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Jeuley Crissin pulled a suit out of a stock box behind the counter of her mens corner at the Prixus department store near Union Square. Did it matter how the money rolled in? Not yet…not as long as the boredom was tolerable.
Gray suit. Blue suit. Beige suit. She tossed them onto the counter, already counting the hours until closing. Black suit. Plum suit. Olive suit. She yawned. Maybe working for Adrian wasn’t so bad. Small time hacking for him kept her under the censors, so there was no way she’d get caught again. Maybe she should look for other odd jobs like that. Spice things up a bit. Maybe…
“Hey Jeuls!” Rachel’s sprightly voice brought Jeuley back from la-la-land and readied her for the potential barrage that was her best friend. Rachel cocked her head to one side while raising an eyebrow. “Whoa. You’re looking oh so thrilled to be here.”
“What else is new?” Jeuley smirked, but had to wonder. “Am I really that bad?” She whipped one of the counter mirrors around and pushed her dark blonde hair behind her ears. Maybe her eyes were a little dull, but she’d blown off the whole idea of make-up this morning. It never made much difference anyway.
“Not bad. But certainly not good.”
“Thanks. You got an eyeliner I can use?”
Rachel rummaged through her blue suede purse and retrieved a purple pen. “Here ya go.”
“Thanks.” Drawing some life around her eyes, Jeuley made the best of her hazels, and then handed the liner back.
But Rachel was busy unwrapping a suit. Waving the pen at her, Jeuley ordered, “Put that down. This is my corner. Save your energy for your shift.”
“But these are a whole lot more interesting than duct tape, donuts and doors.” She shook it out, and then hung it on the nearest empty rack. After locking the hanger in place, she took the eyeliner and deposited it in her purse.
“Not by much.” Jeuley unwrapped more suits. Maybe a transfer within Prixus would help. Nah. Who was kidding who? Retail sales bit the big one no matter how she striped it. This place was just the easiest and safest after getting out of the clink. She collapsed the box and slipped it into the depository, which whisked it back to the shipment reception corner. At least she’d survived six months here. Otherwise, her resume would have been completely empty.
Rachel locked in another suit. “So, my sister said she saw you out with Adrian last night. Everything okay?”
Dammit. That could spell trouble if too many people knew. “Yeah. Fine. “No big deal. He ran into me at the café. Same as at Jinx and Fallen Bytes.” She wasn’t sure how much she should admit to. If the censors were listening, one wrong word could cause suspicion and lead to an audit. Bad. Very bad. She’d knocked the worst off her record, but several small infractions remained.
“No more freebies, right?” Rachel had the double-meaning look in her emerald green eyes.
“Wait a minute. Are you really thinking what I think you’re thinking? I told you there was nothing there.” Jeuley dropped the last suit on the counter. Rachel should know better. “Adrian is only interested in my vid programming. I swear it.”
Rachel took the suit from under Jeuley’s hand. “You’re kidding. By the way you’ve talked about him, I thought you wanted something else.”
“Well yeah, he’s hot, but let’s just say I’m really not his type. And, anyway, he’s like a boss to me. No thanks.”
“But he’s perfect for you.”
“Ummm…Raych…He’s gay. Sorry to disappoint you.”
“No way.”
“Way.”
“I never would’ve guessed he was gay. Holy shit. I’m glad you mentioned it before I did something stupid like fling myself at him.”
“Yeah, good thing because Adrian would be completely oblivious and probably ask if you needed some Essential Oil Therapy or something.” But it sure would’ve been funny to watch. Jeuley giggled to herself.
Crossing around the counter to the sales floor, she joined a thoroughly befuddled Rachel in straightening the racks and double-checking the anti-theft locking devices, tugging all the collars to remove wrinkles down the fabric.
Rachel looked up from her work and crossed her arms over her chest. “Wait. Then why are you working with him? I thought you still needed a break.”
Jeuley chose her words wisely. “I was bartering free programming for access to his media library. As much as I like the guy, he’s really creeping me out. I mean, I don’t want him finding out how much I can do with vids and stuff or he’ll have me talked into full-time for his company and I absolutely cannot go there.”
Rachel’s hands went to her hips. “Why not? You’re a kickass programmer.”
“Yeah, but I need my job here. Get back on my feet. No more geeks. They always get me in trouble.”
“Isn’t that the truth?” Rachel spun the rack of ties and binders next to the counter, straightening as she went.
“So sad, but true. I’ve yet to grow any kind of affinity for the cold, moldy stone walls of the clink. After Andrew, I’m so done.”
“Oh my goddess. I forgot about that little phase in your life.” Rachel flitted over to the carousels, flaming red hair streaming in her wake. “I feel like it’s been forever ago. You’re so much more human now. But with the way you were lookin’ when I walked up, isn’t Prixus as bad as jail?”
“Sometimes I’m not sure which is worse. I don’t want to be tempted to find out all over again no matter how boring this gig is.” Jeuley moved toward the carousels and Rachel. “Hey, quit doing my job. Those binders are fine. Don’t scratch the plating.”
With a shrug, Rachel turned to the next display on the counter and then gasped. “You have to be kidding! When did you get these in?” She laughed while picking up a Blue Root from the display. “I thought only entertainment corners were supposed to carry these.”
“Apparently my mens corner here at Prixus has become entertaining.” Jeuley smirked as she stepped behind the counter and picked up a display model. “They rake in serious money and they’re fucking cool. I just got these in.” Jeuley squeezed the jelly-like stimulator. “Have you seen all the attachments for them? And apparently, there’s tons of software. I’m hoping Adrian never gets one of these or he’ll want me to work on it, too. Of course, not that I haven’t already thought about it.”
Picking up the other display model, Rachel squeezed the rubbery blue material. “These look so weird. If I had one, I don’t know what I’d do with it.”
“Rachel, there’s plenty to do. Trust me. These things are so good, they could probably replace men. They’re smarter than a vibrator–which is more than I can say about most men anyway–and these actually work.”
“Really? You’ve used one?”
“Oh hell yeah. I’ve had mine for a couple days. You should get one, too. They’re pretty cheap for what they are.” Jeuley squished and stretched the one in her hand. Even powered-off, the darn thing felt gushy but firm and fun to play with. “And you can wear it all the time. It’s a great stress reliever and I’m sure you can come up with all sorts of other uses. It’s real easy.”
“You’re kidding.”
“No, there’s a whole bunch of programs already built in. Check this out.” Jeuley pulled up her sleeve, revealing her Blue Root controller. “I haven’t tried all of them, but look how many there are.” Scrolling through, the list, she read a few names aloud. “Babbling Brook, Elated Eel. I think that one’s for guys.” She laughed and continued, “Frisky Fingers, Jizz Jazz…”
Rachel jumped in, “Quick Quasar, Wily Willy, Vibrating Venus. Those names are terrible.”
“Uh-huh, but they feel incredible. There’s a whole bunch more–with equally horrible names–available for download, too. Get one. They’re great.”
“Hell, yeah. Hook me up. You know my purchase code. I gotta get over to my industrial corner now anyway.” Rachel nodded as she shifted the box to read the side panel. “Looks fun.”
“It is. Make sure you grabbed a female one, though. The male one won’t do you any good.” Jeuley pulled the sales tablet from under the counter and entered Rachel’s code with the Blue Root code. “I just need your prints.”
Rachel took the tablet so she could leave her finger, retina and signature prints. “Check ya later, Jeuls. Thanks. We’ll hook up on break.” She picked up a female Blue Root, waved her goodbye and headed out.
Looking at the stack of Blue Roots, Jeuley studied her corner and the store beyond. Only a few people browsed wares in the distance.
Walking into her stock room, she touched her Blue Root controller. Jeuley’s work chair welcomed her onto its cushy pad. Scrolling through the list of programs, she selected Quick Quasar and leaned back. The Blue Root’s female organ stimulator started its vibration and the female clitoral patch began its little shots of orgasmic lightning. She was supposed to be working her corner, but this wouldn’t take long. And Prixus wouldn’t shut her down for goofing off once or twice as long as she was still on the premises.
