Chapter One: Fantasy Inc
The building was gigantic, far larger than most of them inside the city. Its walls were made of a reflective glass that made itself blend into the rest of the environment around it. It was the sky, the architecture, the people below. It shifted like an ever changing chameleon... which was exactly how the company sold itself. It could be everything and anything you wanted, desired, needed. Which is why it called itself Fantasy Inc.
The company had set itself up probably 5 years ago and had skyrocketed in a world of lonely and desperate people. To say the world had shifted was an understatement. Technology had taken over, people hardly spoke to one another and the virtual world that was in arms reach became more socialized then the day to day life.
Even now Giselle found herself walking towards the giant building. The people around her all focused on the sidewalk before them, their phones or tablets. Holographic watches spoke in drone tones as people walked. Meetings, reminders and work presentations on display. The world has become disconnected. So much so that companies like Fantasy Inc? Well they thrived.
Reaching the steps that lead up the forever revolving doors, Giselle paused in her motions to truly think about what she was doing.
This world thrived on money, money she honestly needed. Her small apartment was large enough for herself. But the money she had left over after rent was meager. A few months ago she had applied as a beta tester for one of their new products. She honestly hadn’t been expecting to be accepted and quite frankly had applied to almost any random odd job she thought she could actually do. A little side cash, besides her part time job, was always helpful. She wanted a full job, she just didn’t qualify.
However, Fantasy inc didn’t want previous job records or skills. They wanted health tests and vaccination records. They required nothing but health and a sane mind. Something she was thankful she had.
She had needed to see a doctor for a very in depth physical exam. They gave her a few shots of something-or-other that seemed to be vitamin boosters. They even did a mental test on her to make sure she was stable and didn’t have any underlying negative thoughts while stepping into this beta program. The fact she passed and they approved of her was... surprising to say the least. She had always deemed herself as a normal person. Nothing extraordinary or even fitting for something so...special seeming.
Fantasy inc was for people with cash. With a known name and a gold spoon in their mouth. For those who could pay the price of socialization and connection. For those who could create a world they always desired with just a few simple payments. Giselle was anything but those things. She worked to pay for her lackluster life, which in reality that paycheck hardly paid her bills as is. After work she’d eat whatever was on sale at the market, go home to do daily chores and sleep. Then repeat that cycle over and over.
But here she was sliding something else into her daily life. They had accepted her application, approved of her checkups and now here she was with a ticket in her hand that said she was a beta tester.
Walking up to the set of revolving doors, she followed the flow of people inside. The interior was the opposite of the exterior. Where the outside showed everything and anything? The inside was almost barren. Along the walls were what looked like giant glass terrariums. Windows that looked into an enclosed plant escape. In the center was a long desk, three receptionists sat there, waiting for people to come up from the line.
It was relatively short, as most were walking past the desks to an area in between the giant plant enclosures. It seemed there was a set of elevators there, and whoever was going inside would scan what looked like a badge for the doors to even open. Curious.
“Next!” The feminine voice rang, it was stern and commanding.
Quickly Giselle turned her head to view the woman and approached her almost hesitantly. She tried to keep herself from fiddling as she stood waiting for the receptionist to look up and acknowledge her.
“How may I help you today ma’am?” The woman asked, her slicked back blonde hair was in a tight bun, her uniform resembled what she imagined a cartoon nurse would look like. A simple white dress with a silver plated name tag on the right breast bone. ‘Aria’ it said.
Oh right, she had asked her a question. Carefully she lifted the ticket that had been clutched in her hand, thankful that it was a sort of hard plastic and not some flimsy printer paper. ” Uhm, I’m a beta tester? I was told to come to the building around this time for an appointment?”
Aria offered a polite smile to the other while doing a little typing. ” Can I see your ID for confirmation?” Nodding Giselle pulled her wallet out of her purse and let the other inspect her id.
While the other was looking, and seeming to type the information in the pc. Giselle Found herself looking around more now that she was a little closer.
The desk was made of what looked like white marble and steele. Above the desk against the back wall was a giant sign that read “Fantasy Inc ″. Near the plants were monitor stations, hugging the ceiling so close she hadn’t noticed them before. A few of them were playing the Fantasy Inc commercial.
A woman who had gray hair sat at an office as she peered at Giselle through the tv. “Welcome to Fantasy Inc.” She said, gesturing around her office as she continued. ” Here, we make all your dreams come true. No wish is too small and no fantasy is too great.” The TV then started displaying happy couples, women and men clinging to significant others. People holding long lost pets.
“Alright, Miss. Hanway Here is your ID back.”
The receptionist handed the card back to Giselle before pressing her ear. Only now did she realize that the receptionist was wearing an earpiece.
“Hello Jupiter? Yes, Miss. Hanway is here for her 10 o’clock appointment.”
Humming and nodding a little as Aria continued to type on the computer. Giselle stared and started to wonder, typing and having a conversation at the same time? She could hardly do the thing where you pat your head and rub your stomach. Let alone this woman was having a whole conversation and not typing it down and instead was working. Or... she assumed she wasn’t typing the entire conversation down.
“Miss. Hanway, Jupiter will be down shortly to escort you. Please wait here in the lobby till she arrives.”
Nodding Giselle stepped aside right as Aria yelled out “Next!’” No longer in line, she let her eyes wander again. She couldn’t believe she was actually here. Looking around she almost felt under dressed... and she had worn the best dress she had in her closet. All the men were wearing suits. The women in heels and elegant gowns and dresses drenched in glitter, silk and tulle. It was as if the entire company was a gala. It was true, Fantasy Inc wasn’t cheap. Only the most golden lined pockets could afford the services they provided.
Wishes... Fantasies... Real dreams? They weren’t cheap.
That’s what this company did. It made them real... or to an extent.
From what she had heard and seen online, people came here and were placed into the most top of the line virtual reality. You’d almost enter a deep sleep where anything and everything was possible. But you felt, smelled, touched, everything as if it were real.
People could see long lost relatives. You could have that affair with your boss you always wanted. You could do anything and that was the allure. People could cheat, could steal, could be poor or wealthy. You could do and be whatever you wanted when you were in that suit.
Secretly Giselle was hoping she was going to be a tester for a new HD version or something. She’d love to live the life of luxury for just one day. No bills, no small apartments. She could have a dog! Maybe a cat too! She could have fancy coffee that had the drawings in it and eat warm food that wasn’t ramen. Oh the possibilities!
The sound of a woman approaching her snapped her out of her daydream like thoughts, and the nerves that had been quelled by her daydreams came back as if they had never left. She felt like a kid attending kindergarten for the first time.
“Hello. Miss. Hanway I presume?” The woman spoke, wearing a similar uniform to the one behind the desk. Only this woman’s dress was a vibrant red, it matched her cherry colored lips and her midnight black hair that was pulled back into a sleek ponytail.
Giselle Nodded. “Yes! That’s me.” She said with a bright smile on her face. Hoping for the best that she wasn’t seen through as being extremely nervous.
The woman showed no emotion one way or the other as she nodded. ” Very well. I’m Jupiter, If you’d please follow me we can get started.” Turning on heels that were blood red, she started to walk away.
Without missing a beat, Giselle followed. Her brown eyes watched the women’s heels as she walked. Giselle wasn't ugly by any means, but she’d kill to look like the woman before her. Curvy figure, hair as dark as the night. Tanned perfect skin and obviously an attire to kill. Giselle was very.... average.
Her body shape was okay, about as normal as you could get really. She was relatively short at 5′5 and often had to crane her neck to look at others. Her brown mousy hair was boring, bland and led her to blending into a crowd. Brown eyes, brown hair, short, and not a boob or butt cheek to cheer about. She was very cookie cutter average.
But this woman? She walked like she was stepping on the faces of those who opposed her, every click of her shoes seeming determined.
“Miss. Giselle″ She spoke, cutting the silence as they stepped into an elevator. Giselle didn’t miss how she slid a card over a black panel on the wall, allowing them access.
" Your records show you have a clean bill of health. However, if at any point during the beta testing you feel ill? You will hit a button and the simulation will stop. Understood?”
Giselle Nodded, her hands finding themselves tangled and picking at her nails.
“Good.” The elevator ride was overwhelmingly silent. Giselle’s head was spinning with thoughts. Her eyes darted to the walls even though there was nothing on them. The chrome numbers at the top flickered the floors that they were ascending to. The building on the outside looked rather tall, so she wasn’t surprised that the number being currently read was already at 12. What kind of elevator didn’t even have music? At least woo her nerves with some soft jazz or 90′s remixes.
When the elevator finally slowed to a halt and the doors slid open to reveal a long hall she let out a soft breath she hadn’t even realized she was holding. Jupiter said nothing about it as she passed her and walked on.
The hall was barren, the tiles were a soft gray, the walls a stark white and the doors were a pale sky blue. No pictures, certificates or décor anywhere. Just doors and deafening silence. Well, aside from the clicking of Jupiter’s heels and her own heart.
Jupiter stopped rather abruptly, Giselle had to stop herself from slamming into the back of the woman, holding up her hands as if the air itself would help steady her. She was centimeters from the woman before her, quickly stepping back to give her space. Jupiter of course said nothing… the trend, as she slid a card over the black panel. It gave a soft beep and the door gave a loud hiss as if the air inside had been tightly sealed shut.
The sound made her jump and she gave a soft nervous laugh as Jupiter glanced at her. Her face this entire time was as stoic as a church’s gargoyle.
Leading them inside, Jupiter held the door open for Giselle….
