"Prepare Cassiopeia for her next engagement," Foster said coldly, handing a folder filled with client information to the programmer in front of his desk. "And this time, do it right. If she goes all blank-eyed again, then we've breached contract. And do you know what a breached contract means, Hart?"
Wis nodded. "It means potential lawsuit and definite financial loss, sir."
"Good, then you know. And yet, it's happened before. Do not let it happen again." He paused. "And you're still here because...?"
Lewis Hart quickly stood and left the office, folder in hand. He loved his job, but he hated his job. Programming was his favorite fantasy throughout college, and when he'd gotten a real chance to practice it for a paycheck, he'd flat-out screamed in ecstasy. But the creative part of programming...that was the fun. Not this bureaucratic, take-orders-from-anyone-with-a-dime bullshit. At least he still got to inject a bit of his ideas into the backstories of the imprints. Like this one: "Jessica Aubrey, subservient, mild masochistic streak." Wis knew exactly what Cassie would be used for this time, but to soften the blow on her, he added a dulled sense of pain and a stern resolve in the face of danger—courtesy of a childhood diagnosis of CIPA and a loving family who taught her to be brave even when she couldn't fight back.
"Cassie!" he called, after his imprint was done. Dr. Shelly brought her up to the chair and she sat down. "Where's your handler?"
"I think she's with Andromeda. She's being her best for her, like I'm my best for you." She smiled absently, nothing in her eyes but innocent vacancy.
"Ugh!" Hart groaned. "Stay right there. Don't move. I'll be back in a minute." Goddammit, Luca. Why did she always have to make things difficult? She was handler to only one active, was it so hard to be there when Cassie needed her? Wis made his way to Andromeda's last known location, the exercise room, and sure enough, there was Luca, shirt opened in front of the active as she enjoyed her dry lactation.
"Luca! Goddammit, you know if this weren't a Dollhouse—hell, if it were even the LA Dollhouse—you'd be arrested for shit like this!"
Luca turned her head casually, still holding Andromeda to her breast. "Oh, relax. It's not like we're allowed to engage them, so then what's the point of being around airheads all day if you can't have some fun?"
Wis pulled Andromeda away abruptly, leading her to frown. "What's wrong? Was I not my best? Did I do it wrong?" Tears began to form in her eyes.
"No, Andi, you're more than your best. Luca is just late for an appointment."
The doll immediately ceased her tears and grinned. "I try to be my best."
"I know, Andi. And you are. You, however..." he said, turning to Luca, who merely scowled. "Cassie's up in the chair now, waiting for you to be there when her imprint is done, and instead you're here, getting off on dominating an active."
"Totally worth it," the agent replied, as she turned and headed towards the imprint room.
"You know, if I ever find out you're doing those things to Cassie, I'll—"
"You'll what? Foster knows and doesn't give a shit. The actives aren't complaining. And you can't report me to the authorities without turning yourself in for programming. So quit the knight in shining lab coat act, man up over your obvious boycrush, and enjoy your girl toy already."
As Luca opened the door to the imprint room and buttoned her shirt, Wis just muttered, "I actually have morals."
