Zane adjusted his tie for the tenth time in the span of a few minutes. He looked good he hoped. It was at least the best he could do. A second-hand suit that didn't look that used up. Many would call it cheap. For a welfare rat like him, it was months of saving up. He had gotten it for a job interview two years ago. One that didn't pan out. Now he had a new one and hope filled his heart. Even if his actual chances were low.

The maglev train slowed down and Zane knew this was his stop. Nervously he dried his hands on the backside of his pants. Mentally he steeled himself as he grabbed his worn briefcase. The train stopped and he hurried out. Around him milled the crowd that knew where they were going. Zane needed a moment to orient himself. This station was in the heart of a middle-class borough. It was reflected in the masses that pushed past him. He had been the only one that had gotten on the train when it started. Not many were allowed to leave the slums he lived in.

Eventually, he found the exit he was looking for. Maybe it was his nervousness that made him stand out. Or his cheap suit. But both security guards eyed him as he even came close to the exit. Zane swallowed and walked directly to one. After all, he had expected as much. Slowly he withdrew a piece of paper from his briefcase. His job interview invitation. What it did say was beyond him. Only a big QR code was visible. The guard only looked once and nodded. His smart goggles must have deciphered it in no time.

"This is a two-hour visa starting now," the guard informed him. "Unless extended I expect you back here before it runs out. Understood?"

"Yes," Zane managed to press out.

He was waved through. As Zane stepped down the stairs of the maglev station he nearly stopped with his mouth gaping open. Instead of the low ramshackle houses he was used to, these here stabbed ten to twenty floors into the sky. This compact building style left plenty of space for other things. Something that didn't count as essential in the slumps. Like trees and plants. Not that he hadn't seen those before. But these trees here looked so green. Not the sickly brown he was used to.

He shook his head to clear his mind. As much as he would have liked to take a stroll through the neighborhood, he couldn't dawdle. His job interview was soon. If he landed this job he might have more time to explore. Maybe even move here with an unlimited visa. He glanced at a second paper to look for the address he was supposed to reach. Which only exposed his nervousness. He had it memorized the moment the letter with the interview invitation had arrived.

It didn't take long to find the address. But it confused him so much that he glanced on the sheet of paper again. Before him wasn't an office. Not even a building. It was the entrance to a public park. At this time of day, it was nearly deserted. Most people hurried past it. Only a single woman in her thirties was sitting on a park bench. Surrounded by holographic displays.

She must have seen him stare as she looked up to him. Waving away her holo displays she stood up. After brushing out folds of her skirt she walked towards Zane, who mentally started cursing. He was here for a job interview. Not to annoy the locals. If she called the cops they might revoke his visiting visa.

"Mister Graves," the woman opened up while extending her hand for him to shake. "My name is Myrna Castro. I'll be conducting your interview."

His confusion must have been evident on his face, but Zane still managed to shake her hands and reply with a "good to meet you". Was his interview conducted in a public park?

"Fortunately, you arrive more than early," Miss Castro continued. "My time is short. Please follow me."

She walked past him towards a car. From the length of it, Zane guessed it counted as a limousine. Miss Castro climbed in and motioned for him to join her. The inside was surprisingly spacious. Since he saw no driver it must be one of those automated cars. She sat down on a bench at the back of the car and told him to sit opposite her. As soon as his behind hit the seat the car started its engine. Whisper silent it swayed o to the road and accelerated.

Myrna was already surrounded again by floating holograms. They were all mirrored and a little blurry to him. Yet Zane saw his picture on one of these floating displays.

"Mister Zane Graves," Miss Castro read aloud. "Public school. Top grades. Unremarkable." Her voice sounded bland and bored. It made him wince. "Eighteen advanced educational programs sponsored by the job development department of the ministry of welfare. Unremarkable. Ninety-eight percent correct on the application-test. Unremarkable. We received over forty thousand applications with similar qualifications. Never mind the half-million with less. Do you know what put you slightly ahead?"

"No, Miss Castro," Zane admitted. All the training for job interviews they gave him told him to be humble and not trying to act smarter as his interviewers.

"Our data-mining uncovered that you are a volunteer yoga instructor in your welfare district. Not only have you mastered yoga, but nine derivative forms."

Zane did try to suppress his confusion. He only took up yoga as a means to break up his bleary everyday life. Living in a welfare borough can be dreadfully boring. Never would he have dreamed this aspect might help him land a job.

"That and your porn-watching habits," Myrna added deadpan. Zane's eyes grew wide. Then his mind caught up. This had to be a joke. To play it save he gave a weak chuckle.

If Myrna noticed his nervousness then she didn't show it. Instead, she flung a holographic window over to him. It came to an abrupt stop not a foot away from his nose. "This is a non-disclosure contract, but far from standard. I suggest you read it carefully. Our company mostly deals with clients from the upper class. We can't risk leaks of private information."

With a nod, Zane started to read the contract. There was a lot of legalize, but he got the gist of it. If he leaked anything the company could sue him to kingdom come. In that case, Zane might be better off not having children at all. The resulting debt might take generations to pay off.

He signed it anyway. Pressing his thumb against the contract. It wasn't like Zane had anything to lose and as long as he kept his mouth shut there was nothing to worry about. Immediately the contract changed for another. As Zane read the header his eyebrows shot up. "This is an employment contract."

"Yes, Mister Graves," Myrna confirmed. "Congratulations. You got the job. The question is if you can hold it. We are here. Time to meet your co-workers."

Now Zane noticed the car slowing down. There simply was not enough time to read his contract, so he thumbed it too. Screw caution, he wanted a job.

As they exited the car his mouth dropped open. He was surrounded by skyscrapers so high they vanished into the clouds above. He had seen them before, but never up close. They were so high that the dominated the horizon seen from his welfare slum. As he overcame his shock he noticed Miss Castro impatiently waiting a dozen feet away. With an apology un his lips, he caught up to her.

"I just approved a one day visa for this district. It's good until eight PM" she told him while arriving at an elevator. "I also submitted an all-day work visa on your behalf. It should get granted in a few hours. We did have trouble inviting socially lower tier to this area for interviews. That's why I got you personally. Less hassle." Before Zane could get a word in Myrna snapped her fingers. "By socially lower tier I do not mean to offend you. We are good, right?"

"Sure," Zane agreed after the length of a heartbeat of hesitation. He would gladly overlook such remarks. After all, she was his ticket out of the slums.

The elevator car arrived and they both stepped in. Miss Castro pushed a floor button and Zane's eyes widened again. They were going up to the forty-second floor. Above the buttons was a labeling panel proclaiming this was the "Bexter Commercial Tower - Service Elevator - Lower Floors". Now Zane was curious how high this skyscraper really was.

"Speaking of-" Myrna picked up their talks. "As stated in the contract you will be paid each day you complete for the first month. Within the first month either you or us - the company - can terminate the contract anytime. Later you are required to hand in a two weeks notice before quitting. If you manage to not quit for a month the payment interval is changed to monthly. After three months the company will sponsor for you a one-year middle-class residential visa. We will also sponsor an unlimited middle-class visa after one year of employment."

Zane was speechless. This was getting better and better. The only nagging fact was her wording. It sounded like it was more likely that he would quit than the company firing him. Which was rather strange.

A ding announced their arrival. Zane followed his new employer out into a long hallway. It was surprisingly bare of decoration. Must be because this was still a floor dedicated to service. They stopped before a large door with a big sign overhead. "Castro Analytics - Storage And Maintenance"

"You own the company?" Zane blurred out.

Myrna meanwhile fished out a keycard from her purse. "What? Ah, no. My father does. Build it from the ground up."

She waved him through the door and Zane had a hard time not to stop and stare in awe. This was more like he imagined an upper-class skyscraper. The walls had a sleek mix of plastic and wooden panels. Illuminated by a lot of passive hidden lighting.

Myrna led him to a small break room with a kitchenette. There she gestured at the two men sitting there. "This is Allan Roth. Chief technician on site. And as an assistant technician, we have Tim Jenkins. Guys this is Zane Graves. Our new yoga dance doll. See ya."

Before Zane could react Myrna vanished from sight. Leaving him alone with the two men he just met. Allan gave him a bored look and then returned to stare in his mug. He looked older, maybe in his fifties, and his hair had already turned uniform grey. Tim was a younger fellow. Zane reasoned he might be only a few years older than himself. Around thirty if he guessed right.

"Hi, Myrna. Bye Myrna," Tim yelled after their boss. Then he turned to look at Zane. "So you are the volunteer of the day? Take a seat. We won't bite. Well, I don't. Stay away from Allan until he had his first two coffees."

"You have coffee?" Zane blurred out.

"Not real coffee," Tim waved him off. "But the good fake one."

"Guys!" The shout made Zane jump a bit. It was Myrna who had reappeared behind him. "Before I forget. Go easy on Zane. Getting a replacement is always a hassle."

"We are starting him on Samira and-" Tim started but broke off as Myrna had already vanished again. After a resigning sigh, Tim turned to Zane again. "So, newbie, how much did Myrna tell you what we do here."

The question made Zane flinch a little. "Nothing. I only know it is a job in maintenance and it has to do with rich people. At least judging by the immense non-disclosure contract I signed."

"Typical Myrna," Allan rumbled and took a sip of his good fake coffee.

"Okay, the basics then," Tim said while leaning back. He mustered Zane for a moment. "Do you know about the human soul?"

Of course, Zane knew. He quickly rattled down a textbook reply. "The human soul was confirmed by scientists not thirty years ago. It is a logical construct of reasoning placed in a different dimension than ours. It is connected to us by quantum bridges that the brain generates. The soul gestalt, the outline of a soul, replaced all forms of identification as it is impossible to fake."

"A simple yes would have been okay," Allan murmured.

"Ignore grumpy cat here," Tim advised Zane. "Do you remember that a scanned soul connection can be broken and reestablished?"

Not willing to annoy Allan further Zane gave a simple "yes".

"This discovery made the rich practically immortal," Tim explained. "They have the money to have clones or androids made. We don't deal with organics. Instead, we focus on androids."

Allan groaned and heaved himself up. "Cut the chitchat. Let's get to work."

Tim gave Zane a pat on the shoulder and got up motioned for him to follow. Their goal wasn't so far away. A small room devoid of many distractions. It was dominated by a strange and high-tech looking bed.

"Lay down," Tim instructed him. "We explain more once you are in the other body."

"Wait," Zane said as his mind caught up. "You want to transfer my soul?"

"Well, yeah," Tim said. Then he facepalmed himself. "Right. Forgot for a moment that Myrna left you hanging on explanations. Our company stores and does maintenance on androids. However, to do full diagnostics we need someone inside."

"Okay," Zane slowly agreed. "Is it safe?"

"Would the upper class use it if it wasn't?" Tim retorted.

"Fair enough," Zane admitted. Laying down on the bed he wondered what body he would land in.

"We are ready over here," Tim said into a nearby intercom. Then Zane was plunged into darkness.

* * * * * Samira * * * * *

He only blinked out of existence for a short moment. When he opened his eyes again he was in another room. Allan was close, typing on a pad, and standing beside a cart filled with instruments. As Zane looked around he saw all the walls of the room contained alcoves. Each one containing what he suspected to be androids.

Allan spared a glance up. "Samira, step out of the alcove please."

Zane reasoned he must mean him and did as told. However, his first step nearly made him fall over. Somehow his left leg wouldn't bend as far as Zane wanted. "I think something went wrong with the transfer," Zane said in a surprisingly melodic voice. Definitely not his own. "I can't move the left leg properly."

"Just keep trying," Allan remarked.

Zane did as told, but used the time to expect his new temporary body closer. Looking down he saw himself in a skirt and suit. To his surprise, he realized he was in a female body. Lifting up his hands he found them slender in of a dark brown skin tone.

"Leg," Allan reminded him. Zane immediately did as told. Focusing on moving the leg again.

"Is it the left leg again?" Tim asked as he entered the room. "Appears to be more prone to freezing." He moved over to Zane and held a hand at his back to steady him. "Just keep moving the leg. It should start responding in a moment. Officially it is known as the 'controller corruption effect'. You see the androids are theoretically maintaining themselves with the use of nanites. However, without a soul inside the android goes into a hibernation mode. Suspending most nanite processes. The most common side effect is the freezing of muscles you now experience."

True to Tim's words Zane steadily managed to stretch and bend the leg further. Now, Tim let go and pointed to a line on the floor. "Follow this marking and turn around. Then repeat. You see it is not the muscles themselves that tend to fail, but the controllers lose their imprinted index association of individual muscle fibers. By moving around you retrain those controllers. That's why we need you. Someone dedicated to jump into an android and move them around. The longer an android is in storage the more freezing occurs. For all purposes, an android body that had been in storage too long would be practically paralyzed. The worst job one can pull is to rehabilitate one of those."

While Tim explained, Allan pulled down a big screen from the ceiling. It flickered to life and showed the company logo. "You can stop pacing, Samira," Allan instructed Zane. "Stand on this point and face the display."

A little confused, Zane complied. Meanwhile, Tim continued his lecture without break. "The upper class can't be bothered to rehabilitate their androids themselves. That's where we come in. We give each android a regular workout to keep the freezing to a minimum. You following me so far? Any questions?"

"Yeah," Zane said with a nod. "It's pretty straight forward. My only question is why Allan keeps calling me Samira."

"Coping mechanism," Allan rumbled.

"What he said," Tim said with a grin. "Look, soon after this company was founded it ran into a problem. Most androids include behavioral modifications. Samira, when you just paced the room, you walked perfectly in a female manner. All your gestures are feminine too. That's the smallest of modifications. Others are- Heavier. While in an android body we don't behave like ourselves. To reduce stress and a bunch of other problems we found out that giving each android a name helps. This android we called Samira. If you are in it then you aren't Zane, you are Samira. Same with me or Allan. Whoever is in Samira's body is Samira. All your current actions aren't Zane's. They are Samira's."

"We have to check for proper behavioral modifications too," Allan threw in.

"Can't say I am fully understanding what you are saying," Zane admitted. "Let's move on and maybe I'll get it in time."

"Straight to the point," Allan told Tim. "I like this Samira." Then he gave Zane a conspiratorial wink and whispered. "The previous Samira was always so chatty."

"Everyone is a hater," Tim sighed. Then he turned to Zane again. "If we don't have someone like you, one dedicated to operating the androids, Allan and I take turns. Which makes the overall maintenance take longer."

"Can we get started now?" Allan grumbled.

"Sure," Tim agreed. "Okay, Samira. On the display, there will be a simplified representation of your current body. It will shift between various poses. You have to follow the poses and the movement exactly and precisely. It is designed to sift out any frozen muscles. If you can't perform an exercise then tell us and repeat until you can. Got it?"

"Sounds manageable," Zane said. He soon found out that it wasn't as easy as he expected. Whoever designed those exercises must have OCD or something similar. And Zane didn't mean it dismissively. Each movement had to correct down to the T. If he had to bend an arm then he had to do it down to one degree of an angle. If not, he had to repeat it. And there were poses for each angle for each limb. Designed to work each and every muscle in Zane's temporary body. Now he understood why his yoga training had been an advantage in his application. It also explained why Myrna called him their new "yoga dance doll".

It took nearly two hours to go through every motion and pose. Allan and Tim had their noses the whole time in their pads. Softly murmuring updates to each other. Hunting for every unresponsive fiber of muscle. Zane had suspected he would grow quite bored with this routine, but it was so challenging that it never happened. In the end, he also was very happy to not have done this exercise in his real body. He was sure that he would have broken down with cramps not ten minutes into the workout.

"And we are nearly done with the physical part of the tests," Tim said as the last pose vanished from the display and Allan pushed it up into the ceiling again. "Next is the inspection by sight. Samira, please undress as far as you can."

Zane looked a little perplexed. "You want me to get naked in front of you guys?" He knew his question was a little strange. Why would he feel to protect the modesty of a body not his own?

"Here we go again," Allan grumbled. "For Christ sa-"

"Allan!" Tim gave his co-worker a warning look. "Listen Samira, a part of you this body's behavioral modification is the need to appear presentable and modest. So we know that it goes against your instinct. Be aware that both, Allan and Me, have not only seen your body naked before, we also had been you previously."

It made sense to Zane, but these behavioral modifications must be strong as he still found it difficult to undress. However, as he did Zane noticed some particular features of Samira's body. Her breasts were shaped anatomically correct, but missed nipples completely. This looked strangely alien to Zane.

He also found out that the realistic skin only covered the top half of Samira's body. Three inches below her breasts it transitioned to a smooth flexible plastic the same color as Samira's skin tone. The maker of this body hadn't wasted any afford on detail on the lower body. Features like a belly button or a vagina.

"I can't get out of these shoes," Zane complained after stripping of everything else.

"Oh, that is because technically your shoes and feet are one thing," Tim explained. "Just stand still while we do a sight inspection of your body."

Zane thought he was the center of an inside joke as Allan and Tim grabbed magnifying glasses and proceeded to look at him in earnest. He was proven wrong when Tim gave a shout. "Found one. Blueprint corruption in section five. Right shoulder, two inches up, three and a half to the right."

"Blueprint corruption?" Zane asked in wonderment.

Allan gave a short murmured "robot cancer" as a reply while typing on his pad.

As before it was Tim who explained in detail. "Most androids are self-maintaining with the help of nanites. But these need a blueprint to work with. Now, these blueprints are too big to store in nanites directly. Hence the need for centralized blueprint libraries. However, the information they contain can be corrupted. Mostly due to material degradation or radiation."

The last word made Zane perk up. "Radiation?"

"The miniature fusion reactor inside you," Allan threw in.

Zane couldn't help it. "Really?" He asked as he looked down his torso as if he could find a detail where such a reactor might be hidden.

"No," Tim added dryly. "Allan is trying to be funny. With radiation, I mean the normal background of the world. Anyway, for that reason, the libraries are mirrored. They correct by a majority. If five sets of data say 'A' and one data says 'B' then that data is due to corruption and overridden. Since the blueprint is so big, that process takes time. Hence it sometimes makes sense to help the process along. A few taps and the corrupted area raises in priority. Then the nanites do the rest."

"Sounds like a system that can't go wrong," Zane remarked.

Allan sneered. "Every cancer can be fatal if you ignore it for too long."

"Not with us," Tim threw in. "Stop scaring the new guys, Allan!"

"But, what does he mean though," Zane dug deeper.

Tim shrugged. "As I told you, the libraries decide by majority. Trouble starts when a majority can't be established because too many libraries are corrupted. Not that we will run into that problem. Not with our regular androids. Part of our maintenance service is making sure that corruption never reaches that point. But now and then we get new transfers in."

"So, I won't sprout a third arm suddenly?" Zane joked.

Allan gave a sigh. "No, mathematically improbable."

"Think about it," Tim suggested. "For such a change to occur not only has the majority of the libraries to be corrupted to a great degree but also in exactly the same way. As Allan said. The math is against it."

"All done," Allan announced. "Looks like that was the only corruption. Samira is such an easy body to check. Less skin and she holds still."

As Zane looked down, he had to agree. Most of the body was made out of this flexible plastic. Only the head and upper torso showed skin. He thought about it for a second and shared his results. "Skin must take a bigger part of the data than the rest. All the pores and other details."

Allan raised an eyebrow and turned to Tim. "I like this one. She can use her head." Then he turned back to Zane. For the first time, it was him explaining. "Yes, all the details on your skin Samira take extra data. But, the skin is also more fragile than the rest of the body. That means it is getting more often repaired by nanomachines and therefore shows faster if blueprint corruption occurred."

"So, what now?" Zane asked.

"We are nearly done." Tim grabbed a pad. "Samira has integrated software to aid the soul inside with her work. Lots of business stuff. Now and then we do an upgrade, but not today. Still, we have to do some tests. Making sure none of the plug-in software crashed. Take a seat over there and look at the problems displayed there."

Zane did as told and was immediately lost in a world of market indexes, probabilities, and company shares. The interesting part was that, while he was an amateur in the realm of company trading, those figures started to make sense to him. On request, he spotted up and downward trends.

"Software is done," Allan remarked after a half hour. "And in record time. Good to have a third person in our team. Samira, please step back into the alcove. It is time to transfer you back."

Zane gave a nod and did as told. After a short wait, his vision and bodily feeling faded out.

* * * * * Zane * * * * *

"Was my body always this heavy?" Zane asked as he came about in the transfer bed. Sitting up had brought a short moment of vertigo.

"Sure is," Tim confirmed and padded Zane on the shoulder. "Which is funny. Androids are usually a little heavier than human bodies, but the artificial muscles are stronger. Making it appear that movement is easier. Don't worry. You get used to it. Hungry? Allan and I are up for an early lunch."

Truth be told, Zane could eat. Growing up in the welfare boroughs food was always a little short. One learned to consume things immediately if presented. "Sure, but I didn't pack anything. Truth be told I only thought today would be an interview. Not my first day at work."

Tim gave a chuckle. "Fair enough. My treat today. As a welcome so to speak."

A few minutes later the three had made themselves comfortable in the break room. The delivery had brought something Chinese. A first for Zane.

For a while, Zane was lost in the wonders of good food. But questions bubbled to the forefront. "Can I ask you something?"

Tim gave a shrug. "Sure."

"The way Myrna talked-" Zane broke off and gave it another thought. "It's just. The way she talked it sounded like I would quit in a hurry. To be honest, so far it hadn't been that hard. Sure, it was strange to be in a woman's body. But not that outlandish."

Zane's new co-workers gave each other a conspiratorial glance.

"Well, you see-" Allan started.

"This was the easy mode," Tim picked up. "Because Myrna asked us to not scare you off. Different bodies provide different challenges."

"It can't be that different," Zane argued. "Right?"

"It's like this," Allan started. Lowering his food that Zane couldn't pronounce. "In this tower, there are a lot of rich people. It is a cut-throat world. Be a shark. Always on top. It made them rich but also left them wanting. Everyone needs something to balance them out."

"Which means?" Zane drilled.

Tim pointed into the direction of the alcoves and the androids within. "Half of the androids in there are for business. Optimized for such. They are the Ken and Barbie of the business world. Not anatomically correct and always prim and proper. But now and then those upstairs need to let go of stress. There comes the other half into play."

"Bunch o' perverts," Allan threw in.

Tim gave an enthusiastic nod. "Pleasure models. And we are talking bods designed by rich people. Not only have they that porn star look but also the fitting mental mods."

Silence settled over the small break room. Zane was in deep thought. If that was true, who knows what strange androids might be stored inside this facility. If he wanted this job then soon or later he would end up in one of them. Either that or quit.

Zane looked up and fixed his coworkers in his gaze. "The way I see it, it is only a matter of time, right? So, no more easy mode. Give me your worst next."

Tim gave a worried look. "Are you sure?"

"Need to know if I can hack it," Zane confirmed. "I learned that sometimes in life you just have to rip the band-aid off and see where that gets you."

A moment of silence followed before Allan addressed Tim. "Debbie?"

"We did Debbie last week," Tim said. For a moment he seemed lost in thought. "Candi. She's overdue for a check-up." He looked at Zane. "Not the worst, but a good jump into that direction."

Zane gave him a challenging look. "Count me in."

"Someone is getting cocky," Allan said with a grin.

"I am not-" Allan tried to protest.

"Relax," Tim suggested. "Allan just made a terrible pun."

"Pun?"

Tim waved him off. "Don't worry about it."

"Yeah. And eat up," Allan threw in. "Pleasure bots take a lot of time to test."

Zane did, but not without wondering what he has gotten himself into.

After lunch, Tim escorted him to the transfer bed. "Are you sure? We can still push for another bot."

Zane took a deep breath. "I got it. Don't worry."

"If you say so." Tim gave Zane a last pad on the shoulder. "Remember. You won't be Zane. You will be Candi."

Those were the last words Zane heard as the world darkened around him.

* * * * * Candi * * * * *

Zane's eyes fluttered open. Which amused him greatly. His lashes were so long. Fluttering like butterfly wings as he fluttered his eyes. It coaxed a giggle out of him.

"Candi?"

It was Allan asking. Candi - and it was Candi now, she was sure of it - looked over. Allan looked the same, yet different. He had that older guy charm with his greying hair. His looks were on the rugged side. Candi wondered and her eyes drifted downward to Allan's trousers.

For a moment she froze. She shouldn't have those thoughts. Inside she was a guy. But then she giggled. Candi was Candi. Not some guy. What a funny thought. She remembered being Zane, but that didn't matter right now. Checking out Allan was way more alluring to her.

"How is she?" Tim asked as he entered.

"Checking me out since transferring in," Allan admitted. "So everything within parameters."

"Candi?" It was Tim who addressed her. Looking over Candi liked what she saw. Tim was different than Allan. More sporty. That could be fun too she decided.

"Candi," Tim repeated. "Step out of the alcove, please."

"Sure thing handsome," Candi purred. Her first step made her stumble. It wasn't the high heels. Her legs just cramped up. Which was just fine by her as she fell right into the arms of Tim. "My savior," she moaned. Pressing herself into his arms.

"Half her legs are frozen up," Allan commented. "We should have serviced her sooner."

"Candi?" Tim gave her a stern look. It made Candi weak in her knees. Still, they wouldn't bend. That was so confusing to her. "Try to move your legs, Candi. Just like you did when you were Samira."

"I don't wanna!" Candi cried out with a pout. "Wanna have sex?" For a moment her own suggestion made her hesitate and confused. Part of her felt it was strange wanting to have sex. She shouldn't. Right? But just the thought of sex sounded so fun. She decided to stop worrying and just go with instinct. Which was getting one of those studs into a bed. Maybe both. Hopefully both!

"Change of tactics," Tim said with a sigh. He eased her down to the floor. "Candi do you want to have sex?"

"Yes!" Candi enthusiastically replied. "Wanna do me both? At the same time? That would be so good."

"Sure," Tim agreed. But Candi's elation was yanked away as he continued. "But, we will only have sex if you are limber enough."

"Limber?" Candi scrounged her face for a moment. "What do you mean?"

"That means you have to show us how flexible you are," Tim explained. "Have you heard of the Kamasutra? Yes? Good. For that, you need to be flexible. Let's make a deal. You show us how flexible you can be and we will reward you with letting you give us a blowjob now and then. And in the end, we'll have sex. Deal?"

Candi only got half the words. There had been so many of them. But she got the gist of it. She needed to move around some. Then sex. And between there would be blowjobs. For a moment it struck her as odd that she giving blowjobs could be a reward. But her body reacted for her. Telling Candi that the thought of blowing someone was hot. Eagerly, Candi nodded.

Reluctantly, Candi followed an instructional video on how to move. It was so boring. She suggested giving both hunks a lapdance instead, but they declined. It made Candi pout. Both were such meanies. Candi would still blow them though. And have sex. She was sure of it.

After all the stiffness in her legs was gone it was time for her first reward. It was strange. For a moment she was reluctant to sink to her knees and to fish out Tim's dick. To take his member in her mouth. But her reluctance vanished in a flash. Too eager to get started.

When she finally wrapped her lips around his cock it felt as if part of Candi's soul was completed. Reunited with a part she hadn't even known was missing. Instinct took over and for a moment Candi wondered where those came from. It was her first time blowing a guy. But a second later she didn't care anymore. All that counted was sucking Tim's dick and be good about it.

Too soon something salty hit her throat. It was ambrosia to her. The nectar of gods. It filled her with a pleasant warm buzz that was beyond what she has ever experienced.

When her bliss ebbed away, Candi was dismayed that Tim had already pulled out his dick and was stuffing it away.

"Back to work," Tim remarked. "Remember, after the next set you can blow Allan."

One look at Allan and Candi was motivated. Eager to find out how he tasted on her tongue. Exercise after exercise past by. With breaks in between for Candi to suck one of them off. At the third break, Candi noticed Tim and Allan play rock, paper, scissors for who gets blown by Candi. Not that she minded. Although she was confused about why the loser got to receive Candi's administrations. Shouldn't it be the winner?

Candi noticed that each time their dicks were limper. Not that she minded. She revealed in the duty to make them hard again. It took all her skill to do so. She was a little disappointed when Tim suddenly announced that they were 'finally' done with the movement check. But she soon perked up when Allan rolled in a cart filled with dildos. Just they view made Candi cream herself.

"Candi? Candi, look at me." Reluctantly Candi obeyed and Tim continued. "I want to use each dildo one after another. Start with one and we say when you switch to the next. Okay? No. Candi. Start with the smallest one. Pouting won't help you."

Candi took the smallest one. It somehow didn't look like much. Despite being average. Or so Candi thought. Would it satisfy her? She certainly felt the heat between her legs. But looking at Tim and Allan, she had a better idea. She swallowed the tip of the fake cock and started to blow it. Maybe if she gave a good show one of them would want to be sucked off by her.

Instead, Allan facepalmed himself and Tim chuckled. "She's a smart one, isn't she? Candi? No more blowjobs. Use it in your pussy."

Candi pouted again but did as told. As soon as she penetrated herself she didn't mind anymore. It was divine. She felt like she was born to ride a dick. With renewed vigor, she started to fuck herself, while giving both guys a spectacular performance. But to no avail. Both looked on their tablets instead. Now and then murmuring things between them. Stuff like "vaginal muscle performance" and "dilation stress".

Eventually, they allowed Candi to switch to a bigger one. Which she eagerly did. A few switches later, she impaled herself on a dildo the size of her underarm. Fist included. She was in heaven. Not even minding anymore that both guys ignored her. For a short moment, she wondered how that horse-sized dick even fit inside of her. After all, there was stuff in the way, right? This thought and others were washed away as she came again. It was the biggest orgasm she had since starting.

For a moment, Candi blacked out. Not long, but as she came to herself Candi saw with dismay that Allan was putting away all her nice toys. She grabbed the biggest one and was about to impale herself again when Tim stopped her.

"I promised to fuck you, right?"

At once Candi was all ears. She even let the fake cock fall down.

"Just one last test and then we fuck. Okay? See that alcove? Just stand in it for a moment. Not long. I promise."

"And then we fuck?" Candi piped up.

"And then we fuck," Tim confirmed.

Candi practically leaped to her feet and sashayed over to the alcove. But as she took stand things did go awry. She couldn't move anymore and everything was going black around her.

* * * * * Zane * * * * *

Zane awoke on the transfer bed. Once again his body felt heavy, but that was not what pinned him down. The memories came rushing back. He knew each and every detail that had transpired. Damn, he had sucked off his co-workers. More than a few times. No. He reminded himself. Candi had. Still, when Tim came into the room Zane couldn't stop blushing and avoided eye contact.

"You alright?" Tim asked. "Candi can be a heavy experience. Especially the first time around."

Zane swallowed. For a moment stunned with hunting for the right words. Eventually, he managed a weak "Can't believe how eager I have been."

"How eager Candi has been," Tim corrected him. "Remember, it was Candi that did those things. Not Zane. Not you."

"Alright," Zane agreed. "Still, it was strange. Being attracted to you guys. It felt so natural."

"What you talking about?" Tim propped himself up by placing both of his hands on his hips. Giving Zane an annoyed look. "I am handsome. It is only normal that women are attracted to me. Okay, that the mind mods make Allan attractive sucks. I admit that."

Zane chuckled. As he got up from the bed, Zane punched Tim on the shoulder. "Very funny. But it doesn't help you. Candi would be disappointed with you."

"What? Why?"

"You tricked her," Zane explained. "'In the end, we will have sex. Just step into that alcove for a moment.' That was mean to her."

Tim gave a Zane a bright grin. "Sorry, but not sorry. Do you know how exhausting it is to do maintenance on a pleasure android? Believe me, I am so spent Candi would be disappointed. Well- Not really. Her mental mods would make her satisfied in any case. Let's just say you had the easy part today.

"Candi had."

"No, you had. Candi did her best behaving while we did maintenance. You? You slept the last few hours on a comfy bed."

"Touche'"

"Well, so much for your first workday. Wanna stay for dinner?"

Zane had to admit to himself that he wasn't that hungry. After all, Tim was right. His body lay around all day. Then again, food was food and judging by the lunch, it was good around here."

As Zane nodded, both walked to the breakroom with the small kitchenette. Only to find Allan holding up a chair and eying Zane wearily.

"He's docile?" the older man asked Tim.

"I am alive. All good. Zane is taking it well."

Allan shrugged and set the chair down. "Sorry. Not my finest moment. But some newbies come out furious. It was before Tim's time, but once I had to call the cops. Maniac broke my arm."

"I am fine," Zane assured him while holding up his hands. "I mean it was a lot. Processing will take some time. But it wasn't like you didn't warn me."

Tim looked to each of his co-workers and shrugged. "Falafel?"

"What?"

"It is a type of food," Allan explained while sitting down. "You never had it?"

Zane took a seat too. "My gourmet experience limits itself to anything that starts with soy-based."

"Ouch," Tim remarked. "Don't worry. We help you expand it a little."

Just then a buzzer rang. In short but angry intervals. Allan and Tim exchanged a worried look.

"That's the doorbell for the service entrance," Allan remarked. "At this time it is unusual that someone comes by."

Zane gave a short glance to the clock hanging on the wall. Half-past eight in the evening. Where had all the time gone?

"Maybe our delivery guy is psychic and we get out Falafel before even ordering it," Tim said with a weak chuckle. "Don't worry. I go check."

Zane's new co-worker hurried out but soon called for Zane. As he followed, Zane could see two officers of the law standing in the doorway. Tim was busy arguing with them.

"Hold on a minute. There must be a mistake. He should have an all-day work visa by now." Tim turned around to clue in Zane. "Your temporary work visa expired a half-hour ago. Don't worry. We will fix that."

A few promises to the officers pacified them long enough for Tim to call Myrna. Their boss. To Zane's surprise, she showed up not two minutes later. Cursing worse than some of the ghetto gangs he had to avoid in the welfare district. Immediately jumping verbally on the police officers.

"He has an all-day work visa."

"Not accordingly to our system."

"I paid an express charge."

"Sorry, Mam. It isn't there."

"Hold on."

Zane was white with shock. His new boss dared to speak rudely to the law in a way that made him nauseating. One does not talk back to them. At least someone that came from his background. Not only did Myrna dare. Her short phone call to some was even more heated. Never had he heard so many synonyms for incompetent strung together in one sentence.

The tablet of one officer beeped just a second before Myrna ended her call. "It is all in order now, Mam."

"Great." This one little word by Myrna carried so much annoyance that Zane was surprised the officer's heads didn't explode. They hurried away at a speed that Zane had thought impossible.

"Please tell me this was worth it," Myrna demanded as she pushed into the office.

"He is. Zane just came out of Candi without making a fuzz."

Myrna spun around and gave Tim such an evil eye that he took an involuntary step back. "I told you to go easy on him."

"We did. He asked for it."

"Tim says the truth," Zane hastened to add. "I had to see if I got what it takes."

Myrna gave Zane a scrutinizing look. "You ain't quitting on me, right?"

"Why would I quit?" Zane tried to give her a brave smile. "As Tim put it, it is the easiest job in the world. Just lay in bed for a few hours and have strange dreams of being someone else."

"At least something is going right today," Myrna remarked with a sigh. Completely ignoring Zane's attempt had humor. "You say Candi got put through her paces?"

"Yeap," Tim confirmed. "She is all up to standard now."

Myrna looked thoughtful for a moment. Biting her lip in an oddly vulnerable, but endearing way to Zane. "I better take a look and make sure it is."

As she walked away, Zane gave Tim a questioning look. "Does she usually do that?"

Tim gave him a smirk and an amused shake of his head. "Remember what I tould you why rich people have pleasure androids for themselves?"

"To relieve stress?"

"Correct. And Myrna- Well, her old man puts a lot of workload on her. So, considering that Allan and I are all tapped out, are you up for some overtime?"

"What do you mean?"

Tim gave a chuckle that sounded just a bit off to Zane. Maybe a little evil. "She didn't head to the android storage, Zane. Nope. Walked to the transfer bed." He gave Zane a heavy pat on the shoulder. "Go play 'technician', alright?"

Now, while Tim walked away, it dawned on Zane what he meant. It made him swallow heavily and look to the android storage. "You'll be fine Zane. It's not your new boss you about to fuck. It's Candi."

Gathering his courage, Zane walked to the storage. Only to find Candi already animate. Somehow she had gotten her hand on a test-dildo and using it enthusiastically on herself. Only to stop as she noticed Zane.

"Ahh, my new yoga dance doll. Why don't you show me how flexible you are and fuck me like one of those whores in your pornos."

There was a brief moment when Zane realized that Myrna's comment this morning hadn't been a joke. It left him as Candi sashaying over to him robbed him of all coherent thought.

"I could get used to this job," was the last sentence he said that made sense. At least for a few hours.

To be continued?

Zane took two steps at a time as he exited the underground station. Not that he was in a hurry. Today, he just had a spring in his step. Maybe it was his whistling that led to two police patrols stopping him and checking his credentials. Not that Zane minded. Nothing could ruin his good mood.

The Bexter Commercial Tower was only four blocks away and Zane made it in record time. Slipping into the service entrance, Zane went straight to the service elevators. Today, he was lucky. It could take up to ten minutes for an elevator to arrive. Today, it only took half a minute.

The doors slipped open and Zane gave a nod to the security guard inside. "Morning James."

"Morning. Someone is in a good mood," the guard replied. "What you got there?"

Zane's first impulse was to clutch the paper box closer to him. Then relented and gave James a peek. "Only donuts."

"Only donuts," James repeated. "Some wouldn't mind to relief you of one."

Zane knew just how to counter. "Thankfully, I am riding with the one security guard who isn't corrupt."

"Of course, I am not inspecting or say, even confiscating one of those." The slight hurt Zane could hear in James' voice was playful. They had been at it before. "But if you would like help later today, one donated sugary delight goes a long way."

"And get in trouble with your husband? Aren't you on a diet?" But then, Zane got thinking. James was the guy you wanted on your side. He knew stuff in the building before they happened. Security inspections or mandatory fire drills. "What kind of help and why?"

James shrugged. "Can't tell. I'd be in so much trouble with so many people."

Zane thought hard. He only had four donuts. One for each of his co-workers - provided Myrna showed up - and one for himself. Reluctant, Zane opened up the box and took one donut out. "If you burn me on this one-"

James raised his hands in protest. "I would never. Tell you what. If you think, by the end of the day, this hasn't been worth it, then I'll bring a box for you tomorrow."

Zane gave a sigh. "Deal." There did go his donut. He had been looking forward to it.

James took a bite and looked blissful. Then, with a half-full mouth, he asked: "So, what has gotten you in a good mood?"

Just as Zane was about to reply, the elevator stopped on his floor. "Gotta tell you later. Don't wanna be late."

"You have fun," James said. Waving with the donut. Just as the doors closed, he spoke up again. "Remember. Find me if you need help. I'll be-"

The rest was swallowed as the doors closed. Shrugging, Zane made his way to Castro Analytics. Scanning his ID, Zane pushed into the office. Grinning widely, he found his co-workers inside the break room. "Good morning to you two."

"What's gotten you this fuckin' cheerful in the early mornin'?" Allan Roth immediately shot back. The older man could be a bit grumpy on the best of days. But as Zane knew, if one dug hard enough, one would find that Allan was a decent person. They'd probably find more grumpiness too.

"Oh, don't listen to that old coot." Tim was the cheerful one of the duo. Usually, he did the majority of the talking too. "Is that for us? What is the occasion?"

"I am moving out!" Zane proclaimed as he placed the donut box on the table. "Signed my lease for an apartment yesterday. Moving in, next Saturday. Goodbye to the welfare slums."

"Congratulations!" Tim even got up to shake Zane's hand. Allan gave a reply too, but it was too distorted by half chewed donut to be understandable. It was overspoken by Tim anyway. "About time. No wonder you are excited."

"Yeah." Zane sheepishly scratched the back of his head. "Part of me still can't believe it. As if it is too good to be true. You know. Like it could be a dream I could wake up from or something happens and it all goes away."

Tim leaned forward and laid a hand on Zane's shoulder. "Be careful there, Zane. Being grumpy is Allan's territory and he is very protective of it."

"Fuck you!" Allan said on prompt, but took another bite instead of arguing.

"I'll do my best," Zane promised. "So, what's on today's agenda?"

Tim shared a glance with Allan. Not a good sign. His reply was even less so. "Nothing on it, yet."

"Nothing?" Zane had his doubts. "Our workload queue is a mile long." Spotting Tim's data pad on the table, Zane pulled it closer to catch a glimpse. "Candi? Didn't we service her last week?"

Tim and Allan looked at each other. This time it was long enough to count as a starring contest. "You'll explain," Allan spoke up. "Don't you like talking?"

"Fine!" Tim turned to Zane. "Yes, we serviced Candi last week. And you know that she was built for a specific reason."

Of course, he knew her reason to exist. More than that. Zane had experienced it. Candi was an android built for having sex. She also had the mental mods to go along with it. Any soul transferring into it would be subject to them. As Zane had found out before. On his first day, he had transferred into her as a trial by fire. His job was to steer androids while they went through their maintenance inspection. With androids like Candi, this was a whole lot harder.

So far, Zane had been Candi three times. The last two he had immensely enjoyed. Yes, he had sex with his co-workers. While being Candi, he was bisexual by default. But the sex wasn't the best part. Handling a sex bot like Candi was hard for the maintenance staff. And Tim and Allan tried to have the least amount of sex possible to keep their stamina and get through the inspection quickly. Zane on the other hand tried to have as much sex as possible. Sure, as Candi, he wants sex anyway. But Zane liked to challenge his co-workers and make them sweat a bit.

"Built for sex," Zane confirmed. "I think we all can attest to that."

"The point you forget is that she was built for someone." Tim took a moment to look smugly but continued before Allan or Zane had to prompt him. "You see, up on the sixty-fifth floor is a company owned by Richard Besusk. Real slave driver that guy. But whenever his employees finish a big project, he likes to reward them."

"Hence Candi," Zane guessed. "Who gets to be her? The employee of the month?"

"Richard himself. You see, in a way, Richard fucks with his employees every day. Not in the literal sense. You get my meaning. But for such a celebration, all his employees get to fuck their boss. Literally."

As if to underline Tim's last sentence, Allan's pad chimed. The older co-worker took one look at it and sighed. "There it is. Candi Run confirmed."

"Knew it," Tim said before turning back to Zane. "Now, you might wonder what a Candi Run is."

Zane shrugged. "Richard lost control of Candi's urges while being her and now went missing? Fucking who knows whom?"

Tim looked a little surprised but then gave a generous smile. "Not quite. You see, on Friday, we delivered Candi upstairs and took Richard's normal android down with us. Their office party usually takes all weekend. Hence on Monday - today - we are usually tasked to retrieve Candi."

"I don't see the problem," Zane admitted. "Bring up Richard's usual body. Let him transfer. Cart Candi downstairs."

"You forgot two things," Allan chipped in. Helpfully holding up two fingers. "One, Richard is rich. Two, Richard is an asshole."

"A Candi Run is quite simple," Tim said and got a snort from Allan. "Step one. You transfer here into Richard's normal body. Step two. You go upstairs and switch bodies with Richard. Don't worry. He has a booth for that. And step three, get down here so we can store Candi and you can get back into your body."

Zane swallowed. "Get back here? As Candi? That's nuts. Who came up with that madness?"

"Richard," both of his co-workers said in unison.

"Right. We normal mortals are just playthings for the rich and bored." Zane really shouldn't be surprised. "And as the most junior worker, this Candi Run will fall to me. Great. Can I at least count on your help?"

"Sorry. That's not how the run works." Tim didn't sound sorry to Zane. "We'll be here waiting for you."

"And stopping the time," Allan added.

"The time? Why?"

"Oh, Zane." Tim gave him a mischievous grin. "The Candi Run has been going on for years. We all did it at some point in time. Even Myrna. We just like to compare who did best."

"And see who wins the bets," Allan piped in again.

Zane looked at Tim. "Bets?"

"Zane, the Candi Run is no secret. I bet right now the news of Richard's office party spreads like wildlife throughout the tower. Of course, there will be bets. Be aware. Some people will try to help Candi. Just to win the bet. Others will try to delay Candi. Either to win their bet or just to fuck with her."

"Oh great." Zane pinched the bridge of his nose. And the day had started in such a good way. "Is there any ray of light at the end of the tunnel?"

"Richard is rich. And Myrna being Myrna makes him pay dearly for his little amusement. Most of the money goes to Castro Analytics. But if you don't fuck up completely, you can expect a generous bonus."

Now, Zane perked up. He had a stable job now, but a little bit of extra money wouldn't hurt. "What counts as a complete fuck-up?"

Allan waved him off. "Oh, you'll be fine. Just stay inside the tower. If we find you in a pub three blocks down, then you are in trouble."

Zane got a queasy feeling in his stomach. "I'll do my best."

"Then let's get you started," Tim said and gave him an encouraging pat on the shoulder. "The client waits."

Zane took a deep breath and followed Tim. Their next stop was the transference bed. Maintenance on androids could take hours and in the meantime, this bed made sure that Zane's body stayed healthy. It also could transfer a person's soul. Memories and personality included. Though the latter was often slightly overridden by various mods. By now, Zane had gotten used to it. He viewed every job as if it was a dream. One he got paid for. Of course, today's might turn into a nightmare. Still, Zane was oddly intrigued.

Laying down, Zane didn't have to wait long. A brief transition where he felt weight- and bodiless made way for the feeling of a new body.

* * * * Charles * * * *

Opening new eyes, Zane stepped out of a storage alcove. Looking down, he found himself in a male android body. And a three-piece suit that looked like it costs more than Zane now made in a year.

He spotted Allan who tapped on his work pad. "Ah, old chap. Everything appears to be fine. No unwelcome stiffness anywhere. Quite the spiffy outfit. I guess you lads can call me Richard now."

Allan rolled his eyes. "We named this body Charles. First, we never name bodies after clients. Second, get a move on. Business awaits."

"Of course. Of course." Charles twirled the tiny pencil mustache over his lips. Not that there was much to twirl. "Pray tell, good man, where I ought to be?"

"Fifty-sixth floor," Allan said and waved Charles on. "Your client is waiting at Besusk Financial Consulting."

"Then I'll be on my way."

"Mister Jenkins." Charles tipped his imaginative hat at Tim while passing by.

"Good luck," Tim said. Just before starting a stopwatch. Charles glanced at a nearby clock and noted it was six past eight in the morning.

Charles slandered to the elevator bank. Yes, it appeared he was on a timetable, but no gentleman arrived in a hurry. That just wouldn't do. Whistling a little tune, he waited a few minutes.

As usual, the elevator was packed at this time of the day. "Excuse me. Gents. Ladies."

"Wait. Does that mean a Cand- Ouch!" One of the men rubbed his rips where his co-worker had elbowed him.

"Ahh. My station," Charles said after the third stop.

The receptionist was very happy to see him. "Finally. Get her out of here before she talks me into another round. Just, go right in. Meeting room fifty-six twenty-two."

"Of course. Of course." Charles couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor lad. He looked disheveled. But he was nothing compared to what awaited inside Besusk Financial Consulting. It must have been a hell of a party. It looked like a bomb had gone off.

Charles cringed at the mess. This looked unrefined. Not a classy party at all. Here and there, he spotted workers sleeping in cubicles, on couches, and even on the floor. Wherever exhaustion had struck them. The filth of spilled food and drink was everywhere. Right now, he was Charles. But deep down, the person known as Zane cringed at the wastefulness of it all.

Meeting room fifty-six twenty-two revealed an especially despicable scene. A harlot in a flimsy dress, half torn off her frame, accosted a young lad. "Just one more round."

"About time! I don't think I can last one more time." The young man ushered the android pawing at him towards a transfer booth. Of course, it was Candi. The very same android Charles had to transfer into. "Come on. Step into the booth."

"Ah, the tidings of duty." Charles was appalled to become something such primal. A creature of wanton desire. Nonetheless, there was a duty to perform. The transfer booth had two alcoves and Charles stepped into the opposite one. It didn't take long and the world dimmed around Charles.

* * * * Candi * * * *

Candi stumbled out of the booth and into the arms of a strapping young man. His suit was rumpled, but Candi didn't mind. If she could have her way, he'd lose his boring suit anyway.

"Hey there. Wanna fuck?"

"Sir!" The man looked panicked. "Help?"

A nice-looking older man in an impeccable suit stepped out of the booth. Candi wouldn't have minded tearing it off him. Candi had a thing for older guys. And younger ones. Everything in between too.

"Ah, Dan. Sniffing good job at-" Richard paused. "Who left this android in the bloody English setting? Ah, better. Dan, please escort Miss Candi to the elevators, so we can start cleaning up."

"Oh, I can help," Candi volunteered. "I can clean you up real good. My tongue-"

"We know what your tongue can do," Dan interrupted while pulling Candi out of the meeting room. "You want fun, right? Lots of hard dicks to ride?"

Candi knew she was supposed to do something else. Right! To get to Tim and Allan. Maybe she could suck them off. But both were such party poppers. Always making her do stupid stuff before they could have fun. And Candi wanted to do fun stuff. Especially with hard dicks.

Seeing her nod eagerly, Dan continued. "Well, you rode every dick here. They aren't hard anymore. That can't be fun."

Had she? Candi couldn't remember that. But Candi had been Candi just for so little time. Before Candi, there was another Candi. Maybe she did. So, maybe Candi had. But thinking about that was hard and not fun at all.

"Can we go somewhere fun?"

"Of course!" Dan led her into a big hallway. It looked familiar. "See those metal doors? Just walk into one of them and you will have fun."

Candi brightened up. "And dicks?"

"Plenty of hard dicks, cocks, or peckers. Whatever you want to call them," Another young man chimed in. He was behind some kind of table. Candi knew him. Had seen him before she had become Candi.

"Oh, goodie!" Candi minced over to the elevators in her stripper heels. These were so fun. She could see down on everyone. And everyone could see her. How she pranced around. Her butt swaying around on display. Not to mention that her bosom was at the right height for many men to stare right at them. If only there was someone to do so. Candi pouted. This was getting boring and none of the stupid silver doors opened.

Candi turned around and spotted the young man behind his desk. He looked yummy. Candi was totes sure she could have fun with him. "Hi, sugar."

The man must have been excited too as he jumped up. But instead of looking at Candi, he rushed to the door she just came through. Candi giggled. It looked like she wasn't the only one who had trouble opening doors.

"Dan you asshole! Unlock the door."

Then, it was too late. Candi was upon him. "You can unlock my door," she purred. "With your cock."

The receptionist looked her up and down, before shrugging. "Who knows when the boss throws the next party? Okay, Candi. One more time. But then, you need to go."

"Yay!"

A quarter-hour later, a disheveled receptionist led Candi to the elevator bank. "You have to push a button. Or the doors won't open."

"Right. I know." Candi pouted. "I am not stupid." Just very easily distracted.

She already reached for him again, when one of the elevators opened up. Candi was shoved into it. Not that she minded. "Hello boys," she purred at the three men already in the small cabin. She pressed herself against the nearest one. "What you got there, big boy?"

The man swallowed. Eyes huge. "Birthday cake?" he pressed out.

"It's your birthday?" Candi's eyes lit up. "Want me to blow out your birthday candle?"

"Not his birthday," Another spoke up. But then started to grin. "But we will take you to him. There you can suck and fuck as much as you want."

For the briefest moment, Candi knew she was supposed to go somewhere else. But how could she say no to an orgy?

"Oh, yeah! Candi wants."

"Best idea, ever!" the third man chimed in.

Together, they herded Candi out when the elevator arrived at their floor. Passing hallways Candi had never seen before. Then, she heard singing. "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you."

Of course, Candi had to chime in. Singing the loudest. "Happy birthday, dear- " She stopped confused until one man whispered "Tommy" to her. "Dear Tommy! Happy birthday, to you. Hey there, stud. Want to unpack your gift? Me? I am your gift if you want."

"You got Candi for me? How?" Tommy was over the moon.

But not as happy as Candi was. She got to blow out a birthday candle. And suck so many dicks. Ride them too. She even took some in her ass. It was heaven. Way more fun than boring old Allan or Tim.

Over an hour later, Candi walked out of the meeting room. The party had wound down as none of the men could stand anymore. They all had silly grins on their faces. But Candi wanted to frown. She couldn't get any of them hard anymore. But surely, she could find more fun. If she just could find the next metal doors.

Wandering at random, Candi spotted a pair of restrooms. She didn't need to pee or something icky like that. But maybe she should freshen up. Look good for the lads. Maybe then she will find more people willing to party with her. But Candi stopped before the restrooms. Which one should she use? Obviously, she was a girl right now. So, the women's restroom was the right one. But the men's restroom might have men in it. It was in the name. Candi felt so smart as she steered towards that one.

But before entering, a woman stepped out of the ladies restroom. One look at Candi and she stopped in her tracks. "Damn, what happened to you girl? Come in. I'll help you clean up."

Candi was ecstatic. Such a nice offer. She took the woman's hand and entered.

"My name is Linda. What's yours, honey?"

Candi beamed. "Candi."

"Candi? Candi, Candi? As in the android Candi."

"Yes!"

Linda took a step back. "No wonder you look like a whore doing a frat house. And smell like it too." Then Linda looked around. Once it was clear they were alone, Linda leaned closer. "Is it true?"

"Yes," Candi confirmed. "My name is Candi."

"No. I mean-" Linda looked conflicted. "Is it true what they say? That you do women too."

Candi frowned. Did she? This Candi had never done it with a woman. Only Tim, Allan, and a lot of studs today. Maybe a different Candi had. Looking at Linda, Candi could immediately imagine how to please her. That made Candi happy.

"I don't know," Candi admitted cheerfully. "Wanna find out?"

Linda blushed but nodded nonetheless.

About forty-five minutes later, Linda escorted Candi to the elevator bank. "Remember, you wanted to get to Castro Analytics. And thanks. You know- For-"

"My pleasure!" Candi was certainly proud to be of service. She liked fucking. It only would have been better if someone had done her at the same time. "Thank you for the blouse and skirt."

Linda had helped too. Maybe she was a little ashamed to take advantage of Candi like that or genuinely wanted to see Candi home. To replace the not-even-good-for-a-wash-rag-dress, Linda had given her a spare blouse and skirt.

"Now, remember. No detours." Linda maneuvered Candi into the elevator. "Here. I'll even press the right floor for you. Damn, I wish I could see you all the way back home, but I am late as it is. Good luck."

Candi beamed and waved. What a nice lady. And now Candi knew she could do women too. With her tongue!

The door closed and Candi reminded herself. She had back to Allan and Tim. Something about them being jerks. Or jerking them off. Something jerky. Candi was sure of it.

The elevator stopped a few moments later and Candi was confused. This wasn't her stop, right? Three guys and a girl pushed into the elevator. Hitting yet another button.

"I think ten is still too extreme."

"Half past ten," one of the quartet corrected. "And I am telling you. We have to arrive a little bit early. Or all the best foods will be gone from the all you can-"

Candi perked up. "All you can fuck?"

Her question got nervous laughter in reply. The closest man tried to explain. "No, the all-you-can-eat buffet on the twenty-second floor. They have a few new menu items that- Wait, don't I know you from somewhere?"

"You do look familiar," a second guy chipped in.

"Oh, I'm Candi," Candi said.

Eyes grew wide. "The Candi? You kind of look like her, but that's not how Candi usually dresses."

"If she even wears anything when she starts her run," another added.

"This?" Candi beamed. "Linda gave it to me. As thanks."

The first guy turned around to his co-workers. "You know what, I think I am not hungry anymore. Gotta find out where that all you can fuck thing takes place. Right, Candi?"

"Oh, can we?" Candi clapped her hands."Right here?"

"Yeah, food can wait," a second relented and the third guy nodded eagerly too.

"Great," the lone woman beside Candi exclaimed. "Yeah, get your dicks wet. Guess I eat alone."

"Oh, you can totally join!" Candi was just too eager to reveal her newfound knowledge. "Linda said my tongue felt like heaven and hell."

The woman blushed deeply. "I- Uhm. Okay."

"Yay!" Candi shouted so loudly that the others winced slightly. Just as the elevator opened. The hallway looked familiar to Candi. Wasn't she supposed to be here? But her new friends were eager to push another button and the elevator moved on.

Again, Candi was herded through hallways and offices. Arriving in an empty meeting room, Candi got what she wanted. An all you can fuck buffet.

An hour later, Candi walked out. Turns out, four people could only fuck so often and her buffet ended early. Wandering at random, Candi got many looks. But no new offers of fucking. Something she really liked. Maybe it was the blouse and skirt. She looked good in it, but did she look sexy?

Candi once again stopped before the silvery doors and stared at her reflection. This simply wouldn't do. Popping the top few buttons showed a nice view of her cleavage. That was definitely better. But could she do better? Of course! Undoing half of the remaining buttons from the bottom up, she got enough fabric to pull it in a knot. Lifting up her bosom further and showed plenty of midriff. Now, that was sexy, Candi decided. If only she could do something about the skirt. Knee length definitely was too long.

Just then, the elevator opened. Revealing a surprised young man who was positively petrified by Candi's looks. Candi bit her lip. He would do. "Hi!" she shimmied up close to him. Despite that the cabin had plenty of room. "Going up?" Candi grabbed his groin. "Definitely! Want me to go down?"

"Actually, this was my-" Recognition set in for the young man. "You are Candi, aren't you?"

"Yes!" Candi beamed. It was so nice that everyone knew her.

He showed a sheepish small grin. "Actually, I think I forgot something in my van. Help me look? I've got a bed down there."

Candi pouted. "But that's boring. Wait, I have a better idea. How about we have sex. Lots and lots of sex. On your bed!"

"R-right." Eager, the young man pressed the button for one of the subfloors. "My name is Allan, by the way."

"Oh, I know an Allan." Something about that bounced around in Candi's head. Probably not important. She rather found out how this Allan looked under his suit. She bet he was muscular. Young Allan had the looks as if he worked out. "But you look way yummier."

Just to confirm her suspension, Candi went in for a kiss. It turned out into heavy making out. Clumsily undressing as they reached the garage of the tower. Thankfully, Allan's van wasn't far. Candi had heard that quite a few workers stored vans here. Not really for driving away. Most were small miniature apartments. With stuff like a fridge, stove, and other boring things.

Candi waited impatiently as Allan converted a bench into a bed. Then she eagerly hopped onto it. Pulling Allan with her. It wasn't the most comfortable bed she had ever used, but it beat meeting room tables, office chairs, or sinks in a restroom. And it delighted her how the van rocked with her as she rocked on Allan. That was fun.

Sadly, young Allan couldn't entertain her for long. She managed to cox out two romps, but then he was just spent. A half-hour after entering it, Candi left the van behind.

But where was she heading? Candi remembered. She had to get to Allan. Not young Allan. Old Allan. And Tim. Why again? Both were such meanies. Always promising her sex and making her do tricks. Move like that. Bend over. Stop grinding against them. Silly things. Boring things.

Candi started to grin. They weren't expecting her. Both knew she liked dicks. That she would run after every man she could. This whole delivery thing was just to avoid having sex with her. But Candi was smart. Yes, she was. And she had figured them out. She would head there and fuck them raw!

Except, she had no idea where she was. She had never been in the garage before. Not even as Zane. Where were the elevators again? There! Candi walked towards it, but then stopped. Candi wasn't stupid. Elevator meant sex. Some men would come, offer sex, and Candi would eagerly follow them. All distractions! She was onto Tim and Allan.

Stairs. No one used stairs. Candi beamed. She had it all figured out. Except, where was the entrance to the stairs? Walking around, she spotted the next best thing. A ramp going up. B-Ten she read. The next level was B-Nine. This would take a while. Maybe she should look for a man. He could help her. Then she could as thanks blow him and-

Candi stomped in her heels. This was no time to get distracted. She would show Tim and Allan she could find her way back. And then, she would fuck them. Yes, she would.

It was on level B-Two when her plans fell apart. A sports car abruptly stopped beside her. "Hey, girl." A handsome man leaned out of his window. "Want to have some fun?"

Of course, Candi wanted fun. But she was on a mission. What was it again? Right. To fuck someone. And that guy looked very fuckable. "Of course. Want me to suck your dick?"

The man chuckled. "You sound like Candi. Kinda look like her too."

"I am Candi too," Candi volunteered.

"Perfect. Get in."

Grinning wildly, Candi minced around the car in her high heels. Only once inside, she asked: "Where are we going, sugar?"

"Call me Dave."

Then, Candi was pressed into her seat when the car leaped forward. Dave threw it into curves and raced up the ramps. It was exciting. Not as good as sex, Candi knew. Nothing was as good as sex. But she screamed in excitement as the car flew over the concrete.

Their joyride came to an abrupt stop as a barrier rose from the floor. Just before the exit. Candi could even see the daylight. A security guard walked onto the road. A familiar face. "I know him, Dave. That's my friend James."

"I know that he is James." Dave didn't sound half as excited as Candi. More on the grumpy side.

James walked to the driver's door and knocked on the window. "Come on Dave. Again? This is the third time you tried to walk out with Candi."

"I am not sure what you are talking about?" Dave tried to smile. "This is my secretary. Alice."

Candi leaned over. Waving excitedly. "Hey, James. I'm Candi." Earning a groan from Dave.

"I know, Candi," James assured her. "Dave. Let her out."

"Oh, come on, James," Dave begged. "I just wanted to take her out for some fun. We'll be back soon."

"Not a chance." James undid the strap of his holster. "Now, Dave."

With a sigh, Dave opened the door for Candi. She gave a big pout but stepped out. "James." The name was drawn out. Nearly a while. "I wanted to fuck him."

James waved her over. "And he wanted to keep you. For as long as he could."

Candi was confused. "Doesn't sound so bad. We can have lots and lots of sex."

James put an arm around her and gently led her to the elevators. "He only has one dick, Candi. Would you really be satisfied with just one dick?"

Candi shuddered. She didn't like the waiting times between sex with Tim or Allan. And that was two dicks. One would be bad. "I want lots of dicks," Candi confirmed.

"Of course, you do," James said to pacify her. "And I will take you to the best dicks in the tower."

Candi brightened up. That was a plan she could get behind. Uh, maybe James would join in. He looked like a stud. But something about that felt wrong. She shouldn't fuck James, but why? Then she remembered. "James, aren't you gay?"

"Of course, I am Candi." He gave her a reassuring squeeze. "But think about it, Candi. Gay guys have dicks and want dicks. We, gays, are the experts. If anyone knows where good dicks are, it's me."

Candi frowned. Something about James' statement felt odd. But Candi couldn't concentrate on it. All the talk about dicks made her so horny. "Where do we need to go?" Candi asked as they entered yet another elevator.

"Up," was James' simple answer. Candi found no flaw in that statement. After all, every time she had rote an elevator today, it had led her to sex.

Two times the elevator stopped and James had to wave off people who wanted to enter. Even more so when they spotted Candi. "You don't want those," James assured her. "I'll take you to the two biggest dicks in the whole building."

Only two? Candi pouted. She had hoped for more. Then she brightened up. Maybe they were thick. Like some of the dildos, she got to ride when doing maintenance. Surely that's what James meant.

The elevator doors opened and James led her out. "Hey, I know where we are."

"I hope so," James said as he pressed the buzzer for Castro Analytics.

"I work here," Candi proudly explained. "Oh, and Tim works here. Allan too."

On that note, Tim opened the door. "Hey, James. Oh, you brought Candi?"

"I promised her the two biggest dicks in the building," James said as he pushed inside with Candi. "Oh, did I say dicks? I meant dickheads."

"Haha. Very funny." Tim turned around and yelled. "Allan! It's James. He brought Candi and stupid jokes."

Candi's most grumpiest co-worker peeked out of the breakroom. "Why did you let him and his stupid muck of a face in?"

Candi pouted. Why was everyone so mean? James had been so nice and they called him stupid. Allan and Tim really were the biggest dickheads. They probably say Candi was stupid too. Candi was not stupid. Somehow, she had to prove it.

She figured it out in no time. They probably wanted sex with her. Everyone did. But Candi wouldn't let them. Resolute, she pushed past everyone. Walking straight to an empty maintenance alcove.

"Candi?" Tim hurried after her. "Where are you going?"

"You were mean to James." She stepped into the alcove. "No sex for you."

Tim looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"I said, no sex for you," Candi repeated. Really, it was Allan and Tim who were stupid. Not her or James. "I know you want it. But I am not gonna fuck you. Now, do that transferry thingy."

Tim gave a chuckle. It only made Candi madder. It looked like he wasn't even upset that he wouldn't be getting any sex. Candi was half-minded to ask when Tim pushed a button and the world went dark.

* * * * Zane * * * *

Zane woke up and slowly pushed up. This had been one of the longer durations he had endured in any android body. And despite the excellent functions this transfer bed had, his original body felt a little stiff.

Then the memories rushed back. Zane had never had that much sex before. Not even as Candi or as any of the other sex-focused androids. How many had it been? Zane tried to count but quickly gave up. Maybe not knowing was for the best.

Getting up, Zane walked out into the middle of a discussion of James, Tim, and Allan. James was shaking his head at just that time. "it was Dave again. Tried to sneak her out. This time, he even dressed Candi up so I wouldn't recognize her."

"In all fairness, it wasn't him who dressed me up," Zane said as he joined the others. "I mean, dressed Candi up. That Dave tried it before?"

"Twice," Allan spoke up. "Asshole is some spoiled rich kid. Everyone in the tower takes a Candi Run as a good-natured challenge. Him? He just has to be an asshole."

"Isn't that kidnapping?" Zane asked. He felt a little weak in the knees thinking about spending the rest of his life as Candi.

"Legal grey zone," James admitted and didn't sound too pleased about it. "Technically the Candi today did get into his car voluntarily. Technically, you don't own Candi's body and him taking her away could count as theft. But good luck making that stick. His father has more lawyers in his pocket than Dave has brain cells."

"Don't worry," Tim said and gave Zane a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. "Ever since M- Someone managed to walk out of the tower as Candi. Walking all the way to a pub three blocks away. Since then, the owner of Candi agreed to have a GPS function installed that we can access. Moment Candi walks out of the tower, we know."

Zane gave a few nods. That was indeed reassuring. Then, he offered James his hand. "Thanks for the assist. And I have to admit, that was a donut well spent."

"My pleasure," James replied. "But don't get me wrong. I would have taken down Dave one way or another."

"Wait, you bribed James?" Tim looked thoughtful. "Maybe on my next Candi Run-"

"Couldn't hurt," James said and gave a laugh.

"You are all cheaters," Allan complained but didn't get any further as a new person joined in.

"Did I miss it?" Myrna asked as she slipped into the office. She was Tim, Allan's, and Zane's boss. "I tried to get here earlier, but-"

"Not soon enough," Tim proclaimed the bad news. "Today's Candi Run ended after four hours and thirty-three minutes."

"Is that good?" Zane asked.

Allan gave a vague wave with the hand. "Middlefield. Upper Middlefield, but nothing special."

"With four hours? I thought I had been slow." But the more Zane thought about it, four and a half hours might not be that bad. He could recall a few moments on his Candi Run where it could have easily gone worse. "I have to know, what was the best run?"

"Twenty-one minutes," Myrna said with a little chuckle.

Zane took a step back. Looking at his boss with doubt. "What? I call bullshit."

"It's true," Tim admitted. "One of Besusk's men tried to show off with his dick size. The Candi from back then wasn't impressed. She said she had bigger dildos and wanted to prove it. Went straight down here to get them."

"Was that your run?" Zane asked Myrna.

"We don't talk about my run here." Myrna gave a warning glare to Tim and Allan. "Ever!"

Tim held up his hands. "Don't worry boss. What happens in the pub stays in the pub." Eliciting a stifled chuckle from Allan and a deeper glare from Myrna.

Giving Tim a last evil eye, Myrna turned around. "James, what brings you here today?"

"Candi," James admitted. "Played knight in shining armor. But speaking of duties. I better get going."

After saying their goodbyes, Zane looked at his co-workers. "Well, that was a lot of excitement for today, but we still got some hours. What's the next point on our agenda."

"Let's see." Tim looked at his pad. "Next android up for maintenance is one called Egon. Fairly easy. Shouldn't take more than two or three hours."

"I think, I have a better idea." Myrna grinned so large that Tim took a step back. "I think Candi needs a deep cleaning. All that gunk men shot into her. Can't be good."

"Her nanites break that down," Allan pointed out.

Myrna wasn't backing down. "Takes too long. I want Candi clean by the end of today."

Zane shrugged. If their boss wanted something, she usually got it. "I'll head to the transfer bed and-"

"I don't think so," Myrna interrupted. Never taking her eyes off Tim. "I think Mister Jenkins here volunteered. Isn't that right?"

"One little joke," Tim complained but headed dutifully to the transfer bed.

"I'll be back later," Myrna promised. Walking off as she usually did. At a fast pace and without saying goodbye.

"Looks like I dodged a round two," Zane joked when he was alone with Allan.

Allan gave an uncharacteristically loud laugh. "Boy, you'll be assistant today. Servicing Candi. Did you really dodge a bullet? Today, you'll be on the other side of the equation."

Zane swallowed. Yes, it looked like there was more sex in his immediate future. Not that it was as bad as Allan suggested. In the past months, after Allan and Tim have left in the evening, Myrna often came by and borrowed Candi for some fun. Of course, their boss needed someone to have fun with. Hence Zane had accumulated a lot of overtime.

"Oh, poor me," Zane said, but couldn't hide a grin.

Zane's job was rarely boring, but today had been special. His first Candi Run. It had been surprisingly fun. And despite one little incident he could have done without, he looked forward to the next run. He just wondered. Next time, would he aim for coming back fast or as late as possible?

To be continued?

---

Zane

---

The train was eerily empty as Zane boarded it. Aside from himself, he could only spy two other passengers. Despite having his pick of seats, Zane sat down heavily on the closest one. Willing his breathing to slow down. He had barely arrived at the station in time and the security screening had nearly delayed him enough to miss the train. If he had, Zane would have waited an hour for the next.

Having calmed down, Zane put aside his garment bag with his office uniform and pulled out his pocket computer. He waved away the many pop-ups that reminded him that this was the Super Bowl Weekend. As if he needed it. If Myrna hadn't called, he'd be at home with a six-pack of his favorite soy beer and catch the games. Instead of clicking on the live stream of the pre-game entertainment, Zane played his last message again. It was audio only, but Myrna's voice was unmistakable.

"Hey, Zane. I am so sorry to call you. Listen, I know it is the weekend, but I need you at the office. Something came up and I need your help. I am aware it is short notice and you probably had other plans. I am asking this as a personal favor. Let me know if I can count on you."

Zane had debated with himself for ten minutes before sending a short text that he would be there. Myrna hadn't said anything about getting paid. Even his normal rate. Let alone weekend bonus or overtime. A personal favor she had called it. But he remembered that his evaluation was coming up. One year working for Castro Analytics. He was convinced he was doing fine, but Zane wouldn't risk even the smallest chance of losing his job. Now that he had a good taste of life outside the welfare slums, he'd be damned if he ever went back.

The train arrived. Grabbing his garment bag, Zane left and looked for a public restroom to change into his work uniform. The pickings were slim. The many office bars and cantina were open, but the cacophony of voices clued him in that the patrons were already getting ready for the first Super Bowl match. He couldn't risk spilled beer. Instead, he steered for the Bexter Commercial Tower.

The side entrance for service personnel was as empty as always, yet they felt a little more lonely than usual. Zane shook his head. It must be his imagination. Using his keycard, he called for the elevator. Tapping nervously his feet as he waited. When the elevator arrived, the soft chime still managed to surprise him.

"Calm down," Zane told himself as he entered. "You ain't in trouble."

After pressing his floor, the elevator doors closed and started to lift Zane upwards. Not for long, as it slowed down at floor five. The doors opened and revealed a familiar security guard.

"Evening James," Zane said first. Hoping his nervousness wasn't so obvious.

"Zane? What are you doing here?" James took his place in the elevator. "Another Candi Run? I haven't heard anything. Not even the faintest rumors."

Zane twitched. By now, he had two Candi Runs behind him. It was those rich assholes' ideas of entertainment. Now and then, the boss of an upper-floor investment firm threw a rager. And to pay his employees back for their commitment, said boss switched into a female android that was programmed to be a walking sexpot of a bimbo. The Candi Run started when one of Castro Analytics went up to retrieve the android. Namely by transferring their soul into said android. For the last two runs, that job had fallen to Zane. It was a struggle to make it back without getting lost in the preprogrammed instincts.

"I don't think it is," Zane admitted. "Myrna called. Some kind of emergency."

"Sucks," James commented dryly. "This weekend especially."

Zane relaxed slightly. "Yeah. I was looking forward to catching the games. You drew the short straw too?"

James gave an amused shake of his head. "Not a fan of football. I volunteered. Gets me brownie points from my co-workers and a small bonus payment from my boss."

The elevator stopped at Zane's floor. "Good for you. See you later James. Say Hi to your husband for me."

"Will do," James promised. Then stopped the doors of the elevator from closing. "Whatever the emergency, let me know if you need help."

Zane gave a last wave before turning to the entrance to Castro Analytics. There was no time to change into his suit anymore. Taking a deep breath, Zane let the door scan his credentials and stepped in. For once, the office space was quiet. The lights dimmed. Zane half expected to hear the constant blabbing of Tim and the grumpy replies of Allan. His two co-workers. But the break room was empty.

"Hello?"

Myrna's reply came from the main android storage area. "In here!"

Walking closer in the dimmed light, Zane was momentarily reminded of a dozen horror movies. The androids, standing still in their alcoves, added to the creepiness factor. He half expected some shenanigans- a jumpscare at least - until he stepped into the room enough to spot Myrna.

She stood with her back to him. One exposed as her vibrant red dress had a deep cutout. It flared out into a floor-length skirt. The dress sported some lace applications, but Zane barely noticed it. This was not the Myrna he knew. The boss who wore business suits and he had grown comfortable with. Her silhouette alone screamed femininity now.

She spotted him in a mirror - one of the full-length ones they required for their work - and turned around. As she did, Zane a good look at her front. Her neckline wasn't as revealing as the cutout of her dress' backside. That didn't subtract from her beauty the slightest bit. Her slightly darker skin - courtesy of her Cuban ancestry - appeared to be glowing under the defused light. Dark brown hair fell in ringlets and curls around her shoulder. One of her eyebrows quirked up and she fixed him with an amused look from her brown eyes.

"How do I look?"

Zane's first conscious reaction was to swallow. The flush that overtook his face was a reaction that his body managed of his own. Lots of words flittered through his mind and competed how to properly answer Mynra. Yet they all fell short. They threatened to burst out of his mouth in a flood, but Zane managed to cut them off. Thankfully, remembering in time, that this was not just any woman before him, but his boss.

"Very elegant," Zane offered before his silence could stretch too far.

Myrna gave him a knowing smile and turned back to the mirror. Grabbing mascara from a splattering of makeup supplies resting on a small cart that normally housed tools for serving androids.

"You must be curious why I called you." Myrna glanced through the mirror at Zane to judge his reaction. Finishing up, she turned back. "I know it is the weekend, but for someone in my position, work never ends. Cultivating and keeping clients is an endeavor that keeps going. To be seen is part of the social game."

Zane's thoughts raced. Was she asking him to be her plus one? At once his heart beat faster. He wasn't dressed for it. Not even the suit in his garment bag was good enough. The rich elite would sniff him out in no time. Unmasking him as an upstart who wasn't even out of the welfare slums for a whole year.

Carefully, Zane presented his reply. "I don't think my companionship would be wise to such a function."

Myrna gave a smirk. "No, a companion is unnecessary. Even my attendance isn't technically required. The point is to be seen. Shake some hands. Make a little small talk. It would be best if I was there, but-" Myrna gave a lazy shrug. "I am not the only one tired of these social functions. Hiring someone to parade around your body has become standard practice."

His confusion grew. Myrna was leading up to something. A conclusion he could already guess. But it couldn't be, right? She wasn't asking him to switch into her body. It didn't make sense. "I am not sure I follow," Zane offered. Playing up his unfamiliarity with this situation.

"Ah." Myrna gave him a knowing smile. "You see, I planned to attend today's activities myself. Else, I would have hired an actor ages ago. But another opportunity opened up. A meeting I have to take. Sadly scheduled at the same time. Ironic isn't it? One commitment that requires my body, but not my mind. And an opportunity that requires my mind, but gives not a damn about which body I show up in."

"You want us to switch bodies," Zane concluded. There. He had said it. What else could Myrna hint at?

"That wouldn't be that bad, would it?" Myrna asked with a smile. Zane couldn't decide if it was a shy one or a mischievous one. "Think about it. Fine dining. Most of it even the authentic stuff. A little bit of dancing. Knowing the host, there will be spectacular entertainment. All for the price of chatting a little bit."

For a moment, Zane was tempted. The food and drinks alone promised to be a delight. Zane had thought he knew how coffee tasted. He couldn't be further mistaken. Tim and Allan had introduced him to the good stuff. Fake too, but it tasted so much better. And once, Myrna had sponsored real coffee. Beans freshly ground up. The experience was something Zane could barely put into words. And that was just coffee. In the last year, Zane experienced many foods and their difference between imitations for the welfare population and those of the middle class. How could he not be tempted by those offerings that the upper crust of the society had access to?

It was an opportunity. But Zane was well aware that it was one to crash and burn too. "I've never been a woman," Zane pointed out. Hoping to dissuade Myrna from her idea.

Myrna gave a sensible chuckle. "We both know that isn't true."

"It is," Zane insisted. "The others don't count. They are androids. Not flesh and blood. Loaded full of programs to enforce certain behaviors. Without it, I'll be-"

"Fine," Myrna interrupted. Then she tapped on her temple with her pointer finger. "I get it. But you will be just alright if you do this for me. Trust me. Humans can be augmented too. I wear an implant that can do a lot of the features that android software can provide. It would help you get used to my body. As well as navigate the social dynamics at the function. And believe me, male and female bodies might be different, but not to a degree that would be insurmountable."

It made some sense. Clearly, Myrna had thought it through. But there was another question. "Why-"

"You?" Mryna gave a knowing smile. "Should I have asked Tim? I mean, the function is to be social, but you know Tim. He is chatty at the best of days and at worst? He'll talk out business partners to sleep. Provided he sticks to the script. As for Allan-"

"He is Allan. I get that." The chief technician in their little subsidiary office was known to be grumpy. Downright abrasive if one didn't know how to handle him. It had taken Zane a while to get used to it.

"So-" The word lingered in the air. Myrna fixed him with her gaze. Her closeness reminded him of her beauty. One she normally didn't display as much. A beauty Zane would have to live up to if he accepted. And the time to decide was now. "And? Will you do it? As a personal favor to me."

Zane's instinct told him it was a bad idea. Many things could go wrong. He would represent a company that had a thousand times more worth than he had in his bank account. If he messed up, it could become costly. Who was at fault then? Surely, Zane would end up as the scapegoat.

"I'll do it."

"Great!" Zane only realized he had spoken out loud - and agreed- as Myrna was already dragging him to a small familiar room. There was the soul-transference bed that could maintain a body while the soul was away. "You'll get comfortable and I'll set up the other side."

A little confused, Zane took a seat and then slowly lay down. As far as he knew, there was only one soul-transference bed in the office. How would Myrna swap their bodies? As his view dimmed around him, Zane knew he would find out.

---

Myrna

---

Zane found himself awake in one of the maintenance alcoves for androids. Suddenly standing up made him stumble and nearly fall. The matter wasn't helped by the fact that he was wearing high heels. Right, he was in Myrna's body. That means he was Myrna, right? His mind wasn't quite ready to accept it yet.

In the past year, it had helped Zane immensely to associate transference into android bodies with becoming a new person. Many of those androids had built-in software to change and modify behavior. When Zane's soul entered an android, he literally had a new personality. Zane did things as androids that would be way too embarrassing in his original body. It couldn't be helped. His actions as an android weren't really his own. But transferring back, Zane kept those memories. It was easy to say "I did that" and feel embarrassed or other negative emotions. Instead, Zane reminded himself that it wasn't him that had done those things. The personality of the android has done it. Zane had only lent his soul to enable the android.

But now, in the body of Myrna, things were different. Zane couldn't feel any strong influences on his psyche and personality. He was still Zane. Just the body was different. Could he still attribute all his actions and later the memories, to being Myrna? This little detail was surprisingly terrifying. What if he couldn't? It would mean, that whatever would happen this evening, Zane would be responsible. There was no hawking it off to "pre-programmed behavior". His actions would be his alone. He would have to shoulder any consequences that arose.

"Hmm, I do look good."

The voice was a familiar one. As was the body. Zane's own body had entered the maintenance bay. But it wasn't Zane in there. Myrna was at the helm. There was no mistaking it. The mannerisms were off. The Zane portrait by Myrna was more confident and outgoing. He could tell even by this little interaction.

Myrna walked around her original body and took it in from every perspective. If anyone else would have done it, Zane might feel obligated to protest on Myrna's behalf. But who else would be more familiar with it than her?

"Stop being so stiff," Myrna reprehended Zane. "You'll give me a kink in the neck."

"Sorry." Zane blushed. Felt it really as blood rushed to his face. Did he always blush to this extent or was that a trait of Myrna's body. He had never seen her blush before. Maybe he was just imagining it. "It's just strange, you know, to see my own body."

"I know how that feels." Myrna's remark didn't sound like fake empathy. "I've done this a few dozen times now and I still can't get used to it. But there is something that helps."

"I could use every trick you can offer."

"It's easy. I'll just have to send you on your way. Out of sight, out of mind. Then you don't have a constant reminder. But before I can do that, there are a few things you have to know."

Zane was baffled. Nearly missed the second half of Myrna talking. His body. It looked and acted so charismatic that Zane was distracted for a split second. Was that all Myrna at the helm or was part of it just untapped potential Zane had never bothered to unlock.

"I am all ears," Zane said. Maybe a bit too hasty. "I mean, don't get me wrong, but I want to get over with it."

Myrna glanced at a nearby digital clock on the wall. "Yes, time is running short. We both have to get ready. Alright. Think about options or assistance. The HUD of my implant should appear. Most options should be grayed out. That is on purpose. But one icon should be for the Better Meet And Greet app."

Zane hardly had to concentrate on it and a row of icons appeared in the periphery of his view. As Myrna had said, most appeared to be deactivated. It wasn't hard to find the indicated app. Activating it, more details appeared in Zane's view. They were all centered on Zane's original body.

The app knew that this body rightfully belonged to him, but also which soul currently inhabitants it. Offering details to both. Attached to his body was his own personal file. Strangely devoid of details. Of course, he couldn't help but glance at the details offered about Myrna's soul. What he found made him nearly choke.

# What? Do you really expect that I left confidential files lazing around for you? #

"Found my little memo, didn't you?" The smirk Myrna produced looked strange on his face, yet also oddly right. "Now, pay attention. Once you arrive at the party, this app will be your best friend. It will identify conversational partners and suggest topics for small talk. How are your children? Has your wife returned from vacation? Stuff like that. It will also provide answers to questions you might get about me. Answer in character along the prompts the app provides. Don't improvise too much. Whenever new details are picked up, the app will save them for next time. So I, or some actor I hire, can continue without trouble. Got it?"

Zane took a deep breath. Just what exactly had he agreed to? The summarization was short and blunt. "Get there. Circle the venue. Make as much small talk as possible according to a cheat sheet only I can see. Bring your body home safely."

"And have fun," Myrna added. "Don't forget the fun. Enjoy the delicacies they serve. Be amazed by the entertainment. This is not work. You are doing me a favor. Might as well enjoy it, right? Just don't go overboard with the fun. If you get my body pregnant I swear I will make you carry the child to term."

Zane was speechless. Before he could recover and protest, Myrna continued. "Listen. Don't be nervous. Once you get used to playing me, it will be a breeze. Stick around a bit. Say three hours at minimum. More if you like. Just be back before midnight."

Here would be an appropriate moment to insert a joke about how Zane was to act as Myrna, not Cinderella, but Zane wouldn't recover his cool to joke for the next five minutes.

A wooden "got it" came from him instead.

"Relax," Myrna reminded him again. "Remember. I don't want any kinks when I switch back." She then handed Zane a clutch and escorted him to the elevator. Not his usual one. "Myrna" wouldn't be leaving through any service entrance. The regular elevators definitely boasted better decoration.

The doors closed.

Zane was alone.

In Myrna's body.

It meant that he was now supposed to be acting like Myrna. To become her. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and exhaled.

As she opened her eyes, she was Myrna. Not the original. Neither any of the previous imitations. She was the Myrna with Zane's soul. She had been a woman many times before. Granted, as an android, but surely some of that experience will help her out. The original had been right. Once they weren't sharing a room, it was easier to assume the new identity. At least, that was the hope.

Having barely gathered herself, a new challenge arrived. The elevator opened and a familiar security guard stepped in. But how familiar was Myrna with him?

"Good evening, Miss Castro," James greeted before Myrna could make up her mind.

"Evening, James," Myrna replied automatically and gave a somber nod.

She felt a casual glance roam over her body. Dressed up like this, it was no wonder. "May I say, you look beautiful Miss Castro. Poor Zane. Got him working overtime while going out for a party?"

Was it an honest concern for Zane or was this a test for Myrna? Maybe he was onto her. How would the original Myrna answer? Thinking back, the appropriate response was readily on her lips. "I am afraid even a party is work for me, James."

"Too true." They arrived at the ground floor. James indicated for Myrna to leave before him. "After you."

With a nod, Myrna headed out and realized this was the perfect time to test out the app. Surely, Myrna would have left notes about James. The app dutifully provided a few details and it was surprisingly easy to string together a few sentences.

"Thank you for the bran muffins, James. They were delicious. Tell your husband I said so. To be honest, I can't wait for my next birthday to taste them again."

There was a barely previeveable stumble by James and then the large guard laughed. "You had me fooled there for a while, Zane. Nicely done. Wait, I mean, Myrna. Of course."

Myrna took being found out in stride. "Say, what gave me away?"

James gave a few last chuckles and then took pity. "Bran muffins. Myrna hates them. She included a reference to them in her little spy app to clue me in. She did that for most of us guards. Now, don't look so disappointed. The security scanner over there would have clued me in too."

James was right. Everything could be faked in today's day and age. From looks to biometrics. Even DNA tests didn't stand up well if one could change bodies. Or even clone them. But souls were unique by default. Hence scanning them is the ultimate security measure. Thankfully, Zane assuming Myrna's identity was an open secret.

"Well, hopefully, no one will call me out on it again," Myrna admitted with a sigh. "I wasn't really prepared for this gig."

James gave a lazy shrug. "Well, it is the right day for Myrna to pull a stunt like that. I am just surprised she roped you into it."

"She does this often?" Myrna pondered just what the original was up to. Not to mention that if this was a regular thing, then maybe Zane's soul would end up in this body again. Maybe even often.

"You have to discuss that with her. But until then-" James opened up the front door and held it open for Myrna. "Your chariot awaits."

Indeed, it did. It was the same self-driving car that had picked up Myrna and Zane a year ago. This reminded Myrna just how long ago Zane had escaped the slums. Yet, it also felt so very recently.

With a murmured thanks, Myrna walked over to the car and stepped in. The doors closed by itself and the car sped up as soon as Myrna sat down. The ride didn't take long and Myrna saw a small line of cars before her that stopped at a boardwalk with a red carpet. At once, her heart started to race. No one had mentioned reporters and photographers.

All too soon, Myrna had to exit and walk the carpet. Her instinct was to run, but she took measured steps. She stopped now and then. Posing and smiling for the cameras. Hoping that it looked natural. All the while cursing out the original Myrna under her breath. She felt exposed out here. Clad in a revealing dress with fabric so thin, she hoped it wouldn't tear. Aside from panties, heels, and a clutch, Myrna had only herself and her wit. Both were tested right now.

It should have been a relief heading off the red carpet and into the venue, but Myrna was confronted with her first social obstacle. The hosts of this event. Thankfully the app was on the ball and ready to go. Providing her with information. Maybe too much as some details nearly made her stumble.

"Myrna! Glad you could make it." She was drawn into a sugary hug by one Barbara Kinsdale. In flesh and soul. The same couldn't be said for her husband.

"Of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world." Myrna hoped her voice was just as sugary and camouflaged how she really felt. After all, the original Myrna did miss this event. On purpose. But this lie was expected of her. At least to all the glamor shows Zane had seen in the welfare slums. Not that he liked those shows, but they now helped Myrna out. She turned to the second host and hoped her smile covered up how she really felt. "Arnold. Good to see you."

"Is it?" The man gave a wolfish grin. "We snatched up that consulting gig with Langdon & Stonecast that Castro Analytics wanted so much. Surely you are cross with me."

Myrna had to hand it to him. Whoever was steering Arnold's body perfectly acted like a smug bastard from high society. The app clued Myrna in that not everything was as it seemed. The third notice the app provided said as much: "If Arnold is smug about Langdon & Stonecast, act like a gracious loser. The longer he is distracted by this faint, the more clients we can pouch behind his back." Now it was up to her to make it work.

"It smarts," Myrna said while giving a small wince. Then plastered an obviously fake smile on her face. "You outplayed us, Arnold. Congratulations. Now you better not trip up, because we will be waiting."

Arnold gave a barely perceivable nod and then took a sip of his champagne glass. "Until our next sparring match, Myrna. Enjoy the party."

"Thank you." Clearly dismissed, Myrna made her way further into the venue. Wondering just how much this little exchange mattered in the overall picture. Two actors reading lines the real players wrote. Clearly, Castro Analytics was at odds with whatever company Arnold and Barbara Kinsdale owned. Not being above underhanded tactics despite playing nice in public. But was Myrna's little exchange here pure banal play or another move in a complicated game of corporate chess? The original Myrna hadn't emphasized any reason to be here aside from being seen.

It was just a few steps to the main hall and Myrna had trouble taking it all in. It was a nauseating display of wealth and impressions. To her left was a big buffet with plenty of exquisite morsels for her to try. The plates were scattered between a small menagerie of ice-carved animals. The floor before her led to the dance floor. Currently not occupied by dancers. but spectators, as over their head acrobats performed incredible feeds along drapes of fabric. How they didn't fall to their death was beyond Myrna.

There were many adjacent rooms and areas filled with small groups of people amidst excited small talk. The thought that she had to join in made Myrna shudder. Among the masses were waiters and waitresses who balanced trays of drinks or appetizers. Overlooking the masses were balconies that belonged to an upper floor. On one such balcony, Myrna spotted a person who took notice of her. An older gentleman. A natural tan. Black hair that had its fair share of gray spread through. And an intense stare. Trouble? Myrna wasn't sure. The app wasn't helpful either as the man was too far away to be identified. Taking the better part of valor, Myrna took an offered champagne glass and started to mingle in the masses.

Her actual job, striking conversations with random people, was surprisingly easy. Now and then a person was alone and appeared to be available. All Myrna had to do was slowly make her way over and let the app whisper secrets to her. By the time she arrived, Myrna had their names ready. Followed by pleasantries and then some casual inquiries over family, company, or acquaintances. Of course, Myrna had her fair share of questions. The app easily provided the answers.

Before Myrna noticed, an hour had passed. She had steered through the crowd as if on cruise control. The app did the heavy lifting. Myrna was just the puppet to enact the prompts. It was exhilarating how easy it was. But eerie too. There was no real connection anywhere. Only shallow talk and pleasantries. It was no wonder the original Myrna avoided such a function. Or any other of the many people Myrna met. She guessed about two-thirds were controlled by professional actors. Those who actually showed up were most often at the bottom of the food chain from high society.

Lost in a daze of small talk and canapés, Myrna nearly stumbled as her app suddenly flashed red text in her vision. A man came closer by the name of Alfred Bramsteen. Myrna didn't need the app to know that Alfred was a serious playboy. Or, at least, thought of himself as such. The pompous walk over to Myrna said as much. It was also evident that she wouldn't have time to evade him as she clearly was in his crosshairs.

Before he even opened his mouth, Myrna fixated on one line in the app: "No matter how annoying, resist kicking him in the nuts." The line was written in red and underlined twice. Myrna braced herself.

"Myrna. You look ravishing!" He took her hand before Myrna could step back and placed a real kiss on it. Not one mimicked barely above, as was customary. "That dress looks brilliant on you, but it pales in comparison to your beauty."

Myrna's instinct, to find an excuse and flee, fell away. Now that he was close, Alfred wasn't so bad. Kind handsome. She had to admit there was some natural charm to him. A blush came over her and she felt slightly hot. Myrna needed a moment to categorize the feeling. She was aroused. Of course, Myrna knew how it felt to be aroused. As Zane, a man. And she had inhabited women before, but those had been androids. Build for pleasure. Their arousal was strong, immediate, and overwhelming. This was different. More subtle. It gave her butterflies in the stomach. She decided she kind of liked it. And him.

An alarm went off in her head. Literally. Some app opened up a pop-up. Overlaying a good chunk of her view. "Warning! Potent artificial pheromones detected. Releasing countermeasures." A shudder went through Myrna and from one moment to the next, the haze of arousal lifted and she became clear headed again. It was followed by rage. That asshole had doused her. Artificial pheromones? Myrna hadn't even known that was a thing! Now, she felt violated. Her first instinct was to get distance. Force it, perhaps. Maybe with a kick between-

No, she remembered the memo in time. Myrna closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, she was calm but still angry. The slap that followed could probably be heard for a dozen meters or more. Even over the ever-present murmuring of the crowd.

"What was that for?" The shock was clearly evident on Alfred's face.

"Don't act innocent with me," Myrna pressed out through her teeth. The app's warning came to her mind and Myrna could add up the obvious. "Up to your old tricks? Pheromones? Really?"

Alfred was quick to regain his balance. Notably a step away from Myrna. "Oh, mon chéri. You used to like my company. Pheromones included. But no, you had to get some silly implant and ruin all the fun."

"I don't know. Slapping you was pretty fun." Myrna wasn't even sure if that was her acting the role or not. But taking pompous asses like him down a notch was pretty satisfying. Hopefully, it wouldn't bite her in the ass later.

"You always had a violent side to you," Alfred remarked and tried a winning smile. It fell flat. Now that Myrna knew what was up, she was on her guard. Still, the next sentence caught her off balance. "At least tonight we spar in person. The last actor you hired to impersonate me was a little too enthusiastic. Kicked me in the-"

Alfred thought she was the original Myrna. Well, it was flattering, she guessed. Didn't he have an app to clue him in? Or maybe she was distracting enough that Afred hadn't bothered to look.

"Nuts?" Myrna smugly volunteered. "Not in my playbook tonight."

Myrna walked away before Alfred recovered enough from his confusion. She heard a brief "Wait! You aren't the-", but didn't slow down to hear the rest. Whatever else Alfred had to offer, she wasn't interested. In fact, she could do with a break. Having talked for over an hour left her throat parched and she barely had any chance to taste some of the offered delectable morsels at the buffet. It was, after all, one of the perks original Myrna had tempted her with.

Filling a small plate and grabbing a flute of bubbly, Myrna made her way to one of the secluded balconies. Hopefully, here, she could catch a brief break from the social theater around her. It was exhausting and it was no wonder the original Myrna had outsourced the experience.

Balcony after balcony was taken up by one or two revelers who needed a quiet moment. Just like her. At last, she spotted an empty one and stepped in. Just to find out she was mistaken, a deep voice spoke up.

"Just the person I wanted to see. Take a seat."

Myrna turned around to apologize and excuse herself when the app provided the details to the person addressing her. Alvaro Castro. CEO and owner of Castro Analytics. Not to mention the little detail that he was the father of the original Myrna.

The shock nearly made Myrna drop her plate, but she recovered in time. Caught like a deer in the headlights, Myrna froze. How should she react? Stick to the act and pretend to be this stranger's daughter? That was crazy. Maybe it was better to be open and address his boss as a good company worker should.

"Mister Castro." She gave a slight bow. Myrna didn't dare to do more or scatter canapés around. That would make for an even worse introduction. "I wasn't made aware that you would be attending."

"How formal." Alvaro gave her a frown that was more resigned than chagrined. "Please, call me Alvaro. Or father. Yes, to break the vale for a moment, you are an actor. Humor me, will you. Apparently, this is the only kind of father-daughter time I get nowadays."

Myrna hesitated for a moment. Her "father" appeared approachable enough, but she couldn't forget that he was her boss. More specifically, Zane's boss. "Very well, father." The last word was a little bit forced. This was just plain weird, but she reckoned going through would be easier than around. "I am sorry we haven't seen each other lately. The business keeps me busy."

"The business-" Alvaro gave a sudden sharp laugh. "Good one. Oh, I know, daughter. You do work a lot of hours. Managing way too many branch offices on your own and nearly tearing my head off every time I suggest splitting the load with more people. It is commendable." He gave off a sigh that Myrna interpreted as being finished, but he suddenly flippantly continued. "Then again, I wish you would come home after work instead of taking one of our clients' androids for a joy ride, just to screw one of our employees. Not that I fault you for that. Despite the risk of HR complaints or scandals. But I'd love to see you for dinner more often. Please remember this later."

Myrna went rigid as alarm bells went off in her head. It wasn't easier this time, just because they were figurative. She might actually prefer the encounter with Alfred over this awkward situation. Did he know about the joy rides? Did original Myrna know that he knew? And the fact that most of these were with Zane wasn't lost on Myrna. Just how much did Myrna's father know? Was this his way of telling Zane off?

Myrna was just about to reluctantly speak up when Alvaro continued. "Say, what is keeping my daughter busy this evening."

"There was this business opportunity. An unexpected meeting-" Myrna started and immediately stopped as he began to chuckle.

"Business meeting? On any other day, I wouldn't doubt that excuse. You, my daughter, should think about that. Stay a little longer. Say, an hour, and then head back to the branch office you came from. Have a peek at that meeting." Another quiet chuckle, before Alvaro dropped the next bomb. "Zane Graves. Junior doll rigger. Or what do they call it nowadays in the maintenance bays? Joga dance doll? Zane Graves. Employed for a little over a year with our company. Good remarks in the file. Didn't flunk out like most of the newly hired. Does well, overall, I would say. But the question remains, my daughter. Why Zane Graves?"

The blush wouldn't leave her face no matter how often Myrna nervously swallowed. What could she say? This man had her off balance in seconds and now, she ran a high risk that might get Zane fired. She had to be diplomatic.

"The business meeting was very short notice. Zane- " A fleeting thought nearly made her laugh. How strange was it to address her original self in the third person? This whole body swap business had her mind in a pretzel. "He was available on short notice. As a personal favor."

Alvaro nodded along slightly as Myrna explained. She could tell by the laugh lines around his eyes and the slight twist of the corner of his mouth that Alvaro was amused. But how much of it was contributed to Zane, past Myrna, or present Myrna?

"And I thought the agency we usually use has plenty of actors on stand-by. Let me check. Oh, look. Over a hundred are available. Even on short notice. All of them are women, as you usually prefer those to steer your body. So, the question remains. Why Zane Graves?" Alvaro quickly held up a hand in a placating manner. "No, perhaps I don't need to know the answer to this puzzle. But a friendly advice. Maybe Zane should find out, right?" The man leaned back with a hearty chuckle. "You look a bit pale, my daughter. Eat. Drink. And maybe after, how about a little father-daughter dance. If that is all I get from my daughter then I might as well take the opportunity."

Myrna looked down on her selection of delightful morsels and suddenly had no trace of hunger left. What was her counterpart up to? The original Myrna. Just how much of this evening was a fabrication? Had there been a sudden business meeting or was that just smoke and mirrors? Original Myrna didn't strike her as a planner and schemer. Yet how well did she know the original Myrna? Now and then she rushed into the office for some hectic orders or scattering of information and then she was gone. The most time Zane spent with her was when she jumped into one of the sex androids for a stress relief session after work. Not the finest time to get the hang of someone's personality.

Myrna's father was right. She should find out why Zane of all people was chosen. There had to be a reason. One that wasn't obvious. But there was a little time left before Myrna would confront her counterpart. Her hunger returned as she took the first few bites and Alvaro turned out to be a pleasant entertainer once the mysteries were pushed aside. Telling a few anecdotes from the early days of Castro Analytics. Myrna even enjoyed the little father-daughter dance.

But then, the time was up. Bidding her farewell from the hosts, Myrna made her way back to the car. It was time to face the mysteries surrounding this evening head-on.

---

Myrna

---

The office was dark when Myrna arrived. Safe for the flickering of lights coming from the maintenance bay. A smattering of voices could be heard. It didn't sound like a business meeting. Too much shouting for Myrna's taste. Then again, how many business meetings had she attended? Shouting might be normal.

Curious, but weary, Myrna made her way closer. Suddenly reminded of the many horror flicks she had seen in her lifetime. Then one shout broke through. "Touchdown!" It was followed by enthusiastic shouts by Zane. Her original body.

Myrna headed into the maintenance bay and froze at the sight. "What the-" Where did the large couch come from? One Zane was jumping up and down. An open beer in one hand. Probably from the cooler beside the couch. Beyond that bizarre sight was a large projection of a football game. Not just any game either. The Super Bowl.

"Myrna!" Zane shouted as he spotted her. "Perfect timing. Come. Come. It's so close, you won't believe it. Ten minutes left and the Sheffield Shewolves are in the lead. I am telling you. They got this in the bag."

Myrna was baffled. This was the scheme? The hidden truth behind everything? "You switched with me so you could watch the game?"

"Games! And not just any games!" an animated slightly drunk Zane insisted. "The games. A once in a lifetime event. The Sheffield Shewolves are about to win the WNFL. And because of a loophole, They can play in the NFL too. The match for the NFL Super Bowl starts a half hour after this one concludes. Can you imagine? If one team manages to win the Super Bowl of the WNFL and the NFL? In the same year! This is gonna be epic. I am telling you."

"I know. I wanted to watch it too!" An angry outburst was maybe not the best way to address her boss, but Myrna was furious. All this cloak and dagger stuff - not to mention the hints Alvaro dropped - just to find out someone wanted to blow off her Daddy so she could watch the games. In Zane's body no less. Couldn't she have hired-

Myrna's anger evaporated in a puff. "Why switch with me? And don't give me the crap about it being short notice or a lack of actresses to choose from. That bullshit and this had been premeditated and-"

"Shh!" Pretender Zane hugged her as the game resumed. "After the game, I'll explain everything. Promise."

Well, she wanted to see the games too, so Myrna stomped over and let herself fall onto the couch. She could wait a few minutes. Hopefully, by then, her emotions would have calmed down. It was ill-advised to tear off someone's head if they were currently occupying your body.

The game resumed with another bold play by the Sheffield Shewolves, but Myrna couldn't really concentrate. Now and then glancing at Zane. Or rather, her own body animated by a different soul. The mannerisms were so different. The Zane before her was bold and radiated a kind of strength that Myrna thought wouldn't come naturally to her.

There was also the smell. Yes, she could smell the half dozen drunken beers and the one in progress. But there was more. She needed a moment to pinpoint it. Was that sweat? It wasn't much, but surprisingly it wasn't that bad to her. She even kind of liked it and-

# Compatible pheromones detected. #
# Analyzing origin. #
# Pheromones evaluated as 100% natural #

Once again, the pop-up of the app brought Myrna's thought process to an abrupt stop. She needed a moment to parse the information. Then, it blurred out of her: "I am attracted to you?"

A chuckle was the answer. Followed by: "Took you long enough."

"An app literally pointed it out to me."

Zane used the remote to mute the game. "The Shewolves have it in the bag. Guess we can do it now." He turned around to Myrna. "Technically your body is attracted to my body. Well, yours is mine and mine is yours. Okay. This is getting confusing. Switch back and I explain?"

"Sounds good to me."

Myrna was directed to stand in the same alcove she had started her journey today. Impatiently, she waited as Zane made his way over to the transfer bed. Then, the familiar feeling of fading out encompassed her.

---

Zane

---

Once more, he was Zane. Glad to be back in his original body, Zane sat up, only to nearly fall over. Just how many beers did Myrna have in his body? It couldn't possibly be just a half dozen. For that, he felt too far gone from sobriety.

Speaking of the culprit, Myrna walked into a room and offered him a packaged pill. "Here. This will sober you up quickly."

A little glare and then Zane took the pill. Dry swallowing it a moment later. That the room stopped spinning just seconds later was a miracle he ignored. Standing up, he gave Myrna a serious look. "We need to talk." Myrna pointed with her head to the hallway and Zane followed her back towards the couch. They made themselves comfortable and Myrna grabbed another beer. Zane shook his head as she offered him one too. "What was this evening all about? And please, don't bullshit me. I know you are playing some kind of game. I just haven't figured out how all the pieces fit together."

"Alright." Myrna gave a short glance at the screen and then turned around fully to give Zane her whole attention. "Let's get the obvious out of the way. I am attracted to you. You are attracted to me. Or rather, our bodies are. Do you know the difference?"

For a moment, Zane wanted to point out that Myrna could have just told him she was attracted to him and have a talk about it. Like reasonable adults. But then Zane remembered the encounter with Alfred Bramsteen and his artificial pheromones. Clearly, there was more to it and Myrna wanted him to figure it out.

"I met someone named Alfred," Zane volunteered.

A flicker of a frown was all Zane could see before Myrna had herself under control. "I kind of hoped you would. You didn't kick him in the nuts, did you?"

"App said not to," Zane remarked but then shrugged his shoulders. "Didn't say not to slap him. He might still have the outline of your hand on his cheek."

"Well, serves him right." Myrna leaned back and then gave a deep sigh. "In the circles where I now live, bodily attraction is cheaply bought. Worse, it can be wielded as a weapon. As you might have figured out."

Was Myrna implying he was somehow trying to seduce her? She was the one fucking him silly in many late-night hours. Granted, as Candi or any of the other sex bots. Then again, could these androids be impacted by pheromones?

Zane squared his shoulders and gave it his best serious face. "I swear, I am not trying to seduce you or take advantage of you."

"I know." Myrna waved her hands as if that could fan out the accusation faster. "But I had to confirm first. You know, it ain't just people like Alfred. Corporate espionage can be a wicked beast. If I tell you that it is possible to tailor a human clone exactly to the liking of a target person, would you believe me? All that is left is to find the right soul to steer it. Lots of those are waiting in the welfare slums and eager for an opportunity like that. Smuggle the candidate onto the recruitment list of the company with the target and wait for the magic to happen. Sounds like bad fiction, but no, this is the world we live in. When I first found myself attracted to you, I suspected it, but I couldn't find any evidence confirming it. But the whole point is, the whole concept of love is defunct."

Zane frowned. Like many, he hoped one day to find the one person. Someone to share his life with. Myrna's statement was a bleak one. Could he trust his own heart? If Myrna was right, the answer was no.

"Love is dead?" Zane asked. "Is that what this whole evening was all about?"

"Love is-" Myrna stopped and obviously thought about it. "A little thought experiment. We are attracted to each other and give it a go. Have a relationship. Maybe fall in love. But what happens with our love when we switch bodies? What would be left if we take away our bodily attraction?"

Love was defunct. Now Zane got it. One could still fall in love. But that was one's own body tricking a person into mistaking physical attraction for spiritual attraction. What if they started to date and then switched bodies? What would be left?

"I barely know you," Zane concluded. "The person behind the body. Behind any body you choose to inhabit. That's a poor foundation for a relationship."

"There is something else," Myrna added. Then hesitated to explain. A swig of beer helped to give her courage. "Do you know yourself? I mean, you are from the welfare slums. God, I hate them. Not you." Myrna was quick to grab Zane's arm. Her fingers kept lingering on it even as she continued. "Not even the people. I hate the concept of welfare slums. Everything you know growing up is shaped to make you all perfect candidates for various jobs. It goes beyond your basic education and whatever training courses they offer. Even your very hobbies or entertainment is restricted to those making you either more suitable or docile."

The obligatory protest was on Zane's tongue, but he stopped himself. The more he thought about it, the more it rang true. Two aspects of his welfare slum life had been watching porn and doing yoga. If anyone had asked him two years ago if either of those would help him land a job, Zane would have laughed in their face. Yet both activities had come up in the job interview he had with Myrna.

And what about now? Zane still had the same hobbies and interests as before. Reading books, doing yoga, watching porn, and a few minor activities. Just in a nicer environment. His own apartment. Granted, he wasn't much into porn anymore. The allure waned when one fucks their boss regularly in different pornstar-worthy sex androids.

The conclusion was a harsh one. "I am boring because I am one of millions from the same mold."

"That is not the point I wanted to make." Her gaze was piercing as she passionately explained. "People from the slums can be roughly put into two boxes. Number one, those that now can afford many new things and go ham buying stuff. Making debts fast and usually crash and burn within a few months. I would say that's not you. The second type hoards whatever money they can and squirrel it away for the off-chance they get fired again. Their lives are barely different than before. Nicer clothes, their own place, and better food. But they cling to who they were before. Because that's how they were taught to act. But Zane now is your time. There is uniqueness in you. It was paved over by the government and their strict education. But now is the time. You can break out of the mold. Find out who you really are."

There was a saying that came to Zane's mind at that moment: Live a little! Myrna was right. He had been stuck in a rut and hadn't even known about it. Myrna's reveal was eye-opening. Was he really living? What was there besides work? Was he blinded by cheap pleasures and failed to see the real opportunities? Myrna was right indeed. He should explore a bit. Find new hobbies. Ways to express himself. But there was indeed a problem. As much as Zane tried to come up with ideas of things to try, his mind failed him. Up to now, he had walked around with blinders on him and failed to interact with his surroundings. He escaped from the welfare slums, but it was still deep within his heart. Who was he? If Zane couldn't answer that to himself, how could anyone else?

"You have a point. Several good points. I-" Zane pinched his nose and then ran his hand through his hair. Myrna just about shattered his entire worldview. Granted, she had been gentle while doing so, but the damage was done. Yet, he recognized that he couldn't have walked forever in ignorance. This talk had been necessary. That didn't mean that it left him in a good spot. "I don't know how to go from here."

"I can't help you there. Well, I can, but I won't." Seeing the slight hurt in Zane's eyes, she rushed to explain. "Remember my not-so-hypothetical case of hiring a person from the slums to honey-trap someone from the competition? It's common. Worse, some people do it to themselves. Build the perfect lover. Falling in love: guaranteed. No surprises. You know exactly what you get."

"That sounds sad. And boring in a way." Why had Myrna directed the discussion to this topic? Zane didn't have to think very hard. "You feel that guiding me could inadvertently cause exactly that. Even unintended."

"That and-" Myrna softly squeezed his arm as assurance. "I want you to develop yourself without influence. Look, pheromones aside, I like you. But I don't want you to bend yourself into a shape just so we can be together. Don't set that as a goal. Become who you feel comfortable to be. And then, in two or three years, we will see. Maybe we will give it a shot. Or we just end up as friends. Even just remaining co-workers is okay. All of these variants are desirable in their own way."

Zane gave her a nod, but couldn't agree on all points. "I am not sure just staying as co-workers can be desirable. A relationship aside, becoming friends sounds better than nothing."

Myrna gave him a bemused smile. "You had an evening in my body. Walked in the circles I do. What is your verdict about high society?"

Instead of answering quickly, Zane gave it some thought. Step by step he went through the evening. Now with the added insight that Myrna had given him. The superficial meeting with the hosts. The run-in with Alfred. Chatting with many acquaintances about trivialities with no real substance. In a way, it was sad and a feeling of pity for Myrna flared up within Zane. The only real connection she appeared to have was with her father and that relationship appeared to be strained too.

"It's a farce," Zane concluded out loud. "The whole evening was fake. Superficial and no substance. It was a lot and not in a good way. I am sorry you have to endure that."

"I don't mind. Was born into it, really." Myrna tried to sound nonchalant, but Zane could hear it was anything but. "Truth is, I have plenty of friends that are as fake as they get. Acquaintances I have known for years and never really met. Believe me, Zane, I don't need another fake friend. I prefer a cordial co-worker over that. And so should you. But this isn't about me. It is about you and your decision. Just know this, if we ever get into a relationship - even just as friends - you will be drawn into that world. Not everyone can stomach that. You have to make up your mind if you are willing to accept that part of our world."

Zane remained quiet for a moment and contemplated all he had heard this evening. It was a lot. Then, a sharp laugh escaped him. Myrna looked at him wearily and he decided to clue her in. "All my life, I thought those wealthy people up in their towers must have it good. Luxury and freedom. But I am starting to think the whole system is rotten. From top to bottom."

"Not everything. There are niches. Spots where one can blossom. My father and I agree that we at Castro Analytics try to create as many of those spaces as we can, but it is hard. Fighting against the waves. But we are making progress. Stay with us and we will give you the best opportunity to find yourself and live a good life."

Zane had to agree. There was no doubt in his mind that most other companies never gave a shit about their employees and if they blossomed or withered away. But here, it was different. Sure, usually he saw Myrna rush by their office. Come and gone in seconds. But there was passion there. Not to mention that she cared.

"I think I need to do a lot of self-reflection."

"I know," Myrna softly said with empathy. Then suddenly perked up. "Look, the next game is starting. Go Sheffield Shewolves!"

Zane gave it a weak chuckle. For the rest of the evening, they watched the game. But most of it, Zane didn't pay attention. His mind was on other things. Who was he and what did he want to become? Simple questions that were surprisingly hard to figure out. By halftime, he only knew one thing: he wouldn't solve this mystery tonight. It helped him enjoy the rest of the game.

The end.

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Author’s Note

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Dear Reader.

Thank you for making it through another Maintenance Workout story. I know, originally the Maintenance Workout stories were all about sexy fun and hijinx. But it was time for Zane to have a bit of character development and it gave me pause. Where did I want to go with this series?

The next few installments will be a bit more serious too. But don’t worry. There will be more sexy hijinx too. Provided my dear readers vote for this series again. Speaking of. This story was voted for on my Discord server. If you want to have a say in it too, you can join for free here: Cassy's Library

Until next time.

Hugs and kisses,

Cassy