Load "Bookstore Encounter" Scenario

You scroll through a list of pre-programmed scenarios for the simulation arena and Orchid's behavior. One catches your eye with its description.

"You are browsing through the gay section of a pornographic bookstore when you encounter someone who might be looking for some action. This scenario is designed for rapid situational progression.”

You turn to Katherine and tell her that you would like to try the “Bookstore Encounter” scenario. She nods and begins loading various protocols from the control computers. Bursts of light erupt from the slate-like tiles in the simulation arena, each projection coalescing to form the crowded interior of an adult bookstore. You’ve participated in simulations before, for entertainment purposes, but the level of detail afforded here is incredible. When the computers are finished loading all of the projections the simulation arena has been transformed into a perfect replica of a seedy New York City XXX bookstore.

The interior of the bookstore is painted a dull yellow and covered with posters for various sense-disc and flat screen releases. One wall is lined entirely with pre-packaged sexual toys, lube, and various other erotic implements. There are several rows of magazines and disc boxes and your eyes are quickly drawn to the one with the placard above it reading “Gay”. At the front of the store is a register with a sign on the counter that says “back in 5 minutes” and a hallway that leads to a half dozen private viewing booths. The detail is so complete that one of the dull filtered fluorescent lights on the ceiling is actually flickering.

Technicians emerge and you watch as Orchid’s chair slowly brings him to a standing position. The technicians dispassionately begin stripping off his white bodysuit and dressing him in a neat three-piece suit.

“A few ground rules first,” says Katherine. You notice that she seems totally apathetic to the nudity on display in the chamber below. “No real ****. Light bondage and that sort of thing is well within operating parameters, but we do not want to risk damaging the chassis and more importantly you do not want to activate its self defense programming. He is incapable of killing you but he will make sure you are not a threat, and I have seen plenty of testing footage to know that this process can be excruciatingly painful.”

“That’s fine,” you chuckle with slightly **** humor, “I wasn’t planning on throwing any punches in there.”

“Remember also that once the meme is loaded he will fully believe that he IS whatever or whoever the simulation is telling him to be. To return him to his default state you would say ‘Orchid default operating’ and to completely terminate the simulation and return Orchid to a suspended ready state you say ‘Orchid terminate all operations’. Other than that, try to enjoy yourself.”

The technicians are finished dressing him and signal from their separate monitoring stations that the simulation is ready to begin. You walk down a staircase to a plain metal door with a flashing panel above it that displays the words “WARNING: SIMULATION ACTIVE”. Katherine, who has accompanied you to the door, again wishes you a pleasant experience and then you’re through the door and into the cramped bookstore.

Orchid is busy browsing the backs of various sense-disc boxes in the “Gay” section. You approach and pick up a box near to one his browsing. Orchid is wearing a faded vintage t-shirt, khaki shorts, and sandals. When you look him up and down appraisingly you make eye contact and he smiles slightly.

You are about to say something when he nervously puts the box back on the rack and walks quickly to the booths at the front of the bookstore. He inserts his debit card into the key slot on one and the door opens. He steps inside, but casts a glance back at you before closing the door.

You consider your options.