At eighteen, Heather had finally moved out of small-town hell and was living the good life. She was a freshman at a major university, had an apartment in a big city, and she had a job she'd wanted since she was a kid. She was working at a MyBot! Considering that no one that worked at a MyBot was anything less than a stunning beauty, Heather was secretly proud she'd gotten the job. She was of average height, but blonde, blue-eyed, well-tanned, and had a figure right out of... well, out of a MyBot sales catalog! She was a salesgirl now, but intended to be a vice-president by the time she was twenty-five. She was already a sales manager, second in the store only to Marla, the store manager. She didn't just work the cash register, anymore. She had some real responsibility.

This morning, she was opening the sales floor while Marla finished unpacking the new shipment in the back. It had mostly been lingerie and sex toys, but there had been a couple of new 'bots, as well. One of them was a seven foot tall male with long, wavy golden hair, solid muscles, and a beautiful tan. Marla had nearly fainted when they'd opened the box, and Heather could hardly blame her. So, while Marla was in back “checking his programming,” Heather set up the displays, readied the cash drawer and opened the doors.

This morning, she'd felt pretty basic about the window display, seeing as how the delivery had sucked up most of her time. She'd laid out a few silk draperies and cushions and sent two of the female 'bots dressed in lingerie in there to snuggle and kiss. That usually did well, and it was only a Monday – their slowest day – after all.

The doors had been open for maybe five minutes when a woman in her mid-twenties and a decent suit walked in, looking really nervous and glancing around at the display models. Heather sized her up quick, taking a long draw on what was left of her Starschmuck's Coffee. Five-and-a-half feet tall, slender build, long black hair, curvy hips and C-cup breasts... and shaking like a leaf. A first-time buyer. She let the lady meander about the store, not wanting her to feel rushed, then sauntered slowly across the floor to her.

“Beautiful aren't they?” she said. The woman had watched her approach, and made something of a nervous attempt at a smile. Heather could see something resembling envy in her eyes as she looked back up at the 'bot on the pedestal next to her. easy sale Heather thought. "Welcome to MyBot!" she said with the warmest smile she had, "My name is Heather."

"Jamie," the other said, shaking Heather's offered hand. Heather could tell it was just a little sweaty.

"Let me guess. This is your first time in a MyBot, isn't it?" Jamie nodded bashfully, not really meeting Heather's eyes. She glanced back up at the 'bot next to them. "This one's name is Ember, and you have excellent taste," Heather declared, "If I were inclined toward the female models, myself, I think this would be my first choice. Let me get her down so you can get a better look at her."

All of the display models in Mybot were on raised pedestals that put their navels at about eye level, making it easier for customers to glance over their bodies without real effort. It helped sales immensely, but it was also good to let the customer see them from a more personal perspective. She tapped the 'bot's left palm and uttered the single-word command, "Down," and the model hopped to the floor by Jamie.

Like most first-time buyers, Jamie blushed and looked over Ember with a guilty look that spoke of hunger. Ember smiled gently, stepped away from the pedestal, and turned gracefully, showing off her best features and silently encouraging Jamie to go ahead and look. Heather hadn't lied. She was confident in her heterosexuality, but she often caught herself staring at Ember. MyBot prided itself on a unique production method that meant that each pleasure 'bot off the line was different, with it's own combination of physical features, movement patterns, and speech patterns. Ember was tall, about five-foot-eight, had short red hair, brilliant green eyes, a willowy, flexible body, B-cup breasts, a very light tan, and a beautiful dusting of freckles over her shoulders and face. She was the only 'bot that was usually naked. Lingerie just didn't seem to do her justice.

She was snapped from her reverie by Ember's warm voice telling Jamie, "It's all right. You can touch me." Indeed, Jamie had been half-heartedly thinking about touching the 'bot but kept pulling her hand back in embarrassment. Now, with Ember's encouragement, she reached out and placed the flat of her hand against Ember's toned abdomen.

Ember responded with an indulgent smile, taking Jamie's hand gently in both of her own and stepping closer to her, raising the hand to her own breast. Jamie gasped, her eyes locked on the 'bot's chest, and seemed to want to pull away. After a moment, though, Heather could see her give Ember's breast a gentle squeeze. Ember smiled a little wider and reached out, raising Jamie's chin so that Jamie looked into her eyes, and said in that wonderful soft voice, "There now, that wasn't so hard, was it?"

Jamie jerked her hand back as suddenly as if she'd been bitten. Ember's looked taken aback and started to say, "I'm sorry," when Heather stopped her with a simple, "Pause, Ember." Ember shifted to a relaxed pose and simply looked forward, the whole exchange apparently forgotten. Jamie looked back to Heather.

"Amazing, aren't they?" Heather said to her.

Jamie only nodded, at first, looking back at Ember. She's lonely Heather realized.

"Is it true what they say about their programming?" Jamie asked.

"They are fiercely devoted lovers. Their number one priority is to make their owners happy. Their second priority is learning how to make their owners happier. They run errands, they cook fantastic meals, they clean homes, and they still have the time and energy to bring endless pleasure to their owners on command, from snuggling on the sofa to passionate sex to long sensuous showers together. Once they are imprinted on an owner, their loyalty and devotion will never waver unless a MyBot service tech clears their programming." At a curious look from Jamie, she added, "In the case of the owner's death or selling the 'bot or what have you."

Jamie nodded, looking back at Ember. "How long do they last?"

"Not a single MyBot has broken down in the whole twelve years since production began. My oldest sister has one of the very first production models and he's still just as virile and energetic as the day she bought him home."

Stepping closer to Ember, Jamie reached up and touched her face. Ember looked back into Jamie's eyes and smiled warmly. Running her fingers in Ember's hair, she asked, "Are they happy?"

Ember answered for Heather, saying, "We only emulate true emotions but we rarely have need to seem upset. We have only one purpose in our existence, and we do it very well."

"Purpose," Jamie whispered, and seemed to come to a decision. "I want that."

"You've made the right choice," Heather beamed, "If you'd like to step into the sales office with Ember and I, we can discuss credit options and pricing..."

"No."

"Excuse me?"

"You misunderstand," Jamie told her, "I don't want to buy one. I want to be one."

Heather couldn't suppress a surprised giggle. "What?"

Jamie stepped away from Ember and up to Heather. In a conspiratorial whisper, she told Heather, "I know the truth. MyBots aren't gelled proteins that are shaped and controlled by advanced nanites. They're real people, abducted by MyBot Corp. and injected with medical nanites to keep them young, beautiful and deeply controlled. I want that. I want to be injected like Ember, there."

A sick knot of fear began to form in Heather's gut. This woman was clearly delusional and desperate, and when Heather was forced to tell her that she couldn't be made into a MyBot, there would be no telling what she would do.

Sensing her hesitation, Jamie told her, "You don't have to cover it up, or anything. I have proof. I work for a consumer advocates group, testing products, you know? I spent a year with one of these 'pleasure bots' and found out the truth after a lab accident. I ran new tests and checked everything over thoroughly. I have the sort of proof that could have bought MyBot Corp. down, but then I really thought about it." Turning back to Ember with a longing look in her eyes, she continued, "MyBots never cry, or doubt their lovers, or feel self-conscious about their bodies, or even get sick. It's a perfect life of devotion and pleasure, and I want that, myself."

Though Ember was watching Jamie's eyes with detached kindness, Jamie's eyes had a pleading - even tearful - look to them. Heather knew she would have to act carefully or she might fly into an insane rage. "Well," she said, "I'm going to need to ask my store manager for instructions, here. Ember, would you take our guest into the sales office where she can wait? It'll only take a minute."

Ember's face brightened and - taking Jamie's hands in her own again - she began to lead Jamie away. Jamie seemed to hesitate, perhaps wondering if Heather was going to call the police, but relented and allowed Ember to lead her towards the office. In as quick and controlled a gate as she could manage, Heather bolted for the back to find Marla.

Ember meanwhile, led Jamie into the sales office and sat her gently in a love seat clearly put there so that the 'bots could snuggle with potential buyers, encouraging higher pricing in the deals. Jamie wasn't interested in buying Ember, but Ember didn't know that. Following her programming, she curled up with Jamie and kissed her. Nervous, Jamie considered asking her to stop, but Ember was persuasive, and soon Jamie was relaxed and aroused, kissing and snuggling in return.

True to marketing promises, Ember seemed to read Jamie's mind about what she needed and kept it warm, gentle, and slow, kissing behind Jamie's ear. Jamie's nose brushed through Ember's hair and Jamie discovered an alluring scent of cinnamon hidden there. It relaxed her greatly, and she found herself hoping that when she, herself, was a 'bot she could be sold with Ember. She was staring to really like the freckled 'bot.

It was about ten minutes later, when Ember had wormed her way under Jamie's bra, that Marla came in. Jamie started to pull away, but Marla stopped her, saying, "Oh no, don't get up on my account. Continue, Ember." As Marla sat behind the desk, Ember shifted her weight, pulling Jamie's breast free and suckling on the nipple. Jamie gasped, holding Ember gently to her, and tried hard to focus on Marla, despite the warm wetness growing in her sex.

Marla, herself, looked seriously at Jamie. "I'm afraid you've rather upset Heather."

"Oh, I don't mean to scare anyone. I didn't come to threaten legal action, or anything, I just..."

Marla stopped her with a raised hand. "I understand. The Home Office and I are curious to know, though, how you figured it out. No one else has come close in twelve years."

Jamie pulled her PDA out of a pocket and laid it on the desk between them. "There was an accident in the lab I work for. It's all there in the notes. That's the only copy, too. Once I realized what was going on, I worked only on that device. I didn't want to put any of my co-workers at risk."

"Very wise," Marla commented, and flipped through the notes, examining them. While Marla was occupied, Jamie relaxed a bit, letting Ember pull her hand down to Ember's soft, hairless sex while still focusing on Jamie's nipples.

After a few minutes, Marla put down the PDA with a mumbled, "Impressive work," and looked up at Jamie, who again fought to look back at Marla while still fingering a moistening Ember. "You understand, though, Jamie, that if we do this, you will inherently become a missing person? A statistic?"

In spite of herself, Jamie laughed. "Was Ember a volunteer?"

Marla only smiled in reply.

"Besides," Jamie went on, "I don't have any family left, or any close friends. I already quit my job, and I left a forwarding address with my landlady that's in China. No one will notice me gone."

Marla seemed to consider this for a moment. "Very well," she finally said, "There'll be more questions and legal forms and such later on, but by that point, you won't have the independent will left to be bored by them." Jamie's heart raced at these words, and she squeezed hard on Ember's sex, making the 'bot gasp and reach down for Jamie's in return.

"Can I be sold with Ember, here?" she asked, smiling.

Marla chuckled. "Well, that's not really for me to decide, but if it's any consolation, it's going to take some time for the transport truck to get here to take you to the processing center, and you're more than welcome to indulge in her company while you wait after I give you the injection.

Jamie moaned, distracted by Ember's expert ministrations. "You'll inject me here?"

"Oh, yes. We've done one or two conversions on site here, though not with models as willing as you are. It will take a couple of weeks to become a full 'bot like Ember, there, but the first nanite injection, which I'll administer in the back, blocks your ability to disobey orders, and stimulates your brain's pleasure and arousal centers to help you be more cooperative."

Jamie laughed, saying, "I'm cooperative, already."

Marla laughed herself. "Well, yes, but you get the idea." Standing, she said, "Now if you'd follow me into the back area, please? Ember, you too."

Jamie nearly jumped off the love seat, and Ember followed, holding Jamie's hand like an old lover. The sales floor was darkened, and the sign in the door had been changed to "Closed." Probably a precaution while they dealt with me Jamie figured. She followed Marla to the back door, bringing Ember in tow, and stepped through.

The work area in the back had several neat shelves of merchandise with a few 'bots either lying on shelves or walking around cleaning and dusting. A muffled squeal pulled Jamie's attention to the left where Heather had been bound to a stainless steel workbench. She was bending over it with her hands shackled to an eyebolt with leather cuffs, and her ankles bound to another eyebolt in the floor. She was still fully dressed and had a huge rubber ball gag in her mouth. Her eyes were red and swollen from tears that were still flowing down her cheeks.

"Wait," Jamie started, confused. "What..."

"Well," Marla explained, running her hands over Heather's struggling form, "the unfortunate part is that Heather here is a human. She's only been with the company for a few months, and didn't know our little secret yet, and since we can't risk her telling anyone what you've told her, I'm going to have to convert her into a pleasure 'bot along with you."

Heather screamed loud and shrill through her gag, her worst fears apparently confirmed. She bucked madly, pulling on her bonds with all her might, but to no avail. Marla grasped her shoulders, shushing her calmly and whispering, "Calm down, Heather dear. It's all right. I know a beautiful, well-run bordello upstate that would love to have you. You'll be very happy there, I'm sure."

Heather only cried all the more at this, apparently not comforted in the slightest. Jamie felt a pang of guilt, knowing that she had cost the beautiful teen her freedom. Ember, meanwhile, had wrapped her arms around Jamie from behind and pulled her back into a warm, comforting embrace. Jamie wondered if Ember could remember struggling helplessly like Heather.

Marla opened a stainless steel briefcase on the workbench and asked a nearby 'bot to ready two shipping cases. Heather seemed to sink in defeat at this. She continued to sob helplessly, but stopped struggling.

Out of the case, Marla pulled a hypo-gun and quickly assembled it, then reached into a bar fridge under the workbench and pulled out a hypo cartridge that snapped smartly into the gun. "You'll feel a bit of a sting," Marla told Jamie, "and it will probably feel a bit cold for a moment."

Nodding, Jamie held out her arm, with her elbow crooked for the shot.

Marla chuckled. "No, sweetie. It's designed to shoot people as they're running away from us. I need your ass."

"Oh!" Jamie chuckled herself, and turned to face Ember, who wrapped her arms tighter around Jamie, pulling up her skirt to expose her ass to Marla and then kissed Jamie deeply. Jamie, kissing Ember in return, thought that as last moments went, this was a pretty good one.

Heather watched desperately as red targeting dot appeared on Jamie's right buttock. Some tiny, irrational part of her mind was still trying to make this all into some sort of ruse. Marla had really called the cops and Jamie was going to a mental ward. There was a sedative in that gun, not mind controlling nanites. right?

There was a loud hiss and the dart launched itself into Jamie's butt. Jamie tensed, rising up onto her toes and squealing as she bit into Ember's lip. Ember laughed, hugging Jamie closer, until Jamie relaxed a moment later and yelled, "Holy crap, that's cold!" She buried her face in the crook of Ember's neck and Ember hugged her closer. After a moment, Jamie was breathing deeper and slower, the tension seeming to melt out of her.

Yes! Heather thought, feeling relieved, It WAS a sedative!

But then Marla opened the bar fridge and pulled out another cartridge. "Jamie," she said, "How do you feel?"

Jamie sighed softly and said, "Wonderful... horny."

"Oh, I'll bet," Marla replied. "I want you to take all of your clothes off, now. Ember can help you. And I would like you to call me 'Mistress' from here on out."

As Ember began lovingly undoing the buttons on Jamie's blouse, Jamie pulled off her jacket and said, "Yes, Mistress."

Panic flooded back into Heather's mind and she started to scream again. Marla took several steps back away from her, popping open the gun, the spent cartridge springing out onto the floor. Heather struggled for all she was worth, but could only wave her ass around, hoping for Marla to miss, but Marla had done this a dozen times already. The dart slammed into Heather's cheek, making her jump and squeal, and a cold like ice water started to spread swiftly through her veins...