A bell tinkled pleasantly overhead, announcing his arrival as he stepped into the shop. Two cold counters filled with various cuts of meat sat before him, a small cash register and modest tip jar atop one. He looked around, hands in his pockets, reading over the day's specials up on a blackboard.

"Good afternoon!" a middle-aged man emerged from the back and greeted him, wiping his hands on his grimy apron. "What can I get for you?"

"Do you have any fresh short loin?"

"Absolutely. I'll have to go cut you some."

Dib nodded, "That's fine."

The man smiled and turned, stepping into the back again. Dib slipped around the counter, glancing down at a safe under the counter. When he heard the chop of the butcher's knife he stepped through the plastic divider into the back, feeling the instant drop in temperature. Halves and quarters of meat hung from hooks on the ceiling. He noticed an office near the back of the store and stepped towards it but a weight pressed into the center of his back and he stopped.

"That was fast," a feminine voice spoke behind him. "That little bitch rat me out, did she?"

She reached around him, sliding his gun from its place on his hip and nudging him forward. He held his hands out and walked towards the office. The butcher glanced up from his table but went back to his work quickly, ignoring them.

The woman reached around him again and opened the door, pushing him inside. She stepped in after him and shut it as he turned around to face her.

"Have a seat, detective," she smiled, weapon unwaivering.

"You know, it's illegal to threaten a U.S. government officer," he said as he sat down in an uncomfortable leather chair. She sat on the edge of the desk and crossed her legs.

"And it's also illegal to steal personal property and lie on your reports but you don't seem bothered."

"You need to turn yourself in," he said, folding his hands in his lap harmlessly.

"Are you really here to talk about that?" she replied, leaning forward. He avoided looking down her low-cut dress just as expertly as he'd avoided looking up it when she sat down.

"Fine. Where did you get him?" he asked.

"There you go." She sat back. "I bought it off a sideshow in Utica, but you already knew that. Fifty grand."

"That's a lot. Why?"

"Look at it," she laughed. "Its exotic, its odd. My customers are always looking for their next big thrill. They don't care if its real or not, just like the kids who go to the sideshow. Its exciting, who cares what it is."

"Surely someone questioned it."

"Oh of course, but if they wanted to keep coming back they kept their mouth shut." She reached behind her and opened a drawer, taking out a small black ring box.

"And god how they keep coming back. My business tripled in nights."

"Why?"

"Why?" She laughed. "Have you tried it yet, hmm? That thing will do anything you want and then some. Its quiet, obedient, and very, very fuckable." She drew the last word out like she was savoring the taste.

Dib made a face and she smirked.

"What, telling me you're too good for that, detective?"

"I don't believe in sexual exploitation, of anything."

"Oh you're such a cop." She leaned forward to hand him the box. He took it slowly.

"You have no idea what you're dealing with. It took years of.. training to pacify it." She nodded at the box. "And that."

He opened the black box and picked up the small square chip from inside, turning it over in his fingers delicately.

"That goes in the computer on its back."

"What is it?" he asked, returning it to the box carefully.

"Its personality."

He looked up at her, brow furrowed.

"On this little chip?"

She nodded. "Its not a friendly thing, not originally. Without that its rather palpable though."

He frowned, looking down at the box in his hand.

"Why are you giving me this?"

"The exhibit owner gave it to me and explained. I thought it would be a good idea to put it back, see what it was like." She sighed.

Dib tilted his head up at her, squinting.

"What do you want?"

"I want it back," she replied curtly. "After you've had your fun." She stood and opened the door, offering him his weapon back but keeping her own trained on him. He took it from her and slid it into its place.

"I'll be back for you."

"I'm sure."

He stepped out, nodding goodbye to the butcher and leaving the shop. He pocketed the ring box and drove back to his office, troubled.

"What did you find?" Charles startled him out of his thoughts and he looked up, setting the chip down on his laptop.

"Nothing," he replied. "I'd keep an eye on it but the place was.. clean."

"Damn, well thanks for checking it out."

Dib forced a smile and nodded, then picked up the chip again once his supervisor left. No bigger than a bottle cap, it was purple with gold etching across it, lines of alien information. He returned it to the box and pocketed it again, trying to focus on his job for the rest of the day.