earlier.

"I don't believe it... the car crash story?" Alex questioned.

"Just to make this all believable, you're a skilled engineer but can't remember your past because of a car accident. The story works all the time Alexn."

"This is incredible"; he looked at his human face "so where do we go from here? I can't walk around like this?"

"We've got a mission. There's no time to waste -sorry, but it's time to play human again. I've got to prep you so we can move." Leaving their human heads on the counter the pair went upstairs to their room. Shannon pressed a button under the carpet by the door and the wall behind their walk-in closet disappeared. Behind it was a large space filled with communications equipment, computers and a side counter with a dozen or so latex masks in front of a large mirror.

"Sorry friend, we've got to kill Shannon and Alex - we've got to start again... somewhere else." She produced a small black rectangular device and touched it against his neck. Alex fell unconscious to the floor.

She lugged his body onto a table in the corner of the new room. Reaching into a jar on the side counter she removed a handful of green gel and began spreading it over her partner's lime-green skin. Satisfied with her work, she wiped off her hand on her pants and grabbed one of the latex masks by the mirror. It was of a light skinned, handsome male with short brown hair. She grabbed the opening and began pulling it over her partner's head until the latex mask completely engulfed him.

The next day, hundreds of miles away a light skinned, handsome man with short brown hair adjusted his tie as he walked down the open hallway. "Excuse me? Could you tell me where the aerospace interviews are being held?" The secretary, dressed in a white business suit with the letters N.A.S.A on her chest responded politely as she pointed, "Down the hall..."

"Thank you."

As he continued walking, he passed by a man reading a newspaper - the headline read: