PROLOGUE

Adelle leaned back in her chair and contemplated the Los Angeles skyline beyond her window. She was tired; still exhausted from the effects of the N-7316 memory drug exposure. It had been only a few days since the industrial espionage at Rossum had almost blossomed into a full-scale catastrophe.

Her intercom buzzed. The digital display announced her ten o'clock appointment. With a press of a button she signaled her assistant to admit the client. While she waited for him to arrive at her door she quickly reviewed his file.

Richard Cryer, a stock analyst and broker who had built his fortune on the internet tech boom. He was one of those market geniuses who saw the crash coming, had bet against conventional wisdom and made a fortune when everyone else was losing money. All of the Dollhouse's clients were wealthy people, but Richard Cryer was wealthier than most. There were developed nations with economies smaller than Cryer's personal fortune.

Dominic entered her office. The rapport she counted on with Dominic, the subtle language of hidden gestures they shared, had broken down after the exposure. He was still embarrassed by his behavior; she wondered if he was also embarrassed by her own. She knew he'd seen the footage of her bouncing on Topher's trampoline. He fell into his place beside the door, where he stood stiffly. He was uncomfortable, but he'd been uncomfortable around her for the last few days.

Richard Cryer followed him in to the room and then stopped, confused as to were he should go next. He was tall and lean, what one would call gangly if one was being uncharitable, with a long nose that featured a prominent hook. He looked suspiciously similar to a crane and Adelle forced herself to stifle a laugh.

"Mr. Cryer, I'm Adelle DeWitt." She extended her hand and he looked at it as if it were an alien gesture before gripping it weakly and giving it a limp shake. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Yes," he agreed absently as he checked out her office. His eyes darted about furtively, as if he expected someone to jump out and catch him. Adelle rose from her seat and walked towards the couches, gesturing for Cryer to follow. He sat across from her, perched on the edge of the seat.

Adelle poured herself a cup of tea. "Can I offer you tea?"

Cryer focused on her intently for a moment, then half-heartedly shook his head. She put the kettle down and sipped from her tea. "There's no need to be nervous Mr. Cryer, I assure you we are all very discreet at the Dollhouse."

Cryer nodded absently, then shifted suddenly to the intense stare. "I'd like to get straight to the point Ms. DeWitt."

"Feel free, Mr. Cryer."

"It's about your fees. The longest engagements your fee schedule allows for is one week. So am I to assume that if I want to lease a doll for a month, I'll have to pay by the week? I ran some numbers, and if the discount for extended engagements holds true over the course of a month, then I should get a significantly reduced rate over four weekly leases. Do you understand what I'm asking Ms. DeWitt?"

"I'm afraid there has been some confusion, Mr. Cryer. We can't provide you with an active for a month long engagement. We do not engage our actives in engagements longer than one week."

Cryer blinked rapidly and looked about the room again, as if he didn't believe the response.

"But if I intend to purchase a doll I want to, um, take it for a test drive. So to speak. A week hardly seems like enough time to make that sort of long term purchase decision."

"Mr. Cryer, we don't sell our dolls. I'm afraid you have been greatly misinformed about what we offer here at the Dollhouse. We don't sell people, we sell experiences – the perfect experience with the perfect person for you. But it is only the experience you are buying, not the person itself."

"So then you can't create the perfect wife for me?"

Adelle repressed the desire to grimace in disgust. Instead she smiled very tightly. Behind Cryer she saw Dominic bristle.

"No Mr. Cryer, I'm afraid we don't offer that particular service."

"Money is no object. I can afford to pay a great deal."

"It's not a matter of money. Our actives are volunteers who have signed five year contracts, it's simply not within our power to sell them away."

Cryer frowned and fell back into his seat. He considered the news for a few moments, then muttered something under his breath.

"What was that?"

"I said I'll have to change my plans then. No time for a cruise. Very well Ms. Dewitt, I'll take one week. Your people already have all the specifications I requested, and I have the account numbers I need to wire you your payment. If there's nothing else, I'll be going. You can expect the money within an hour. I'll be expecting my doll tomorrow night."

"Of course. I'm sure you'll be quite satisfied with the experience."

Cryer rose and shuffled towards the elevator doors as Adelle returned to her desk. He paused once he reached them, turning as if to say something, then dismissed it with a wave of his hand and ambled onto the elevator platform. Dominic joined him and pressed a button.

As the elevator doors slid close Dominic's eyes met hers and they exchanged a knowing look. Dominic shared her disgust at Cryer's suggestion. She smiled as she sensed the rapport they had built over the last three years rebuilding itself.

Once the doors closed entirely, Adelle turned to her phone and dialed Topher's extension. He answered almost immediately.

"Mr. Brink, please come to my office."