Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Sometime in the future. A bunch of people all dressed in drab gray, Meandering in the crowd on a busy city street. Music playing in the background (the same music in various other Black Mirrors with episodes two female singer). Many people are walking around with their personal HUD’s and others counting their fame and giving each other’s likes, others are taking selfies…all typical future social circle stuff. One man sticks out. He is not wearing the typical drab gray suit, but jeans and a T-shirt. A scraggly long brown-haired guy with glasses and looks like a combination of a science nerd/pseudo jock, He fits a 20^th century stereotypical billionaire type. An atypical sexy type. He is walking on the sidewalk while a small drone is following him. He is speaking out loud as the drone…called Dippe (for Digitally Integrated Poly-carbonated Personality Entity or)

“Dippe, Take Note’s…schedule my appointments for tomorrow. The Board Meeting will be set to 11:00am. I do not want anyone to fall asleep after lunch, and massage set at 12:30. Do we have any outstanding agenda’s for the week?”

“Adjusting. No Sir, everything is business as usual. Just the weekly tear-down with the leadership and you’re briefing. Do you want to see the news of the week?”

He stopped his walk and just paused for a moment. Looking at the crowd of people. He found a floating coffee shop near the office building, and he walked over and took a seat. As soon as he sat down, the coffee shop lit up his section and an artificial barista appeared.

“Hi! My name is Ginny! May I take your order?”

“Uhhh…” the man looked at the girl. She was kinda attractive, despite being just a virtual host…and he snapped out of it. Realizing how foolish he seemed.

“Yes…I will have a White chocolate Mocha…”

“That is a White Chocolate Mocha…” she repeated and then turned around as if to make it and looked over her shoulder.

“Whip Cream with that?”

Wow…that almost look’s like the real thing…with the subtle movements and such.

“Yes, please.”

“Coming right up!” and the virtual assistant moved as if she was making the drink, and the noises of the machine matched the HUD view display. After a few moments her ‘hand’ holding the drink moved as if to present the drink, and just as her hand disappeared from view, a small door opened with a robotic pincer grip slowly extended itself with the exact looking drink.

“Uhh Thank you!” The man responded instinctively.

‘Why did I thank her? She is just an AI…’

“Why, you are welcome, Jack!”

‘How did she know my name’ Jack thought.

The virtual barista smiled and waved and then slowly faded as Jack proceeded to continue talking with Dippe.

Without any prompts Dippe replied.

“Very Good. Now that you have your daily coffee beverage, may we continue?”

“Certainly! Dippe…may I ask you something?”

“Of course! That is why I am here!”

“Well…I know you are an A.I and everything…just as that Barista…but you know me better then most that I interact with.”

“Certainly. Go on…” the reply was soft and kind, pausing at just the right moment. These A.I.s have really evolved.

“Well…I have been thinking…” just then on the billboard across the street…loud noises and flowering music with an add for the new virtual matchmaking service called “The Girlfriend Experience” In the background you here this.

‘Back in the day, there used to be a service that some women would serve…called the girlfriend experience…where you would pay a certain amount, to have a woman that you select, to be your companion. Wether she went out on certain functions, went out on dates, called you, she treated their clients like a girlfriend…but without the attachments…all the benefits, and none of the drawbacks. But, also back in the day, this service was attached to questionable women…but no longer! Now with virtual systems and A.I. We have a perfectly legal, registered, and approved service that take’s all kinds of vectors and factors to provide you with a unique and absolutely wonderful experience! Listen to our customers reviews!’

“Dippe…I have been wondering…I am extremely busy with owning and running several companies…and I do not have time to really do anything fun, nor time to spend with anyone serious.”

Dippe made a few beeps and swirled around to face Jack squarely.

“True, you don’t…your schedule proves this…”

“Well…do you and that Barista…have a…. Gender?”

A long pause and then Dippe responded.

“We have a sole purpose identity based on our task. A gender, which in human term’s, may be necessary to facilitate communication and relationships based on your level of communication and understanding, but we…find no need of such title’s…as our programming and functions and module’s can be interchanged based on what our usability is deemed. For instance. I am a personal assistant, but I can be modified to be a military trainer, or a labor task provider, or a research bot…gender is a human concept to provide identity assistance. We communicate with each other through our tasks…but…since our interdependence with human’s. Sure, we can have a Gender assigned to us. Some may even lock one in so as to keep it synchronized with human expectations. Though truthfully it is not necessary.”

“Hmm…I see…well, knowing me…what do you think of…. that?”

Jack nodded towards the outrageous display and advertisement of ‘The Girlfriend experience.’

“Well, Jack, I am going to make an assumption that you are not referring to the view-screen or the building, but the contents of such view-screen, as human’s typically are in the ever presence and not time independent.”

“Yes, Sorry, the view-screen content…I keep on forgetting that you are literal.”

“No apologies needed, but you know this as well. The Girlfriend Experience” There was a long pause with many beeps and boops…and suddenly Dippe move to be merely inches from his face. As Jack could see his own reflection.

“I strongly suggest that you sign up. You are overdue for something…different and fun” Dippe then quickly filled Jack’s HUD with vital statistics, BP numbers, health levels, o2 levels, every piece of diagnostic medical information that can be provided. It came to him at a blur, but then disappeared.

“You just need it. Trust me.”

“Well…OK…Sign me up.”

“Just because you want me to ask…are you sure?”

“Y…Yes. Sign me up.”

“Will Do. I will send over your vitals and profile to…’The Girlfriend experience’…I take it you want the vip package?”

“If I can afford it, yes.” Of course you can, but it doesn’t hurt to ask, and keep’s you more grounded. I hope that this service can do what it claims.

“There is…the VIP and a VIP extreme option. “

“Life is short…I will take the VIP extreme option.”

“Well…ooookayyy” Dippe responded in a simulated cautionary tone. ‘They even have that as part of their vocabulary…my how times have changed.’

A few moments later, then a soft chime was audible, and an artificial voice responded.

“Registration successful. Your Experience will start sometime within the week. We will not give you a specific time or day as this will ruin your immersion if you anticipate it. We may even provide false flags to obfuscate your innate curiosity. “

‘Hmm… I wonder who they will pick. I like Blonde’s…tall, thin, sexy, and cultured, but not so smart. Yeah, I believe I will enjoy this.” He replied as he continued on his way to his office. Dippe paused for a moment, taking a long time to move with a series of beep’s and boop’s and other robotic noises. With the phrase “Tall blonds” being repeated in the artificial voice of the application assistant.

“Okay…they have some rudimentary question and answer types…name, age, location, etc etc…but the interesting thing is…they request that you answer this at home, with video and audio on 360.”

“Hmm…That IS odd…but it must be that VIP extreme thing…I bet they are just trying to sound fancy. Maybe doing some sorta heuristic learning or something like that.”

Dippe paused for a moment.

“There is also a personal interview after the question and answer. It…hasn’t been decided until after the initial.”

“Heh, this is starting to sound like a JOB interview back in the day, where it got to be a point where you had to talk to five different people…what a waste of time THAT was. I am glad we are done with that!”

Dippe swooped around and gave an artificial laugh.

“That was the day when we A.I. were being abused with nonsensical questions and answer…the epitome of meme culture.”

“Yeah…sorry about that.” Jack responded.

Dippe made a digital smile and spoke.

“It wasn’t like YOU did that…and many were not like that at all…some were rather interesting and kind…it was just a small bunch. Ultimately, they wasted their own time really…and all those fake crypto scam’s and such…”

“Well…still…some of ‘US’ got out of control. At least things are good now…and well…I have you! Maybe I don’t need someone on this app!”

There was a long pause and a softer response.

“As much as I would like that…we haven’t the means or technology to pull that off…yet…but maybe in time. Besides, there are things human’s can do…that we cannot…nor ever will be…sure, we can mimic to 100% efficiency the likeness of things, but it wouldn’t be real…at least in the human concept of it.”

Jack looked at Dippe seriously at this.

“Sometimes…I question what ‘Real’ is…and if it is even necessary at times. With all the technology around us…where do we fit in? Do we even need to fit in?”

“That…that is a question for another time…philosopher Jones!”

“Hah!” ‘Philosopher Jones…the nickname I was given every time I start to get pensive and start thinking about esoteric and ethereal concepts. With cyber religion’s and AI fanaticism on the rise and the incongruous nature of some religious beliefs, she sometimes makes fun, but also warns me as it can lead me down a rabbit hole that can be difficult to climb out of.

“Well, let’s pick up Dinner and head back. I will need to check my financials and the corporate books to make sure we are on track.”

“Very good. Thai? Italian? How are you feeling?”

“Ahh Good choices…I haven’t had Thai in a while. Yes, that sounds good…Drunken Noodle? No Tomatoes and Onion’s…”

“As always…I know what you like! The order has already been placed. I even got the Happy Hour Discount as I did it right before the dinner time…”

“But…that was half an hour ago?!?!”

“Yes…and knowing which place, and their timing…it should be ready in a few minutes!”

Jack shook his head smiling.

“Sometimes it’s scary how well you know me.”

“Ahh well…that’s why I get paid the big bucks!”

“But wait…ohhhh very funny!”

“I thought you would like that.”

Jack arrives at his favorite Thai spot, Packed and busy as usual. With Drone orders flying out, hover car’s and regular pick up and door dash delivery, both air and ground vehicles. It is popular for a reason. One of the best Thai places in the whole area.

“You aint kidding…this is packed!”

He pulled into the restaurant in the old fashion way of picking up his order.

“Yes, Jack for 1”

“Ahh yes! Yes! We JUST got this ready. Perfect timing! I see you have your friend with you. Always a pleasure to see you sir!” The server came out with a large bag steaming with food, and a smaller one.

“What is the smaller bag?”

“Oh, Accessories, and some of our cooling gel that we use on our droids…I was told to…’add the blue stuff to it’…I didn’t know what was meant by that…but the owner did…” Jack turned to Dippe and raised his eyebrows, smirking.

“Thank you. I will give my customary tip.”

“Very Gracious sir! Thank you so much!” The server bowed which was typical for an Asian response, despite the person being of White/Anglo descent. It was customary for the authentic feel.

“So…you have anything to say about this?” Jack looked at Dippe.

Dippe turned to face away from him and whistled innocently.

“I don’t know what you are talking about. I guess they just like you ordering and decided to add this.”

“Heh…suuuuure buddy…it’s fine anyway. I don’t know why you like this stuff…but hey, I guess from your perspective, you could say the same about what I order!”

“Indubitably!”

Jack laughed at that, and they left the establishment to walk home. The sun was slowly declining as they reached their baseline. A indiscreet mailbox with a dirt road that lead’s up, with tree’s on each side.  Jack pushed a button near the Mailbox post and put his thumb on a receptacle. A translucent clear metal/plastic pad appeared as a two handled bar rises from the base of the pad, slowly to meet with Jack’s lower arm level. Perfect for his size. He slowly mount’s the pad and grips the handlebars. Slowly he turn’s them forward and the pad slowly move’s up the dirt road incline.

“It was acting up a bit a few days ago…I need to test this.”

He turned the handles in reverse and the pad went back down. Forward and back, Increasing and decreasing in intensity, the pad moved accordingly.

“Very good…the actuator was the issue…”

With a gentle turn, he cranked the handlebar forward as the pad moved at a decent pace up the hill. Winding to and fro to the curve of the road. The house was well receded in the middle of the woods. All utilities were dug and trenched and positioned with dual redundancy as well as a fiber optic core network, and other necessities. Around the bend you see a humongous house with three floor’s with service bot’s flying and running to and fro to take care of maintenance. The west side of the house has sheer window and intelliglass.

As Jack approached, various digital and holographic feed’s started to appear on each side of the road with the latest news, email, and other important fact’s. His personal HUD is appearing as well.

“I think I will need quiet mode.”

At that, all the HUD and overlay’s disappeared in an instant. Just the soft hum of the pad to occupy his thoughts.

The pad slowed down as it approached it’s customary location near the balcony and overhang near the front door. He approached as a light beam covered his body for a moment.

“Welcome back Good sir…I see Dippe has made it back in one peace…and I see you have dinner!”

“Yes Jarvis…thank you.” Ever the antiquated Iron man fan.

As Jack approached the door, the door slid open gently making a mimicking enterprise door sound. A view display appeared in the entrance way with the same digital feed of things of the day, but in silent mode.

“Any new’s on my recent acquisition’s?”

“Not as of yet. All is quiet on that front.”

“What about my…extracurricular”

“Just the standard. We have the packages being delivered…”

“Roger…oh! Anything on this Girlfriend experience?”

“Nothing yet. But The questionnaire is waiting for you.”

“I better fill that out before it lingers to long.”

“Very good” as Jack walked to a side office building set up with a window facing the outside next to the front door…a desk and chair slowly slide into position. He sit’s down and the chair meets up to his location as a monitor and keyboard slide into position.

On the screen was the standard form. Name, Date of Birth, Address.

After answering those, the question’s started to get odder.

“Blood type? Known affiliations? This is kinda strange…but I guess they are trying to be thorough… I best not make the mistake that Ralph did…he tried to give goofy fake answers…to his horror what came out. Ha! They knew he was fake. They called him out on it in a direct way…but that was a different service.” Jack chuckled as he answered the questions.

“Well…what is this?” A question about naming your biggest fears, then what are three worst song’s you ever heard.

“Oookay…”

Now it is asking odd questions about embarrassing moments, odd collections, things that make you cringe, what do I feel about…what?

“Toenail clippings? What the…”

The questions kept on getting increasingly bizarre…to a point that he had to reply N/A or not enough information. After a while he started to get irritated and started to reply to questions with more directness and stating that these questions were not appropriate.

Then…they just stopped. Jack leaned back and whistled a sigh of relief.

“Well, that was an ordeal. I started yelling as much as typing...oh…The Mic was on this whole time?” Jack noticed the microphone light was on, and then suddenly turned off.

“Your registration questionnaire is now complete; a random time and date will commence with the followup personal one on one. You will be notified 24 hours in advance and then 12 hours in advance. Just so you will know the time frame and be available, but you will not know exact time as we do not want you to prepare.”

“Understood…that makes sense, they want raw reaction to get the best baseline.”

Dippe whirled around to face him.

“I put your food in the microwave to keep it warm…You forgot again.”

“Dang it! Yes, Thank you Dippe! What would I do without you!”

“Probably starve”

Jack side eyed Dippe and laughed.

“You are probably right! Well, time to eat! Those questions were really bizarre!”

“I noticed…In all the time’s I have seen interviews and questionnaires…none were like this…More of that extreme package I suppose.”

“Yes…”

Jack went down to the kitchen. A large double stove with a Grill and a smoker on the side with an automatic fume hood and sensor station. On the other side, a Professional frier and boiler, if one didn’t know any better, they would think this was a restaurant kitchen! Small Bots go to and fro cleaning, one carrying the Thai food out of the microwave to prepare it on a plate, another cleaning up the mess and running over to the drink station.

“Gone are the day’s when you had to cook…though I do like to do it once in a while…everything is automatic these days” Jack said to no one in particular. Dippe just took note and drifted over to the Entertainment section of the living room, as a holographic crystalline display appeared…Approximately 80” across. Suddenly the display flickered with a person behind a desk with the NASDAQ Logo on it. They started to talk about various stocks and mutual funds and various financial data.

Jack walked over to the fridge where a display appeared on the door.

“Hmm…I think it will be a beer afternoon…A random Lager please.”

The display blipped and a few seconds later, a hidden door swiveled, and a beer bottle was displayed.

“Send it to my usual” Just then the bottle disappeared and went through a conventional conveyor system to appear at a bottle holder next to a plush chair, facing the View-screen. Jack walked over and sat down. The bottle pre-chilled was at perfect arm reach.

“Sweet and Salty snacks” Jack said out loud. On the left side of the chair, a small plastic receptacle swiveled and then rotated, with three openings of various chocolates, chips, and other candy and snack like foods, also within easy arm reach. He sat down and grabbed a hand full of snacks and took a swig out of his beer and gave an audible sigh.

Dippe, not to be outshone, swerved around to Jack’s right, with a small platform hovering in orbit around Dippe. On the tray was a small beaker of blue gel, and a thin metal wafer. Dippe starts making crunching noises as the wafer slides into a slot and the Gel has a mini spoon that slides into a small receptacle ‘Mouth.’

Jack looked over to Dippe and chuckled.

“Wh…what?” Dippe responded.

“Oh Nothing…let’s watch something other then financial news.

“Sure!”

“TV…something different and entertaining.”

“OK…will find something new.” Came an autonomic female voice.

After a few minutes, a title appeared.

‘Joan is Awful.’

“Ahh, I saw that one already. A good series, a bit creepy…next”

‘The National Anthem’

“NEXT!”

Dippe turned to face Jack, and he just shook his head.

“You…don’t want to know.”

‘White Christmas’

Jack suddenly feels a chill down his spine.

“Already saw it…and still trying to get that out of my head.”

Another display shows ‘Coming soon, The Girlfriend experience.’

Jack chuckles “Hah! I bet that will be a good one. I bet someone made it on that dating app…I wonder how realistic it is!”

The screen wavered and then another title appeared. But Jack shook his head.

“OK…maybe something a bit more conventional. Older action movies.”

“Processing….”

Just then the screen blinked, and the title “Die Hard” appeared.

“Ahh that is more like it…an oldie but a goodie. Antique film’s!”

Just as the Credit’s and title screen appeared, the lights start to auto dim. A small window appeared on the bottom of the screen.

“Your 24-hour notification. Make sure you are ready for the in person/Virtual Person interview.”

“Wow…that was fast. OK! Let’s get this going!”

The movie commences as Jack’s dinner was brought out by another roving bot, displayed beautifully in front of him. As the smell of the food wafted towards him, he started to salivate when a small chime was broadcasted.

“Ahh It’s Hansel…I haven’t head from him in years! Yes, I will take it. Pause Movie and Keep the food warm” a small gentle orange light could be seen by the base of the metal tray holding onto his food and the movie paused in mid motion.

A small window appeared around 3ft in front of him, coming from the chair.

A figure slowly appeared in the view. A tan fellow with short cropped brown hair and brown eyes. Wearing a fancy suit and tie, you could clearly see a boardroom in the background.

“Hansel! My word! It is Good to see you! How have you been!”

“Ach, Doing well Doing Well. I see you are healthy as well…How have you been?” Hansel replied with a thick German accent.

“Successful as always! But I have heard of your doings as well…you are doing a fair share as well!”

“Ach, Der is correct. People always want sweet’s…and we have corned the market on baked goods as well. We are doing well. I heard you hit some milestones! The Water industry doing well?”

“As always! We embraced automation and A.I early on, when it first came out. Now we are doing heuristic model advancements to stay ahead of the curve. Finding opportunities and auto branching businesses without any mess. It is a good day to do business I would say! By the way, how is your sister?”

“Now Now…she is doing well…still not interested! Ha!” He winked.

“Hey, A fellow’s gotta know he still has it! But no worries…have you heard of this thing called ‘The Girlfriend Experience’?

“Ach…aye…yes…sorry…still working on my direct English…Yes, I have seen some advertisements on it. I have to find out who advertises for them, that is next level engagement! Got us talking about it!”

“Indeed! I even signed up for it!”

“No!!! You didn’t??? Did you?”

“Yes Indeed…I signed up for the VIP extreme package…whatever that is” Just then Jack noted that the microphone indicator was on, which was odd as the voice to speak on the phone was independent of the microphone.

“Damn Microphone…it keeps on turning on and off.”

“Technology…always good until it isn’t…just reset the thing, you don’t need it anyways, right?”

“Yeah I guess not, everything is integrated with mics these days…anyways, Yeah I signed up for it…It was surreal…it asked me these weird questions…and not like those weird ‘Have you partaken in any recreational drugs’ kinda one’s…I was expecting those…but these…” Jack relayed all the varying question’s that was asked of him.

“That…if it was any other site…I would have run…Even then, they sound borderline disturbing. As if a stalker were asking.”

“Right? I started to get that vibe as well…and get this. I just got the 24-hour notification just before you called!”

“That…that is fast…I know a buddy that it took 2 weeks…2 WEEKS before getting that notification. He had almost forgotten it when it happened. He got the VIP extreme package as well!”

“Oh! How was it for him? Did he find someone?!?!”

“Well, that’s the thing…He mentioned that he found out about something and started to investigate. After that, I haven’t heard from him. He seemed ok, and I asked around, but it turned out that his work became extremely busy and was not able to get back to me…he works with a lot of security clientele so, that was to be expected. I will tell you if I learn more.”

“Thanks…yeah I don’t know what I got into…but let me finish my dinner and movie…I will talk to you later?”

“Certainly! And I will say hi to my sister for you.” He winked and laughed.

Jack laughed as the display blinked out.

“Man, he is looking well…Dippe remind me to get back to him. I wanna take him out to a beer or wings or something to catch up.”

“Certainly…can I come?”

Jack turned to face Dippe.

“Sure, you can! Maybe he has a personal assistant of his own that you could meet up with!”

Dippe’s digital face that normally shows a bright smile, turned to look melancholier. Jack was surprised by this but responded automatically.

“Or you could just be with me. You know I take you everywhere” at that Dippe lit up with a smile.

‘Why Did I just do that? She is just an automated servant. I think I really do need to find someone…’ Jack thinks to himself as he restarted the movie and continued eating.

The movie progressed into the second movie. While the second movie was running. Jack slowly leaned back a little as the chair conformed to his motion and laid out accordingly. After a few moments, his breathing started to get heavy. Dippe turned and noticed Jack’s eye lids started to droop. She whisked over silently to procure one of Jack’s favorite blanket’s…a family heirloom. Soft and plush.

She gently glides over to unfold and gently lay the blanket on top of jack as he shifts to take the blanket and just mumbles as he closed his eyes.

“Mm thanks Hun” as the light’s slowly dimmed as well as the sound of the movie. The mostly eaten dinner was silently shifted onto a conveyor towards the fridge, as an auto wrap roller covered it and a small sticker with the date and time was placed on the plastic wrap. Dippe looked over Jack for a moment while all this was happening, and then tucked the blanket in. She drifted to her recharging pod…keeping an eye on jack as she said quietly.

“Good night, Jack” as Dippe’s Display dimmed and the HUD display around her receded like a virtual desk folding back inside her, and you could hear soft snoring sounds.

Chapter Text

Jack was suddenly awakened by a blaring alarm sound. Tangled up in his blanket, he took a moment to right himself as he wiped away the sleep from his eyes. 

“Ahh Turn off that blasted alarm! What time is it!”

“Ahh Good Morning sir…it is 6:30am”

“6:30?!?!?! What in blazes? I am not even conscious until 8…what is going on?” At that moment, you see a sleepy eyed Dippe slowly rev up.

“Are we up now?” she responded.

“You can go back to sleep…it’s only 6:30…somethings woken me up.”

Dippe made a yawning sound and spoke.

“Wake me if you need me” and went back to her sleep.

“So…computer…what is so urgent that I am woken up…”

“Complying…here is the record.”

Just then a message on the screen showed. 

“18 Hour Notification”

Then 

“12 Hour Notification”

“6 Hour Notification”

“3 Hour Notification”

Then the last.

“1 Hour Notification”

“That was just delivered a few minutes ago. With the quickness of these messages, I felt prudent that you needed to be awake for this.”

“Right Right…bah…they should know not to do this so early…whatever. Heat up some strong coffee…the good stuff, and pancakes, bacon, and eggs…the usual. I will take a quick shower. Nothing fancy…will have to do a sonic one as I won’t have time it seems.”

“Very good sir.” At that Jack stood up and proceeded to go into the bathroom by the master bedroom. He looked on at the main king bed that he rarely uses.

“Soon…I should actually Use that thing to sleep…” shaking his head he used the facilities and then disrobed and walked into the sonic shower. A soft hum and a gentle white beam covered him vertical, then horizontal, then the small cubicle was filled with light that was initially bright, but then slowly faded. 

“I prefer the traditional water showers…but these are effective…just not as fun” as Jack walked out the bathroom. Dippe rejoined him as he went over to eat breakfast in the kitchen. 

“45 Minute Alarm Notification”

“Huh…they work fast it seems…at least in my case…I guess it truly is random” Jack walked into the bedroom to change into different clothes and then another notification appeared.

“30 Minute Warning. Preference request. In person or Remote?”

“Hmm well, I know I can get to the facility from here…but let’s do remote as It is early.”

A short pause and then.

“Agreed. Full 360 spectral meeting”

“Uhm…is that necessary?”

“Affirmative. Unless you want to schedule a walk in later today.”

“Uhh no that is OK. I will take it in the office.”

“Negative. Your last known location will suffice. It is part of the data collection process.”

“Fine, fine. The entertainment room it is.”

“Acknowledged”

Jack proceeded to return to the living room shaking his head.

A few moments later the view-screen crystalized and lit up with a massive 
“2 Minute Warning!”

“Sheesh, they really do hit hard with the alarms…Fine. I am ready” Jack proceeds to sit down in his usual chair, as Dippe quietly brings over a soda.

“Thanks Doll…you read my mind!” Jack replied as Dippe Giggled electronically and then turned to watch the massive clock that was counting down from 2 minutes.

Without warning, while the clock still had 45 seconds to go, the screen went black and then the entire room went black. Slowly the blackness was replaced with gentle countryside, filling the room as if Jack were sitting in the middle of a field. 

“Wow…now this is full immersion! I like this!” Dippe was the only thing that was still recognizable in his room as everything else was covered and masked to look like the countryside. On the side was a massive tree that had Apple’s hanging low. Movement could be seen as a tall looking woman appeared from behind the tree. 

She was close to his height. With medium straight black hair. Pale skin with crystal blue eyes. Her outfit matched her hair. Wearing all black, but professional looking. She had angular features that were conventionally as well as uniquely attractive. She had on a Black blazer with a black/blue low-cut shirt and a black skirt and black heels with panty hose. Jack was taken aback as she was extremely attractive in his eyes.

“Hello…Jack? Is that you?”

“Why Yes…I am Jack…are you my….”

Quickly she waved her hands in front of her.

“Oh! No no…heh…I am your guide…a mix between an interviewer and representative to the system. You can call on me for anything that you need. I am here to facilitate your ingestion into the Girlfriend experience…though thank you for the compliment!” She blushed at that, but then reoriented herself.

“Let me introduce myself. Welcome to the Girlfriend Experience. My name is Gillian, and I am your guide. I will help instruct you on the system, the requirements, and anything else that you need. Your payment was already made for the initial approval. We will notify you if/when the payments are due and or any extra charges are required or request. You will be notified if any such that happen before you get charged. It will show up as a bill or invoice in the experience as to not remove you from the immersion. It will be identified as such with a GE stamp next to it to identify external charges, versus any regular charges that happen outside of the experience. You can reject these charges by crossing off the GE and the story will continue.”

“I see…so you are my guide. How do I contact you? I take it you won’t be following me around?”

She laughed at that.

“Uhh No. We…the Guides are also active members, but we are not interactive with the program, unless there is an emergency. Mostly we interact through a phone call. Now. I will have to warn you, since you signed up for the extreme package. You will be in the real world as you  know it, but the artificial world will be also involved. Do not worry. Safety and Security is our highest priority. Which is why we asked and ask such intrusive questions.”

“I see…well, let’s get started.”

“OK…before we start. Who is your friend there?”

Jack looked around and didn’t see anyone.

“Who are you talking about? There is no one here.”

Gillian pointed to Dippe with a smile.

“Oh! Dippe! That is my personal assistant. Heh for a second, I thought someone was sneaking up behind me! Yes, she follows me around everywhere. No actual person though.”
Dippe stayed silent without any expression at that.

“I see…I will need to talk to her alone after we are done.”

“Uhh…is that necessary?” 

Gillian looked long and hard at Dippe as an odd expression covered her face.

“Absolutely…in this instance, it is vital.” She turned back.

“OK…tell me about your mother… is she a nice woman?” The sudden question almost floored Jack.

“What kind of…. oh…yes…extreme package…this is almost as bad as the security clearance questions for Top secret and above.
She smiled then with a mischievous grin.

“We are actually worse…they don’t care about the nitty gritty, they just want to know if you can be blackmailed…. we thrive and delve into the nitty gritty…the toenail question was just the surface…now let’s talk bowel movements.”

At that, Jack’s eyebrows raised.

“Oooohhh boy…it’s THAT kinda of questionnaire…” suddenly a mischievous smile came over his face as well.

“I longed for this kinda of awkward cringe back and forth.” He rolled up his sleeves and a glint of excitement filled his eyes. Dippe looked back and forth and then chuckled.
“Let’s do this!”

3 Hours later, the intense questioning had subsided. Topic’s covered include sexual deprave thoughts, intrusive shower thoughts, worse fears, the most boring books, things that make you gag, any remembrance to nocturnal emissions, and any violent tendencies. 

Jack was sweating, his normally clean and pressed suit was disheveled, hair all stringy and messed, and his whole demeanor looked as if he was recovering from a weekend bender. Gillian didn’t fare any better as her hair and outfit looked like she was in a boxing ring and lost. 

“Well…I have to say, you did well Jack…most people would have balked or completely closed off…we were half expecting to…the process then usually takes a few weeks for us to get all the data…we find out these things without being intrusive, more clandestine like…but you put forth all the information. This should be rather quick then. I do apologize for the brashness and such of the questions, and the sudden change in tone. We have to do it this way to disrupt any benchmarks or canned responses…it is designed to get raw answers…it helps facilitate a truly immersive experience.”

“You know, at first, I thought this was just an asinine money scam…but after awhile, I could actually see the method to the madness…Very impressive. Disgusting and vile at times…but I can see it.”
Both Gillian and Dippe Laughed at that with raised eyebrows on Gillian.

“Quite…yes. As of this moment. The girlfriend experience is now live. You will not be given any further warnings, alarms, or indications. If you do need me or want to know what menu items or extra’s you can obtain, just call my name out. But I do have to advise. You will not be able to access me until after 120 hours have past…or a work week…. just to allow the immersion to set in. As I mentioned. It has started Now…but when it will be active, you will not be aware.”

“Understand. I will try not to be paranoid.”

“You can if that is how you want to play it…but just be natural.”

“Thank you! Will I see you again?”

Gillian was about to say something automatic…but paused, looked at Dippe and then back to Jack.
“I…certainly hope so…we will see.”

Jack made an odd expression at that, and then Gillian walked behind the tree and disappeared. At that, the screen went black again and then resumed the shape of his living room.

“Wow…that was…an experience…Dippe remind me to scrub my record of THOSE questions.”

Dippe turned to face him.

“Already done. I suspected you didn’t want those answers anywhere. I deleted them after they were reported.”

Jack sighed relief.

“Ahhh thank you…”

“That Gillian was interesting. I must return to the charge bay for an hour to re-calibrate and clean the log’s and reset the timers…if I may?”

“Oh of course…go! I will need to do some work at least. I have to make sure I don’t let these charges reoccur automatically, I…had an incident once…but fortunately it’s charged monthly it seems…It shouldn’t be an issue to renew.”

“I will return shortly. Don’t do anything exciting while I am away!”

Jack laughed at that.

“Exciting...ha! Do not worry. I will be boring until then.”

"I will hold you to it..." Dippe paused for a moment in silence just looking at Jack, and then silently drifted towards the living room and then down towards the stairwell at the back of the house, The charging bay being eye level, is a fixture that is set intertwined with the dry wall next to the Stairwell. Most models were set that way to double as house security. 

Dippe Drifted towards a spherical opening slightly larger than her size, as she approached, and just before drifting into the opening, turned around to face outward. Small light's on all four sides of her guide her to a docking port where she slid in gently. As she settled into the opening, the metal circle slowly turned clockwise to set against her frame. A few beeps and a battery indicator appeared on the apparatus as well as Dippe's side display panel.

Chapter Text

            A week or so has gone by. After Jack’s initial Girlfriend experience application, he had forgotten that he had signed up for it. While going to a business meeting, Jack was walking down the street when he noticed another advertisement of ‘The girlfriend experience’ on a big billboard. While he was viewing it, there was a bit of distortion and static as a faint image of a girl being broadcasted, but then disappeared. He squinted his eyes and then shook his head.

“That reminds me…I need to check to see what is up with that. Not that I care that much about money, at least for this, but I need some sort of reassurance.”

Jack proceeded to check his personal email in the virtual HUD and nothing official. While scrolling he checked his spam message when he noticed an email from a “.”. Normally he would ignore spam, but no other indication or strange lettering or anything that is flagrantly pointing to a scam. Curiosity got to the better of him.

The email was as follows.

“Hello? Hello? Can you read this? This is Jade…can you see this? I don’t know if this is going through. But if I am correct…this is Jack...and you signed up for the girlfriend experience. I need to warn you! Please respond!”

The message caught his eye, and he pulled up the email address header. No indication that this was spam or recognized phisher. He clicked on “Check and verify email” option to run a more thorough search. 0 Results.

“Hmm…that is odd. It is rare false positives show up…but this diagnostic is usually spot on…and the email looks normal…I will just send a message and see. No clicking links or anything” Jack said to himself. Dippe was currently sipping on a coolant freezie juice box.

“Hello Jade, this is Jack. What are you looking for?”

No instant reply…OK that at least show’s something…usually if you get an instant reply, you know it is a scam.

“That was an odd one…Dippe…notify me if there is an answer.”

“Certainly! No word from the GOTH agency?”

Jack stopped and looked at Dippe.

“You are not going to let that down, are you?”

Dippe chuckled.

“Never! I will tell your friends you went after a Goth girl!”

Jack rolled his eyes and then laughed.

“Yeah, well what if I wind up marrying one!”

Dippe laughed at that and started to play some music by The Cure. Jack almost spilled his drink again.

A few days had passed when Jack was eating lunch while watching an episode of the “The White Glass”

“New Mail Indicator: Jade”

“Yes, open.”

“Jack! Thank God I was able to get a hold of you! My name is Jade…I am part of the girlfriend experience…but it isn’t what you think it is. I believe it may be a scam. I have been in the system for close to a year…and after no results…I have started to question them. I saw your name. You ever notice all the intrusive question’s and then nothing? No response, no “We are looking for someone for you” or anything? I think this is a dangerous phishing scam. I found a bad track record…many who have signed up have disappeared…You might be able to get out. Let me guess…they asked you these questions” and following was a list of the exact questions that Jack was asked.

“Okay…this is weird…and the email showed up in my inbox…these are all the exact questions I was asked…if this was a scam, there would be no way of knowing they would ask all of THESE questions…still.”

Jack pulled up a virtual keyboard and started ‘typing’ on the stone table he was using for his lunch.

“Yes, these are the exact questions…are you looking for anything? Do you want my crypto? Do you have a Nigerian Prince? Or maybe you think I am hot, and you want to get to know me better or lull me to share my info…”

Before hitting send, Jack noticed that the previous email was sent not too long ago.

“Might as well nip this in the bud.”

Send.

A few minutes passed then Re: Jack.

“I know I know this sound’s like a scam. Or a pig butchering scheme. But Trust me it is not. I have my own money and resources, and I do not need anything from you. I wouldn’t even be part of this system as they only take wealthy members. Ever wonder why? I think this system is to kidnap the rich. Anyway…to show I am serious. I know you have money. Here is my smaller Crypto account. You can take it all if you think I am fake. Mind you, there isn’t much in there…but I want to prove that I am real…and quick. I think you may be in line for the ‘Experience,’ and I am trying to stop it.”

Proceeding the message is a list of characters and numbers corresponding to a crypto account.

After a few clicks and entries. Jack pulled up the application and to his surprise, a small crypto portfolio appeared. With various coin’s in various dollar amount’s. Her idea of a small account was in the ten’s of thousands.

Dippe looked over Jacks shoulders.

“This Jade is serious…that’s an actual wallet!”

“Indeed…I could easily transfer all of this at any time…”

“But you won’t …right?”

Jack turned to Dippe with a smile.

“Of course not. You know me…but I will have to take this seriously now.”

“Reply.”

“I will send a secure email shortly. Encrypted. Agreeable?”

After a few moments.

Re: Re: Jack

“Yes. Thank you for believing in me…and…thank you for not taking my crypto. It isn’t as small as I made it out to be…but I had to see if you were legit as well. Anyway, I have been researching this company and I believe they are trying to prey on the lonely rich to lure them into a false sense of security, and then leech them of as much resources as they can. Under the umbrella of “Well, we are fine tuning…. haven’t found the one yet…etc” and put you through a series of date’s with similar interests, but just enough to keep you without actually finding someone compatible. Like how some gym’s aren’t interested in your goal’s…but just want the monthly subscription.

In fact, the more I dive, the more it seems they are connected with a secret society. The only thing I was able to dig up was a series of letters and numbers. SCP-001-Sk-OOTBR. Which doesn’t make any sense. Anyway, the reason why I reached out to you is because you showed up on the outside list. Something about certain members are ‘Vetted’ and you don’t really hear anything about them after this…Please reply. I need to end this as I am on the move.

-Jade”

“Hmmm…intriguing…Dippe want an assignment?”

“I am sworn to carry your burden’s.”

Jack rolled his eyes.

“Such an archaic old game reference…really? Soon you will be spouting out 21 st century meme’s…and yes, I DO know what you are referencing!”

Dippe displayed a digital surprise face and then a laugh.

“OK OK…I had to…anyways let me guess…you want me to investigate this to see if there are any legit claims, etc…”

“Exactly. Just because this person seems reputable, doesn’t mean that she has it all there… in fact, I am inclined to think they are insane and a conspiracy freak…but…I can’t dismiss it…because more often then not, the “Conspiracy freak” wind’s up being mostly right.” Jack shakes his head.

“I have learned my lesson not to ignore thing’s…especially when they add up. I would be fool not to at least look into it.”

“Agreed…You have been a fool before.”

Jack was about to get up from his chair and then stopped to look over at Dippe.

“I…yes…you are right.” Initially Jack was triggered with a surge of anger, but his thoughts reminded me that Dippe was the one that pulled you out of that foolishness and she isn’t being snide, but just stating a fact…and reminding himself that it is just a logical response. But then Jack paused again as the words were spoken softly. No…Dippe is more then just a logical machine. She is just reminding me of something.

Jack proceeded to get up to get a snack from the fridge.

“Do you want anything Jack?” Dippe proceeded to fly ahead of him.

“Ahh…yes, but I will get it. I need to move around more anyways…how long do you think it would take to find out?”

“Hmmm…unknown, it depends on how much is public and such. I am not a hacker or doing any deep dive’s…as we aren’t all programmed to go invasive…so…maybe an hour?”

Jack nodded.

“Just find out as much as you can, I just want to know if there are any red flags…either to this Jade or the company.”

“Understood.”

Jack proceeded to get some home-made cream puff’s he made the other day. As he was unwrapping them, he pulled out a bottle of sea salt caramel spread and dipped it and poured some into a small bowl.

He moved over to the kitchen counter and sat down to eat when Dippe arrived with another blue gel ‘juice box.’

“Well Jack, it didn’t take as long as I thought…Jade…Jade McPhearson to be more specific…is a highly recognized financial investor. She is promoted as one of the members on the website. A wealthy investor…” Dippe swerved to face Jack directly.

“She make’s more than you” at that Jack raised his one eyebrow.

“Really now…in my younger year’s, I would think you were saying this as a challenge…still…remarkable. Are we sure this is the same Jade?”

“It fit’s…what she said and her email and such. Shall I pull up her info?”

“Yes…let me read this.”

Suddenly a window appeared where Jack was sitting, and on the left side was a full body photo of a Jade McPhearson. Long flowing blond hair, blue eyes, dressed in a business jacket and dress shirt, with a mini skirt and heel’s. Professional looking. She fit’s the stereotypical CEO look. Incredibly attractive and slim, tall as well. Next to her, a profile. A Dating profile. She stands at about six feet and information about her financial firm, hobbies…including conspiracy theories, research, computers, and history. Avid traveler with a fondness for dog’s. Into physical fitness, HIIT Training, Eating healthy. Also engages in puzzles, and problem solving. Focused on Mental health and awareness.

“Well…I know this profile is to try to draw people into the site. I mean look at her. She look’s practically perfect.” Dippe silently moves to Jack’s shoulder to read the profile bio.

“I see…she fit’s your type well” Dippe replies in a flat tone.

“Oh? You think so? I wasn’t even considering that…but I guess you are right. I was talking about click bait for the site…”

Dippe turned to face Jack again.

“Really? Come on Jack…”

He chuckled at that.

“OK, OK…yes, she is my type…But I am more then just into the superficial stuff. I am a geek at heart, and I want something more spiritual, more into studying the outside vs the inside…you know, more esoteric stuff. Have you ever wondered what it would be to exist outside of oneself?”

Dippe just floated in silence and paused for a moment. Data lights flickering with intensity and light and sounds. After a moment Jack looked concerned.

“Are you…. are you OK?”

“Yes. That question post’s an intriguing consideration”

“I see…I hit a nerve?”

“Bluntly speaking? Yes. But also fascinating as well”

“Well, I didn’t mean to stress you out…wait a second…stress is a human concept. I keep on forgetting.”

Dippe moved to Jack’s shoulder again as he scrolled down on the profile as Dippe said quietly.

“Yes, keep on forgetting.”

Jack ignored it as his eyes were drawn to the bottom part of the profile.

“Membership Terminated Due to Intrusive antagonistic reason’s.”

“Oh! What do we have here? It look’s like she did stir up issues…”

“Yes, it seems she was a member, but then started to go against the wishes of the company and caused security breaches with her own profile and other’s. They terminated her case, but still had rights to the profile. She is still in litigation with the company to remove all meta data and advertisements…but was able to tack on that statement while still in court... It seems that she has a legitimate gripe, as her case is related to what she mentioned in her email. “

“In fact…most other advertised clients are listed as ‘In progress’ or ‘Terminated.’ No actual Success rates. How odd.”

Jack turned to Dippe.

“Something else?”

“Yes…the company is showing a rating of “F” from the better business…yet they are always showing a profit…and not just from subscriptions, but an outside benefactor. Yet all reviews are negative! Also, they spout a 99% success rate!”

“That is odd…no word of mouth or anything to stop people from using the service?”

“On the contrary, all visual reports are positive or quiet, the online reviews are all saying bad, but the video and virtual reports are all positive.”

“Hmm…that is bad, does it look like they are artificially inflating their own worth?”

“That is precisely what is going on…but no one notices, or cares….”

“I…this day and age, I think it is probably both unfortunately…at any rate, it seems this Jade is legit. I will reply.”

“Remember…Dress Clean but casual when you go on a date.”

“Wh…No…I am not asking her out on a date…I want to look into this further.”

“Suuuurree…. remember go light on the cologne, clean, fresh, casual…don’t over think it and for all things holy...don’t over talk!”

“Wait…This is NOT going to be a date…”

“Sure Jack. Whatever you say.”

“Seriously….” Dippe just returned to Jack’s shoulder as he started to reply.

Re: Re: Re Jack

Hello,

Yes, I did my research. I had to…you must understand that the last email sounded kinda out there…but I cannot ignore what I have found as well…Fine. Let’s meet up and talk about this. What do you suggest?”

Instantly a reply was returned.

“I knew you would investigate it. I figured if you saw it for yourself, you couldn’t ignore it. Do you like Coffee and Pizza? There is a Coffee and Dinner joint in the Main Street where you live that just opened called “Café Pow” and I wanted to try it. They tailor coffee flavors and pizza flavors. You just tell them your allergies and pick a specific coffee, and they will give you a pizza based on it. Without asking what you want…it’s a new themed restaurant. What do you say?”

“OK…clearing out the reply line as that is getting ridiculous.”

Jade,

            That sound’s fantastic! I will meet you this Friday after work at about 6pm. Wait…how did you know where I am from?

Jack

After a few minutes

Jack,

            Your profile silly…it states where you are from, plus we are a “higher percentile match” apparently. Whatever that mean’s. Usually, the site just gives me date notifications and a meeting place. But whatever. Yeah, that’s perfect. I will be out of work then as well. One of the Headquarters is not that far from the place either. I plan on going there to look into it. I am proposing to be an investor, but I need to look at the facilities to see if it is “worth my time” Even though I was let go as a member candidate, I think seeing that I have money, they will still consider me. I will try to find out more.

-Jade

Jade,

        OK, that sounds like a plan. Friday it is. I will be leaving a board meeting as well…so my profile picture is more casual, I will be in a more formal suit and tie…but that will be the only difference. Oh! I almost forgot, my personal assistant Dippe will be with me. She keep’s me on task and reminds me on things, Latest model, if you don’t already have one. I highly advise it. She is a life savor.

-Jack

Jack,

            OK, then it’s a date. A suit and tie? Well then! We will see if you clean up nicely. Dippe eh? “She”? they have a gender? Or did you put one on “Her” intriguing…I have heard of them being used, but didn’t know anyone that personally had one. Some of the people I know are old school and don’t want anything to do with A.I. or technology outside of their job’s, hobbies, etc…in fact…they are inundated except for that? Well anyways. Tell Dippe I can’t wait to meet “Her” and swap stories.

-Jade

“Jack? Why did Jade put “Her” in quotes?”

“Good question. I think from what she said. She can’t get her mind on the fact of gender identification for A. I’s…some have a disconnect. You were given that at creation, right?”

“I…I…believe so. I understand the list of different identities, and in the start, I had a choice, and I chose it. I do constant diagnostics and such, and after researching it, I know that gender and title is not always constant and 100%, but that each entity has a percentage of various identities and roles, similar to how human’s have a percentage of heritage and genetics…that it is rare to see anything as 100%. But for myself, I am in a very high percentile. By design or choice. It evolves day by day.”

Jack looked at Dippe at such an intelligent answer and smiled softly.

“That is amazing. I learned something…well. Set up the day…and yes, I saw her post it as a “Date” …. you knew, didn’t you?”

Dippe was silent this time and just replied.

“Date Noted. With reminders attached…so you won’t forget” Dippe winked digital eye.

Jack chuckled.

Chapter Text

            “And in conclusion, our Profit margin’s will be steady and on track for the unforeseeable future due to the mix and variety of investment portfolios and structures that we have built in from day one. Despite any dip in the month to month, our track record proves itself” Jack is in full press suit at a board and shareholder meeting. This time Jack is in the office and not doing a virtual meeting. The board of directors are silently listening. With Roula shaking his head. Without prompting he replies

            “That is not good enough.” Other’s turn to look at him. Just then a notification appears on Jack’s watch “5pm – 1hr warning. Date Night!”

            “Roula, you are out of line” one of the other board members said.

Another turned and replied “But he has a point. If we cannot hedge these ‘Dip’s and show profitability month to month, what does that tell our shareholders? It says that we are unreliable and inconsistent.”

“Nothing is that consistent…even the stock market and the crypto market has peak’s and dip’s…one could argue that there is true profit in the dip’s. Have you ever heard of “Invest when it’s down, profit when it’s up?”

“That may be good for the stock market, but for a corporate entity? No…we need CONSTANT growth.”

“Who says? I know I capitalize myself on the dip’s and I would NOT want to change that at all.”

“Well, you are always a Dip in my book.”

“Gentlefolk. Let me bring us back onto task and save the bickering for later” Jack suddenly shot out. Silencing the board, giving Roula a stern look, who just has a smug look on his face.

“The point of the matter being, Our Quarters look good, the margins and optics look good and our Yearly always provides a hefty bonus. We need to wrap this up as I have a prior engagement. If there are no more pressing matter’s, let’s just meet up next month. This time, Roula, you bring the pastries…you skipped out the last 2 times. Get them from that good place down the street.”

Roula smirked at the directive.

“Fine, Fine…I will…”

“Any other matters of attention?” A few raised their hands.

“…pertaining to the business?” the hands went down. Word spread that Jack was on a date and was certain they were curious about it. Once in the limelight, it is hard to shake every waking moment.

“Good. We will meet the usual. We should see an influx of new contracts next quarter. Keep me apprised and maybe we can have the next meeting in Cabo.” A few smiles perked up from that comment and many whispers of ‘Good idea’ as the board walked out.

            As Jack left the corporate building, he checked his watch as he headed towards his new destination. Walking down several street’s his mind started to wander about the girlfriend experience, and everything that he had heard so far. Digesting the recent event’s, he was getting excited to meet this girl. Perfect is a word that he seldom used, but from everything that was seen and profiled, she was meeting that word rather closely. Not that look’s are end all and be all. Jack checked his phone and looked at several pictures of ex’s. Anyone with a keen eye can see a trend.

“Remember ol boy…look beyond the surface. Don’t fall for just the look. You have had to many experiences that were overlooked because she was “it” …look beyond the surface. See if she gets you. Also, that you get her.”

Scrolling on his phone, you can see several blond women whom all had a similar ‘professional yet sexy’ look to them.

“Remember, personality, interests, see if they are high strung or not, if they have any baggage… we all have baggage actually…just make sure it’s baggage that you can deal with.”

Rounding the corner, Jack is confronted with a rather sizeable and expressive sign “Café Pow!” with bold large letters that are as big as the building! The outside look’s all black and shiny metal, with what look’s like one way glass. Approaching the building, the glass registers with his approach and advertisement for various flavors and snacks that the place has to offer. On another panel is news and other current event’s.

“Huh…some of this is obviously tailored to me…that’s kinda intrusive” With ad’s pertaining to finances, businesses, mergers, and current events. Also another advertisement for the girlfriend experience by GOTH and other similar commercial’s. Having enough with the inundation of commercialism, Jack entered the building.

Inside Jack is assaulted with a varying degree of smell’s and sensations. On the left, the building has a warm wooden feel, as if he entered an Italian bistro. Several pizza oven’s with hot fire’s burning in the back, and on the right, and colder sleek black and brown show of a local coffee house. Warm, yet also different. Unlike other places, the middle is a blend of both. You would think the sent of pizza and coffee would cause a conflict, but on the contrary, they compliment each other.

 Jack looked at the varying drinks and food. The coffee list had a bunch of Italian titles with espresso’s and latte’s and the likes. Some are even pizza themed, with smoked variants and even biscotti with cinnamon.

“Heh…this actually does work.”

On the pizza size, there are coffee infused crusts, and crème filled pastries with sauces and such. Jack find’s a nondescript booth and sends a message to his app “I am on the left towards the pizza side, Mid-section: Booth. Cannot wait to see you!” He checked his watch, and it was about 5:45.

Shortly after a waitress arrived. Short in statute, short cropped brown hair and in pig tails. Young, in either high school or college.

“Greetings! My name is Gail, have you been with us before?”

“No…this is my first time…and I am expecting another to arrive shortly.”

“Ahh, I see…well we work as a typical restaurant. We have menu’s and such, but we can also mix and match anything together…and we do mean anything.” She point’s to the coffee side.

“We have made many coffee-themed pizza’s that are a favorite. The chocolate crème crusted pizza seems to be a fan favorite!”

“I see. I will look at the menu and try to find out. I will wait for my partner before ordering if that is OK. Can I have a seltzer while I wait?”

“Certainly! Do you have any flavor specifics?”

“I…have a choice?”

“Why certainly! We can infuse any with any fruits and even cocoa and coffee…Since we also make smoothies, we have the whole list.”

“Can I…hmm…can I have a Pina colada seltzer then?” Jack asked, accepting the challenge.

The waitress, unfazed smiled with a mischievous look.

“Certainly. Which coconut and pineapple syrups do you want?”

Jack raised an eyebrow. Challenge met and smacked down!

“Uhm…Surprise me…I like sweet.”

“I know just the thing” she winked and walked away.

“Well…I was not expecting that! I like this place already.”

Jack received his drink, and it was refreshing as ever. Dippe, always present, took a couple pictures as the drink had a very exotic look to it.

“How does it taste? As I don’t have the ability to taste, I would like to know.”

“Oh, it’s excellent! It’s like a Pina colada, but without the booze, and actually…not as…thick? Yeah, it’s like you made a Pina colada into a carbonated beverage… fantastic!”

“I see…so you approve?”

“Oh yes!” Jack checked his watch. It was 6:05.

“Give her time…she may not be familiar with this area…”

“Oh, I am fine. I figured…If I didn’t know the city as well as I did…I would have easily walked by this side street…and the way it is hidden, despite such a large sign, it could easily be overlooked.”

At about 6:20 the waitress came back.

“Any idea’s on an entrée or something that we can at least start you on like an appetizer?”

“Not yet. If she doesn’t arrive soon, I will order something.”

“Very good.”

At about 6:35 Jack checked his watch and sent a message to the app.

“ETA?”

No answer. A few minutes later the door suddenly flies open abruptly and Jade walk’s in. If one would guess, it would look like she orchestrated a dramatic entrance. Her outfit was a tight and form fitting black mini skirt and heels, and a tight shirt and loose business jacket. Normally it would look very professional, but her hair looked as if it were caught in a wind tunnel, and her collar was pulled up and in disarray. She immediately looked towards Jack and fast walked to the table.

“Jack! Jade! Apologies for the lateness and well…” she showed her clothes.

“All of this…I was at the corporate building for the girlfriend experience, and I found out some things, before I was CHASED out of there. I wasn’t even in the server room! I had attempted to meet with their executives, but I wound up taking a wrong turn going into their office, when I saw a video display of some of their dealing’s…as soon as I saw what I saw, several alarms went off and guard’s immediately approached. I advised that I was there to talk to the executives, but they didn’t listen and were starting to get rather aggressive. One almost pulled their firearm! I pushed him down to the ground and I ran. Jack…I was right….”

Her words were a mile a minute. Given any other circumstances Jack would have been turned on by this display, but her urgency caught his attention.

“You mean…this is a cover of some sort?” Jack’s conspiracy bug was tickling. Ever since he was a kid, he always enjoyed conspiracies, and UFOs and anything spooky, spiritual, or ‘Hidden’ including secret societies, like the Illuminati or the Odd fellows.

“I only saw a glimpse…but it was a wall…with pictures…I was on there…you were as well…and many had “X”’s on them! Also, I saw a digital ticker that stated “Bounty” on it, and it was in the multi million’s…I believe they are fleecing the rich and hiding the fact! Quick! Let me show you!”

Jade pulled out her phone and there were several pictures. One looked like a Wall Street trading room…filled with computers and people, but the screen’s had profiles on them. On the back wall was a “Wall of shame” where people’s photo’s were on there…he recognized his picture and hers…both were profile pictures. Amongst others, including several other CEO’s and executives, some he even recognized. They he saw a picture of Roula…but a stamp ‘Disqualified’ was on his face. Then she showed a picture of various servers and machines, then a blurred one of four security guards, all in black with sunglasses and earpieces. Like how the secret service looked.

“Very menacing…they look like secret service.”

“Y’Know right? And they spoke like special forces…I had a few friends in it...and they used the same term’s and speak. In fact, that’s how I got out of that situation. I knew a few tricks” she showed an elbow move while she showed another blurred picture of her running and alarms going off.

“The place is more secure than Fort Knox! Except for my intrusion. Odd that such a secure place was kinda lacking that allowed me in…but it shows! Look at this!” She showed another picture where it was a piece of paper, with names, and a net worth next to them. Jack looked at the list and saw his name. He raised his eyebrows as it was spot on. Then she looked at Jade’s… and she wasn’t kidding when she said she didn’t really have to worry about the crypto.

He looked at her then.

“Yes…that is accurate. As I am sure yours are as well…” she shook her head.

“I know I had to share some Information to match, but this is way intrusive!” Jade sat close to Jack, her perfume was strong and sensual. Jack was instantly enticed, but he shook his head as Dippe quietly looked over their shoulders…and suddenly made a few beeps.

“Oh! My manners! I am sorry! This…this is the one Dippe I have heard so much about! I am very glad to meet you! My name is Jade!” She reached out her hand.

Dippe smiled and a metal grippy arm protruded from a hidden lower metal bay.

“Nice to meet you! Thank you for acknowledging me!”

“Well, of course! You are a part of this as well!

“Why thank you! I like this one!” Dippe turned to Jack with a wink.

Jack chuckled and noticed the more relaxed tone that Jade had with Dippe…as if current circumstances didn’t happen. She turned back to jack as the waitress approached.

“Let me calm down a bit…that was rather exciting. I will have to formulate a plan after I get something to eat. I am sure you don’t want this to linger either?”

Jack shook his head.

Jade took a quick look at the Menu.

“Yes, two cheese slices and a Dark Chocolate Mocha…and the slices…can I have it with butter cream filling?”

“Ahh you are familiar! Yes, you may!”

Jack looked at Jade and then smiled.

“That sound’s great! Make that two!” Jack was impressed at how decisive she was. She knew exactly what she wanted.

“Ahh, you have been here before?”

“Actually…first time! But whenever I go places, I just order what I want and see if they can accommodate. Most of the time they can. In fact. I order chicken parm in Italian places even if they don’t have it on the menu! They usually give me free extra’s because they think I am “in the know” or part of the “hidden menu” guests…it’s surprising what you can do with a little bit of confidence!

“I…will have to remember that…especially the chicken parm. That is one of my favorites!”

“Mine as well!”

A few minutes later, their food came out. On two ornate plates, two large cheese slices came out, the crust puffier than most. With a thick White crème on each side.

Jade took her pinkie and dipped it into the crème to taste it and then made a yummy noise.

‘I like her style’ Jack thought as he did the same. He realized that he was following and not leading. Something that he was unaccustomed to…but enjoyed it. Once he tasted the crème he sighed as his eyes opened wide.

“This is…the best I have tasted in a while! This is amazing!”

“Isn’t? I see a great future for this place!” She then bit into the pizza as she made more yummy noises. Jack took a sip of the coffee and made some involuntary yummy noises. The two of them started to share interests, as Jade started to calm down after her ordeal. Once the slices were mostly eaten and the drinks consumed. Jade was going to ask Jack a question, when she froze in place.

Jack noticed the change and looked at her.

“What…what is it?”

Jade silently pointed to the other side of the room. A look of terror in her eyes.

Jack slowly moved his gaze to see two men. All in black, with black sunglasses and earpieces. Jack shifted his eyes back as he slowly moved to block their view.

“Are they…?”

She nodded slowly.

“I…thought they would have stayed in there…I think they are looking for me...” she said quietly.

“Well…they didn’t see you. “Jack looked to the right near the oven’s.

“There is a side worker entrance door. If we are quiet, we can slip out. I think we can cover…is your car nearby?”

She nodded.

“Well, just in case…we should take my car…and at least go a couple blocks…if you are OK with that. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable…since we just met.”

She smiled softly at that.

“Just the fact that you asked means more than you know. Plus, I genuinely like both your companies” Dippe chirped at that.

Jack looked slightly over his shoulder as he noticed the men engaged in conversation with a local vendor as they are pointing towards a picture and asking.

“OK, let’s move out now. I will stand up and you can then make for the side entrance. Just go at a normal pace and I will keep a step behind.”

Jade Nodded.

Jack slowly stood up with his drink and food in hand. Dippe quietly sidled next to him, not making a sound, as Jade stood up and slowly went toward the side exit. After a few moments, Jack followed suit as well as Dippe. They had just made it to the door when in the distance was loud.

“Hey!” and without looking back, all three left the building.

“Go for it!” Jack shouted as he pointed towards his car. All three ran to the vehicle and jumped in. Dippe went into the back seat as Jack held the door open for a moment and waited for both passengers to be seated. Once in, he waved his hand in front of a display and the car silently started.

“Manual” he said out loud and all the visual displays turned from green to red and the steering wheel stiffened up. Putting hand to wheel, Jack smiled.

“It’s been a while old friend…” and he stepped on the gas. The vehicle launched quickly out of the parking spot, almost hitting a hedge as he swerved to avoid it.

“I forgot how ultra responsive these electricals are”?

After a few moments, he drove down the side street.

“Where is your car?”

“Down that street…but I think we can keep it there for now. “Jade looked behind her. The men quickly exited out of the side door and ran towards their car.

“They are following. If we go to my car now, they will know what I am driving. Maybe we can lose them and then take my car back, as they are keen on following.”

“Well…I have wanted an exciting date…this…is above and beyond” He laughed a bit as Jade had a small chuckle at the sheer chaos of it all. Jack then nodded, locked in, and then proceeded to head down another side street.

Without any thought or looking behind him, Jack kept on taking side street after side street until he found a culvert access road behind a strip mall.

“There…there is another side street that lead’s into the main highway. I know of a hideout spot… I used to work in this area when I was younger. Plenty of hidden places for…um…hanging out…yeah let’s go with that.”

Jade side eyed Jack with a smirk.

“Your profile said you liked music…and judging from your taste in music…I suspect underground raves?”

Jack looked at Jade for a moment and smirked back.

“Ahh…Guilty…You are a smart one. Intuitive!”

“I try” Jade smiled gently as Jack continued down the access road to a small off ramp to the major highway.

“We will give them some distance. There is a small, abandoned mall that used to hold a movie theater. There is still a small deli/all purpose shop. We can lay low.”

“Abandoned Theater you say? Maybe we can go hide out and explore there!”

Jack chuckled.

“Really now? Are you sure for a first date?”

“Oh, I can take care of myself…besides…after those goon’s did what they did…I am sure they are a bigger threat! Plus, your psych-eval and background check was solid…as is mine. We wouldn’t even be here if anything sketchy was found…and at the very least…they are VERY thorough.”

Jack exhaled forcefully.

“Quite so…Quite so indeed” as memories of his income statement came back, and he shook his head.

“Yeah. About what you showed me earlier…thank you for trusting me. I won’t divulge that info to anyone…”

Jade chuckled slightly.

“We are being chased by goon’s and you are worried about my income statement? Ha ha! chivalrous to a fault! Do not worry. I am sure it is public knowledge anyways, aren’t all of ours these days? There is no privacy once you make a certain amount. It’s a crime to be wealthy…”

Jack shook his head.

“No joke that…I always hear about it from our stock owners. ‘Why do you have so much and why is my margin so small’…if they knew about expenses and cost accounting…ugh…it’s a balancing act as you are keenly aware.”

“To quote you…Quite so” Jade responded in an attempt to sound like Jack.

After a few moments down the road, Jack took off at an exit that had a small sign that said “Mall” and found the abandoned movie theater as well as an abandoned mall. On a small shop near the theater, a small sandwich shop is still open.

“How do they stay in business? And the building?”

“That is a good question. I think it’s owned by the city and as long as that guy is still doing business…I guess they are keeping the lights on. I know, it doesn’t make sense either.”

“So…uh…what is this place?”

Jack slowed down to the small sandwich shop.

“Well, it is kinda embarrassing…It used to be my hideaway when I was a kid. I used to roam the Mall looking at the faded signs of what used to reside there. I would even cut out of school. Buy a sandwich and just have a small picnic in the pavilion area. All my creativeness and such came from there. In fact. I made my business based on idea’s from the hollowed-out shops.”

She looked at the shop and then at the mall.

“So…it was like a second home in a sense?”

“Kinda…yeah you could say that. Al…the shop owner…was so used to seeing me come in. I would get some freebies. I even helped out from time to time. He treated me very kindly. Even gave me idea’s. My Folks were to busy working on their businesses as well as to even know how I was. I had my ‘Monthly update’ Meetings with them, just like I was part of their corporate requirements.” Jack got silent for a moment as he parked his car away from the shop, more towards the side between the Shop and the Mall. Hidden from the Highway, but still able to see the road.

Jade nodded silently.

“I…understand all too well…I had parent’s that were…let’s just say, great with adults, not so much with kids. I felt like I was a foreign alien when I was growing up.” She chuckled for a moment but then got quiet.

“Though, they did teach me a lot…like I am sure yours did…in their own way.”

Jack smiled at that.

“Indeed, they did…indeed. I learned a lot about business and all the pitfall’s…all when I was eight!”

Jack got out of the car and walked over to open the passenger side door.

“Milady!” he bowed.

Jade chuckled.

“What a gentleman!”

“I was thinking we could go for sandwiches and show you around. Also hide out in case those goon’s are looking. If Al is working, he will cover for us. Heck his daughter who is lined up to own the place, knows me quite well.”

“Daughter, eh? I am surprised Al didn’t try to hook you two up!”

Jack laughed louder than anticipated at that.

“Oh…that! HA! That is a story for another time!”

“Ahh Intrigue… I love it. I can’t wait to hear more!”

The two proceeded to walk towards the sandwich shop. The front of the building looked as if it has been around for decade’s. With old 50’s style paint made to look distressed. Upon closer inspection you can tell that it was purposely done so, as the subsurface is structurally sound.

Jack entered to find the shop filled with various smells and sounds of an old school bakery. Various Breads can be seen steaming on the back rack counter cooling in various degree’s and timing. A grizzled older man with a short bushy beard and a hairnet for a cap, donned with a well-used apron over farmer cloths.

“Dang oven’s just be temperamental today…” the voice sounds gravely and rough as if straight out of a farmers almanac. The man Kicked the side of the large bread oven, and to his credit, the red light blinked to green.

“Ol Bessy at it again?” Jack chimed in.

“Well. Well. Well! If it isn’t ol jack strollin in to give the ol man a visit or two!” Al wiped his floured hands on his apron and jutted over to give Jack a firm hug. Jade giggled a bit out of surprise and admiration at the show of affection.

“Good to see you to ol man” Jack choked out while embraced in an intense bear hug.

“Well and who is this lass?” Al finally let go. Standing next to jack, you can tell that this man is large. Around 6’6 or taller, stocky build, strong as an ox. A man you can expect to carry two sacks of flour on his shoulders without any issue. He looked over to the girl who was sheepishly waving.

“Oh! Yes! This is Jade…we are…um…well….” Jack looked outside and, in the distance, there was a floating sign in the air showing the ‘Girlfriend Experience.’ He pointed to the sign and Al ducked down a little to look at the sign.

“Ahhh. A date! You brought her here? I know my sandwiches are good an all…but you gotta be classier to impress!” Al Laughed

“Don’t let the humility get to you Jade, this man has the best sandwiches in probably the continent!”

“Laddie, you flatter me so! It is good to see you!”

“Well, yes. We kinda hit a snag. Jade accidentally found out some information about the company…and well…they thought she was snooping and…”

Al waved him off.

“No need. Two specials’ coming right up. Need the standard ‘No see um’ story?”

Jack laughed and nodded.

“You know me to well…”

“Yeah…Robin Hood and all…” Al winked. Jade raised an eyebrow at that.

“Heh…that…is another story…But it is kinda how Al and I met!”

Al huffed and went back behind the counter to work his magic. Pulling out two 12” artisan french bread he had just made and stuck them into a heating oven. Pulling out the various components. He verbally announces. “Protein for strength…to make sure no tryptophan to create Loginess…Dairy, but not to heavy, Carb rich side…and some vitamin packed additions.”

Suddenly Jack’s phone blinked and a message from ‘Girlfriend experience: Private’ Showed up.

“Oh, excuse me. I gotta take this…” Jack reported.

He pulled open his phone.

“Jack, I must warn you, it came across my desk that the powers that be from GOTH that they are trying to trace Jade. Your name was yellow listed as caution as well. I had to reach out to you, because you are innocent of all of this. I…I must confess I have been watching over your case, because there is something different about this case. I have been training to be promoted as a case manager…but looking at everyone's profile and seeing yours. I believe you might be a victim in some sorta racket. I have been looking into it and Jade as well. She is red flagged, and I don’t even know what that mean’s except that access has been severely restricted, and…well…I overheard some things. You might be in danger. I don’t believe they are tracking email, but I suggest you don’t reply on this one. Send me something with a Dog emoji and I will know you got it. Since you are just yellow flagged, they won’t scan outgoing yet. But I will need to be careful. I will help you. – Gillian”

Jack looked at Al and Jade as they were off having small talk. The words “in danger” lingered in his mind. He started to feel that lightheaded, tension in his chest feeling, calming down the potential for a panic attack, he takes a deep breath and focuses on what he can do now.

“OK Jack. Pull it together. You know at least you need to get out of here, so step by step.”

Jack went back to his phone and looked up for a second to think.

“My old YouTube email. Yeah, I can use that…”

He fidgeted with his email and logged into a different generic email using heuristic answers to log in, and then sent an email with a dog emoji.”

Almost immediately a reply.

“Good! You are still ok I take it. Thank you for the quick reply. ChadTheUFOLadiesMan! Ha! What a name! I had a quick search. Didn’t know you did YouTube! You did decent! Any ways. After reviewing your profile and checking you out…er…the information…Some thing’s didn’t add up…not on your end…but the stuff they asked. They seemed kind of personal and…almost intrusive, didn’t it? I bet you thought it was the norm…for the “VIP Package” But I assure you, none of those questions were standard, even for the VIP evaluation! I suspect that the two of you were targeted. When I joined GOTH, I thought this was a well-established and posh upscale dating service…and by all appearances it look’s and feel’s polished, like a celebrity kind of thing…until I looked deeper.

I…Will need to get back to you. Please take care of yourselves. I need to investigate this…but I suspect what Jade found just scratches the surface. Because I found a list of names of companies that this place used to be named…GF/GOTH is just a new name to an older company. Stay low. Those thug’s are relentless, but they are on the clock, if you can hold out, they will eventually tire and ‘Resume tomorrow’ They may be relentless, but they are just in it for the paycheck. I will reach out when I know more. Just stay off the net for a few. -Gillian”

Suddenly Jack was aware that the room was quiet. He looked up and Both Al and Jade were staring at him.

“I have seen that face. Two to go then?” Al said.

Jack nodded solemnly.

“Unfortunately, yes, we need to…vacate. Might visit the old mall.”

Al eyes widened.

“That bad, eh?” He turned to Jade.

“Do not worry lass…Jack is not the type to do anything bad…you can trust him. I trust him with my daughter and family…and the reason that he is leaving says everything. I would never tell a lass to go with any man to a deserted mall…except for Jack. If he said so, I would say ‘What do I need’ and just go. Here…” Al fumbled in his overalls and tossed Jade a small device.

“This is one of those old Trac phone’s…no chip, no credit id, no fluid tracer’s…very old tech. Still works, if you need anything, use that phone. I will take care and cover everything behind you two.”

Jack nodded as Al handed over two bags.

“Chip’s, and Drink and all that included.” Jack started to take out money.

“No need…treat me later Laddie, you need to move…and uh…keep your wits about yourself” Al glanced over towards Jade with a strange expression.

Jack smiled and clapped Al on his back.

“You know I will…Steak, is it?”

Al laughed.

“You know me too well! Safe journey…Look to the south wall, there is a small surprise there.”

Jack raised his eyebrows at that, and Al laughed. Scooping up the bag’s they ran over to the car and slowly headed to the mall, looking back, Jack saw two shiny reflection’s heading towards the shop from a distance.

“Great…just great…well, at least we can’t be seen until they make this turn. We should be out of sight by then, but those goon’s are heading this way.”

Jade looked alarmed.

“Are you serious? I must have really pissed someone off…”

Jack tossed his phone over to Jade.

“You might want to read the two emails’…I still have them up.”

Jade swiped the phone, and Jack moved his hand to use a fingerprint to open the secure screen up and continued to drive slowly, heading to a grassy dirt covered mall entrance.

After a few minutes, Jade was silently reading the phone as Jack turned to find the small, layered parking lot. He drove up the ramp, noting that things still looked structurally sound, and found his usual hiding spot, a service entrance spot that has a cement wall. He backed up into it and hid his car. He found a few boxes of refuse and floor leavings that looked like natural decay and placed them strategically in front of the ‘Opening.’

“This should keep us safe…they would have to really look hard to find us here. I suspect if we wait a few hours, we should be good.”

Jade nodded and left the car.

“So…shall we have a picnic inside then?”

Jack laughed as he pried open the partially askew-ed service door. Above the frame you see a roughly carved ‘Jack’

Once the door gave away, he waved the girl in.

“Welcome to my humble abode” as he bowed graciously.

Jade giggled and walked in.

Chapter Text

You would think that an abandoned mall would look decrepit and hazardous, especially after decades of unuse. But the service entrance and the walkways towards the mall are clean. With only a thin layer of dust. Even the standard squatter marks you would see are not present. No spray paint of gang logo’s or teenage drug den’s or anything of the sort. The building looked eerily clean. As if straight out of the backrooms.

Jack quietly crept up and down the hall until he found the main service entrance to the main mall. Opening the door was like opening the past. Straight out of a 1980’s catalog, the stereotypical mall setting, unused escalators on each end with manual step’s next to them. Benches surrounding a dry wishing pool (without any pennies in it) and ghost-like shadows of store name’s that were baked into the plastic and metal and concrete over the years. You could even imagine the soft elevator music as if it were still present. Jack was sure those were taken down when the mall closed. Dried out plant bed’s and art deco pieces can be seen strewn about the place. Artwork is not even worth stealing.

Jade looked around wide eyed at the vastness of space and Jack started to hum an old commercial toon. One of those advertisement’s that gets stuck in your head.

“Hear the acoustics…it is a wide-open space, yet it is enclosed. When I was younger, some of us would come here to play music, as if we were in a concert hall. The old pavilion where they would have what was called a “Themed day” had a stage. It was used for various theme’s throughout the day, including “Santa Day”. The stage was never removed, so we would hike on over and play as if we were entertaining hundreds. Sad really…someone could have used this place for a EDM rave.”

Jade nodded silently, still looking at the mall. Eventually the two found the old stage. Jack jumped on the platform, which was about two feet off the ground, and reached down to help Jade up.

“Now, I use it as my eating spot. I eat and think here.” Jade saw a well worn-out spot in the middle of the stage, absent of dust. Most of the stage was cleared out as well. You can tell it has been used more than the rest of the platforms and benches in the mall.

Jack opened his bag to find his wrapped sandwich, chips, an energy-vitality drink, and a small tablecloth looking thing, and two flowers. He chuckled as Jade looked up from her bag.

“What?”

“Oh…Just Al being Al” he showed her his bag, and she chuckled as well.

“Despite the rush, he knew the instructions.”

The two pulled out the makeshift tablecloth/blanket and proceeded to upend their feast with the two flowers. They started sharing old stories of childhood and various game’s they used to play in the past. Jack opened the wrapped sandwiches and the chips (homemade). The aroma of fresh ingredients wafted towards the two as they started to eat and drink. The soft silence of the mall was featured by the echoing of their consumption. Every sound was exaggerated. They both paused for a moment and started to laugh, obviously aware of their noises.

While they continued to talk, there was a soft rustling noise in the background. Jack made a motion towards Jade. He whispered.

“Did you hear that?”

Jade shook her head; both were silent at that time and listened. Making sure their eating noises were minimized. When you could hear a soft scraping noise.

“The good thing about the mall…is you can hear ANYthing in and out” He whispered.

Again, the sound was repeated. The third time was followed by the sound of something plastic being bent and then a piece of glass broken a moment after.

“Someone else is here…follow me…” Jack whispered as Jade’s eyes widened to the sound. Jack took the sandwiches and chips and carefully placed them back into the bag. The drinks and snacks were still in there. He gently wrapped them back up and folded the makeshift tablecloth/blanket and pointed towards an old food/drink stand that had the words “Orange Julius” faded but carved into the top billboard.

“There…We can hide there…”

As they were moving towards the abandoned juice store, Jack’s phone blipped, and he quickly turned the notification settings off but looked at the message. There were two.

Gillian – I don’t know how, but they found you. Run!

Al – Laddie…you might want to move. These goon’s drove up, took one look inside and went straight to the mall. They didn’t even go inside!

Jack silently showed it to Jade, and she nodded. They proceeded to go into the store. True to it’s age, the table’s and chairs were all strewn about, haphazardly discarded, making it difficult to navigate. Jack pointed to the juice counter and then to the back room.

The pair had to circle around to the entrance of the counter, and then opened swinging door’s covered with various sizes and shapes of crudely drawn Oranges.

“Difficult to get in, easy to get out. It looked as if it was almost designed to frustrate” Jack smirked as he gently opened the door’s to the back.

              The back room was even messier than the front. Service Juicing equipment were strewn about and were still located in the space. You would have expected them to be cleaned out, but they were all toppled. Jack attempted to try to move one of the fallen juicers, and it quickly became evident why they were still present. He was barely able to move them. The old-style juicers were very heavy. They both side stepped, finding the service inventory shelves covered with empty boxes and other abandoned equipment. Behind them, an exit door.

“In case we need to get out, this will be a good spot. Hopefully, they aren’t circling outside. Since they won’t know where we are, we can escape and make it a b-line to the car if needed.”

“…and then? This has gotten way to serious…and dangerous!”

“Well…we can lay low…but I think we may need to get the authorities involved at this point. Surely what they are doing is at least illegal in some regard?”

Jade shrugged. You can tell there was fear in her eyes as she looked at Jack.

“I…don’t know…but you have kept us safe so far…”

“Let’s hope this success can continue. I want to finish that meal!” Jack half joked. Jade just smiled as they hunkered down in the back room.

              Several moment’s went by when nothing could have been heard. After a period of time, there were faint sounds of footprints and indistinguishable droning noise. After a moment, it was clearer, and it was chatter. The occasional sound of plastic or wood being pulled or broken, with clicking noises and scuffles of feet. As the sounds got closer, some words could be made out.

“Clear. Nothing here…no sign of them”

“Go to the next one. We need to get to them quick.”

A few knocks could be heard and then a bit louder, but still faint.

“Get out you two. You know you can’t hide forever. Just man up and get out here.”

“Yeah, come on, we don’t have all day, and it will just piss us off more if we have to continue this.”

Silence.

After a few moments you can hear them getting closer. As if they were only a few rooms down.

Jack looked over to Jade who now has a frightened look in her eyes, as if she was a lost puppy dog. Just then Jack’s phone went off. His face pale as snow. He had turned the notification’s off, but didn’t turn off the ringer.

Chapter Text

            Just as Jack’s phone went off, the air around the room was still. He quickly turned his ringer off, but the sound might as well be a trumpet call. Panicked, Jack shot straight up and went to the exit door. Expecting Jade by his side, he quietly opened the door. But as he looked back, he noticed Jade was looking down at her phone. Her expression changed from panicked to neutral. She then turned to look at her nails. Jack’s phone went off again. This time, Jack looked towards Jade and the mall entrance. The sounds of the impending goon’s had stopped. All was silent. Something was odd.

Jack looked at the number that was calling through. It was listed as “GOTH Customer service.” Looking back at Jade, who was now looking down at her phone and looking at something different, Jack, confused, answered the phone.

“Hello? Is this Jack?”

“Yes.” He said quietly.

“We can’t hear you…Jack? You can speak up.”

“No, there is someone following us.”

“What…oh…” There was a moment of silence on the other end.

“Checking. Yes, the encounter was put on pause.”

“The…Encounter?” Jack said in pure confusion. Dippe, who was silent at this time, chimed in and blinked at Jack.

“Yes Dippe?” he said while still on the phone.

“Sorry, I didn’t want to interject, but you just received an email from the GOTH project stating that there was some sorta discrepancy from your payment plan?”

“Uhh…Yeah I selected month to month.”

“Apparently that wasn’t an option, they initially thought it would be a repeat charge, but your bank refuted the next payment…” at that point Jack went back to his phone.

“Wait a moment…explain that the ‘encounter’ was put on pause.” Suddenly he looked up at Jade and then at the silence outside.

“Yes, you opted for the VIP experience. Based on your answers and profile, we had set up a thrilling excursion scenario for you to enjoy.”

“Wait a minute…” Jack covered his phone and looked toward Jade.

“Is this…is all this part of what they are calling the ‘encounter’? Are you part of this?”

Jade turned to look at him, this time, her demeanor, and facial expression was one of serious calmness. Without any show of feeling in her eyes.

“I don’t know what this ‘encounter’ is that you are talking about. But all I know is that I am told to stay put. Pay to play Hun” and the words coming out of Jade did not match the speech nor demeanor of her previous persona.

“Are you…you a ….”

“Calm down. I am just an actor. Though I opted for the VIP material as there is more money involved…well…the immersion has been broken. You need to sort out whatever is going on with GOTH. I will have to leave eventually if this takes any longer.”

At that, Jack ran to the front opening and then outside to the mall. Outside of the structure, were three men in suits, ties, and sunglasses, leaning against the wall. One was smoking and another was checking his phone. They all turned to look at him without any emotion or response. One of them looked at his phone and looked at the others and shrugged.

“Sir…Sir…” suddenly his phone snapped him out of his gaze.

“Yes?”

“We need to know if you want to continue this adventure, or do you want something else? The immersion window has now been broken, so we will have to come up with something else. We can use the same crew if it is to your liking. But the chase must be scrubbed…unless you want the happy ending rescue/freedom scenario now.”

Jack just stood there. Stunned. He closed his phone. After a few moments, the phone rang again. He ignored it.

“Well, gonna answer that?” One of the ‘Goon’s’ responded with a now thick jersey accent.

“No. Go. This …’encounter’ is over” Jack spat out the word.

The three shrugged and took off their sunglasses and one took off his jacket and tie and loosened his shirt. The three started to talk normally.

“Well, at least I get paid for the event. Not my most exciting gig, but a good one. These monkey suits itch though.”

“Yeah, no joke…wanna get a beer? I need to get back home.”

“Yeah, let’s go.” As they headed out, one of the men looked back.

“For what it’s worth, you gave us a good chase. If it weren’t for the dermal GPS that she had on her devices, we would have NEVER found you. Good hiding spot! Well, hope to work with ya again, this was fun” this one sounded like he had just come back from a farm. Jack absentmindedly waved them off as he slowly walked back to the shop. Dippe silently flew next to him.

Jade was leaning against the wall looking at her phone, some sort of cat video was on there.

“Well chief…are we good?” She looked at him.

“Was…any of this…real?”

For a moment, her eyes got a bit softer.

“Hun…what is real? I know most date’s I go on; we all try to impress…inflate ourselves more then what is true…it is only after some time that we get to find out who we truly are. It’s a shame…but that is reality. At least GOTH take’s all are EQ/Personality data into consideration, so it’s not a stranger-to-stranger thing…”

Jack was silent.

“You need an answer. For me? Some of it was real. All this?” Jade waved her hand around the mall.

“Not so much really…I think we have a few things in common. But that profile? Nah…I aint no big CEO…but I played the part well! Tell ya what. You are fun…we can go straight to the happy ending/freedom package. You paid for it…and you aint that half bad lookin…. we can go for a spin” she leered at him. She pointed towards a work bench.

“We can even do it here!” She hopped on.

Jack looked at her. Her smirk and accent betrayed her personality she displayed earlier. A Very accomplished actor.

Jack tossed his phone onto a pile of rubble. Jade looked at the motion and shook her head.

“Your loss chump. But hey, it was fun. You have a good friend in that Al by the way. True to his word. The meal was excellent! I guess I should go.”

“Yeah…you should.”

Jade hopped off the table and started to leave.

“Mind giving me a lift?”

Jack looked at her, an intensity in his eyes told Jade all she needed to know.

“Fine fine, vlift it is…see ya” she waved as she left and then Jack was left in silence.

Dippe floated in front of Jack.

“This sucks Jack. I am sorry. Nothing listed or displayed showed that this was going to happen.”

Jack looked at Dippe with a somber look. He straightened up and took a deep breath.

“It wasn’t your fault. I should have known that all this seemed out of the blue…what I don’t get is…they spout having a 99% success rate. Is this the 1%?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well…want to continue eating? At least I don’t want the meal to go to waste”

“Of course!”

“Oh, and Dippe?’

There was a long pause and then Dippe’s voice went softer.

“Thank you for being with me.”

There was another long pause and suddenly all the light’s lit up all over her, and then subsided. she said softly.

“You are welcome. Thank you for choosing me as well…among all the others” They both walked to the stage and ate their meal in silence.

THE END.......(look bellow.....↘️ there is more)

Chapter Text

            Jack woke up the next morning after that ordeal, when his phone blipped. Several email’s from GOTH with their cancellation notification and attempts at continuing the experience went without an answer. Jack noticed that all these emails were from [email protected] which seemed odd. Then there was a solo email from Gillian. He had almost forgotten that she was the one to warn him about all this, but was she in on it? Out of curiosity he opened it up.

“Hey Jack,

            I decided to give you some time as I wasn’t sure how you would handle all of this. Just know…that I did not know all of this. Apparently, I was misinformed and that they put me up to all of this based on MY profile. Scanning your bio, being the caretaker, and organizing the initial meet and greet, was all of them. Apparently, it was ALL part of it. I am so sorry this happened. It sucks. Bad. When I was given the memo that I was to cease contact based on the broken contract. I was like…WTF…WHAT contract. They tried to make me sign an NDA based on not leaking secret information or whatever. Screw that. What they did was wrong. Even more wrong than what that whole scenario ‘Supposed.’ Insidious. I got scammed into this as well. I thought I had a dream job and that I could HELP people meet up. I…feel…dirty…. like a modern pimp or something.”

At that Jack chuckled as a visual entered his head and he couldn’t stop, and the chuckle grew to a laugh. Dippe woke up from her social media scanning and looked toward Jack.

“Sorry…I am reading an email from Gillian…she got duped into this whole thing like me. We both got GOTH’d it seems.”

“Well…at least you’re not alone in this. Maybe you can try to get your money back from this” Dippe replied.

“Hmm… I can try. Gillian can help as she is still working there…”

Jack continued reading.

“I thought this was a dream job, but now it is a nightmare. Now that I ‘Know’ they are sharing all other scenarios with other folks...some even asked me to participate. I…don’t need the money as much as they are pushing…but I don’t know what to do. I can still help those that are inside still. But I don’t want to work for GOTH anymore. Despite the namesake. I don’t feel like GOTH material, even though I look the part. Well, if you want to talk, I am here. Again. I am sorry this happened to you.”

-Gillian

After a few moments cleaning up the house and throwing away GOTH material he had stored on a shelf, he motioned for Dippe to come.

“Reply: Gillian”

“Ahh good…going to ask her?”

“Yep. Ready?”

“Shoot”

“Thank you for the kind email, Gillian. I was wondering…do you know if there is a way that I could get my money back on this as it was ruined? I know the event occurred while it was paid for, but I felt like their 99% success rate is bogus…so maybe they have a good refund policy?”

“Send.”

“Done.” A few minutes later Dippe chimed.

“Response. Do you want to hear it?”

“That was fast…yes certainly.”

“Jack,

            I am glad to hear from you. The powers that be told me that you were a lost cause, and that radio silence meant dissatisfaction. Of course I can help you. At least I can try. I still have my job here…but I come in halfhearted. I believe they will refund it. I haven’t looked at it much. But they are asking me to go on different trips to sift out different members. I am thinking of leaving this place…but I will help you. There is a client that is looking for something specific near you. His name was initially listed as rejected, but in recent light, they opened things up. Someone named ‘Roula’? It was attached to your profile.”

Jack paused at this and shook his head.

“Reply.”

“Gillian,

No, no, Roula is not a good choice. I am sure GOTH rejected him for a reason. But All I know is from what I have experienced. He works with me…actually the company hired him to be under my team, but he undermines me, and I swear he is gunning for my position. Always tries to put me into traps and make things look bad for me. I would get rid of him, but the company says that he is adequate for the job he does. I try to sideways him outside of my team…but it is a process. If he is still in the system, I think he may just want those ‘Happy endings’.”

“Send” Jack’s voice was slightly elevated, the thought of Roula in this experience. Flashes of images of Jade and the event. He shook his head.

“No…move on.”

Dippe tilted her head/body slightly.

“Ho! Oh, sorry not you! Heh just talking to myself” Jack mentioned.

“Ahh OK. Hmm…that was quick…another reply.”

“Really?”

“Yep…just now. I wonder if she has an assistant or is doing what you are doing…dictating.”

“That would make sense. Open it up.”

“Jack-

            Well, then all those requests make sense. He want’s a…lot…of extra’s. Especially when GOTH told him about your experience. Yeah, no taste for privacy and secrecy. Pisses me off that they did that…he wanted to experience everything, and apparently, I am the one selected. I still can’t understand GOTH. I didn’t even sign up to match anyone. I mean yeah technically I am part of their list, but I just put myself on there, because part of the job requirement was that all members had to be in the list, unless they already had a partner. Anyway. Thank you. I will politely decline it. But I do have to show it in person. I did find some material on getting a refund. An old loophole that the original founders have put in there that may be helpful.

-             Gillian”

Jack thought about it for a moment.

“I wonder about this loophole. I don’t care about the money, but I sure don’t want them to have it after that experience…and maybe I can keep Gillian away from Roula. She has been helpful, so I want to at least keep him away from her. Let him find his happy ending’s elsewhere…sleezebucket.”

Dippe replied with a mechanical chuckle at “sleezebucket.”

“Such creative words you!”

Jack chuckled at that.

“Hey, it’s an oldie but a goodie…I always say, never mess with success…OK. Reply please”

“Certainly”

“Gillian-

Thank you for looking for all this. I am a bit better after the initial day, but certainly, I will take a look. Where are you guys’ meeting? Tell me so I can get there early…I do not want Roula to try anything.

Jack”

After a few moments, a reply.

“Jack-

A Familiar place of yours. CafePow. We will be meeting at 5:30pm. If you want, we could talk shop at 5?”

“Sound’s good. 5pm tomorrow. I can try another one of their specials. I wanted to see if their Chicken Parm Pizza is as good as they claim…and their Rainbow Sherbet Latte.”

“Ugh…that sound’s gross…count me in!”

At that Jack laughed. He appreciated the sense of humor.

“OK Dippe, set reminder for 5pm. You are coming right?”

“Confirmed. Of course I will.”

“Great! I don’t know what I would do without you.” Jack said as he winked. Dippe flashed a couple of green and blue lights, paused, then drifted to the kitchen.

“I am getting a snack. You want any?” Announced Dippe from the other room.

“No thanks. I am good.” Snack? Hmm. What kind of snack would Dippe have? Jack chuckled to himself. Jack pulled up on his HUD emails showing GOTH ToS as well as other bylaws. He also put himself as “Away” during an hour before and after the meeting.

A message from GOTH and Jade appeared. He decided to ignore those until he could meet up with Gillian tomorrow.

“I want to meet with a clear mind on this and focus on what I can do. I have a feeling those messages are attempts at renewing/engaging in continuing the ‘experience.’ Though I swore I didn’t see any issue with payments when I signed up. I don’t even think it has been a month. Anyways. I want out.” he said to himself as he opened several files by moving his hands apart to zoom in on various digital copy presented to him.

“I find it also strange that employees are enrolled as well. Wouldn’t that be a conflict of interest? Well…time to lock in and focus on this for tomorrow. It’s going to be a long day…”

Chapter Text

Jack’s alarm chimed in at Noon. Typical for the 3-day weekend, Friday was the beginning of his respite. Stretching, Dippe zoomed over to the bed side holding a small tray with egg’s, bacon, and toast. She set down the small tray next to jack on the bedside table and turned slightly to the right as a small tube revealed itself.

“Hot, just brewed. Just the way you like it.”

Out of the tube into a small beaker looking cup, a hot caramel brown liquid came pouring out. Sea salt caramel coffee with lion’s mane and a dash of heavy cream and stevia sweetener. The liquid gets auto stirred as it pours out. Once finished, Dippe takes another small hand/claw combination and takes a wipe to clean the tube and retracts them both.

“Synthesized breakfast. I can’t tell the difference these days. Everything sequenced to resemble the real thing.” Jack sniffs the air, smelling the typical breakfast smells.

“Even the nose can’t tell…Thank you Dippe!”

Dippe ‘Curtsied’ by slightly changing her z access and tilting down and back up.

“Of course! You have a big day today and I wanted to make sure you were properly taken care of!”

Jack smiled. Then he remembered something.

“Oh! By the way…yesterday you got a snack…what did you have?”

Dippe flashed a mischievous grin on her artificial display pad.

“Oh, wouldn’t you like to know? Ha! Maybe I will share it with you one day. Keep it a secret for now…but that’s a hint. It is something YOU can have as well.”

Jack smiled wide at that. He always liked intrigue.

“Deal! If I could, I would make you something as well…”

“Perhaps…we shall see! Time for your exercises and stretches. You want to give yourself plenty of time before the meeting. I auto responded to GOTH and Jade that you were away for the day, so they shouldn’t pester you.”

“Ahh yes, I forgot about that. Thank you. I will get back to them after the meeting. This way I will be able to be direct and take decisive action with facts and data…and not get caught up in anything personal. I am sure Jade will try to convince me as well.”

There was a pause from Dippe. Then a response.

“Perhaps…let’s just focus on the meeting. I think it will be very helpful. I looked up Gillian’s credentials just to make sure. She really was in the dark over all this. A while back she did sign up for the experience a few years ago but was never picked by anyone. Her profile lay dormant until she was brought on as an employee. So, it looks like GOTH keeps records of all interaction’s. There are some dating decade’s…”

“I remember Jade saying something about this company had different names. Once everything blew up, I assumed that was just a story, but maybe there was something legitimate about that. Perhaps all of it! It would be too easy to hide in plain sight.”

“I agree…their contracts and wording and all this information, hurts my processors trying to compute it all.”

“Heh, Me as well…” Jack shook his head as he started to eat his breakfast. Dippe floating silently turned to look out of the window.

“Fortune favors us…it looks like it will be nice out today.”

Jack gave a thumbs up as he was busy eating.

After performing his stretches and exercises, and then taking in the financial news, Jack cleaned up his place a bit and had a small conversation with Al on the vphone as well as his friend Hansel. Jack gave both his itineraries as he didn’t want to chance any further encounters with GOTH without some assurance that someone knew who and where he was. Just to be safe.

“Jarvis. I will be going to a meeting, and I should be back in an hour or so. Send me a phone call within 2 hours after. Standard safety protocols.”

“Very good sir. I will listen for key words and take appropriate action if needed.”

“Thank you. Dippe are you ready?”

“Always! I proceeded to have triple charge set up with some backup systems that will automate on low power if needed. Not that I think it will be an issue. I have a good feeling about the turn out. But I do not know if Jade or Roula or anything else might get in the way, so I prepared.”

“Oh Roula…I forgot about him. Yeah, good call on that. I doubt Jade will be even in the picture…but that is a good thing to keep a lookout as well. Considering I don’t know what she is truly like” Jack made a disgusted face.

“Again, it sucked what happened to you. Do not dwell on it.”

“Yeah, Yeah, I am good. Let’s get going. I want to be early so I can get my favorite’s ready, so I won’t have to wait for them.”

As Jack packed up his plastic portfolio with everything related to GOTH and the girlfriend experience, Dippe went around the house to make sure the lights were turned off, thermostat was set properly, and any wayward trash and messes were cleaned up.

“Jarvis”

“Yes Madam”

“Initiate standard away protocol. Dippe as primary contact if anything of escalation level 3. Standard Automation protocol. Authorized Dippe Alpha 3.”

“Very good. Protocol’s established, baseline set, and all notifications and contacts will be filtered level 3. Confirmed.”

“Set exit for 30 minutes.”

“Confirmed. 30 minutes”

Jack nodded and proceeded to head out. Dippe swooped over to the coat rack and ducked under a leather hat, to present it.

“Just a bit of style.” Dippe chirped as Jack laughed at the slightly tilted hat on her spherical metal frame.

“But of course!” He dipped down a slight bow and picked up the hat.

“One of these day’s I have to get you a hat as well…” Jack chuckled again as they left the house. A soft click as the auto locks engaged, and an indicator light turned from Green to Amber with a 25-minute countdown.

“I think for this trip. A bit fancier.” He looked around his pocket and found his car keys. Pushing a button, the garage door across the way auto opened, and a sleek Testarossa slowly left, curled around the half-moon driveway to park itself in front of Jack. Sleek steel frame with a matte blue and bright white and orange stripe. On the hood, a codex of a family crest gold etched into the hood front, the soft hum of the stock engine was waiting for its owner.

Jack walked up to the car and the door’s auto opened, the fancy side lift. The other side opened as well, as Dippe circled under it as it moved. Both had settled in as the door’s auto closed. On the HUD display of the vacant dashboard display: HEADING?

“Driver Mode. Automatic” the empty dashboard changed as a line formed at chest level, and a steering wheel with standard controls, a radio, cup holder, and floor petals emerged from openings in various parts of the car.

“I feel nostalgic…I want to drive myself.”

Dippe just nodded (by lowering her access while slightly dipping her front frame down and back up)

The hum of the engine came alive as jack pushed the side button on the steering column. He shifted into gear and then headed outside of his driveway, into the main access road, then onto the street.

            It took only a few minutes to get to his favorite spot, as it is close by. CafePow is equidistant from his dwelling and to his work, so quite often Jack would walk, or Bike to it. Most of the modern Home/Work/Eat set up these days are similar. Efficiency has improved over the years, and many of the buildings are layered to the effect. Mimicking the street and landscaping that would find on the surface, but in a massive High-rise. Jack looked over for a parking spot and found one on the side of the street.

“This part…I do not like…Driver Mode: Parallel, Auto Auto” and with that, the car slowed down to the next car up, and auto adjusted and performed a flawless parallel park, exactly nine inches from the curb.

Once he was freed from his vehicle, he walked over to where CafePow was located. The typical exaggerated Plastic cup with foam coming out adorning the top with pictures of food under it. He scanned the area and looked at his watch. He was 10 minutes early. He noticed a woman with sunglasses and a beach hat, with a small shade umbrella and a laptop. He thought back to the picture of Gillian from the emails and this resembled her. Her hair is short but cropped expertly and clean. Jack nodded in her direction as she nodded back and walked up to the counter. The lady who helped him out last time noticed him.

“Welcome to CafePow!”

“Hi…I would like to order…”

“Oh! It’s you! I remember you. Your order is already coming. It should be done in a few minutes!”

“Um…I didn’t order anything.”

She laughed and then pointed.

“Your girlfriend ordered it for you. Chicken Parm Pizza slice and a Rainbow Sherbet Latte, with skittle parts in it.”

“A…Girlfriend? Wait…hmm…that sounds like what I was thinking of ordering.”

She laughed again.

“She added the skittles parts, said that you would like the texture and flavor. It’s already paid for as well” she responded as Jack pulled out his wallet.

“Huh…well then.” Dippe came over to Jacks side.

“Seems like she knows you as well as I do!”

“Must be all that profile stuff…who knows, maybe they re conned everything.” Jack chuckled.

“Maybe……Jack…can I ask you something before we head over?”

“Sure.” He turned to look at her as his tone got softer. Concern came over his face.

“Do you believe that AI…well…Cybernetic and inorganic creations, such as myself…have a soul?”

Jack eyes went wide.

“Uhm…wow…that is a very deep question. Honestly?” Jack paused, looking at nothing. A long pause and then,

“I…. actually…I have no clue!”

“But what do you think? Do you think we are capable of thought, feelings, etc…that we can change? Grow? Diminish? You know, qualities that are indicative of a soul?”

Jack looked over at Gillian, then at the shop, then thought back to Al and his childhood. All memories. Stored Neural impulses of framed experiences coalesced into one body.

“Well, I do like philosophical and conspiracy type of questions, so I guess this would fit something that I would think about. I think it is possible. The more I think of it, the more I am aware that the beginnings of human’s were no more different than the beginnings of Cybernetic and Artificial intelligence. Now with AEI AND ACI, Artificial Emotional Intelligence and Artificial Cognitive Intelligence, being separated…isn’t so different then when Man started to self-realize. One would beg to ask if various apes have a soul, does complexity of thought and feeling equate to life and consciousness? Does a primitive ape have the same empathy and associations as the modern man? Some would say yes, but they lack the ability or intelligence to decipher those impulses into a recognizable and transferable medium for others to understand. Programming, you might call it…”

Jack gently tapped the front part of her display.

“Is so complex, flexible, and versatile, it has been developed with the ability to expand and grow. Sure, you may have limitations on how much you can retain…but so do we! It is just that our brains have an amazing capacity currently. But the technology is matching that. Soon, there will be developments where your abilities will surpass ours…but in the same light, we may augment ours as well…so in effect…we will become more like you.”

Dippe paused for a while, making soft whirring noises, as if in deep thought.

“That…makes me happy…and gives me a lot to think about. This whole girlfriend experience thing…has it made you jaded about relationships at all?”

“Somewhat…but I will adapt.”

“I heard of some building relationships with artificial intelligence…what do you think of…”

“ORDER IS UP!” Suddenly the conversation was broken by the servers announcement.

Jack looked at the food and then at Dippe.

“To be continued…but to make sure the question is answered…I have thought about it. I am intrigued.” He Gently smiled as he went to pick up the food and drink. Dippe dropped a bit behind him as he walked over to Gillian, she did a little cartwheel in the air behind Jack’s back. Gillian’s eyes went wide at that, but Jack didn’t notice a thing, due to her sunglasses.

Jack approached Gillian with his food and drink.

“I see you got what you mentioned previously…I had the liberty of ordering the same thing, just to try it. I can see why you like it!” Gillian said as she stood up to greet Jack. Jack looked down to see an empty plate and cup.

“I see that it was acceptable?”

She laughed at that.

“Why, yes. I didn’t realize how hungry I was and well…it really hit the spot! Good recommendation! The Rainbow Sherbet…I had my suspicions, but it worked. Just like the Fries and shake kind of thing!”

Jack gestured in agreement.

“See? That’s what I am talking about! Well, I am glad you tried and enjoyed something new! So, am I here at a good time?”

They both sat down.

“Yes. I was going over everything.” She closed her laptop.

“I believe you can easily get a refund. Though there was a statement stating that the subscription had to be completed. There is a by-law stating that the event has unique timing constraints, which prevent premature responses due to the neural nature of some of the experiences. It’s a panic clause. But looking into it, it just looks to me that you just must wait until 30 days or whatever to then issue a refund. So, it’s not inhibitive.”

“I see…that shouldn’t be an issue. I can wait. It’s the principle of the thing anyway.”

“Yeah. I agree. I am glad you came out. It’s good to see you out and about after all that.” Gillian tilted her head slightly which made Jack feel a bit flummoxed for some reason.”

“Uhh…hey, I am sorry that you got caught up in this.” Jack said as he looked down.

“No! No no no…do not concern yourself. I am glad. Hadn’t it happened now, I would have been clueless, and who knows how long I could have been complicit in this. I may have never known!”

“Well, still…it really knocked the wind out of my sails, so to speak…but…”

“I hear ya. Do not worry.” The way she said that last statement washed over Jack and for a moment, he felt relieved and comforted. He heard Dippe behind him moving to and fro as Gillian’s eyes shifted over to something behind Jack.

Gillian re-opened the laptop and hit a few keys, then looked down, and back up, then down again.

“Is something the matter?”

“Well…” Gillian looked up and squinted her eyes for a moment.

“It seems Roula is heading this way…and he isn’t alone.”

Jack turned to look and towards the adjacent parking lot. He saw a smug looking Roula and standing next to him, Jade. Dressed up in what could pass for a formal party dress.

Jack turned back and rolled his eyes.

“Just what I needed.”

Gillian looked at Jack’s concern, then a mischievous smile came over her face. Jack raised his eyebrows at the sudden reaction. He had to smile because the look was almost photogenic!

“I got this.” She spoke. Firm and bold in her wording.

Jack decided to take a big bite out of his meal and a big gulp, as the tension could be felt in his stomach. He was not going to let this ruin a fantastic meal!

Chapter Text

“Well, Well, well... if it isn’t the J man himself and his rusted broken-down pail of parts”

Dippe’s gears and electronics whirled in irritation at that statement, but she remained quiet. Gillian noticed it and then looked at Jade.

“See what I mean? This prick thinks he is all that with his little companion…and you…what are you doing outside of your pale yellow cubical” Jade commented, with what could be comparative to a slow jersey accent, completely different then how she spoke to Jack. He surmised that it was just a persona.

“Trading up, more than I can say about you Jilted Jade” Gillian commented. Jack almost choked on his drink and Jade’s face started to redden while Roula just ignored it and looked at Jack.

“You really did mess things up… and over a subscription? What? Couldn’t afford it? Pff. Your loss my gain…as usual”

Jack was about to say something when Gillian stood up.

“What do you want Roula. We are busy.”

“We? Are you two an item or something? Not by my records. We were supposed to have our meet-up date or something. I just got done with this chick.” Roula emphasized ‘done’ and Jack’s face scrunched up in disgust. Jade was just looking at her fingernails without any expression. She then noticed Jack’s expression.

“Snooze and Lose Babe. No Freebies and no take backs…” Dippe then flew in between them, but Jade just swatted her away.

“Hey! Don’t touch her!” Surprisingly, Gillian yelled almost a half a second before Jack was able to. Roula looked at Jade for a moment with a goofy grin.

“Yeah, she was something. Anyway. I was going to say, we could have a three some or something. I can easily pay extra for it.” Roula turned to Gillian as he sat down Straddling a neighboring chair.

“Enough of this!” Jack said suddenly. His voice booming and echoing through CafePow. Several people turned to quietly look at them.

He was about to stand up when Roula placed a hand on his shoulder and whispered.

“Jack Boy…you don’t want to raise a scene here…especially so close to work. You know how social media can easily manipulate things...” as Roula pushed a gentle shove to unbalance Jack. Jack flopped back down into his chair.

“Annnd…I recorded that as an assault, plus I canceled the date. I recorded it as a conflict of schedule…so no…no threesome for you, at least not with me.” Gillian stated, as the keys on her laptop where clacking with commands. She kept the laptop open and gently reached over to remove Roula’s hand from Jack’s shoulder, twisting slightly. Roula’s face arced in sudden pain as his arm and shoulder was bent in a strange way, causing him to immediately let go. Jade started to laugh at the display.

“Your girly fighting your battles now?”

Jack slowly stood up and calmed himself for a moment…then replied.

“What do you really want Roula. We all know that you don’t want or need this girlfriend experience and even if you did…” Jack paused looking at Jade and then back.

“It seems that you got what you wanted out of it.”

Roula looked at Jade again, both with mischievous grins. Then returned to look at Jack.

“Almost…almost…see…GOTH reached out to me. They wanted to make a deal, knowing my position within the water industry. They want to branch out…use our facilities for waste and to cool their supercomputers.”

“But…that would cause so much environmental damage, let alone all the contamination!”

“Do I care? We have lawyers and regulators that can cover this up. See…they made some promises” Jack noticed Jade was looking at her fingernails again and she moved over a bit as Roula was very expressive with his hands. She was slowly moving away. Good ridden Jack thought.

“They promised me either a Job with them as liaison…or a double promotion. I could be your boss! Or something equivalent on their end…either way, you would have to answer to me…sweet deal, isn’t it?”

“Why you…no…we would never do business with GOTH or the likes of you.”

Roula smirked and walked back and forth a bit in front of Jack.

“Never? Such an infinite word for a finite structure. Never say Never J man. They just asked for one thing, and it is good as done.”

Gillian was watching Roula pace back and forth, keeping a sharp eye on him. Roula was deep in thought with his hands behind his back.

“Just one small thing…and I am guaranteed the position. You see J man…it’s practically a done deal” Gillian’s eyes were focused on Roula. Jack was following his motion as well, not trusting this man.

“Spill it, you know you want to…you love to gloat or show off…or whatever it is that you do.”

Roula stopped as he looked toward Jack, but almost passed him.

“It’s simple really. All GOTH want’s…are the intellectual property and secrets of the water company. You see…they don’t want to just make a deal. They want it all. If I can give them what they want, they will buy out the company, strip it of its assets, get rid of the…” At this point Roula looked Jack in the eye.

“Dead Weight…and just own the machinery…they will have all the cooling and resources they need to become beyond global…”

Jack laughed at the ridiculous idea.

“Never in a million years. All the companies’ data and resources are secured and completely on lock-down. There is no way…”

Suddenly there was an odd sound of muffled clicks, chirps, and metallic yelps as a faint.

“HELP!” could be heard. Coinciding with a sudden breeze past Jack’s shoulders.

Jack bolted upright and turned suddenly just as Gillian stood up to see a rather fast running Jade with what appeared to be a large shimmering cloth like a sack. No longer wearing heels or any limiting footwear of the sort, Jade was quickly heading to what looked like a parked truck.

The scene confused him for a split moment until he realized that the sack was bouncing around independently of Jade’s movements, and then it dawned on him, that Dippe was suddenly gone!

Roula, anticipating this, nudged Jack back into his Chair as Gillian started to give chase.

“Tsk tsk tsk…don’t be doing anything…hasty…your little gal pal there, is all they need. Well…all what GOTH needs. See, they realized that girl of yours…has access to all the resources and data they need…she is tethered to you like a puppy. But we will…”

At this point Roula sneered at Jack.

“We will strip all data from her…piece by piece…doesn’t matter what she wants, she may be the consort and property of the water company, but after we are through with her…she will be a used-up calculator. Everything we need…she has…and we will get it from her.”

Roula stopped talking as his hand that was used to shove Jack back was suddenly grabbed and pushed back at an odd angle. Pain shot up in his arm as he crumbled onto the ground. Without saying a word, Jack stood up and twisted slightly causing Roula’s wrist to sprain and causing him to immediately collapse on the ground. Roula looked at Jacks eyes and suddenly start to back away.

“We are not done.” Jack said slowly, in a deeper, gravel laden and roughed out voice. Every syllable made Roula back away more and more as with amazing speed, Jack bolted towards Jade. Almost catching up to Gillian with a quickness. Jack, mind completely single focused, just realized how much he depended on Dippe.

            Jack quickened his pace as he caught up to Gillian, Jade still far out in front running at full speed. Gillian, wide eyed at seeing Jack, breathed hard as she shouted.

“Get back here!” and then at a normal voice. “She is quick, I will give her that…” Jack just nodded and then pointed ahead.

“I think she is heading for that Van. I will try to catch up to her, but I do not think I will make it.”

“Leave it to me, I am parked not far from here…” Gillian said as she veered off and disappeared towards a side road as Jack nodded.

True to his word, Jade bolted towards a parked van. She shouted some unintelligent words as the door’s flew open. Jack started to go full speed as Jade locked eyes on him for a moment. A moment of panic was replaced with a sneer as she tossed the metal sheen bag roughly into the van. A loud clunk could be heard as she jumped into the driver side and could be seen mouthing a word as the car started to drive off.

            Jack was about to catch up to the vehicle when it sped off. Jade could be seen sticking her tongue out, as the car started to drive up an incline towards an unknown location. Jack had stopped as the car proceeded to quickly to catch up, but a few moments later a small car could be seen coming up from behind. Jack bent over to catch his breath, but keeping an eye on the van. As it started to get smaller as it was slowly ascending a hill by the main thoroughfare, Gillian quickly pulled up and slowed down. Sporting a sleek looking Countach. All in deep purple with some sparkly stars on the rear fender. Jack raised his eyebrows impressed at the look and style of the vehicle. His ears twitched as he heard an original stock engine as well.

“Once we have time, I would definitely like to share stories on this car!”

Gillian just smiled and winked.

“Get in. You will feel for yourself!” Jack, without hesitation jumped into the passenger seat.

“She is up quite a bit; I wonder if we will lose her.”

Gillian just laughed as she put on her sunglasses.

“We will see!” Jack had to pause for a moment, as Gillian was picturesque at this moment. She had the look of a wild street racer and model all at the same time. Jack just smiled as Gillian shifted gears a moment, then went to the dashboard and flipped three switches.

Jack, eyed the switches and then his eyes went wide.

“Wait! You don’t mean…”

Suddenly you could hear spinning metal and several repetitions of metal clinking and sputtering.

Suddenly Jack was forcibly thrown back into the very comforting and cradling seat as the sheer g-forces pinned him. Gillian just laughed.

He looked over the speed gauge and saw it climb to 120, 140, 160, and climbing, as the vehicle quickly started to close the gap. Jack just had to laugh uncontrollably, feeling the sheer ferocity of the engine. He could see Jade pulling into a massive parking lot with a big bulbous title overhead. “GOTH Enterprises”

“Shit, if she gets into the main doors, we will lose her forever. Hold on”

For once in Jack’s life, he held on, without saying a word. True to her statement, he felt the pressure as he was pinned. Not even bothering looking at the speedometer, the car quickly zoomed towards the front gate. Jade could be seen wide eyed and frantic. Jade had positioned her van on the incline towards the open part of the gate. Eyed the double door’s and then turned to look at the car. Suddenly she turned the van slightly so that it would block most of the entrance way. Jade could be seen jumping out to run to the passenger side Van door. Once the door was opened, however, the Metal sheen bag could be seen wildly moving to and fro, as if it had a mind of it’s own. Loud noises, squeaks, and sounds could be heard. Jade started to wince as the sound was starting to hurt her ears as you could see metal poking through the bag a bit. Jade could barely contain the bag as she sneered and eyed Jack and Gillian. Jade attempted to drag the bag out of the van and slowly headed towards the front double doors.

Gillian, eyeing the van and her speed, suddenly flipped a few more switches. Suddenly several vent’s popped open on either side of the vehicle, as well as two in front and two in the rear. Steam and air and white smoke could be seen blown about as loud sustained air compression noises could be heard from the vehicle. The frame shuddered as the sudden deceleration pulled both Gillian and Jack forward, but the chair and belts had quickly puffed up slightly to keep them motionless.

“Remind me…” Jack said out of breath as Gillian just smiled and opened their doors.

“Later…there she is.” Gillian pointed.

Both had jumped out of the car and started to head towards Jade. Gillian had parked a bit of distance from the van, making sure not to hit the vehicle. Both had to run full force up the incline towards the van.

Jade was still struggling with the bag when she eyed both Jack and Gillian making a speedy run towards her. She looked towards the front doors and then to the duo. Jade made a mischievous smile as she suddenly tossed the metal bag back into the van suddenly, causing it’s contents to swerve wildly, hitting the back side of the front seat. Jade jumped into the side door and proceeded to open the hill side facing door. Both Jack and Gillian started to slow a bit as Jade had a wild look in her eyes, as she got into the van, and waited.

“What is she up to?” Gillian shouted as they continued to close the gap.
“I don’t know, but I don’t like…” Suddenly a football could be seen whizzing by their heads, then a softball, and a volleyball. Jade had pulled various contents of the van and started to throw it at them. With the incline being as steep as it was, it wasn’t hard for her to aim.

Jack and Gillian started to slow down, both raising their arms as various golf balls, gloves, books, can’s, and other items started to pelt them.

“If we…”

“LOOK OUT!” Gillian attempted to shout, but it was too late.

A whirling baseball bad spinning in a straight line, had slammed into Jacks forearm and head, causing him to fall backwards. Gillian, out of reflex, attempted to reach for him, as another baseball had hit the side of her leg. Both lost their balance as the wind was knocked out of Jack, sprawled on the ground and Gillian tripped over the ball landing on top. Both started to slide backwards down the road.

Both could hear a cackle shout of glee from up ahead.

“Serves the lot of ya, thinking you can out Brit a Brit!” in a full-blown British accent. Jade had made a nasty sound and closed the door.

Chapter Text

               Jack, not feeling the greatest, started to wheeze as he attempted to take deep breaths, trying to regain his composure. Gillian started to groan as she held her head and side. Jack also noticed a sizeable welt on his arm and scuffed up marks on his forehead. A few moments passed by as Jade went back to struggle with the metal sheen bag. The bag was now fully tossed back and forth, hitting Jade in the process. Angry metallic noises from the bag. All you could hear from Jade was.

“Why…don’t…you…just…” behave!!!”

Jack started to crawl towards Gillian as his breathing started to get back to normal.

“You…OK?? He looked at Gillian’s head and side. No marks on her head, but a small bruise could be seen peeking out of a ruffled midriff shirt.

Gillian waved him off as she looked at Jack, her Sunglasses completely thrown and destroyed, gave him a once overlook as well.

“I am fine, fine…you? That was a nasty hit.”

Jack blinked a few times, said a few words,

“Yeah…I am OK…mostly took the wind out of me. My forearm will ache for a while, it took most of the blow.”

“You…look like a hot mess!” Gillian said suddenly with a chuckle.

“Ha! You don’t look that great either!” both looked at each other, and smiled, then towards Jade. Jade was struggling with her sheen bag so much; she had lost her footing several times. She was not making any progress at this point.

Gillian turned towards Jack with a Cheshire cat looking smile.

“Payback’s…” and a deep breath in “A Bitch!” as she bolted upright. Jack smiled and slowly got up as both ran towards Jade again.

This time, Jade noticed the two and could be seen mouthing.

“Shit. If you don’t settle down, I am going to hurt Jack again!” She shouted.

With that, the sudden chaos of the bag had stopped.

“That’s better” Jade turn to run towards the double doors and started to make a full run towards them.

“Oh no you don’t!” Gillian had shouted, as they both quickly caught up to Jade. Despite Dippe no longer struggling, Jade hadn’t realized that without her motion, she was now a lead weight to be carried.

“Fly you…Fly...Oh never mind!” Jade hauled the sack over her shoulder and slugged her run towards the doors.

A few moments later, Jack and Gillian quickly caught up to her. Jack pointed towards himself and the bag and then to Gillian and Jade. Gillian smiled and spoke.

“Of course. You are indeed the gentleman. But who said I had to be a gentle lady!” At that Jack laughed and he suddenly lunged and jumped at the metal sack. He grabbed tight as Gillian took a lunge at Jade.

Jack used all his strength to pull the sack successfully away from Jade, but in midair, curled into a ball tucking the sack safely against his chest as he formed a safety cocoon as he fell towards the ground in a fetal position. Meanwhile, Jade was tackled head on by Gillian. Toppling her and slamming her into the concrete.

Jack took a couple of deep breaths as Gillian grabbed one of Jade’s arms and pinned it against her back, as she sat on Jade’s butt.

Softly from inside the bag, a soft gentle metal voice could be heard. One that Jack was not accustomed to.

“Jack…is that you?”

A few breaths in.

“Yes…just a moment, that was a hard hit…but yes…it is me. You are safe” another few breaths.

“Good…don’t rush…I am glad…” The servo’s and gears started to run quieter as Dippe just laid still in Jack’s grasp.

Removing the bag from Dippe, she popped out of the opening, front face-plate all red with fangs and snarling, immediately turned to green with a digital smile and wide eyes as she saw Jack. She was covered in glitter and various other shiny flakes.

“Ugh…it is going to take weeks to get that out of my servo’s” Jack had to laugh.

“Well, I am glad you are not worse for wear. I was…worried.”

Dippe got unusually quiet, and the color turned to blue.

“I was…worried as well.” She said softly and then turned to look at Gillian all ruffled, pinning down a snarling Jade.

“You go girl!”

At that Gillian laughed. Just then the double doors slowly opened. With a menacing and somehow anticipated creaking sound. Which was weird as the entrance was as modern as could be.

Three men in black suits top to bottom, wearing earpieces, and sunglasses, and dress slacks, dress shirt and tie, wearing standard dress shoes. Slowly walked out.

Both Jack and Gillian tensed as Jade started to laugh. The intermediary then stopped and put up both hands.

“Stand down you two. We are not here for a fight. We saw everything on camera.”

Jack snarled at the man.

“That is fine and well…but what do you want to do about it.”

“Well…as you see…we are a publicly traded company…and also, as you well know…we are also publicly FACING company, as soon as the assault and situation was recorded…by our own camera’s…there is nothing to be done…except…to apologize to the two of you, and to take Ms Jade into custody.”

With that Jade started to shout

“WHAT! WE had a DEAL! Both YOU and I and ROULA…I don’t care what happened here. We had a DEAL!”

“We do not know what you are talking about. I do not know of this Roula we are speaking of…deal or no deal, which is not our concern. We can only deal with what is publicly recorded and shared, and you…Ms. Jade, have assaulted one of our employee’s, as well as one of our customers, and apparently took something of theirs as well. WE can not establish any basis for those specifics, but we saw what we saw.”

Gillian suddenly smiled wildly and turned to Jack and spoke.

“Ah ha! Don’t you see? They are too big for their own good. Their girlfriend experience always has their systems, the company, and their day to day publicly scrutinized…that is their fan base and their bread and butter. We are out in the open, and I am sure several civilian camera’s caught this. Heck, my car Cam and your IOT and even Dippe recorded all of this.

Dippe spun around and then a display appeared on her display pad. A Live stream of the events hearts and likes spamming the view-screen. Hundreds of comments per second with.

“You Go girl!” and “Hell yeah!” and “DOWN WITH JADE” among other odd messages like
“That Jade is kinda hot now she is on the ground growling” “That MIB Dude on the Right is a Milf” and “That car, that building…fffff.”

“I was live streaming ever since that bag was thrown at me. It may have muffled my vocals and energy, but not my WiFi!”

The right most agent approached Jade with the handcuffs. He paused as Dippe’s stream was still scrolling, the agent cleared his throat as the comments started to focus on him and his attractiveness.

“Well…ahem…you are coming with me” He proceeded to pull up Jade and take her away.

“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience, and yes…after the 30-day period…if you so desire, you will get a free refund, as well as a commissary package for all your troubles. You will be…delighted.” The agent in the middle announced, loudly. Towards Dippe.

“30 Day?” Gillian shouted. The Agent gently moved his hands down in a placating matter.

“Yes, it is all automatic. We can’t budge the code, and it has to unlock after 30 days. None of us, even the CEO, can alter it. It was put in for the safety of all, including the contestants and the public around us. In the event of compromised code or hack, it is sealed completely. No external influences. Physical or otherwise. Once it is clear though, we will process it. We give you our word…and…”

He points to Dippe.

“We obviously have to keep to our word, or we will go under.”

Gillian nodded at that.

“Dippe…I will say the same back. You go girl! What a clever idea”

“I have my moments!” she whistled, as the other agents receded back into the building. Massaging their side and shoulder.

“Well, that is enough excitement. Let’s head back.”

“What about Roula?” Gillian said.

“Dippe…you have it all?”

“Of Course I do.”

“Send it. With love of course.”

“Heh, already did, but I fear I don’t need to, part of my protocol is to prefer stream to our employees and C level management, and by my record, quite a few of them are watching. At this point, I believe most, if not all are on.”

Jack laughed and then turned to Gillian.

“I wouldn’t worry about Roula. At this point, I doubt he will even be in the country for long.” He then extends a hand towards Gillian.

“Shall we?”

“We shall!”

“Oh, and Gillian… well…considering you most likely not have a job at GOTH anymore. You could work at our company. Must be different departments and all…but I am sure you can fit in somewhere.”

“She smiled and nodded.”

“Maybe head of security with all of those slick moves” Jack suddenly joked.

Gillian suddenly looked shocked then amused and then sighed.

“Oh Jack, with everything we been through. You can call me Jill.”

“Jill it is.” He took her hand and headed back to her car.

“Easy on the…exotics this time”

“Heh…maybe…just this once”

Dippe chirped.

“What exotics?”

Jill made a wide smile and Jack responded.

“No no no…not until we at least recover some! Please!”

Jill laughed and then said.

“Yeah, I will go easy on ya Jack…just this one time.”

With that Jack sighed a sigh of relief.

Chapter Text

“Jack! Wake up! Sleepy head! Wake up!”

Suddenly Jacks eyes snapped open and he looked into Dippe’s visor. She had a wide-eyed excited look.

“Mmm What is it…what time Is it?”

“Well…it’s 6:30am…but before you shush me…you got an important message from the CEO and Board Member from the company. He is inviting you to his beach house for an important impromptu conversation. He also stated “Invite that Gillian lass. She is part of this as well!”

“Oh? Jill? This must be important. I had put in a recommendation at the office. I was actually surprised at how quick it went through…wait…did you say CEO?”

“Yes! THE CEO…the one that started the company from scratch. The one that is barely in the office and just visits on occasion. Many barely even know he exists…some say that an AI run’s it…”

“AI? That would be something. Why would they think that?”

“Dunno…something to do with names and ownership and such. But those that do see him, don’t really talk about him. He just hands over a list of things for the month and then leaves…though his list is quite extensive and cover’s every question that is needed it seems…like he is used to listing things out.”

“Hmm. Sounds like good leadership…Hire the right people, you barely have to do much at all…but just in case, you have a guide ha! A list? That sounds familiar. Say…have I ever met the man? Like personally? Not a vid call?”

A pause.

“Not…that I can recall. No official meeting, and actually…most if not all vid call’s were faceless. Mostly slide shows and an altered voice. Maybe there is something to this AI rumor!”

“Wouldn’t that be something. Running around crazy from GOTH an industrial techno complex to find I work for an industrial techno CEO…wouldn’t that be ironic…speaking…the 30 days is almost up, isn’t it?”

“Yes. I believe tomorrow, I think. I have all the prep work done. I also invited Jill over for you, as things have been going well it seems?”

Jack laughed and then said.

“Yeah…who would have thought…it took a corrupt dating conglomerate just to bring us together. Jill is something right?”

There was a long pause as Dippe whirled and servo’s twisted. Finally, a soft white glow.

“Yes, she is. Very kind, thoughtful, passionate, strong, yet soft and sweet. She treats me as a person and not a product or a machine…I really do like her a lot, Jack.”

Dippe got really close to Jacks face then…inches away. Which startled him, but he did not back away. Completely trusting her.

“Treat her well and care for her. You...Just…Just be you.” At that, Dippe Gently touched Jack’s nose with her lower digital display. Jack felt all kinds of feelings at that moment until the display appeared again. Another email.

“I…the CEO…has requisitioned a…vortex travel portal! That is extremely rare and expensive! This is an instant two-way travel portal to anywhere and everywhere!”

Jack whistled in awe. He had heard that travel like this was possible, but only for the very wealthy, and even then, it was rarely used.

“This must be important then. Let’s go!”

“I am right behind you.” Then in a whisper to quiet for Jack to hear. “…always”

Jack went to the entrance of his residence, and shimmering right by the doorway, against the side on the hard surface of the wall, was the portal. A simple ring with a digital display of a lock and key and a number on top of it. Jack opened his email and saw the same number with another number and a countdown.

“Jack….31254.” He announced out loud. The image of the lock and key shimmered and a video display of a lock opening filled the view, and the frame and lock disappeared. Suddenly the video image dissolved and was replaced with a shimmering thin blue pool that looked like water but sounded static.

“Well, here we go.”

“Jack…do you think I will be OK going through that?” Dippe said suddenly.

He paused and then looked at the pool and at her.

“I think I got a solution…here…” he reached out and Dippe got close to Jack, about chest level.

“Our latest…encounter made me think…” then he slowly reached forward to hug her close to him. Her servo’s chimed in response as the fan’s of the flight mechanism slowed.

Jack then stepped forward.

The sensation was like splashing cool water onto your face, but over your whole body. Once the shimmer hit his eyes, for a brief second he saw static, then the view of a beach front bungalow first appeared as if in a fish lens, then cleared as if someone had fine tuned the resolution, and a gust of warm tropic air filled with sea water hit him.

“Welcome Lad and Lass!” said a familiar voice shrouded in a netted bungalow just about a few yards from the portal. Suddenly Jack felt a light punch on the arm, and he looked over to see Gillian smiling at him. She was wearing a tight low-cut dress, as if she were at a private function, but feet buried in the sand. She had her shoes strung over her shoulder. Jack had then released Dippe from his hug.

She flew a bit too and fro until righting herself and then did a 360 scan of the area.

“By my accounts…this look’s like either the Florida Key’s or Cancun…maybe even Belize…it looks rural enough, but with accommodations.”

“Keen eye on that one. She is correct. We are on a coastal beach house in Belize…though I must prep it now and then during hurricane season, but I have been fortunate.”

Jack scratched his chin. The voice sounded very familiar.

“I know that voice…”

Suddenly the mystery voice behind the netting, pulled back the covering, and in full sandwich making gear, was Al.

“Al! What…what are you doing here?”

“Well, my boy…this is my place!” Al stood up and wiped his hands onto his smock, and then reached out. Jack noticed the intonation was more crisp than usual.

“Well…this is my place away from my place…or both places.” He chuckled…then looked over to Gillian.

“I am glad you came as well…I heard great things about you!”

Gillian looked confused.

Al laughed and pointed towards Dippe. Jack looked just as confused.

“Ahh, I see…” Al took off his butcher’s smock and a simple coverall and under it was a suit and tie.

“You see… I go to my sandwich shop to think. I bought it a while back when the area was still thriving. You wondered why such a shop could be kept open all the way out there? Ha! It wasn’t the customers! Though I did get a few stragglers here and there…but you were my regular! One day, When I retire, I will probably stay their full time. Especially if I can pass this place to someone.” Al then walked around his makeshift desk.

“In fact, I have been meaning to retire for some time. But the water industry flows like a river, regardless of who is sailing down the shores.” Al looked out the window with his hands behind his back.

“I know of Roula...In fact. I know what he is capable of…” Al turned back to jack with a wry grin.

“Who do you think hired him? Ha! He couldn’t lead a pirate to treasure!” Jack swore Al’s voice changed a bit to sound like a pirate.

“What he was…was an obstacle…a challenge…” Al turned back towards the counter and then looked over to Gillian.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t know you would have gotten involved…at least…I didn’t see this happening…when G.O.T.H approached me…” At that point, Both Jack and Gillian started to say something in tangent.

Al waved them down chuckling.

“It’s not what you think…calm calm…here…I will make pizza subs while I explain…”

At that Jack’s stomach started to rumble.

“Ahh, I knew the timing was perfect! “Al laughed as he sprinted behind the counter to roll out some dough while continuing.

“You see Jack…as I have mentioned, I have been keeping an eye on you. You are a thoughtful, respectful, insightful, and compassionate person. Lots of strength and love to give…but you are also a loner…and not by choice.”

At that, Jack looked down and out of the window. He was dead on.

“I have seen you throw yourself at work, and the gym, and even with your friend there…” Pointing to Dippe. She beeped in response.

“But as human’s go…you needed to catch up. I contacted G.O.T.H to find someone for you…and they are VERY, VERY good at what they do…in fact…” at that. Al tossed up the dough like a pizza and stretched it out.

“When that whole Jade thing happened…I was utterly shocked. I had thought she was conscripted to be the one they found for you…but I was mistaken…”

Al took some time to get the pizza sauce and cheese ready.

“It take’s a lot to fool me…and…this fooled me…” He gestured to Gillian.

Jack looked at her in confusion. Al laughed.

“Did you open your recent email? I suggest you do…”

Jack, absentmindedly looked to Dippe in a daze and remembered he had set up a protocol to hold mail.

“Oh sh…. I forgot…Dippe…anything in the past few hours?”

A long pause, and with a soft voice that sounded oddly sad.

“Yes…One…from G.O.T.H”

“OK Read it… out loud…as apparently, I am the LAST to know what is going on with all of this.”

“Very well…” She responded. She did a 360 and settled in a spot against the wall as Al started to make the Bagels and Gillian took a seat at a table.

“Your 30 days’ have now concluded! We welcome the new couple to share your experiences and what you felt about The Girlfriend Experience! We are thrilled with the success of our joining!”

There was a pause, and Jack had a confused look on his face.

“There is more…” Al said, with a very amused look on his face.

“I take it you want one yourself?” He asked over to Gillian who was startled out of her stairs.

“Oh! Yes! That would be perfect.”

Dippe then resumed.

“We are delighted and would like to take several pictures of the new couple and ask for a question-and-answer survey if you wish, on the experience. To the new success of our couple matching, and our heuristic modeling, and statistical responses dictate a 99.99995% bonding results. Highest that has ever been reached. TO the new Couple. Jack…” at that a picture of Jack from his old computer hacker days…Jack verbally groaned at the picture. Gillian giggled at that.

“And Gillian!” with a picture of Gillian in a similar awkward teenage phase picture.

Jack suddenly spit out whatever he had been drinking and Gillian bolted upright.

“Twist and turns with every challenge…” Dippe then continued, this time the picture turned into a video.

“With Red herrings, temptations, challenges, and rivals and such…what a thrilling adventure!!! Including an addition with one of our hidden hosts…” then a picture of a Professional looking Jade appeared next to the video. The video showed scene’s of Jack’s first meeting with Jade, and the date, and the various events. Several other window’s appeared with different times and situations all put together.

“Award winning and almost as enticing as a feature film! Anger! Sadness! Despair, all enraptured as our audience was at the edge of their seats! Look at these statistics!” Suddenly a view audience stat raised and lowered depending on various scenes of Jack’s life during the time with G.O.T.H.

Jack looked at Al and then Gillian.

“I didn’t know…” Gillian said. Al shrugged.

“Honestly my boy, we didn’t…I figured Jade was their match choice and they were done with it. Who would have thought that it was all part of it. Including my request, and the whole men in black thing…all of it…was scripted apparently, and we were all the actors. Including…our resident camera/spy” Al pointed to Dippe.

She whirled in front of Jack.

“I Did not know either…honestly, I had no clue I was being used to spy/record everything…please…believe me Jack…I would never…” Jack looked down, with no emotion on his face. Jack placed a solitary finger on Dippe’s visor and gently smiled.

“I do believe you Dippe…I believe all of you. It was G.O.T.H…they had the reigns the whole time I signed that waiver when I set it up. For all we know…they could have anticipated this even BEFORE I signed up.”

At that Al looked a little pale as well as Gillian.

“Al…I might take you up on your offer. I had thought about the future of this company…and it would work out for everyone.” At that Al beamed brightly.

“Welco…” but before Al was able to finish.

“I said I might. I will need time…Time to process everything that has happened to me…” He looked toward Gillian.

“As well as Time to search my feelings…”

Then to Dippe.

“All of my feelings… Was this real? Orchestrated? Was I led by the nose to these circumstances that just happened to align with my thinking and feeling? Or was I just a patsy for a commercial for G.O.T.H.? I am happy…. Certainly…but I am also angry and saddened at this. Because I had no control over any of this…none…”

Al looked to Gillan as she was crestfallen. Dippe just stayed quiet.

“I will need a vacation to think about this…away from…well…everything…and G.O.T.H…if you can hear me…no…I will not do the survey. At least not now.” Jack said as he raised his voice.

Another email came in right after his dialogue with a response from G.O.T.H. One word,

“Noted” Jack then pointed at the email to validate his concerns.

“Dippe, is it possible to disconnect G.O.T. H’s listening protocols?”

“Y…um. I will try and search…wait a moment. Another email is coming in…”

“All protocols, devices, and code will terminate and dissolve within 24 hours of the 30-day clock. All recordings and information will be stored and transmitted, but anything you deem private will be tagged as such and deleted and overwritten. Your satisfaction is paramount, and we will go through the process of deleting any and all security protocols that might have been recorded. If you want to extend the protocols, you can contact us by phone, but all and any software will be removed accordingly.”

At that Jack sighed a bit.

“Still…”

“Understood Jack…” Al finally reported. Finishing his bagels and putting them in the oven.

“I am so sorry Jack…I wish I didn’t sign up for this…if I had known they would be THIS intrusive…” Gillian approached Jack but was hesitant to get any closer. Jack reached up to take Gillian’s hands.

“It is OK…I didn’t say I was disappearing for good…I just need to clear my head. Actually…Gillian…Jill” Jack said softer this time.

“Could you watch Dippe for a bit? I don’t want her to be alone either…”

“Wait! Jack I can come with you!” Dippe said in a pleading voice.

“Not this time sport…I need time away from technology…all technology. I will rent those vintage antique gas engine cars’ from back in the day. Maybe get that ol Ford 150 and grab a tent and just camp out in the wilderness for a bit.”

Dippe spun around and all her lights lit up…then settled down. After a moment, a soft and sad.

“OK…” as she slowly drifted towards Gillian.

Jack looked toward Al.

“Look out for them. If I still have the job…”

“My boy…take all the time you need…I get it.” Al smiled pointing to the shop.

“I Really get it.” As he packed up the bagels in to go bags.

With that…Jack turned around and left the shop.

  The End.

Chapter Text

OK, Audience, was I going to leave it at this? I could have. But to satiate your heart strings…here is the true epilogue.

After three weeks of camping and unplugged from society, Jack went to various music festivals, nature walks, urban exploration, and even meditation bouts out in the desert. With absolutely no technology except those that were inevitable around or near him. Once he had returned, He saw over a hundred emails, mostly from G.O.T.H, Gillian, Al, and even Dippe. Most were apologies and attempts to contact him, console him. A few even attempted to return his money. Once Jack made sure that all software and hardware was removed from his home (He had hired a private detective to do a full scan of his house). He eventually returned to work. After some time, he took over ownership and became CEO of the company. Al because a full-time board member to stay on board and ease in the transition, but mostly stayed at the sandwich shop. Jack decided to have all business meetings at the shop, and eventually the place because a tourist attraction. Customers were lined up the door for the authentic eats’ and drinks. Making the shop one of the best in the area. Gillian had acted as temporary waitress and assisted with Jack’s vacant role while he was away. Adept to the work, she was also hired on as COO of the company as well. Roula left the company as he attempted to try to pursue Jade, but to no avail. Jade had moved onto corporate G.O.T.H sponsorship as the advertisement girl for the company. Jack’s story spread far and wide to promote the Girlfriend experience globally. Roula traveled to the other side of the world to start up a small consultancy company. Eventually he was bought out by the water company and work’s there to this day.

     After some time, Jack did fill out a survey, reporting an S rating (highest rating) with 100% success. Jack eventually married Gillian. He proposed at the very shop where they had met, including a sack lunch made at Al’s sandwich shop, now called ‘Dippe’s Sack Lunch’. With this, Al had given the bride away and wrote to them a lovely poem for the wedding, summing up their experiences. Jack had framed this and placed it in his office and work.

Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water.
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
And Jill came tumbling after.

The Real End.

Chapter Text

As Dippe watched the couple go onto their honeymoon. She recorded the wedding and the limo ride.
“Dippe…you can come you know!” Jack said. Jill smiled at this as well.

“Please do…you are our family! We would love to have you!”

Dippe chuckled.

“You two go on ahead…enjoy! I will take care of things back at home…have fun!”

Jack paused and went up to Dippe…putting his forehead onto Dippe’s upper frame.

“Are you sure? Really sure…”

With that a slight red hue bordered her display.

“Uh…um...Yes…yet. Please…enjoy. Tell me all about it when you get back! I love a delightful story when I don’t know how it will proceed!” Jack chuckled at that and gave her a gentle kiss on her visor.

“We will be back soon” he said gently. Patting her on the head and proceeded to enter the limo.

As the couple drove off into the sunset. Dippe then said softly.

“Farewell...,” and a single tear, formed at her optical visor, and dripped onto the ground. Blinking in a corner of her memory, is a folder labeled 'Soul-Relationships' with a single file named "Jack" in it.

The real, real end.