Ed's fingers tapped away at the keyboard, routinely carrying out his usual work, while his mind was busy thinking about the many possibilities ahead. His daughter and wife were frozen at home and soon they'd be given new personalities at his command. Their future together was a life where Kendra happily became a man cave display trophy and Karla took on the role of wife. She'd be better off at home cooking, cleaning, and pleasuring him whenever he desired. Competing for her other career prospects, which weren't many, was a waste of time and talent. A beautiful woman like her was destined to be a perfect trophy housewife. She was the real prize in the American dream.
"Mr. West, you have a visitor. It's Mr. Collins." Ed's secretary Maria said through the intercom. "Should I let him in?"
Mr. Collins was Kendra's lawyer, who apparently checked in with her every day. Ed already planned for this confrontation; he just didn't expect it so soon.
"Please send him in." Ed said over the intercom.
The sharply dressed lawyer strode confidently in the room. His tailored suit looked like it cost more than Ed's entire wardrobe. Having a bunch of divorce hungry women as clients certainly helped pay the bills. But Ed knew what kind of slime ball he was. The kind of man who preyed on the weak and fear mongered women into unhappy marriages. A snake that was only in it for the money, among other things. Usually, Ed had respect and fear for authority. However, Mr. Collins's true nature gave him no power over Ed. All the confidence in the world wasn't going to change the fact that he was still a sleaze bag.
"Where is Mrs. West, Ed?" Mr. Collins said in an accusatory tone. "I've called all morning and received no answer."
Ed smiled at the lawyer. He had every right to want to contact his client, but his behavior was driven by something else.
"She's on a shopping trip with Karla, no phones allowed I'm afraid." Ed said.
"You liar! She would've told me about that."
Ed stood up. He was taller than the lawyer which gave him a psychological advantage and immunity from being talked down to.
"She doesn't need to tell you everything. And besides, is this really about needing to talk to her?" Ed said.
The confidence eroded. The real Mr. Collins revealed itself with sluggish body language and a nervous tick.
"What are you talking about?"
"I know your fucking my wife, Brandon. You can take one morning off and let them have a little mother daughter time." Ed said.
"How dare you?"
"You open your mouth one more time, when you take me to court I will happily ask the judge to question you under oath if you have been sleeping with my wife."
Mr. Collins stood speechless. He said nothing and left the office. That would only buy Ed a day. Mr. Collins was a persistent little bugger. Having the girls frozen was nice, but they needed to keep up appearances if his plan was going to work. Ed grabbed his phone and dialed Michael.
***
The coffee shop was busy, yet still quiet enough to think. Ed looked around and waited patiently with his anxious hands wrapped around the hot cup. Michael joined him at the table.
"I told you to wait until you had both items." Michael said.
"I tried; I really did. But Kendra violated my man cave rule. I had no choice."
Michael sighed.
"Are there any long-term effects?" Ed said.
"Yes, the body needs to recover like anything else in life. From our studies, it's a very long time before a subject feels permanent long-term effects, but we don't recommend you push the envelope."
"I need that new device then. I can't unfreeze Kendra like this. She'll have the local, state and federal police knocking at my door."
"I'll see what I can do, Ed. For now, you're just going to have to keep her frozen."
Ed nodded. That he could do. With the reassurance that there were no immediate effects to be concerned about, the only issue left was Kendra and Karla's friends trying to get a hold of them. Easier said than done.
***
Ed returned home from work to his two trophies. Kendra was downstairs, cleaned up from the night before, and on display in his man cave. Her arms were posed behind her head to give a full view of her voluptuous chest and her face was stuck with a big smile. There was no intention of moving her again until he had the other device. Right now, there was only one sex doll he wanted to explore. In his bedroom, Karla remained where he left her, still in her mother's lingerie and wearing her mother's diamond ring. If they moved to a new town, no one would bat an eye at them being a couple. She was an eager trophy wife, and he was a rich older man with a lot of money to burn. That last part was completely fabricated, but who needed to know? Before he could explore his daughter again, he heard a knock at the door. Did Michael come through already? He was one efficient scientist.
Ed opened the door and was disappointed to see Roger.
"Hey, Mr. W."
Ed poked his head out and looked around.
"What the hell are you doing here, kid?"
"You know... the thing." Roger winked.
"That was a one-time deal."
"You expect me to keep my mouth shut after only one taste." Roger said.