Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. All characters are 18 or older. All consensual / non-consensual activity has been previously agreed between the parties, and fulfills specific fantasies of the participating characters.
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The video call intruded into John Sloan's morning search through social media for employment. Just last year, he had lost his position as general manager of Kelsey Mills, a national advertising agency -- and its large salary and significant perks. AI automation had eliminated his job.
He tapped the answer button.
"Good morning, John." It was an AI-generated image of an east Asian woman, with long black hair and straight bangs. The bangs shifted in unnatural waves as she tilted her head. Her lipstick was very red and wet looking. John thought it a bit too salacious. "I am Kim Chong Li from the Transition Corporation."
"Good morning," said John politely.
"I am calling in regard to your interest in our family economic transition product, called Display Your Best."
"Oh, mmm, yes," said John as a spurt of excitement and worry twisted in his lower abdomen.
"Good. You may recall that you and each member of your family all signed onto the agreement."
"Yes."
"All of your family members are 18 years or older as of today?"
"Yes, Leila turned 18 about 6 months ago, and Kevin's 18th birthday was last week."
"Good. Thank you for confirming that. As you may recall, under the agreement, you and other members of your family have agreed to perform various activities for an online audience. Your family selected the broadest range of options for those activities, which of course, offers the largest potential to find an audience sponsor or sponsors, and the highest rate of payment."
"Yes we did make that choice. It was a difficult one, but ...."
"I am glad to hear you recall that agreement. Please call your family members together. We have an audience sponsor and are now invoking the terms of the agreement. The sponsor wishes a one-day performance. If the actions are performed according to the sponsor's directions, your family will receive payment of $29,000."
"OK, OK. That is a good amount. We need the money. Our mortgage is in arrears and one of our cars, the Mercedes, has been threatened with repossession."
"Yes, we are aware of your financial circumstances. I will call you back in 1 minute and 30 seconds. Gather your family." The image dissolved as the call ended.
John called out to his wife, Meredith, and daughter Leila and son Kevin. The children were in their bedrooms, upstairs.
The two women came into the main room with the wall-size interactive video.
"Hurry up Kevin."
A teenager, brown hair tousled, thundered down the stairs and into the room. His T-shirt and shorts were rumpled. One sock only.
"What were you doing?" Asked his mother, Meredith.
"Nothing," said Kevin. Of course, he had been watching porn. It seems he was always watching porn.
"Never mind," said John.
The wall screen came to life with Kim Chong Li on the video, "Good morning Sloan family. I am glad to see that all of you are here for this important meeting."
"Good morning," muttered each of the family.
"I have just reminded your father of the contract between your family and the Transition Corporation. He has affirmed that contract and its terms. Do you all reaffirm that you agree to the terms of the contract, and that you are legally able to bind yourselves?"
"Do you have any questions? No?"
Glances between family members.
"Do you agree to the terms?'
"Yes." "Yeah." "Yes." "Of course, yes."
"Good. Today, we have received a sizable bid from an audience sponsor, under the Display Your Best program. I am pleased to share with you that the actions will involve one day of time from one of your family members, and, if performed to the satisfaction of the sponsor's direction, will result in a payment to your family of $29,000."
Gasps from the women. "$29,000?" asked Meredith.
"Yes, that is the amount."
"One of us? Who is it? Who has to do the stuff?" asked Leila. Her face was starting to turn a bit white, as she contemplated that maybe it would be her. "And what kind of stuff?"
"Ah, yes. This is the first contract performance for your family, right? Here is how it works: I will inform your family which family member is involved. The rest of your family will then depart to the Green Canyon resort. A van is waiting outside to pick you up. You will spend the day at the resort, as our guest. You will have a tab of up to $375 each for refreshments and entertainment during your stay. The resort has a bar, pool, spa and gym. I suggest you take appropriate clothing. After the family member completes their performance, here in this house, the rest of you will be returned to the house."
"That sounds good," said John.
"On return, I would suggest that you do not discuss their performance with the other family member. While it will be shown online to a paying audience, please consider that action to be private. You may find it embarrassing or challenging for your family dynamic to review it."
Alarmed glances between the family members.
"Rest assured that Transition Corporation does not force its performers to do anything they would not want to do. Please remember that we have access to all your private communications, including your use of online services for entertainment. Any Display Your Best actions will not be out of the range of that individual's interests. But, they will be based on their own personal and private interests. Unless that family member chooses to share those interests, no one else in the family needs to know what those interests are."
Nods of agreement. "That sounds like a good plan," said John.
"Good" said the image of Mei Sung. Then in a voice of authority, it said, "Kevin, please go to your room, and stay there while the rest of your family pack and leave."
The teen's head shot up, and a wild look crossed his face. The rest of the family glanced at each other, relief on their faces.
"Go ahead, son. I hear that people really enjoy themselves. Don't worry. We will be back soon."
Meredith added, "No pressure. But. This is really a lot of money. You know what that means for us." She pointed toward the stairs. "Go. We are looking out for you."
Kevin went upstairs; the rest of the family scrambled to pack for the day, and then departed
Soon after, a second van pulled into the circular drive. A young woman and two men exited. One carried two large aluminum cases, the other carried long tripods and lighting equipment.
Kevin answered the doorbell.
"Hello Kevin. My name is Laila," said the young woman. She was slim, wearing a tight fitting bodice with short sleeves and athletic pants.
"Hiya Leila," said Kevin. "Wow, that is my sister's name, too!" Then a note of confusion passed over his face. "Um is that your real name?"