Vicky - the ditzy girlfriend's roommate

You tap the Premium Client request, sending IdentityCollector a confirmation message. "I'll take this job," you say to Zoe, sliding your phone into your pocket. "The premium ones usually tip well, and I could use the extra cash for textbooks."

Zoe raises an eyebrow, her modified pupils contracting with interest. "What's the gig?"

"A threesome scenario. Client wants me to hop into his girlfriend's roommate." You start unpacking your clothes, laying them on the bed. "The girlfriend doesn't know about hopping tech, though."

Your phone vibrates with IdentityCollector's response: Perfect. Meet me at Lakeside Apartments, Building C, Room 204. 9 PM tonight. Target's name is Vicky, 5'4", brunette. She'll be at the campus library until 10. I'll handle getting you access to her.

You've done this type of job before—the classic "surprise threesome with the roommate" fantasy. The higher pay reflects the complexity: you'll need to be convincing as someone the girlfriend knows well.

"So, who's the lucky body you're borrowing tonight?" Zoe asks, peering over your shoulder at the message.

"Someone named Vicky. Apparently she's the girlfriend's roommate." You frown slightly. "Client says he'll 'handle getting access' to her."

Zoe's expression shifts. "Wait, the target doesn't know either? That's... a bit beyond murky."

You've had these concerns before. Technically, hopping into an unwilling host violates Westlake's consent protocols, but enforcement is notoriously lax when money changes hands. Still, premium clients pay premium rates for discretion.

"It's complicated," you admit. "But I need the money, and this guy's a regular."

Zoe drums her fingers on her desk, the blue circuitry pulsing beneath her skin. "Look, I'm not judging. God knows half the mods I've installed were in gray areas. But if you want, I could hook you up with some safety tech." She reaches into her desk drawer and pulls out what looks like a stylish silver bracelet. "Neural anchor. If anything goes wrong during a hop—like the host consciousness fighting back or an emergency exit—this stabilizes your consciousness pattern for a clean extraction."

You take the bracelet, turning it over in your hands. It's sleeker than the clunky safety gear you've used before.

"Consider it a roommate welcome gift," she says with a wink. "And maybe someday you can tell me what it's like hopping into a body without their knowledge. The consciousness displacement patterns must be fascinating."

You slip the bracelet on—it's lightweight and doesn't scream "tech" the way most hopping accessories do. "Thanks, Zoe. I appreciate it."

You send a confirmation to IdentityCollector: Confirmed. 9 PM at Lakeside Apartments. Standard rates apply. Any special requests for the scenario?

His response comes quickly: Make it seem natural. Jessica doesn't know about hopping. She thinks her roommate Vicky is straight. I want to see her face when her 'straight' roommate suddenly joins us.

The request leaves you with a slight uneasiness, but the $800 would cover your textbooks and then some. You've navigated trickier scenarios before.

"Well," you say to Zoe, tucking your phone away, "looks like I have plans tonight. First day at Westlake and already back to work."

"The hustle never stops," Zoe replies with a knowing smile. "Just be careful. First hops in a new territory can get... complicated."