Caught and outspoken

"Three long years of dedicated study… on top of the eighteen in general education and all the Grand Algorithm’s genetic and hormonal tampering. That's what this school offers. With the promise that, at the end, it will have produced as near to perfect a human toy as is possible. A unique plaything catered specifically to your tastes… nurtured into that role with care and attention!"

The tall, blonde man gestured towards Lizzy; causing the teen schoolgirl in her skimpy uniform to blush profusely. All these powerful eyes were briefly upon her, lapping up the view and imagining all the ways that 'nurturing care and attention' had been doled out so far. But both Derrick Carter and Madame Stanfield smirked to recognise that, beyond that embarrassment at being the centre of attention… there was pride in the girl’s eyes. Joy at being so praised by her master-to-be and just a hint of shuffling in her seat to offer those who were leering an even better view.

"No-one could deny that it works… I'm sure the Madame ensured you were all entertained by a student or two upon arrival… But what if I told you I could achieve such quality of product in barely a matter of minutes? That I could achieve the same end results with barely a fraction of the costs… Making it possible for every household to have what they truly desired, instead of just those born privileged enough to keep up with the ridiculous inflations of value we've seen."

"I'd say prove it…" Replied one of the sterner-looking members of the board. A severe, portly old man who Madame Stanfield knew wore through one of her precious graduates every five years or so. Normally, he was nothing but a thorn in her side… ever complaining that 'this batch wasn't half so good as the last', but claiming one of the smallest and most fragile-looking beauties nonetheless. Yet she was glad to see someone looking unconvinced by this interloper and his grand ideas.

Mr Carter didn't look perturbed at all though… he simply gestured towards the far end of the room. Where, at that very moment, the double doors swung open. Two tall, white-haired, white-dressed and perfectly identical women marched in. Each must have been near to 7-feet from stilettoed heel to immaculate bob-cut. Between them they were dragging a scruffy-looking young man, barely noticing at all the way he tried to struggle and break free from them. Everyone present could recognise a Drop-out when they saw one… the ever-embarrassing bane of civilised society. The boy hissed and spat like a wild animal, having clearly never learned anything of the dignity or composure a properly educated teen would have. Whatever else might divide the ambitions of those gathered in that room… their distaste for this kind of person was united and equal.

"This… character… was caught by corporate security trying to break into one of my facilities. He has the usual long list of previous offences and would be due yet another localised mindwipe and attempt at rehabilitation… had I not gained permission to bring him before you, instead."

Derrick stood up and wandered over to stand near the snarling and swearing teenager. Ignoring the barrage of insults completely, but taking something politely from one of his two towering employees.

"We all know the Algorithm’s shortfall when it comes to this one and his ilk. Those who refuse to take their proper place in the world, even knowing the hardship and misery that it causes them. Those stubbornly determined to live short, disease-ridden lives in the cracks and sewers of our city… stealing what they could very much be given for free. The system simply doesn't know how to deal with someone who would intentionally do themselves harm, rather than accept who they are inside… The wilfully ignorant who apparently wish to go back to divided times of self-delusion. Racism, homophobia and religious persecution."

"That’s right! I ain't never gonna suck your limp-ass Corpo dick, no matter 'ow many times you wipe me, Shit-for-brains!"

The Drop-out clearly felt some small, petty triumph in getting this chance to say his piece before all these suited enemies. But Derrick Carter only smiled down at him with detached delight. He couldn't have asked for a better statement if he'd tried. Now the real show could begin...