Swap Tech Inc.

Clarissa stumbled her way to work; a half-drank iced coffee in her left hand, her ID card in the other. She swiped her card at the scanner of the employee entrance to Swap Tech Inc., Westboost Branch. She shut the door behind her and took another sip of her coffee.

“Good morning!” A chipper voice rang in her ears, someone with far too much energy for 8 in the morning. Clarissa turned over to see a tall, muscular man wearing a white tank top and black gym shorts. Around his neck was a specialized lanyard that read “Controller: Jill. Body: Vince.” Clarissa looked at him, standing eye to eye with him.

“Already swapping around today? You know we’re not supposed to use the tech for personal reasons.” Clarissa said to Jill.

Jill laughed. “Relax. We still have time before we open. Let me have my fun.” She flexed her muscles at Clarissa. “You like?”

“I’d like them better if I didn’t know whose body that was and what I’ve seen done with it.” She shook the intrusive thoughts out of her mind. “Anyways, if you’re in there, where’s Vince? He better not have gone out for a joy ride.”

“Relax! He’s in the employee lounge. Everything’s all good. Take a chill pill!” Jill said as she patted Clarissa on the shoulder.

“Hey, easy! Watch Vince’s strength!” Clarissa groaned, trying to make sure her coffee stayed upright. Jill let go and Clarissa readjusted her clothes and glasses.

“Sorry!” Jill chuckled, the mannerisms very much contrasting with the bodybuilder body she was in. “Just get so excited in the mornings! Come on, you know this.”

“Yeah, I know that. I’m just not used to you being able to hug with the power of Vince.”

Clarissa made her way towards the employee lounge, with Jill following her behind. The two entered into the lounge, only to be greeted by a Vince in a Jill’s body wearing only her bra, panties and the lanyard, admiring themselves in the mirror. “Ugh, really man? In here? We eat in here, dude.”

Vince turned around and smiled at Clarissa. “Morning Clarissa. And hey, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the skin you’re in.”

“Dude, our business is entirely built on the premise that people DON’T want to be themselves,” Clarissa said as she opened up her locker and put away her personal belongings. She took out her blue uniform coat and put it on, adjusting her name tag. “You two better swap back soon before we open up.”

“Man, ruining all the fun,” Vince said as he walked over and gave Clarissa a hug. “Why do you always have to be such a party pooper? Come on. Join us for some swapping fun!”

“Ugh, Vince. I told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times already. The Swap Technicians can’t be just using the technology willy-nilly. Unlike you Rentals, we have a responsibility to use this tech properly and manage it. And you’re ignoring me,” Clarissa said, sighing as she took another sip of her coffee as she watched Vince go back to admiring himself in the mirror. “Come on. We’re about to open up soon, so swap back now.”

“Fine. Let Captain Clarissa Killjoy take over,” Vince complained as he got dressed into the standard white uniform. “Come zip me up?” he said in a flirty tone.

“Fine.” Clarissa said as she put down her coffee. She walked over and zipped up the uniform firmly. “Come on.”

She picked up her coffee and led Vince and Jill to the Rental Machine room. Jill and Vincent took their places on the machine while Clarissa headed over to the control panel. She put in the proper sequence and there was a bright flash of light from the machine. There was a soft whirring sound as the machine cooled down. Jill and Vince stepped out from the machine and stretched. Their lanyards now had names that properly matched with their bodies.

“It was fun while it lasted!” Jill said as she patted Vince on the back.

“Yeah, but leave it to Clarissa to ruin the fun,” Vince said as he stuck his tongue out over at Clarissa.

“Hey! You keep that shit up, and I’ll make sure you’re first when we get someone over 60.” Clarissa glared at Vince, never breaking eye contact as she sipped her coffee. Vince raised his hands up defensively. “Now, get over to the Display Room. We’re opening soon.” Vince rolled his eyes, but he and Jill walked out of the room.

Clarissa sighed as she sat back in her chair and rubbed her temples. She attempted to take another sip of her coffee, only to find herself disappointed that she had drunk it all already. With a sigh, she tossed it into the trash can and stood up. “I swear, the two of them are going to be the of me somehow.” She typed a few things into the control panel, resetting it so that it can be used again for next time. She looked down at her watch and sighed again before standing up.

She made her way through the short maze of hallways before arriving at the front desk, taking her spot at desk number 4. Clarissa looked over at her other coworkers; Leon and Tambry were already preparing their paperwork for today and Pierre still had yet to show up today.

“Hey Clarissa!” Leon shouted over from desk number 2, catching her attention. “Tambry and I got a bit of a bet. Think Pierre will be here before or after we open up?” Clarissa rolled her eyes.

“Oh lighten up a little, Clarissa,” Tambry said as she arranged her flowers on her desk. “I’ve got 20 on him being late. Leon’s got 30 on him being early. What do you say?”

Clarissa sighed and leaned back in her chair. “Fine. How about 15 on him being late?”

“Give the guy a little benefit of the doubt. He’s only been late three times,” Leon said as he put some papers on a clipboard. He booted up his computer and adjusted the cameras to get the best view at the Display Room.

“Yeah, three times this week,” Tambry said with an exasperated huff. “And it’s Thursday.”

“Well, he’s got about sixty seconds to show up before we get your money, Leon,” Clarissa said as she finished up preparing her desk and looking at her watch. She turned her attention to the store front, only to frown at the sight. “Oh great. She’s back. Is it the 15th already?”

Standing outside of the store front, peering into the window, was an older woman, about in her mid-forties. She wore her usual purple puffy coat, which contrasted her thin frame and bony cheeks.

“Whose turn is it?” Clarissa said as she looked over at her co-workers, only to frown as she saw the two of them with their fingers to their noses. “Jerks.” She looked down at her watch and sighed. “Alright, well, just a few more seconds of bliss.”

As the seconds ticked by, Clarissa dreaded having to deal with this repeat customer. A few more customers lined up behind the woman in the purple coat. Clarissa felt the caffeine starting to kick in. She put on her best face and took a deep breath, preparing herself mentally.

“And it’s time. Pay up Leon!” Tambry said with a chuckle as she got up, keys in her hand. She opened up the front door and quickly made her way back to her desk before the older woman barrelled into her.

“Good morning!” The three workers said in unison. “Welcome to Swap Tech Inc.!”

“Ahem!” Clarissa said as she turned to the woman in the purple coat and waved her hand. “Mrs. Relton, I can help you today.”

The woman in the purple coat quickly made her way over to Clarissa’s desk and put down her credit card. “Hello dearie. Is he here today?”

Clarissa nodded. “Yes, Vince is currently available to be rented.”

“Great great,” Mrs. Relton said, barely giving Clarissa any time to finish her sentence. “Well, you know what I want. Chop chop.” She clapped her hands together to further emphasize her point.

“Yes Mrs. Relton.” Clarissa took the card and swiped it, plugging in Mrs. Relton’s information into the computer. After a few seconds of typing, she put a tablet down in front of Mrs. Relton.

“Really dear? Can’t we make this any quicker?” Mrs. Relton said, her heels tapping on the tile ground.

“You know that it’s company policy,” Clarissa said, enjoying the little bit of annoyance that she got to give Mrs. Relton. “The rules of Body Renting. Firstly, you are personally responsible for all crimes and misdemeanors performed during the rental period. If you agree, please sign below.”

“Yes yes, just hurry up!” Mrs. Relton said as she scribbled down something close to a signature on the tablet and moved to the next screen.

“Secondly, you agree to share all personal information that may be required for a daily activity. If you agree, please sign below.”

“Hurry up!” Mrs. Relton said as she wrote even faster now.

“Thirdly, you will pay for any damages done to the Rental Body. If you agree, please-” Clarissa didn’t even finish this time before Mrs. Relton signed and moved to the next screen.

“If I didn’t know any better, you’re just trying to stall for time,” Mrs. Relton said as she tapped her foot even faster.

“Fourth, the rental period is at most 24 hours. You will be notified by the lanyard of when your time is up. Refusal to return within the designated time will be considered an-”

“An offense and then the law gets involved. I know, I know,” Mrs. Relton said, rushing through signing the screen.

“And finally, you agree to always wear the lanyard. Removal of such while in a Rental Body is considered a federal offense and you will be penalized to the fullest extent of the law.” Mrs. Relton signed the last screen with just a simple swipe, not even bothering to make it look like her signature. Clarissa reached behind the desk and put the lanyard onto Mrs. Relton. “With that out of the way, please follow me.” She leaned into an intercom and pressed the button. “Vince, you are being rented. Please report to the Rental Room. I repeat, Vince, please report to the Rental Room.”

Clarissa stood up from her desk and lead Mrs. Relton through the hallways, trying her best to ignore the constant yammering and nitpicks from Mrs. Relton. As they walked, she passed by Pierre, fumbling with his uniform.

“You know you’re late, right?” Clarissa said.

“Yeah! Traffic was a nightmare!” Pierre said as he rushed by. “Hello Mrs. Relton.”

“Less chatter, more swapping,” Mrs. Relton said as she pushed Clarissa along.

“Easy easy,” Clarissa said with a sigh. After a short walk, they arrived at the room.

“Please, step this way into the-”

Clarissa was stopped as Mrs. Relton held her hand up in front of Clarissa’s face. “I know what I’m doing. Quit with the talking and hurry up with the swapping.” Mrs. Relton made her way to her side of the machine and stepped inside.

[An Outfox Stories original by GaylynneQT. See more of GaylynneQT’s stories & continuations here]