For a Few Dollars More

Robert enjoyed his breakfast with Samantha almost as much as he had enjoyed their date together last night.

Honestly, he probably would have been happy to spend the rest of the day with her, but he had made up an excuse after breakfast to return to the Master's Suite. Robert didn't know much about reality dating shows, but he knew enough to know that appearing to establish a favorite this early could cause trouble down the road. After spending an hour or so checking out the extensive viewing offerings on the TV in his room he figured he had disappeared for a respectable amount of time. He changed clothes, and headed to the hotel gym.

Robert had been meaning to work out more even before his magical abduction. He wasn't unfit by any stretch of the imagination, but he did wish he was more active. Since his days were now mostly free he figured there was no time like the present.

He found the hotel gym surprisingly spacious and with a wide variety of exercise machines. After working out for about an hour and a half, Robert decided to wrap it up.. He had split his time between a treadmill and a rowing machine and his workout clothes were now drenched with sweat. He found himself wishing he had worn a ball cap to keep the sweat out of his eyes.

As he walked back to the lobby and the elevator bank, Robert thought that it was kind of odd how little of the others he had seen around the hotel, though to be fair he had spent half of the first day holed up in his suite. He supposed it actually wasn't too strange considering how much space there was. There was only seven of them. Seven people spread out across an entire luxury hotel, plus the studio outside. He also figured he would have seen more of Ava. For someone claiming to be their “Host” she didn’t seem to do a whole lot of hosting. Thus far she seemed pretty content to leave them to their own devices. She had told them where her office was, he presumed she spent her working hours there? But Robert hadn't encountered a situation yet that he thought Ava's presence would improve so he had seen no reason to seek her out.

As Robert drew closer to the lobby, he could hear two voices coming his way down the hallway.

“So it's been almost two hours now. You feeling anything?”

“No, nothing out the ordinary. Looks like it's verbal triggers only.”

Robert turned a corner and came face to face with Chloe and Robin, deep in conversation. He actually almost ran into Chloe, leading to an awkward windmilling backwards.

“Hey! Sorry!” Robert apologized, having regained his balance after stumbling backwards.

“It's OK!” Chloe responded with a polite smile. “No harm, no foul!”

Robert returned her easy smile, before an awkward silence befell the three of them. He found himself painfully aware of how disheveled he probably looked after his workout, mussed brown hair and clothes soaked through with sweat. Robin looked like she was slowly trying to edge away and lead Chloe with her, but Robert felt the need to say something to the two of them. I need to start being more social with these women sooner or later.

“So how are you two doing? Since this has all started?”

Robert's stomach lurched as both women's eyes went wide. Chloe was blushing deeply and suddenly seemed to be incredibly interested in the hallway wall color while Robin's eyes were burning a hole through him.

Did I seriously just ask them how they were doing after being **** to be in a harem dating show? MY harem on top of that?

Before Robert could melt away, Chloe bailed him out.

“OK, considering the circumstances.” Her eyes had drifted back to meet his, even if she was still blushing. “How have you been doing?”

Robin's boring gaze slewed to Chloe.

Robert just managed to avoid telling the truth. Pretty good! I had a great date last night with Samantha and I got a good workout in today, which I haven't managed in while. His mouth had opened, but luckily his brain engaged before his tongue did.

“It's been all right,” He said instead. “Though by the sounds of it, I've had it a lot easier then you guys.”

“Oh, you think?” Robin’s voice was dripping with sarcasm.

Shit. I walked right into that.

“I mean, I...” Robert struggled, trying to come up with a way, any way, to recover. He finally settled for a muttered “Sorry,” while looking down at the rich dark green and gold carpet.

“Hey, it's OK,” He heard Chloe say, “It's not like you asked to be here either.”

Robert slowly raised his eyes to see Chloe giving him a weak smile. Her blush had faded to a mild pink confined to her cheeks. Robin's glare had returned to her roommate.

“You didn't get transformed like us, but your life got upended too.” Chloe continued. “There's no reason for us to take our anger out on you.”

Robin looked at that moment very much like she'd like to take her anger out on both of them, but Chloe seemed to be pointedly avoiding her eyes. Robert decided to do likewise and hopefully avoid a blowout.

“Thanks Chloe. I really appreciate that.”

“I mean, if we're all stuck together for life we might as well watch out for one another, right?” Chloe's sad smile had turned slightly sweet. Robin on the other hand looked apoplectic.

“Well, I need to head up to my room and clean up,” Robert knew it was probably best he make himself scarce before the gathering storm that was Robin came to a head. “See you two around!”

His voice caught awkwardly on the farewell. Robert slid around the two women and hurried down the hallway and out of sight. As he made good his escape, he swore he could hear Robin begin to sputter angrily, and he hoped he hadn’t accidentally triggered a fight between the two roommates. Smooth Bobby. Real smooth.

As he entered the hotel lobby, he heard Simon calling him from the check-in counter. He approached the concierge.

“Sir, Miss Bridges requested that I pass along a message to you. She asks that you meet her here in the lobby this evening at six o’clock. Dress casual.” Simon almost sneered the last word, like it had personally offended him.

“Thanks Simon. If you see Sarah, tell her I'll be there.” Richard turned and headed for the elevator. He spent the ride up to his suite wondering what kind of date the stern office manager had planned for him and desperately hoping he could avoid sticking his foot in his mouth for the rest of the evening.

******

Samantha was ecstatic.

She was going on a shopping trip with the star of her favorite childhood TV show. Even better, it was to a magical transformation shop! That wasn't something that she could have ever possibly imagined in her wildest dreams.

Samantha lead the way into “Needful Things” eagerly taking it all in with her wide curious eyes. Cassandra followed in her wake, looking a little uneasy. The screenwriter began to eagerly browse the shelves, but just as she was about to start pointing out interesting items to Cassandra the Proprietor suddenly seemed to materialize out of thin air behind the counter. Cassandra jumped at the man's sudden arrival but Sarah took it in stride. As far as she was concerned it just added to the magical shop's ambiance.

“Good afternoon,” The Proprietor oozed. “What can-”

“I'd like to see the transformation catalog please!” Samantha interrupted him, bouncing up to the counter.

If the shopkeeper was annoyed by the interruption he didn't show it. He simply arched an eyebrow at Samantha, before slowly reaching under the counter and drawing forth one of the large black leather bound books. He gently laid it on the counter in front of her, and slowly opened the cover for her. Cassandra hesitantly drifted up behind the shorter girl as she eagerly flipped through the book.

“Are you sure you don't mind?” Cassandra asked softly.

Samantha jumped slightly. She was so caught up in leafing through the book that she almost forgotten about the other woman's presence.

“Of course not!” She replied cheerily. I've certainly got the BP for it, and I don't know what else I would spend it on right now.”

Samantha **** herself to stop going through the catalog page by page and flipped back to the “Paths” section of the catalog. Once there, she couldn't resist taking the time to read each contestant's personalized transformation options one by one. Her page was the very last one. She read it with a strange thrill running through her.

I could buy any one of these for myself. Or someone else could buy one for me...

The idea filled her with a heady mix of worry and exhilaration. Her eyes found the Just One More option.

Just One More: The more orgasms Samantha has in a single session, the better each subsequent orgasm feels. Resets after Sam has gone ten minutes without climaxing. _(Overindulgence) _Unlock: 3000 BP

Her eyes glazed over as she imagined what she could do with such a change...

“Uhhh, Samantha? My paths are a couple pages back...”

Cassandra's interruption brought her crashing back to earth. Samantha felt her cheeks flush slightly as she flipped back the couple of pages to Cassandra's page.

Cassandra Layton
**Red Carpet Ready: It's been some time since Cassandra walked a red carpet. Now she'll always be ready to. (Fame) Improve: 2200 BP
Cleaning Detail: Cassandra has a strong compulsion to keep her surroundings, fellow contestants, and the Master clean. (Homemaker) Improve: 2200 BP
I've Got a Hunch: **Cassandra can tell when someone is lying to her. (Noir) Unlock: 3000 BP

“So it's the Red Carpet Ready transformation you want upgraded, right?” Samantha asked. Cassandra nodded in the affirmative. Her eyes were wide and she seemed to be avoiding making eye-contact.

That upgrade costs 2200 BP. That will leave me with 2900. Just short of being able to buy Just One More...

Samantha really, really wanted to know what that transformation felt like, but there was no way she could buy it and the upgrade Cassandra wanted. She would have to choose one or the other. What if I went ahead and bought mine now, and promised to buy Cassandra's next week? Surely I'll pick up another 100 BP by then. Or maybe Cassandra will even be able to buy it for herself!

But then she looked back at Cassandra. The woman looked absolutely stunning in the floor-length, pale blue gown and matching heels she was dressed in today. Her black hair was up in a magnificent set of curls, and her immaculate makeup was just short of showy. She looked gorgeous. She looked like Hollywood royalty. She looked miserable. Samantha shook her head. She had promised to help Cassandra and she wasn't going to let her childhood idol down now.

“I'd like to buy the upgrade for this transformation please,” Samantha told the Proprietor, turning the book around and pointing at Red Carpet Ready.

The tall, gaunt man's eyes never looked down at the book. They just kept boring into her own as his wide smile widened even more somehow.

“Are you sure?” He asked in his thin voice. “There are no refunds or exchanges.”

Samantha turned her head and looked at Cassandra. The former starlet raised her wild, staring gaze and met Samantha's eyes. She gave her a single, curt nod.

“Yes, I'm sure.” Samantha said, her face set and determined as she turned back to the storekeeper.

“Very well,” the Proprietor reached under the counter and pulled out another leather bound book, this one thinner, with a dark hunter green cover. He sat it atop the display case, then reached back down and pulled out a quill pen and a bottle of ink. He tenderly opened the cover, revealing it to be a ledger book. He dipped the quill in the inkwell, and began to write in jet black ink.

Samantha Martinez Red Carpet Ready Upgrade 5200 – 2200 = 2900

“Done,” the man announced, returning the cap to the inkwell.

Samantha turned expectantly to watch Cassandra, who looked like she was about to be sick, but nothing seemed to happen. She was still dressed in the same pale blue dress and heels.

“Hey, what gives?” Samantha asked the Proprietor. He simply reached out and tapped the open page of the transformation catalog twice with a long bony finger. The text there had changed.

Red Carpet Ready → Upgraded: Camera Ready: Cassandra will always be wearing the ideal film costume for the activity or task she's currently performing. Her hair and makeup will change to match. Her Red Carpet Ready look will remain her default state.

“Soooo, I guess you're still in the dress because you're just standing there...?” Samantha wondered aloud, turning back to Cassandra.

Cassandra groaned.

“I guess that's better than nothing...”

The former starlet offered a flat “Thanks” and started making for the exit. Samantha was conflicted as she stood at the store counter and watched Cassandra go. She really wanted to dig through the transformation catalog and see what she could afford with her remaining points, but Cassandra was clearly upset by what had just unfolded. Lily Livin' Loud had meant so much to Samantha growing up. Did she not owe the star of it something in return? After agonizing over the decision, she finally shut the catalog, slid it back across the counter to the shopkeeper, and hurried after Cassandra. The Proprietor called after her, something about “reaching an arrangement,” but Samantha hurried on. She burst through the shop door to find Cassandra already striding across the street back towards the Ambassador Hotel.

“Hey!” She called after Cassandra. “Shouldn't you at least try it?”

Cassandra's didn't look back and her pace never slackened.

“Try out my new magical clothes changing power? Why?” She replied bitterly.

“I mean, don't you want to at least know it works?”

“Considering every other magical change **** on us thus far has been functional, I don't see any reason to doubt this one.”

Samantha was hurt and confused. She had just helped Cassandra, why was she so angry?

“What's your deal?” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop herself.

Cassandra suddenly stopped in the middle of the street. She wheeled on Samantha.

“My 'deal' is that I was hoping to be able to choose my own clothing again, and instead all I got was a different way for the show to **** me into outfits!”

Samantha stumbled back a few steps, her eyes downcast. She had just wanted to help...

“I mean, isn't it better then what you had?” She could feel her face and pointed ears blushing red. “At least you won't have to try swimming in a ballgown...” Samantha muttered softly, staring at the pavement.

Cassandra glared. Her mouth opened to retort but then she shut it again, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. She slowly reopened her eyes, her anger seemingly spent.

“No, you're...you're right Samantha. This is probably better then what I had...”

Samantha slowly raised her eyes. He head was still down, but she lifted her gaze just enough to see Cassandra. The other woman opened and closed her mouth a couple of times, like she was tasting her next words before they came out.

“I'm sorry I snapped at you.” Cassandra finally said quietly. “I was just hoping that the upgrade would allow me to dress myself again. Instead it's just a different type of control. Still, I shouldn't have taken it out on you...”

Samantha raised her head, but her eyes still didn't quite meet Cassandra's.

“You should still try it out...”

Cassandra looked around uncertainly

“Uhhhh, how?”

“Try jogging down the street.” Samantha's voice was steadier, but she still wouldn't look Cassandra in the eye. “I think that would make your clothing change into workout wear.”

“Jog in this dress and heels?” Cassandra protested. Samantha's face fell again. Cassandra sighed resignedly. She turned away from Samantha, and pointed her feet down the street.

Samantha watched as Cassandra attempted to jog down the street. Her first three steps were unbalanced and tottering, but as Cassandra's foot hit the pavement on the forth step, there was a hard rubbery “slap” instead of the sharp click of a heel. Samantha gasped as Cassandra's heels shifted into sleek blue running shoes. Her fifth step landed sure and steady and she begin to pick up speed. The evening gown split in two at her waist, and began to reshape. The bottom half quickly shortened into a pair of snug black running shorts while the top tightened around her torso, grew straps, and reshaped itself into a sky-blue sports bra.

Cassandra was moving down the street at a good clip now, her long shapely legs stretched out before her. After making it about 100 yards down the street, she turned and began to jog back. It was only then that Samantha's noticed the woman's black hair had been pulled back into a high ponytail. As Cassandra came to a stop in front of her, Samantha noticed other changes.

Cassandra's refined makeup had been replaced by a much simpler style. It was a much more natural look, just some foundation and a hint of eye shadow and mascara. Her cheeks each had a dab of blush, that made Cassandra look much more flushed from exercise then she was. Her skin was also coated in a tasteful layer of sweat, just enough to show that she had been doing something physical.

As Cassandra came to a stop, she looked over her self, running her hand down her glistening arm in curiosity.

“I wasn't jogging that hard,” she said. “Am I that out of shape?”

Samantha thought back to the description of the upgraded transformation.

“I think the sweat is part of your 'costume.'”

Cassandra gave her a quizzical look so Samantha pressed on.

“So the description said you'd have the 'perfect film look' or something like that. I think the sweat is considered part of 'the look.'”

Cassandra looked back down at her arm and wiped some of the sweat off.

“That's kinda weird.”

“How is it besides that?”

Cassandra spun in place as she tried to get a better look at her shorts.

“Well, it's more revealing then any workout clothes I own, but you were right. It's a lot better then trying to jog in a evening gown.”

“I wonder how long it lasts before it turns back?” Samantha asked, scratching behind one of her pointy ears.

As if on cue, the sports bra and running shorts began to lengthen and flow until they connected again. In just a few short moments, Cassandra was back in her evening gown, complete with her elegant hair and makeup.

“Hey, the sweat's gone!” Cassandra said in wonder. “That's kind of convenient.”

“I guess that confirms it's part of the look.” Samantha said. “Your fancy makeup is back too.”

“Wait, my makeup changed?” Cassandra was gently feeling her hair, confirming to herself that it was back in its curly updo.

“Oh, yeah it did. Sorry, I guess I forgot to tell you. It became a real minimalist style while you were jogging.

“Huh. Well, thanks again Samantha. It’s not what I hoped for, but even a temporary reprieve is better then nothing.”

Samantha smiled and nodded. Now that her curiosity over the mechanics of the transformation upgrade were satisfied, her mind had drifted back to Cassandra’s earlier outburst. She continued to smile as she walked with Cassandra back into the hotel, the former starlet speculating about how other activities would change her outfit. She continued to smile as they boarded the elevator together, but her thoughts were not happy ones.

Lily Layton yelled at me. I made her mad and she yelled at me.

I have to make it up to her.