Definitely a field test.

Should I try testing this thing out? I mean, how come it knew so much about my actual acquintances? Like, I knew that this was stupid, insane and probably an ad...

But what if it wasn't? ...Fuck it. Let's dream a little.

All of a sudden Ulla got up, and started putting her jacket on. Oh yeah, I guess it was nearing lunchtime.

Hmm... Perhaps the test subject should be her? She had the least amount of minuspoints out of all your colleagues, maybe she would take a small order? Yeah, let's try that coffee example.

She was just about leave the room, before I stopped her.

"Hey Ulla, going to lunch, ha?"

She stared at me with a puzzled face. Of course she was. You knew that.

"Aha."

"Hey, great. Listen, could you like maybe bring me a coffee?"

"No."

"Oh... okay. Are you sure?"

"Yes I am sure, Jack. What the fuck do you think I am? Your personal secretary?"

"No, I..."

"This is a perfect example of subconscious chauvinism. You expect me to do things for you just because I'm a woman? Maybe I have my own life? Have you considered that?"

Our conversation was loud enough to grow interesting for Lana and Sophie too.

"Well I, you know, just considered we were friends, and maybe..."

"Ha. No we're not Jack. In fact, I don't have any male friends. And this is a perfect example why. You just see us women as your personal servants. Don't you, pig?"

Yeah. This wasn't going as smoothly as I planned. One last **** attempt?

"Ulla, please please just bring me a coffee this time? Okay? I'll pay for your dinner too. Come on, I really really need one."

She sighed.

"Okay. Fine. But just because of your attitude, I'm getting something expensive for myself. Okay?"

"Yes. Thank you. Oh, and I take my coffee with..."

But she left before even hearing me. I heard Lana snickering behind me again. Go ahead, snicker away. Soon...

Wait! I checked my app.

Ulla's submission score hadn't changed at all? So that's it? This was literally all just a scam?

...or... Oh yeah, the humiliation factor. There was literally nothing humiliating about that command for Ulla. In fact it was very humiliating for me. This was the wrong tactic.

But then, how in the name of fuck were I supposed to get any of these women to do anything humiliating for me?

My cellphone pinged. A new email from Gretchen.

"What are you doing? Fix the fucking article. Now."

Great constructive criticism. I would get right on that.

...Was there any chance in hell that I could get Lana to fix the piece?

...

I could play that card.

If I did, there's no going back anymore. Was I absolutely certain?

...

Fuck it. My job was as good as gone anyway. This was the bottom of the barrel. Time to play the card.

I went next to Lana's desk. She looked up and grinned at me.

"Tough day, buddy boy?"

"Listen, Lana. Remember that piece on the new Giovanni jackets?"

"Oh yeah. Did Gretchen like it? I know you worked on it for a... long time."

"...I think deep down she liked some parts of it," I lied. "But you know, it needs to be better. Umm... I sort of have a situation going on right now, and maybe, just maybe you could take a look at it?"

"You want to give the article to me? Sure, why not. Hell, at this speed the whole next issue is going to be credited to me", she smirked.

"No, I mean, that, could you fix it and give the... credit to me?"

She stopped and looked at me like I was insane.

"You hit your head on something there, buddy boy?"

I sighed. Here goes. I went closer to her and started whispering.

"Look. We both know. I'm not gonna be here for much longer. The only question you should ask yourself, what is Jack going to say on his way out?"

Her expression got serious. "What are you talking about, Jack?"

"Maybe or maybe I didn't see you going through Maria's desk drawers that time?"

She stared at me silently.

"I think I know what you were searching for. You wanted to know what the rest of us are paid and how you compare."

I saw slight change in her expression.

"I guessed right, didn't I? Do you think Maria would appreciate this information?"

She kept staring at me.

"Just fix this article for me. And the secret stays with me. Okay?"

She sighed. "Just fucking give it to me." (LANA: +7SP) (-43SP)

Oof. That was a weird sensation. It's almost like... I felt inside that... Lana gained seven submission points?

I quickly took out my app and checked. Yes! It was true! What the fuck? Is this thing pure magic? Now I have some sort of internal knowledge about their points changes even without checking the app?

Well, I guess that made things easier...

Suddenly, somebody tapped on my back.

It was Gloria Diamanti. Maria's daughter. Mirage's newest, extremely "ambitious" intern.

"Miss Diamanti wants to see you", she said in a completely disintrested tone.