A new tech giant quickly took power in silicon valley, SomniTech rapidly gained attention for it’s newest suite of “Workflow Management Applications”, a set of tools that claim to revolutionize productivity, motivate employees, and even help consumers change their habits. Despite all the hype, no functioning product had been seen by anybody but trusted employees.

Jessica, their newest hire, sits quietly in the visitors lobby, waiting to meet her first “adult” boss.

Fidgeting with her new ID badge, the recently taken photo showing her body head to toe. Her body washed out by the overly bright lighting from the security officers camera flash. Beneath the image, the words, “Temp Photo, Pre-Orientation”, gave her some relief as she could replace it later.

Calming her nerves, she went down her checklist of personal items and documents to assure herself. Examining and adjusting her outfit, which consisted of some blue dress pants, a professional white blouse and a jacket to tie up the ensemble. Her dark brown hair was pulled into a low bun, another attempt from the 21 year old to project professionalism. She was short and thin, her mousy features scrunching slightly as she mulled over the wait.

Eventually, a tall man in a fitted button down came around the corner of the white hallway.

“Hello, you must be Jessica,” He says with his surprisingly deep voice.

“Yep, that’s me,” she replied, a little caught off guard by how quickly he’d picked her out of the room, “You must be Richard?”

He gave a chuckle. “Yes. Please just call me Dick.” His eyes lingered, subtly scanning her form.

Jessica gave a polite yet very brief smile, “It’s nice to meet you Dick.” Already eyeing the new hire? It’s the first minute.

Dick turned quickly, heading back from where he entered, “Let’s get you started then Jess.”

Scrambling after him, his pace slightly faster than what Jessica would call a walk. He was already calling her Jess. She didn’t correct him yet.

“This is just the visitor section”, he explained, “Today, you’ll stay here while you complete your orientation tasks.”

“Oh, is this close to the main office?” She asked, confused.

He gave a short laugh. “The real office is just past that door,” gesturing towards the end of the hallway, “We just need to check a couple of things and finish our background check before you get a proper badge, and make sure you can hang back there.”

“Oh,” she said quietly. Why can’t I just do the tasks in the normal office? I’m didn’t think I’d be doing anything too secret. She thought, while Dick continued on about the general layout of her temporary station.

Now at her little cubicle, he paused. “Well I’ll leave you to complete your account creation and orientation.”

Excited and anxious to start the real work, she nodded. “Sounds good, I’ll make sure to finish as soon as I can.”

“Alright”, Dick said as he turned away, “Actually,” he turned back, “If you finish by four, make sure to let me know, I’d love to see you before you leave,” before exiting back to his office.

I should be able to finish by four, she thought. There was no reason to doubt herself.

Powering on the computer, the little black box hummed to life. The monitor flashed a burst of white light which was quickly replaced by a soft rainbow. The texture seemingly showing every color possible.

That’s a nice little loading screen, Jessica thought before observing small aberrations along the edges of the screen. Dozens of small ripples that seemed to disappear right as she looked at them. Each ripple drawing her eye closer to the center of the screen.

Darting her eyes around the screen searching for detail of these ripples and anomalies, her curiosity gradually turned into mindless scanning.

This scanning and staring lasts for what seems like a moment before the screen went dark once more.

What was that? she asked herself, How long was it even loading for?.

The screen blinked back to life, the screen showing nothing but one white line of text:

Welcome to Somni OS.

Jessica leaned into the mostly dark screen, the display was almost pitch black except the bright line in the center.

Please follow instructions and answer our questions so we can further develop your profile.

The standard suite of questions followed. Name, Number, Email, etc. She answered quickly in an attempt to meet her new bosses deadline of 4 pm, barely paying attention to her answers. But then a new prompt followed:

Do you like being in charge?

She raised an eyebrow. Do I like being in charge?, she wondered. The screen then flickered, just slightly. A faint red hue washed over the black and white screen before fading out of existence.

Her thoughts halted mid-formation. There was a moment, brief, when she wasn’t thinking at all.

Then, softly: I… I guess not. I just started here anyway.

She clicked without further reflection. The screen pulsed warmly, and Jessica felt something like reassurance sink into her chest.

Another set of forgettable questions go by, something about her phone, probably just some contact info. She didn’t seem to care much.

Then another odd one:

Would you rather help someone achieve their goal, or simply focus on progressing on your own?

The screen flickered again, green this time. Jessica blinked again, pausing for a moment longer. Ripples shimmered faintly at the edge of her vision, more powerful now, even escaping the confines of the screen. Her gaze lingered. The question felt easier to answer now, As long as something gets done, as she selected her answer: Help someone achieve their goal.

The system moved one, pulsing gold just once. The pulse dimming, yet the felling in Jessica’s chest lingered, quite and reassuring.

Another question appeared:

Isn’t it easier when someone else makes decisions for you?

Jessica squinted now, slightly unsure. *Well, some decisions can be…” The thought was instantly cut off. The flicker came again, not a flash, but a wave over the screen. The green color draining her body of tension, shoulders dipping in relaxation.

Well… It can be easier, she reasoned slowly, less pressure… Less to worry about.

She selected Yes, only to be rewarded with another blissful warm glow.

Then:

Would you rather worry, or have fun?

Jessica barely thought before the familiar green glow pulsed once again, slowly this time, deeper. Her eyes wide, her breath slow, she saw the words on the screen and felt the answer was clear.

I want to have fun, she selected. Repeating the answer in her head.

Again the computer continued:

You want to look good don’t you?

Without hesitation Jessica instinctively felt herself agree with the computers statement, Yes.

You want to help

The words on the screen felt natural, Yes.

You will obey

The effects of the flicker arrive instantly, the anticipation itself providing the same urge to agree, Yes.

Jessica then felt a shift, like her eyes were released from a tractor beam. Blinking quickly whilst looking around at her surroundings for the first time in what felt like forever.

This will complete your first day of orientation. Then just below, Welcome to SomniTech

She blinked, then rubbed her temples. A strange heaviness pressed behind her eyes, like the weight of a forgotten dream.

Then she glanced at the clock. “4:30!” she leapt from the stiff office chair.

How on earth did that take so long, I only answered a couple of questions!

Nearing the office at the end of the hall, Jessica compulsively checked the clock on her phone, the 7 or so hours missing from her day seemed irrational.

After a timid knock on his door, Dick’s deep voice replied, “Come in Hon.”

Hon? She entered the room, “I just figured I’d let you know I finished the orientation thing,” using a tone and posture of a scared animal, meek and reserved.

“That’s just great,” he stood from his desk and focused his eyes on Jess, running them slowly up and down her body again, with a small smile forming on his face. She knew it probably have made her angry, even furious. But the way he was looking at her, it just made her feel… warm. Her expression only showed a polite smile. If something felt wrong, it didn’t show itself. Her head was too preoccupied to worry about it anyway.

“Tomorrow we’ll have a little meeting in the morning, and I can get you a new badge,” He said stepping towards her. “Now let’s walk you out,” while placing a firm hand on the small of her back. They began walking, while his hand remained attached to her, a constant pressure making itself known. Jessica didn’t pull away. She didn’t speak. Her body just accommodated her new boss.

Dick leaned in, his voice low and close.

“You did well Jess. Not everybody takes to the system so… naturally.”

She gave a small nod, still quiet.

Finally stepping back as the pair reached the exit, Jessica felt small relief as his hand left her body. Now realizing that a small part of her got used to the warm presence it gave.

“Tomorrow we’ll get you a new photo,” he said, his eyes drifting over her again. “So maybe wear something a little more… feminine. A skirt, maybe. Something that fits the image.”

He smiled like he’d said something perfectly ordinary.

Jessica didn’t answer. She didn’t even nod. She just turned toward the glass doors as they swung open in front of her.

For a moment, she just stood on the other side, letting the door swung shut behind her with a soft click.

Then she walked to her car.

She didn’t question what had happened. She didn’t replay the words. Not yet.

There was just a quiet thought in the back of her mind, half-formed but still present:

Be ready tomorow