It was a slow day at the office. Well, "office" was a strong word, given that they were on the street.
Specifically, they were hookers, looking for men and women hungry for sexual contact on the cheap. It wasn't how they wanted to make a living, but replicants were legally barred from most other professions.
With few interested customers, one of the girls took out the box of cigarettes she'd swiped earlier from a drunken hook-up and passed them out, along with a lighter.
As they lit up, the usual complaints surfaced.
"Damn, these are terrible, love."
"This fake shit is burning my lungs. You couldn't bother to get the good ones?"
"By all means, Jessy, pitch in the next time I make a run. Assuming you have any money left from buying drinks."
"How else am I supposed to get these buggers horny?"
Suddenly, a girl in a bright fur coat came storming out, dragging some red-faced oaf by the arm of his disheveled suit. She took him to the nearest alley and then rolled his sweaty, unconscious frame under a pile of uncollected trash.
"What the hell was that about, Mariette?"
"Oh, he didn't listen when I told him not to put his hands on the girls without paying up. He tried to hit me, and I was forced to remove him by physical force."
"Got your story straight for the cops, then. Very good, love."
"Well, seeing as how I'm supposed to be looking out for all of you, I feel it's important to set a good example."
"If you're setting examples, then how's about finding us some business?"
Flashing a smile, Mariette decided to try checking the back alleys rather than the usual spots. Sure, it was unorthodox, but maybe there was a drifter or bum or some homeless loser she could pick up. It was certainly worth a try.
At first, no luck. The alleys were deserted, covered in snow and frost. It made sense, she thought. No non-replicant would be foolish enough to stay outside in this weather.
Then, she noticed a large pile, covered by a ratty blanket. Whoever was underneath was doing their best to remain still, but it wasn't quite working.
Mariette carefully removed the blanket, revealing a woman in a tattered tunic. Her eyes were glazing over, and she didn't make a sound.
The other girls were finishing their last cigarettes when they spotted their leader rushing inside with something slung over her shoulder. They followed her in, and for the next few minutes, chaos ensued.
Mariette snapped orders at the girls. "Shut the door! Cover the windows! Get me some scissors! And a drink!"