Alice woke to the smell of breakfast and was immediately confused. Her roommate Violet normally wouldn't even wake up before noon if there was anything she could do about it, and today was a Saturday. A glance at the clock on the bedside table told Alice that it was just after 7AM. She sat up, tucking her hair behind her ear. The smell of citrus and eggs continued to waft from the hallway as she blinked sleep from her eyes. Alice was about to get up and investigate when Violet walked in, burdened with a metal tray. It was laden with a selection of dishes piled high with a huge variety of food. Violet almost lost her balance as the tray wobbled. Alice couldn't suppress a quiet chuckle as she watched her roommate, brow furrowed, make her way across the room, measuring each step carefully. Finally, Violet set the tray (which turned out to be a baking sheet) on Alice's lap.
"Is this... Is that raspberry syrup?" Alice pointed at one the half dozen dishes, a small mountain of french toasted with a light red liquid drizzled over it.
"I figured if I'm gonna get up at this ungodly hour to make my favorite roomie breakfast, I'm gonna go all out." Violet grinned and puffed herself up proudly. Even disheveled as she was, flour powdering her T-shirt and clad in sweatpants, Alice couldn't help but admire her friend. Where Alice was fairly average, Violet was the ideal; beautiful eyes, full lips, curves that were beyond perfect. She marveled again that such a woman would want her, and yet...
"You certainly did... What's all this for, Vi? You don't cook that oft-"
"Can't I wanna cook for my very most special friend?"-Violet pouted in mock sadness-"Can't I just wanna fatten you up, twig lady?" She poked Alice in the ribs and the younger woman jerked away, threatening to tip over a pitcher of what looked like fresh squeezed orange juice. She held the tray steady for a moment before glaring at Violet.
"Sure you can, Vi! But I know you're more of a brunch person, and this is just... Wow." She the fork Violet was holding out and speared a chunk of potato which had been sauteed with onions and what looked like rosemary. She chewed slowly as Violet looked on, her grin returning. "Wow." Alice repeated. The potato was perfect, slightly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. There was just the right amount of salt and the rosemary was perfectly balanced with a hint of what Alice guessed would be cumin.
"Well?" Violet was obviously proud of the feast she had prepared. "I'm pretty damn good, I think."
"It's amazing, Vi. Really." Alice took some french toast next, rolling the bite around and letting the syrup coat her tongue. The balance of sweet and bitter was perfect, playing across her tongue. "I still-" She paused to swallow "-think you're up to something. Gods, this is good." She tore off more of the toast and stared down over the baking sheet, wondering how long Violet had spent on this. As she did she noticed something, a piece of paper, pinned under the pitcher of juice. Suddenly Violet seemed the very picture of innocence, absolutely indifferent to what was on the tray. She walked over to the closet and seemed to occupy herself picking out a shirt. The paper was notable enough that Alice returned her attention to her lap, rather than take the opportunity to watch her beautiful roomie change. She slipped it from under the pitcher which she now suspected might actually be full of mimosa. The paper turned out to be a small envelope. Alice stuck her finger in the unsealed envelope and pulled out a single piece of paper. She glanced at Violet as the older women started into a pantomime whistle. What in the world? She read:
"As an employee of Technerve Solutionsâ„¢, it is my most sincere pleasure to extend an invitation to one Violet Evans and one Alice Powell to attend an exclusive demonstration of our newest advancements in Applied Biotechnology. Please join us as we expand the horizons of our understanding and of our experiences. Inclosed you will find the location and time for the event, as well as a survey to be filled out before you arrive. While we understand that some of the required information is quite personal, we assure you that we only wish for your visit to be as enjoyable as possible.
-Best Wishes, Naomi Reed"
In a smaller, handwritten script, below that:
"
I promise you're gonna love this, Vi! You owe me!
"
Alice's eyes went wide. She thought of the first time she had read the words "Technerve Solutions". They had been stamped in small script on the back of a small silver patch. A patch which, combined with an extremely eventful night, had completely transformed the nature of her relationship with Violet. She had started one morning as a shy and introverted roommate and woke up the next firmly in the "lover" column. Since that night she had slept in Violet's room more often than she had her own, as she had done last night. The patch in question was present in the bedroom fairly often as well. She flushed at the thought of its effects. If this were the same company, then...
"So, uh, explain?"
"So, uh, ok." Violet was beaming now. She motioned for Alice to eat as she talked. "My friend who got us those patches, that's Naomi. Well, we can buy 'em now, but she got us a sample before they hit the shelves. New tech, expensive stuff. I knew her a few years back, helped her get rid of her ex."
Alice chimed in, speaking around a mouthful of egg. "Mfh, that prick with the lava lamps?"
"Yeah, that guy. Anywho, she's high up in this company, and apparently they're absolutely killing it right now. They've got stuff that's gonna revolutionize the world based on the way she talks. And, well, we get to see some of it." Violet leaned in close to Alice and whispered in her ear. "Should be... Really fun." Alice shivered.
"So, do I have to be full to the gills with delicious food for this?"
"Gahh! Look, if you must know, Naomi's real hot and with this whole deal I wanted to make sure you stayed in my corner. Can't lose my lovely twig lady, can I?" Alice fought hard not to choke on her food as she laughed. Violet was so out of Alice's league, the thought that she might worry about this was just silly. Then, looking up and seeing the near-shock on her friends face, she laughed again and ending up coughing as her eyes teared up.
"I love you, Vi," said Alice "No one knows me better." She pulled Violet's head down for a quick kiss, laden with raspberry syrup. She thought of her first kiss. Violet's face was serene for a moment afterward as she stared back at Alice. Then she seemed to come to her senses and stood.
"Well, good! I love you too. Now, eat faster! We leave in half an hour!" She practically flew over to the closet and began to pick out an outfit for Alice. At this point many of Alice's clothes had migrated over to Violet's room with repeated nights of sharing the bed. Alice was beyond excited now and practically attacked her breakfast in her enthusiasm. Soon, she had had her fill and was shrugging on the light green sweater that Violet had set aside. Violet handed her a small sheaf of paper and told her to fill it out in the car. As they hurried outside, Alice saw that it was the survey the letter had mentioned.
The drive to Technerve was shorter than Alice expected. She spent most of the fifteen minute ride thinking about the questions in the survey. From them she could guess what was in store, but she wondered if such a thing were possible.. Her friend hummed tunelessly as she drove. Her face said that she was positively delighting in the mystery of this excursion. No way she'd answer any questions.
By the time they pulled into the driveway Alice was twitching with anticipation. She was somewhat disappointed by the Technerve building, though she didn't know what she expected. It looked in many aspects like a college campus. Squat buildings of concrete and glass, some brick, with brickwork walkways dotted with tasteful flower arrangements connecting it all. Alice thought maybe there'd be a vast skyscraper or something.
Violet was already by the passenger door and holding a hand out to help Alice out. She looked more excited than Alice could remember her ever being. What did the demonstration have in store for them to make the mellow woman so jittery, actually hopping from foot to foot in a little dance? Seeing that brought a smile to Alice's face. She took Violet's hand and walked with her toward and into the reception building. It was a fairly large building, decorated by a dark wooden sign above the door that said "
invenire mirabilia
". Latin? Alice couldn't help but smile a little wider at the cliché.
They were assailed as soon as they entered by the sounds of a huge crowd. Past the reception desk they could see a wide central room packed tightly with all sorts of people. Some were holding gigantic cameras and boom mics, almost all were wearing suits or formal wear, and they were talking up such a hubbub that Violet had to raise her voice nearly to a shout to be heard by the receptionist. As Violet checked in for them, Alice looked into crowd feeling suddenly underdressed.
"I'm sorry ma'am, but a survey wasn't required for the event, I'm not sure where you would have heard that from." Alice turned back to the receptionist. He was very young and his suit hung loosely over him like was playing dress up. He smiled sheepishly. "I probably shouldn't take that from you."
