Auto closet (CHYOA)

Sometimes you accept a job offer not because you wanted to, but because the payment is good. That was the case that led Jared to accept working as a night guard. “What kind of security company needs an auto closet?” he asked his friend, Mickey, standing besides the auto closet.

“The type that it is too cheap to actually buy uniforms,” Mickey yawned. It was the end of his working hours and he wanted to go home, but took some time to help his old buddy.

“So, you know how to use those things, right?” He asked with his finger pointing at the machine. Jared replied with an eye roll, “yeah, I have seen an auto closet before, I know how to use it. Just never seen one so fucking old.” A small laugh from Jared, “Yeah, this thing is at least fifteen years old. Anyway, I need to tell you some things about it: Make sure not to keep it turned on for more than an hour. It doesn’t work properly if stays turned for too long. I’m sure you don’t wanna be inside if it happens.”

“What is the worst that could happen? Would it give me the wrong set of clothes?” Jared scoffed. “It likely would, but it would also rip off your clothes,” Jared thought he was joking, but there was no playfulness in his face. “Really?” he asked. “Yep, it’s function is to give you clothes and store the ones you had on, but it could rip them off by mistake and leave you nothing to wear.”

With that Jared entered the auto closet. Mickey asked him to state his name to the IA in the auto closet, “Jared Thompson,” the machine recorded and beeped an annoying sound, “THOMPSON, J” is already set in the system,“the voice spoke. Mickey explained that it was the name of another employee from a few years ago, apparently the machine hadn’t delete his name after he quit. Mickey input a correction. “THOMPSON, J (2) ≠ THOMPSON, J (1)“and finally the machine began working.

The tiny metal arms removed Jared’s clothes and neatly folded them in the proper compartment, then a cleaning lotion was sprayed on his body and dried by the fan on the floor, Jared was surprised it even worked. A scanner took measures of his body and began applying the material fluid on him. First, it created a pair of white cotton boxers, then the company’s blue pants and yellow shirt, and finally the blue jacket with the logo on the back. A small compartment opened, to give Jared his Working shoes. Outside, Mickey was waiting for him, He turned off the auto closet, said goodbye to his friend and went to his house, finally get some sleep.

A week later, Jared was getting comfortable on his job, maybe too comfortable, since that night he had forgotten to turn off the auto closet after using it. Now, with his shift done he approached the machine and got inside.

The interior of the auto closet felt much different now, it was much warmer and hot than before, Jared was sweating quite a lot. “What is wrong with this thing?” he muttered.

“We- Wel- Welcome once more into the ULTRA AT2K, please, please, state your na-, na-, na-, name,” Jared did not felt welcomed in the malfunctioning machine. He tried to return by the door, but it didn’t open, “Ple- ple- please, do not try to exit the booth before dressing, -ing, -ing.”

Seeing no other option, Jared told his name to the booth. “THOMPSON, J” is already set in the system,“the voice repeated.

Jared informed the machine about how was the second one in the system and the machine lit up, “Understood, select style.” In the screen a couple of options appeared: Goth Girl, Cheerleader, Bunny girl, cosplay babe and bride. Taken a back by the selection, Jared complained, “This is all women’s clothes, I’m a man.” The voice replied, “THOMPSON, J (2) ≠ THOMPSON, J (1), THOMPSON, J (1) is a man, therefore THOMPSON, J (2) is a woman. Please select style.”

“What kind of logic is that? Let me leave, I’m not picking any of those options,” Jared replied.

“Understood, randomizing selection. Initiate dressing,” the voice spoke and two mechanical arms appeared from the side, they had already moved to grab Jared’s arms and legs. The machine sprayed a liquid to dissolve his clothes leaving him naked in the booth.