The gathered folk were concerned and gasping.
She held up her hand. “So, before anyone gets their panties in a bunch, I am going to just say that the program and the teams’ administration accept the Blind Date Corporation as a legitimate branch of activated employment. It is unorthodox and not widely accepted, but matching a team member or activated member of the public is tricky if anyone is hiding something.”
She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Questions?”
A forest of hands shot up. She pointed to one of the women who had already spoken. “Yes?”
“How did you get into it?”
She shrugged. “Torun suggested it. As many of you know, my activation has come with certain emotional distancing issues, so when Torun and I became lovers, he asked me if I would consider offering myself to another team member in need of a lover.” She shrugged. “I said yes and then joined Blind Date Corporation.”
Another hand went up. “How many lovers have you had, and do you get tested?”
She blinked. “Ah. Well, I have lovers from both the teams and simply activated persons in a variety of occupations. Before they are allowed to access our database, they have to provide genetic fingerprinting and a blood sample analyzed at our lab, not theirs. From there, an extensive psychological profile is created, and they are monitored for no less than eight weeks, regardless of occupation.”
She took a deep breath. “After they are authorized, they are given a limited selection of dates to choose from. The ones that can take the most damage. The delicates are held back until three dates have been accomplished with no physical injury or undue force. The escorts on those dates are doing the character analysis and an estimate of the propensity for violence. Some of the escorts don’t mind a bit of violence now and then, but when they ask for a client to be removed from their roster, they are. Both escort and client are tested every three months if they want to remain listed with the company.”
Next question. “Do the clients ask for the same escorts time after time?”
She shook her head. “No, they can select anyone available on their menu. If they want to go for a run in the moonlight, it is a different selection than when they just want a sweaty tangle of limbs. Some of the ladies or gentlemen who enjoy sex are not really that athletic.”
A burst of laughter rushed through the audience.
She nodded to the next hand in the air. “Have you ever had to fire a client? If so, what were the circumstances.”
Zera paused before she answered. “Yes.”
“What were the circumstances?”
She took a deep breath. “He tried to kill me.” She felt the tension in the men and women around her. “He lied on his application, sent someone else’s DNA profile and scans. I did the initial scan of him when we met, and he punched me. I woke up with him on top of me, strangling me with enough force to break a light post, and I struck him. I called the local peacekeepers, and they had no interest in following up, so I called a team while I hid in the bathroom and typed my situation. He made it through the door a moment before help arrived, and I survived the night with my neck crushed. My voice returned three days later. New protocols were put in place immediately, involving the intensive verifying of the clients.”
The room was silent. “So, it isn’t just screwing your favourite teams. It is a legitimate danger to your person. This is a chance to make a lot of money, but you can also lose your life, your health, your true love. Never fall in love with a client. That is why the masks are an issue. Only management knows who your client actually is and what they want. They have to outline things with management, and you can decide if that pushes your limits. You then get a list of things to do to prep for the date, preferred hairstyle, makeup, body hair, or not. They have a catalogue of outfits to choose from.”
One of the men in her department raised his hand. She knew where this was going.
“What are your limits?”
Torun laughed. “We will let you know if we find them.”
The crowd was murmuring we? Zera winced when Torun kissed her hand, Tycho kissed her neck, and Ryma licked her other palm.
The room burst into astonished roars.
Chapter Five
When Dr. Miliken entered the space, he gestured for everyone to quiet. “Ladies and gentlemen, please be quiet. I understand that our unscheduled speaker is fascinating, but you need to keep your self-control. If Researcher Zera is willing, I am sure that you will all get your questions answered. If you are interested in hearing more, please notify the organizers, and it will be discussed in a special event.”
Zera looked at him. “Seriously?”
He grinned. “I know a winning subject when I hear one. Now, will you take more questions?”
“As long as they are not if I have all three of them with me at the same time.”
Torun kissed her neck. “She does.”
A woman raised her hand. “You mentioned the masks, but why do they all know you?”
“Torun and I were lovers beforehand, and he was my first patron. He knows what I look like. He has also recommended me to his team. They know what I look like. Because of my friend and fellow date being attacked, he is making the move to dox me to his fellow teams so that those who have thought fondly of me might keep an ear out if anyone tries to make a move.”
He murmured against her neck, “Am I that transparent?”
She snorted. “Not hardly, but it seems that you have an agenda, and that is the only one I can think of.”
She angled her head, and he nipped her before she remembered the audience.
A
