Twist!

Brad sat in stunned silence, staring at the strange pile of connected tissue that he had been having a conversation with. Daphne waited patiently, allowing him time to process.

"She... she was..."

"A golem," Daphne confirmed. "Still is. Why would the company send a human being on errands like this when a golem is so much more efficient?"

Bill picked up Monica's limp left hand and confirmed that she had a green ring on her pinky. Her milky eyes gazed into the corner, her head resting at an unnatural angle atop her slumped shoulders.

"So we could, like, give her one of these scripts? Or we could give you her script?" he asked incredulously.

"Sure could!" Daphne said, eager to please. "Do you want to?"

Brad thought for a second. "Kind of. Is that ok? Isn't she supposed to be getting back to the company?"

Daphne smiled and retrieved the case of scripts, handing it to Brad. "Well, as a bonus we often let the clients keep the delivery golem for a week or two. To be honest, it's a very effective sales tactic. After having two golems for a few weeks, many people are tempted to purchase the second one. You also will pay quite a bit less since Monica wasn't made to order like I was. Now, have you chosen a script yet?"

Flipping through the the scriptbook, Brad wanted very much to pick one and give it to her. Seeing someone he thought was a human collapsed on herself was slightly disturbing to him. He made his selection and held it out to Daphne.

"I think it's best if you try it this time," she told him. "Go on. The word is AKEDAH."

Brad hesitantly reached out a hand and touched its forehead. It felt warm, indistinguishable from a human being's skin. "AKEDAH," he repeated awkwardly and its mouth opened again. He placed the script on her tongue and in a flash her mouth was closed.

Brad observed more carefully this time as Monica reanimated. The color faded back into her eyes and all of her limbs twitched as they came back together. Her fists clenched and unclenched and she rose to standing. She blinked and looked around, smiling broadly as her eyes alit on Brad.

"Hey, babe!" she said, and embraced him excitedly. "Did you miss me?"

"Miss you...?" Brad asked, stunned once again. Her entire demeanor had completely changed from that of a courteous professional to an intimate friend. Even her voice changed, pitching up slightly and taking on a very light accent Brad couldn't place.

"You know, while I was away," she said as though it was obvious. She let go of him and leaned in for a kiss. He kissed her back as Daphne watched with amusement. Breaking the kiss, she gazed into his eyes.

"I missed you so much, honey... I'm glad to be home! Oh, but you look tired. Can I make you a cup of coffee?"

Behind her, Daphne nodded encouragingly. "Sure," Brad replied, and in an instant she was sashaying around the kitchen, humming happily to herself as she cleaned his French press and started a pot of water boiling.

"What the fuck was that?" he asked Daphne, who was wearing an amused grin.

"You picked Girlfriend," Daphne said. "What did you expect?"

"Does she even know she's a golem?" Brad asked. He sat down on the couch awkwardly, hoping to hide the small erection the kiss had given him.

"I sure do!" he heard Monica call out from the kitchen. "Judging by your reaction, I'm guessing you just bought me and she's the delivery golem."

"Other way around," Daphne called back, then turned back to Brad. "She does, but this particular script makes her act as though she doesn't. Unless you directly refer to her nature in conversation, she'll never acknowledge or admit it. After all, what kind of girlfriend goes around telling everyone she's a lump of dirt?"