Laura reached into her locker, took out the café issued apron and proceeded to put it on. She looked into the mirror and tried her best to put on a believable smile, after a few awkward moments Laura felt like it was good enough to start the day. After making her way to the front counter, her eyes immediately focused on the clock hanging on the wall. Only a few hours until lunch she thought. To say Laura hated her job would have been an understatement, but she was making decent enough money from it, at least while she searched for another job. This was only a stopgap for Laura, she had recently been let go from her position in accounting at a larger company, but due to downsizing the younger, newer employers were the first to go.
The day went on as they all did, mindlessly she took the orders, prepared the drinks, and cleaned when needed, all with a forced smile. Between customers she would glance again at the clock, she knew that was the worst thing to do as it always made the days feel so much longer. After another periodical check of the clock, she turned her head and faced the next customer, to her surprise it was someone she recognized.
"Oh h-h-hello Laura. Long time no see! It's me J-Jeremiah, do you remember me?"
Jeremiah Stone had been a classmate of Laura in business school. To Laura he had not changed a bit, he was still small, frail, pail and just anxiety made manifest. In school he had no friends, no one bullied him or anything, but they would take advantage of his need to fit in. Classmates would ask him to help with projects, leaving most of it to him, or they would ask to borrow things and just never return it. He was a doormat of a person, and while Laura felt sorry for him, she also never made an effort to stand up for him either. Her thoughts caught up to reality and she answered "Hello Jeremiah. Of course I remember you, it's only been a year since graduation. Have you been doing well?"
Jeremiah's face lit up from being recognised by Laura and he eagerly responded, "I have been good Laura", he looked her up and down and his face dropped a little "But, what is happening with you? I thought you were working for one of the b-big clothing companies in the city?"
Laura hated talking about what happened, but she couldn't bring herself to be angry, she understood his question was coming from a good place "Yeah it sucks, the economy isn't doing so well, and I guess I wasn't seen as valuable to the company. I am sure I will make my way back up and someone will recognize my talents." Laura didn't believe this wholeheartedly, but she also didn't want to be seen as weak.
Jeremiah closed his eyes in thought before starting to mutter to himself under his breath. Although Laura couldn't make out what he was saying it sounded like he was making calculations to himself, luckily the café wasn't busy today, so she let him just do what he wanted. After a minute Jeremiah stopped talking and opened his eyes, staring at Laura with a determination.
"Laura, if I may, I would like to offer you a partner position at my company. I am so busy dealing with the research and development side of the business that I have no time nor desire to actually work on keeping it all running. I would like to give that position to you" he looked down and continued "I-if you are interested that is."
Laura was stunned, she wasn't sure what to talk about first, the fact that Jeremiah had a company or this sudden offer for a leading position in said company. This was her chance to make it big she thought, she could use Jeremiah to make a name for herself, and more importantly make a lot of money. Just thinking about the wonderful future ahead of her clouded Laura's judgement, "Yes! Of course I will join you"
Jeremiah looked back up to Laura, a brilliant smile gleaming from his face. "Wonderful! I am so h-h-happy!" Jeremiah went through his pocket and produced a business card, placing it on the counter. "Please come to this address tomorrow and we will figure out all the details." Without ordering anything Jeremiah ran out of the café with great speed and excitement.
As Laura watched Jeremiah leave, the reality of the situation began to dawn. The business card was simple, white with black text. Printed on the card was Jeremiah Stone, House of Rubber. "House of rubber" she said under her breath and began to wonder what sort of company she had signed up for. Returning to the clock again she decided that anywhere was better than this, she called her manager and declared this was to be her last day.
Laura arrived at the address early in the morning. She had not slept well, spending all night wracking her brain on whether she had just made a huge mistake. It was too late now thought she thought, the café owner hadn't taken her resignation well so that bridge had been burned. Laura looked up and down at the building, it was a small old brick factory, she guessed under 100 years old but still looked fairly sturdy. Above the door hung the sign House or Rubber, it was definitely the right address she thought. Ringing the intercom, she heard the familiar voice of Jeremiah on the other side.
"H-hello, is this Laura? Come on in!" the door proceeded to unlock, and Laura entered the factory. The factory was large on the inside full of noisy machines, but it also appeared devoid of life as she could see no one around. As Laura began to take it all in, Jeremiah appeared from one of the side doors and beckoned her over with a waving hand. Laura entered the doorway and walked into a small office. There she saw Jeremiah sitting behind a large wooden desk and typing away on a computer. Laura made her way and sat in the chair opposite Jeremiah. The office was nice Laura thought but the furniture was too big for someone so small and weak as Jeremiah, she imagined how easy it would be to pressure him to make it her office. Jeremiah looked away from his computer and prepared to address Laura.
"G-good morning Laura, I am s-s-so glad you are here. In front of you are all the documents and contracts I need you to sign. If you have any questions, please ask me."
Laura looked at the documents carefully, this wasn't the dream position she had expected. The salary was low, the perks were low and as the only other employee at the factory she would be expected to help in the production from time to time. Laura looked up from the documents a little embarrassed.
"What does the House of Rubber produce anyway? Car tires?"
Jeremiah looked away and began to turn red in the face, his nervousness obvious. "W-well, no. Here we make...." He paused for a few moments, regained his composure, and returned his gaze to Laura "The world's finest Sex dolls...."
Second after agonizing second began to pass in silence. Laura began to scream in her mind, this was unacceptable, she couldn't do this, to be involved with such filth for so little pay, but what other choice did she have for now. Laura calmed her thoughts down and focused herself again, switching to an analytical mindset. The situation was not good, and this wasn't where she was meant to be, her eyes looked around the room trying to think of something, anything that she could do to get out of this. On Jeremiah's desk was an answer. On view, she could see a recent receipt for the fire insurance taken out on the building, the payout was huge. A cold and evil scheme began to form in Laura's mind.