Lessa beams. Shining, unnaturally potent chartreuse eyes. Dewy, glowing skin, every flaw long since lasered off. Cheeks expertly plumped to the latest fashion. Perfect teeth gleaming within a perfectly altered smile. Not a single gunmetal strand of hair is out of place. “Thanks, K8. You’re the best.”
Is she, though? How can she be when all she can do is sit here and think,Is any of this real?
3 – Loneliness Ends Now
K8
September 28, 2390, Day 90.
K8 leans across GROW’s customer service counter, locking eyes with the agent. “Your website claims, ‘If you’re not completely satisfied with your purchase—’”
The woman cuts in, repeating, “We would replace your unit for free.”
“But I don’t want another unit. As you can see, I haven’t even activated this one,” K8 patiently explains.
The agent pushes the GROW kit back across the counter. “Then how do you know you aren’t satisfied?”
“Like I’ve repeatedly told you, I hate the very idea of a manupartner and I refuse to activate it.” K8 turns her device towardthe agent, whose dark eyes flash with irritation. “If you would just revisit point four.” She gives the agent a moment to scan the text before continuing. “Is GROW no longer committed to the best manupartner experience for all their Valued Customers? How will the Consumer Rights Protection Agency feel about your false advertising?”
The agent releases an audible sigh. “How would this be considered false advertising?”
“I don’t want a manupartner, and having this kit is making me miserable.” K8 tries her best to keep from whining. “So,” she continues in a calm, professional voice, “you might as well give me my unicoin back.”
“We’ve reviewed our policy with you four times already, Valued Customer K8. Plus, each of the fifteen bullet points you emailed our team. Unfortunately, we are unable to issue you a refund at this time.”
Heat crawls up her neck and she’s sure her face is flushed. All this arguing . . . No wonder she avoids confrontation at all costs. This can’t be good for her complexion. It seems there is only one way to solve this. “May I please speak with someone more interested in hearing my concerns?”
The agent grins. “Excuse me?”
K8 shifts uncomfortably. “Who do you report to?”
“You would like to speak with my manager?”
K8’s voice is sheepish as she says, “Yes.”
“Go wait in the lobby. And don’t forget your GROW kit.” The agent shakes her head as she walks away.
Shame heats K8’s cheeks as she snatches her kit off the counter and makes her way to the lobby.Zephyr, please don’t let anyone I know be here. She’s sure she’s never been so uncomfortable. If she tucks herself into the corner between the wall and a vending machine, hopefully no one will notice her.
This will all turn out fine. She will talk to the manager—the horror—and convince them to take the kit and refund her. Then this entire awful experience will be over and she can get on with her life. Maybe she’ll even go out and try to meet someone. Take the refund and start a savings account. Well, nothing drastic. She’ll invest in Incredible Bill’s collection, then start saving.
K8’s email alert pings, drawing her attention away from the momentary blip her last week has amounted to. She sets the GROW kit down at her feet, fishing out her device. The subject reads:
NHOS: Project: Loneliness Ends Now Annual Survey
Why NHOS sends out these mandatory surveys is beyond her. After the first ten years in her current FRIENDS group, she started copy/pasting the same saved answers. That the agency accepts them every year without question suggests no one evaluates the answers unless there’s a glaring red flag. Still, she dutifully skims the body of thewelcome distractionnecessary email.
Good morning, Citizen C-K8lyn-MSP-00023468,
As a requirement of Project: Loneliness Ends Now (Project: LEN), the Northern Hemisphere Organizational System (NHOS) requires you to complete this year’s annual survey for the following Project: LEN issued FRIENDS:
B-Lessa-MSP-00023287
B-Oro1-MSP-00022039
C-Jett-MSP-00022978.
As you complete the survey, remember your NHOS issued FRIENDS are a vital:
