not_so_ugly.rb

def prettifier things # since this code should exist in an object anyway, then use a damn method
  if ugly? then
    things.do_them
  else
    many_other_things.do_them_instead
  end
end

assign = prettifier things

no_hanging = assign.map{|ugly| ugly.still_kinda_ugly_but_less.to_s }

ugly_assignment.rb

assign = if ugly? then
  things.do_them
else
  many_other_things.do_them_instead
end

hanging = assign.map do |ugly|
  ugly.so_damn_ugly.to_s
end