| |
P L A T O
V O L T A I R E
|
|
BLOSSOMING
|
BODIES
|
| |
THE
BEGINNING |
|
| |
 |
|
Edith
Remmix, vice- president of the Conyers Corporation, had
two guests in her office. It was rather rare for one of
the senior officers in the company to talk privately with
junior-level employees. A 'visit' to the VP's office often
meant disciplinary action. However, in this case, it was
for an entirely different matter. Allison and Thaddeus
Eddings have been working at the Conyers Corporation's
main office in New Darwin, Outback, since their graduation
from NDU six years ago. The married couple wondered what
Remmix had to say to them. |
|
|
Remmix,
her hair slowly turning a dark grey, wore the look of a government
official about to give dictation to a secretary. "Mrs Eddings,"
she said plainly, "have you heard of the Blossoming Bodies
project?"
"Certainly,
ma'am," replied Allison. "Blossoming Bodies is a new division
of the Conyers Corporation. It's a three-in-one concept which
consists of a nanite bodysculpting service, a clothing store,
and an exercise hall, all in the same building."
"In
a nutshell, that's correct." Remmix tapped a finger on the
top of her desk. A hologram sprang to life, displaying a representation
of a typical Blossoming Bodies setup. "It follows a logical
pattern. First, a person goes in for an injection of nanites.
Men usually get their guts reduced, while women," Remmix said
slyly, "add a few cup sizes to their tops. They will need
new clothes to complement their new bodies. The clothing store
offers personalized service in the form of tailors; nothing
beats the personal touch that people can deliver. After that,
just to make sure the sculpted bodies stay that way, an exercise
hall will be used to teach customers how to stay in shape."
Remmix saw Thaddeus rubbing his chin in contemplation. "Mr
Eddings, you definitely have something to say on the subject.
If you can, please tell me."
Thaddeus
sensed that Remmix wasn't expecting neutral platitudes. Besides,
Thaddeus couldn't say such things anyway. "Ma'am, the market
for all three services you described is quite saturated here
on Outback, and on every other Commonwealth planet you care
to name. The start-up costs are enormous for any kind of new
venture. More importantly, Conyers Corporation is already
well-represented in the nanite clinic and clothing industries.
What is the need for this new business?"
Remmix
smiled and nodded her head. "Good question, Mr Eddings. This
idea for Blossoming Bodies went through the usual dissection
process by the marketing department and in top-level board
meetings. It was approved because the profit potential far
outweighed the items you just mentioned."
"Ma'am,"
said Allison, "does this mean that the other divisions will
be merged to create Blossoming Bodies?"
"No,
Mrs Eddings. This will be an entirely new business. There
are, in fact, a handful of locations on Outback and on other
planets that can be served by a Blossom building. However,
this business will be focused primarily on the last untapped
market for cosmetic nanite treatments - Terra."
"Ah,
ma'am?" said Thaddeus. "I don't want to be the flat tyre on
the tour bus, but you did say Terra, right?"
"That's
right, Mr Eddings. I know what both of you are thinking about
Terra. For close to 300 years, the homeworld has been under
the influence of the Neo-Luddites. Nanite medicine is strictly
regulated, and nanite augmentation of breasts is practically
unheard of. But that's changing. The younger generations on
Terra are beginning to 'think outside the box', so to speak,
when it comes to nanites. The Neo-Luddites would have everyone
on Terra think that nanites are the worst necessary evil ever
created. Remnants of the Flat Chest Society have made Terra
their bastion, and taunt those women who so much as increase
their breasts by one cup size. That's gradually changing,
and the Conyers Corporation wants to be on the ground floor
of that change."
|
 |
Remmix
stood up, turning to look at the New Darwin skyline through
her huge office window. "There have been excesses in the past,
of course. But humanity has learned to use nanites in a responsible
manner. The people of Terra should be allowed the choice of
using or not using nanites. It's not as if all the men will
become muscle-bound hunks, and all the women will inflate their
breasts to sofa-size. Moderation will be the key. Blossoming
Bodies will be there to facilitate the people's need for that
'little something extra', to make them feel good about themselves."
"I
see, ma'am," said Allison. "Blossoming Bodies will be happy
to satisfy the need for 16-year-old Terran girls to get breasts
in time for the homecoming dance. For a nice little fee, of
course."
The
corporate VP had a small laugh. "Mrs Eddings, that's what the
head of the marketing division said when he proposed this idea.
'For five hundred dollars, you too can have norks that'll keep
your beau looking at you instead of the girls around him' -
his exact words. You can believe that this new business will
be ridiculed by the Terran media, which is what we're hoping
will happen."
"How's
that, ma'am?" asked Thaddeus.
"It
may sound cliche, but bad publicity will be the best kind of
advertising. Teenagers and young adults often take up hobbies
and practices just to irritate their elders. Blossom will be
picked up as a new cause the youngsters can champion. It's that
kind of clientele that we're counting on for our core business.
With good referrals, and a gradual acceptance of the positive
contributions nanites can deliver, the Neo- Luddites' stranglehold
on Terran culture will come to an end."
Allison
nodded. "A noble goal. While all of that is happening, Blossoming
Bodies and the Conyers Corporation will make a tidy profit."
"Exactly." Remmix sat down.
"You may wonder why I'm telling all of this to you. It's for
a very good reason. You see, I've chosen you," she pointed to
Allison, "to become a manager of a Blossoming Bodies store on
Terra." |
 |
 |
|
Allison,
as well as Thaddeus, was a bit numbed by the announcement.
"Umm... Mrs Remmix, I'm flattered, but I don't think that
I'm ready for such a responsibility."
"Hogwash,
Allison," Remmix said readily. "You've been an assistant manager
for two years now in the Personnel Department. As I read it,
you practically ran the whole place while your boss sat on
her ever-widening backside. It was a tough assignment, but
you handled it well." She had the look of genuine praise in
her eyes. "I've taken the time to research your background,
and that of your husband Thaddeus as well. Your relatives
are exemplary in character and talent. Both of you share those
traits. I also researched that infamous sorority soccer game
that both of you participated in while attending New Darwin
University." The couple blushed when Remmix made mention of
that game. "While unconventional, that game showed your potential
as a leader, Allison. I need people with leadership talent
for this new business."
Allison's blushing was due to Remmix's compliment than to
memories of the soccer game. "Geez, I need time to think this
over with Thaddeus. It's a very important decision to make."
"Very
important, indeed. Here," Remmix handed Allison a memory chip,
"go over the information provided on this chip. It contains
data relevant to the Blossoming Bodies project. You have two
weeks in which to come to a decision." She snapped her fingers.
"Oh, Thaddeus, I bet you're wondering what position you're
being offered."
Thaddeus
blinked his eyes. "Ahh... yes, actually I'm wondering about
that. What's the job you're offering me?"
"The
Blossom stores on Terra, 1,650 in total, need a data network
manager. I believe that job is within your abilities to handle."
Remmix noticed the growing smile on Thaddeus face. "Think
it over first, Thaddeus, and talk with Allison. This must
be a decision that you can make together comfortably." She
pressed a button on her desktop. Remmix's secretary stepped
inside the office. "Miss Luchent, the Eddings will be leaving
momentarily. Before you show them out, get me the quarterly
sales reports for our pharmaceutical division."
"Yes,
Mrs Remmix," said the efficient secretary.
The
corporate VP looked back at the Eddings. "Like I said, that
sorority soccer game you two were involved in was unique.
To be fair, I'll tell you a little secret about myself. I
use to have a 38A bust measurement. My husband had his heart
in the right place, but he couldn't keep his eyes off the
tops of other women. I had to keep his lustful little eyes
on my body instead. So, when he was on weekend fishing trip
with his buddies, I got myself a nanite injection. Upon returning
late Sunday night, he found me proudly sporting a 38F bustline.
So motivated, my husband took me upstairs and did his manly
duty." Remmix indicated the pictures of her three children
on her desk. "As you see, he was able to do his duty three
times. It was a worthwhile investment of 500 dollars and 13
centimeters."
Allison
had to giggle while Thaddeus blushed once again. "I'll never
have that problem with my Thaddeus, Mrs Remmix." She patted
her 34L bust. "I have enough health upstairs for three women."
"That
you have, Allison," Remmix agreed, "that you have."
|
| |
|
| |
| T O
B E C O N T I N U E D
|
|
|
|
