Not just a pretty face
Tag Line: An A.I. finds the perfect genetic match for Sam, as it continues to optimize the world into an image of perfection.
Warning: fantasy & science-fiction themes, and other disturbing situations. This is a work of fiction and is also satirical commentary on our modern culture, and its destination. All characters are over eighteen, and are entirely fictional. The brands, and trademarks, are also entirely fictional and should, in no way, be confused with any real entity or property.
This work is copyrighted. Note: In this entirely fictional story (and fictional universe) copyright protections for artists' Intellectual Property are sadly lacking, so large fictional corporate entities can train their AI engines, and then monetize them, without paying royalties.
Story tags: MFF, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Humor & Satire, Unprotected, AI, Role-play
Chapter 1
Sam was a tall twenty-four-year-old hunk with muscles in the right places and a too-handsome face. He was more than just an exciting collection of toned muscles, of course. He was human: he had dreams, thoughts, aspirations, memories, emotions, fears; and a family he loved.
Sam thanked the receptionist politely for recognizing him. It was the first time he had come into the megaCORP main office. The receptionist's eyes lit up in delight, because he was heartthrob handsome; not that he'd ever accept that analysis of himself. Despite the many opportunities to date--literally multiple times a day on bad days--he was focused and serious about where he wanted to be; and, let's be honest now, he was a bit shy and standoffish around strange women who were constantly trying to paw or grope him.
"Sam? So happy to see you come into the office. I'm Sarah Taylor: Simon Taylor's pee-ay." A smart middle-aged woman offered her hand. He took it and shook it politely. "He's sorry he couldn't show you around himself, today. A lot on." She remarked.
Sarah inspected his face and then his groin; just like every woman he'd ever met. They all did that. It was sort of annoying, but he'd got used to it. Sometimes they stared, sometimes they had to look a second time as if they couldn't believe the first time. He sighed. She looked back at his face and smiled in delight. A quick glance, just to check his impressive genitals were still there. Yup. They so are.
"I would be surprised if he had, to be honest, just for some junior like me." Sam replied politely and humbly. She laughed and... was she flirting with him? Yes, indeed she was.
"Oh Sam, you are so humble. I can see why he likes you." She chuckled. He frowned. This was all too weird.
"He does?" He was confused. The CEO of the entire company liked him?
They had met a few times, of course, because this company, megaCORP, had bought his father's small business and swallowed it whole. That unexpected change had been both weird and annoying. Sam had been all lined up to run the family company and take over from his father. Then, out of the blue, his dad had just sold it to Simon Taylor on a handshake without discussing it with Sam. Sam's parents had taken a cruise with the money, leaving the adult kids at home. And then... and then... Sam sighed with the pain. And then his parents had both drowned while scuba diving. Sam had found himself running everything while the deal was completed. To twist the knife, the CEO of this sole remaining global conglomerate had then insisted that Sam come and run a business unit for them! Simon Taylor, the CEO, had insisted that Sam work for him; rather than lead what would have been a very successful and agile family enterprise. Simon-the-CEO was charismatic and likable; a natural leader. Sam really liked him and that almost made it worse. If Sam could have aimed his anger at this man who had 'destroyed his future', then it would have been easier to release his inner frustrations. As it was, the CEO had given Sam an amazing job with a salary that could not be refused. It couldn't be refused because megaCORP was the only employer, and sole food producer; and being jobless meant starvation rather than just destitution. So, yeah: it meant time in exchange for food. Sam tried to take the huge changes in his stride, if only for the sake of the rest of his family. He was the only one making reasonable bank. He had a lot of change to deal with and he needed just a year or two of stability before regrouping and figuring out what to do next.
"Of course. He is very particular about his senior staff." Sarah replied seriously. Her phone bleeped a text or something. In years gone by it would have been a pager, but we live in enlightened times and the miracle of the cloud has long since replaced such ancient technologies. She checked it and dismissed the message hurriedly. Sam frowned in sudden thought as she inspected him.
"Don't do that." She put her hand on her chest in concern and then massaged the crease on his forehead. "Please don't frown. Your face is far too beautiful to ever wear such an expression. Go with the serious professional face: it looks very good on you. You wear it so well."
"Oh. Okay." Sam's weirdness meter pushed at the upper graticule; just below the alarm trigger level. Casually, he checked the location of the nearest emergency exit.
"And don't smile at people so much, or productivity is going to be seriously affected around here." She also warned him. He frowned then stopped. He wasn't smiling, was he? He did smile a lot and probably too much; she was right about that. The problem was that he was simply one of those people who had an irrepressibly bright and happy soul, full of positive energy. It shone from his face. Even dealing with the sudden death of his parents had, after a period of mourning, left no permanent dent in his shiny soul.
"I'm confused." Sam admitted.
"That's your confused expression? Need to work on that one." Sarah checked, as if it wasn't good enough.
"Seriously confused." Sam shook his head.
"I like the way you shake your hair. Makes me want to touch it. Hmmm. What conditioner do you use? I mean, I guess that some men do need to use conditioner..." Sarah mused to herself. She showed him into a big office space. He didn't use hair conditioner. He used man products, like 'megaSOAP: For Men'. In fairness there wasn't a lot of choice, any more: just hair soap and body soap for men. Hair conditioner for men had been a more recent addition being pushed on the global male population.
On the top floor of the building, they walked through an office full of people working. These were middle management and administrators, by the look of things. The women perked up and stared at Sam; all eager to attract his attention. The men just looked on, almost in awe, or with jealousy. It reminded him of high-school. Same types of faces wanting some love, or to be in his shoes. He tried to look straight ahead; in full professional mode.
They crossed the room to another door. He held the door open for his companion.
