Most employees are heading down the escalators, but she's heading up. It's late afternoon and Janet has been called to the CEO's office. Women like her don't usually get that kind of invitation. She's with the accounting department, there is never any reason for the boss to speak with her privately. At most she's shaken the man's hand a few times during company events.
When she reaches the upper floor she uses the bathroom first to straighten her appearance in the mirror. Her thick framed glasses are on point. Her blouse is neat. She uplifts her spirits with affirmative self-talk to perk up.
The secretary, a young black woman named Monique, tells her the door is open and the boss is waiting. Janet enters the office space. The place is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows and it's a real technological haven. Screens flicker with designs, a symphony of innovation.
She shakes hands with Emerson, the rockstar billionaire who enjoys being on the controversial side. While she is nervous with perfect posture and straightened appearance, Emerson is casual in jeans and a tshirt. There are two men in suits sitting around a small conference table with their neckties loose after the long day. There are also papers on the table along with a small box.
"Welcome," he says. "Great to finally meet you."
"Actually we've met before."
"Have we? Apologies, I meet so many people."
"Don't worry about it," she says. "I'm just an accountant."
"Yes, I know everything about you. I went over your file."
"May I ask why?"
"I'd like to research you. Are you a fan of technology?"
Emerson gets the small box on the conference table, opens it, and shows the earpiece inside. He explains this in simple terms, but much of it goes over Janet's head. She deals with numbers, not science, though her curiosity is piqued to the fullest.
He explains that the device has the power to manipulate neurons in the brain and control thought patterns. It's the latest technology, he explains, which few people know exists.
"I'm sorry," she says. "But I'm curious, why are you showing this to me? I'm... I'm..."
"Boring?"
"Well, I wasn't going to call myself boring, it's just that I'm unfamiliar with this."
"Exactly why you've been selected. You come without bias. I like that you're boring. Perhaps we can come to an equitable agreement."
"Such as?"
"I'll pay you $100,000 for a week. Just stay at home and wear the earpiece everyday."
The number is so staggering that Janet stands there frozen trying to process this. She'd gone through a divorce years ago, she currently supports her son in trade school, and she helps her elderly parents as well. It takes her two seconds to realize her boss already knows this, which is probably the main reason she was selected.
"I'm interested," she says. "Everyone could use more money these days, well, except for you."
He laughs. "Right, right. Before we go any further, I should clarify, this device will influence your thoughts. Harmless, I promise. Are you still interested?"
"I'm assuming we're talking about menial things. Or maybe to see how I perform while doing work at home. Is that what you're saying?"
"Actually I'm more focused on your sexual being."
"My sexual being?" she asks.
"You're smart, ordinary, non-sexual -- our ideal candidate."
"Can I have a few days to think about it? The sexual part is a bit... weird."
"No, this should be spontaneous. I want authenticity. If you think too much, it may skew the results. We've tested this in the laboratory but I want real world findings."
She's directed to the lawyers at the conference table, who've drafted an agreement that binds all sides to secrecy. All she can think about is the money. Sure, she lives with her son, but how bad can it be? Her boss would never take it too far, she thinks.
"Fine, I'll do it," she says.
"Excellent. And please remember, this is not about perversions, although sexuality is part of this. This is not about voyeurism, though we will observe closely. This is about testing a product that will change society. Sexuality happens to be a facet of humanity. You know, the horny part of the brain."
Emerson laughs at his last statement and Janet pretends to laugh along. She's given a moment to sit and review the contract. Simple terms. After she signs, Emerson signs as well, then a lawyer places a check for $25,000 on the table. Partial payment in good faith, she'll receive the rest of the money next week when everything is complete.
The boss tucks Janet's hair back and places the earpiece in her ear. It's a comfortable fit. It amazes her that she'll earn beyond a year's worth of salary for doing something so simple. But then again, her boss is known for bending regulations, doing whatever it takes to get the job done, no matter how ruthless.
Emerson goes to the laptop on the table and starts typing a few keys. The effect of the device is so subtle that Janet hardly notices it, but it's there, however faint.
"Feel anything?" he asks.
"Actually... I feel a little light... like I'm floating."
"Perfect. That means it's working. I'm accessing your cerebral cortex now."
He types on the laptop and Janet feels her nipples turn erect.
"I felt a tingle," she says.
"Excellent, mind if I call my secretary for a final test? After that you can go home."
"Umm... sure. Go ahead."
The boss summons Monique into the office, who knows exactly where to stand, and the two women are side-by-side awaiting further instructions.
"Janet, have you ever touched another woman before?" he asks.
"No, sir."
"Janet, reach out and touch my secretary's breasts for a while."
Before she can politely decline, both hands move, reaching forward and groping another woman's breasts. Monique is unphased by this random touching, suggesting she's open to it, or that she's done it before. Janet, on the other hand, is wide-eyed about what's going on. She's never done anything close to this before, much less in front of prominent men in the workplace.
Her hands cup and massage Monique's tits. She can feel the breasts stiffen with arousal. The secretary's blouse and bra are thin, so Janet rubs the front of the boobs and feels the nipples become erect.