"Welcome to Sparkle Industries!" a voice chirped as Sophie opened the door. She walked up to the counter, not looking up from her phone.
"How can I help you?" the receptionist asked.
"I have a meeting with Dr. Johansson."
"Ah, the 10:15. Down the hall, third door on the right." She walked off, glancing up once in a while to count doors. She walked into the third door on the right and found Dr. Johansson sitting at the desk.
"Sophie! Good to see you," he said. "Got something real exciting for you today."
"I'm afraid I'm not here for a demonstration, Doctor," she sighed. He looked at her in confusion. "The corporate office is, well... Let's just say they're not happy with the results of your recent inventions. Sales are low and the company's stock is plummeting."
"I don't understand."
"As of today, you are terminated from your position at Sparkle Industries. Your leftover experiments will become the property of Sparkle Industries. You have been ordered to vacate the property immediately."
"Sophie, you of all people should know that--"
"I'm just here to do my job, Doctor."
"You've always appreciated my experiments."
"I have. One of them is sitting at my home right now, as a matter of fact."
"Just one last demonstration? For an old friend?" Sophie chuckled and shook her head.
"What the hell? Sure. Why not?"
"Wonderful. Right this way." He led her to a contraption in the center of the room. It was similar to a dentist's chair, angled in a shallow V-shape. "Please, sit."
"Doctor--"
"Mike. No need for professional titles, now."
"I'm not a test subject."
"It's harmless. You'll walk out of here feeling better than new."
"Mike, I don't need you fucking with my brain."
"Oh, it's just a little confidence boost. Get rid of that guilt from firing me, huh? You can step out of the chair at any time."
Sophie shrugged and sat down. It was a surprisingly comfortable position, her upper body reclined back and legs slightly elevated. Mike shined a flashlight in her eyes and she froze.