Some recent college grads.

(Note: this is a continuation of the story started here. There are more college stories to tell, but this jumps the narrative forward to shortly after graduation. Expect spoilers if you haven't read that branch yet.)

Andrew stared out the car window as the gently pastoral scene unfolded: soft green hills blanketed with grapevines gave way to plains where cattle grazed pleasantly under the gaze of earthen shepherds. The golems who traversed the property went about their tasks in comfortable linen garb, smiling and offering greetings as they passed one another. They were, of course, superhuman in both their beauty and their capabilities. Andrew noticed a lithe young woman carrying a trough of grapes that must have weighed at least half a ton.

"Holy shit," he said quietly. "All of it?"

"All of it," Madison confirmed from the driver's seat. She squeezed Ross's hand; he smiled and silently squeezed back.

"Why the fuck didn't you invite us out here before now?" Maria demanded from directly behind her. "Jesus, Mads, this is insane! How much exactly are you worth?"

Madison shrugged. "A lot. As for the specific number, I leave that to the finance golems. Ooh, check this next part out! This was Ross's idea."

They crested another hill and Andrew eagerly craned his neck to see what she was referring to. In a small copse of trees, a small band played an upbeat dance rock tune while a group of female golems danced and swayed, darting back and forth between the trees. The dancers were draped in sheer gossamer gowns, giving the proceedings an ethereal, cinematic element that was complemented by the breathy, echoey performance of the vocalist.

"What the fuck is that?" Andrew asked.

"Performers," Ross replied. "We've got them doing this hippy dance routine right now. Last month they were living statues, and before that a choir."

Maria nodded. "Why bother with landscaping and architecture when you've got golems to work with? I like it."

Andrew scoffed. "You've just been sitting on this, dude? Seriously, what the fuck?"

"Give him a break," Madison chided. "His parents don't even know. You two are the only people we've told. It's a big secret to keep."

"No shit," Maria said with wonder. "This used to be your mom's?"

"Mom's and Dad's," Madison confirmed. She pulled the car up to the front of the modest mansion, where a tall male golem with a neatly trimmed beard and a slim-fitting suit opened the door and greeted her cordially. A team of golems surrounded them, taking their bags, offering up beverages and hors d'oeuvres, and offering to assist in any way they could. Andrew stared at a particularly curvy golem who handed him a frosty pint of beer.

"This is an amber ale our brewmasters created based on the flavor profile of your favorite ales," she explained as he sipped it. "If it's not to your liking, we have several other batches you could try."

"You have brewmasters?" he asked incredulously, emphasizing the plural.

"We have scripts and bodies," Madison corrected. "And a lot of money."

Maria was watching with amusement as three golems excitedly peppered Ross with questions about his life. Ross was smiling indulgently, clearly enjoying the attention. "I see Ross has some favorites..."

"Sorry," he mumbled. "These are my concierges, Jane, Marissa, and Sarah, meet our friends Andrew and Maria."

Maria introduced herself and shook their hands, but Andrew just stared at them in disbelief. Jane smirked and turned back to Maria.

"I take it the dimwit belongs to you?" she asked. Maria nodded with a bemused smile. "Should I write my name on my tits so he remembers it?"

"She's the bitchy one," Sarah explained matter-of-factly. "Each of you may select as many concierges as you want while you're here. I suggest starting with one. Would you like to make a selection now?"

"Dinner first," Ross said, and led the group into the house.