2019-03-03 - spike - The New Shop 102

Author: spike
Title: The New Shop 102
Date: 03 March 2019

Chapter 102
I took a number of poses as time went on. Atlas, as if holding the world on my shoulders, something you may find above a crypt, hands together, looking at the sky. A few more as well.

I heard more from the store. The Blank that had been Buster as a dog was now permanent, even though it didn’t know it. It’d been sedated when they switched. Its ex-master had also been sealed into his permanent suit with a permanent dog suit over the top.

Hearing how they got him into that one would’ve had me clutching my sides with laughter if I’d not been made of stone. Head first in through the butt, the mouth with mechanical jaws being too small to get into. Added to that, he was now gold. Number eighteen was a permanent dog.

His training with the neural net and EEG mesh seemed to be moving on too. Slowly.

Then, a conversation with M that felt a little… Well… Odd. I must’ve missed the start of it.

“It’s possible, M. Not only possible, but I’m going to do it. The suit will be with you, eventually.”

“But how? You said the”

“I know what I said. During the initial harsh clean, something is being prepared. As for…” Q paused and a look of distaste crossed his face, “that… time… Temp suits have removable cock sheaths to allow them to be reused. Something similar. The addition of a urethra tube may require… a little creative thinking. I’ll get one of my doctors onto it.”

“Yes, sir. He’s going to love it.”

“It may still be a few months before everything’s ready. Pass on the message. Q out.”

I wondered what… why would adding a cock tube require creative thinking? Why require a removable cock sheath come to that? Was this a slave with an unusual medical condition I’d not encountered yet?

Of course, frozen, I couldn’t shrug, but mentally I did.

During the time I’d been in the statue, something had changed about me, I know that. I no longer cared about anything but him. Nothing. Watching him like this. It was something deeper too. Something about being frozen for so long, perhaps. Time? Meaningless, to a slave. No point in concerning yourself with anything like that. Added to that when the room was empty it allowed your mind to wander… God it went to some weird places.

A week, a year, a life as a statue, I knew now, it no longer mattered. Only what he wanted did.
* * *
I no longer almost fell when I unfroze, so when Ten arrived, I just stepped down the moment I could.

“Follow, Blanks. It’s time for a change for all of you. First, a day in the gym. Then back to the usual.”

I nodded and followed him back to the atrium where our suits were unlocked.

I looked down at myself as it peeled off, at my black skin and the moment I was out and the statue suit was neatly folded awaiting its next occupant, I did as I was told and rushed to the gym. It felt strange after so much time, black and free to move.

Full workout mode and god, you get a lot of kinks to work out when you’ve been frozen. Not as bad as being a dog, but… It took me all day to lose some of the stiffness. To feel like I could match my last benchmark.

I glanced at the Blank next to me as it signed.

“You were the newbie weren’t you?”

I nodded.

“So, what did you think?”

“It’s taught me one important lesson. Well, a couple.”

“And they are?”

“Time is irrelevant to a slave.”

“I thought every slave got told that.”

“Told, yes. But knowing something’s a fact is one thing… This one’s deep down now. It’s a core truth. Something that’ll never shift. Time doesn’t matter. Only what he wants does. I would’ve been just as content staying like that for a year at the end.”

It nodded. “Bloody good way to think of things. I admit, when I’m in one of those things for a while I get bored shitless. I’d twiddle my thumbs if they gave me some of that factor fifty. Can’t even do that.”

“I don’t even get bored anymore. I just let my mind wander. Oh god, I love him.”

It froze in what it was doing, the pedals of the bike machine locked in place. It stared at me.

“God, you’re serious?”

“A slave who loves his master, I know. Really original. This time, though… I do. Watching him as a statue… God that was good. Must’ve happened then. But…” I sighed and shrugged. ”Just how I feel now. If I thought I was his before, my god am I his now. Nothing matters but him.”

“I know that’s our life now but… Wow…”

“Surprised me more than anyone, believe me. Everything about this life, I love. Can’t wait to find out what else they have in store for us.”

“Why? What haven’t you done?”

“Dunno. I’ve not done it yet.”

It nodded and resumed its cycling.
* * *
Much as I’d loved it as a statue, sleeping in my cage that night was a welcome change. To lie horizontally, to shift and curl up to get comfortable. To stretch…

Another excellent sleep. Another wash, flush’n’feed. Another workout in the gym and another formation into ranks as the golds chose us.

This time, it was six’s turn.

“As the chain gang’s become so popular, two lots.” Eight stepped forward and the usual freeze, application of collar and chains and selection of overseers and hopper fillers. Then a second group stepped forward. Again, the same.

As they shuffled to the elevator, he tapped and “Blank, step forward.”

I did, of course. Nine more did too.

“Eight will be awaiting you at the beach exit. Go.”

Through the sunscreen, filters on, into the airlock, out of the safe zone and as six had said, Number Eight stood by the door. A line of Blanks entered the decon half one at a time as we emerged.

It didn’t have much to say. It looked us up and down, nodded and signed “Come.”

As it turned, we followed.

On the beach, a small boat with an outboard. There was enough room for the eleven of us but little room for anything else. Eight sat at the back with its hand on the outboard to steer and we were away.

Half a mile out, it turned the boat and we followed the shoreline. I’d not seen the island from this angle before. Beaches, cliffs, even an area of sand dunes. Nothing, not even a bird or scrap of seaweed in sight. We travelled for an hour, then steered back towards the shore.

“Pull the boat up. Beach it. Secure it to that pole.” Eight pointed. “Then, up that path there.” It pointed again.

What it pointed at was a narrow well-worn path that wormed its way up a cliff. There was a hand rail hammered into the rock and a guard on the sea facing side though.

It was then I realised, our ears were still on receive only with noise cancellation. Total silence as we trudged up that path. Our boots crunched on gravel or pebbles occasionally. I could feel that much, but nothing came to my ears.

When we got to the top, Eight turned.

“Halt. Form into a line.”

As we did, it walked down and patted five on the shoulder. “You five. Stay.” It patted the rest of us. “You, follow.”

A little further inland, a concrete bunker or that’s the best I could describe it as.

“In.”

We went in, and the moment we were it closed the door.

Inside, five beds. On one side, a strange contraption. I had no idea of the purpose of it but it seemed to be a platform with two halves of a box above it.

Jesus H Christ, the place was squalid. The floor was caked in dust, obviously walked in by countless slaves. It looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in years. As we walked we kicked up little clouds of it as our boots scuffed the floor.

I wandered over to the nearest bed and picked up the pillow, another cloud of dust.

I looked at the others. “How can this place be so disgusting? Does Q know about this?”

The other four looked a bit jumpy. One signed. “I’ve… oh fuck, how long?”

“Does it matter?” I collapsed onto the bed. “Suppose with these filters shoved up our noses we’re safe no-matter how filthy it is, but it’s still a bit of a shock. See if you can find any cleaning gear.”

One of the others sank onto the bed opposite. “What is this?”

“I heard there were outposts. A little decontamination work for them but they’re more concerned with other stuff. Dunno what that stuff involves yet, but… I hope this isn’t one of the ones that goes to the factory.”

“Why?”

“Look at it. That place is a death trap at the best of times. I heard even they don’t know what chemicals are there. They keep changing. Reacting with each other. If we went from here who knows how we’d affect things, introducing new chemicals, new poisons into the mix from this filth. I would’ve expected the outposts to be fucking polished and gleaming. Not covered in inches of shit.”

“Where’s Eight gone?”

There were two windows. Both barred. I stood and looked out to see six slaves trudging away inland.

“It went thattaway.” I pointed out the window. “Maybe it’s taking those to another outpost.”

One of the other Blanks nodded and looked around. There was a cupboard in one corner. In it, a brush. Not even a mop, but then, where would we get… I suppose the sea could provide water.

The fourth Blank who hadn’t spoken yet went to the door. Gave it a tug and a shove. Turned the handle, then turned to us.

“For fuck’s sake. It’s locked us in here.”

“Seems this is our new home, Blank.” I shrugged. “Suppose we might as well make it more homely. Hand me that brush.”

“But we can’t even brush the crap out right now.”

“So? At least it’ll be ready for when we can.”

I began sweeping at the far end and nodded to the other four. “You might as well bash the pillows over the filthy bit before I get there. Tip the mattresses out over it too and make sure you give them a good whack. Get the dust on the floor.”

“Good idea. If we’re stuck here for weeks, I’d prefer it clean at least. Suppose they have a reason.”

“Only reason I can see is laziness. There can’t be any other excuse unless it’s Eight testing us. Bet it’s got a fob after all.”

“Testing? So if it came back to find it still in the same state… Zap?”

I shrugged. “Could be. I doubt Q would stand for anything being kept in this state for long. Unless, he’s never been assigned an outpost when he’s been one of us.”

“What does that mean?”

“Q. One of us. A Blank. I’ve seen it.”

“Seen… seen what exactly?”

I sighed. “He puts on a suit once in a while. Even sets his computer to lock him in as a Blank for the full term. Usually a month or so.”

“Master Q?”

“Do you know any other Q’s?”

“Shit!? When was the last time?”

“When was the dog event? He was one of them. And he was a Blank while he was in it.”

“And no-one knows?”

“That time they did, but normally, no-one. As he looks just like the rest of us, he gets treated the same too. Even got bullied a few years ago by those human slaves. I was a statue when I heard him admit that. He did say he liked it though. Being a Blank. Can’t say I disagree.”

“But why? He could be anything. Silver. Gold? I’ve seen him in a suit as himself, with that gold I am Master Q on his chest, he could be”

“Maybe he wanted to just let it all go. You don’t have any responsibilities as a Blank. Well, do your best, but apart from that…”

I continued to sweep. They bashed the pillows and mattresses over the unswept area until no more dust fell and before long there was a large pile of it just to the side of the door.

I looked around. “Can’t say it looks much better, but at least we know it is. Next time I see a gold, I’ll ask them to supply more cleaning gear though.”

“Good call. I’d be tempted to report this to Six myself. It’s not right.”

I chuckled. “Bet that’d go down well. Anyway, as we’re all stuck in here for now. Might as well get to know each other.”

“The name’s Blank, my dear fellow.”

“I think I guessed that. Even so, we might all look the same. Doesn’t mean we are. What did you do before this?” I pointed at the suit. “Where did you come from?”

“I was a mechanic. Came from Chell.”

“Where the hell is Chell?”

“Near Stoke-on-Trent.” It looked at me as my fingers drew a question mark. “Staffordshire.” Another question mark. “God, I take it you’re a yank. Your grasp of geography’s shit! England of course.”

“England? So he did the same as he’s doing now? Different stores all supplying the main training one? You stumbled into the suit in Stoke?”

“No, London. Went down for a visit during fetish week. That’s where I stumbled into it. Damn I wish they would’ve sealed me in then and there but they made me take a background check before they’d accept me. As I knew I’d no longer need money afterwards though, getting a train down from Stoke a couple of weeks later to be sealed in wasn’t too much trouble. You?”

“Computer programmer, New York. Ex-master and now more a slave than I thought it possible to be.”

“Ex-master? How did you end up”

“Alpha fucked up, no background check for me. The suit was cured and he finished off the job before I knew what was happening. Just cos I’d accepted the tubing.”

“Oh fuck. So, he literally stole you?”

“Suppose you could put it like that. I’ve heard I’m not the only one stolen in the past but fuck me, I’m glad he did in my case. Those lower numbers only needed to say I never want out to get sealed. Spoke to One a while back before it was blanked.”

“One? Blanked?”

Another one shifted from foot to foot uncomfortably. “It… could be one of us?”

I looked at the others. “Anyone here been blanked recently? No? Didn’t think you’d admit it even if you had been. Why? It’s a permanent Blank, it’s not like Six and his vanishing number, y’know.”

“What did it do? Must be serious?”

“It asked. Before the first Blank appeared, it was the lowest of the low, a voiceless, faceless rubber slave and it didn’t want any authority. When the Blanks did show up, it found it’d been increased in rank and given some power. It never wanted it. Any of it. It just wanted to be a slave. Just like us, Blank. Now, it is.”

The Blank I’d been talking to sagged. “God, no wonder.”

“What?”

“I’ve worked under it a few times and it always came across as a bad tempered, miserable bastard. Now I know why.”

“And now it’s back to where it should be. Lowest of the low. One of us. And that will never change for it. Bet it’s never been happier. So what about you?” I nodded at the one who’d reacted to the news of One’s demotion.

“London. Accountant. God, I was bored. Think it’s about two years now since I first put on the suit. Never looking back, mate. Never looking back.”

“And it’s the first time you’ve been to an outpost? Two years?”

“Some jobs we get put to, you get stuck doing for months at a time. I’m sure I spent over six months in that bloody kitchen chopping carrots.” It sagged. “This… It’s a change at least. I’ve barely worked outside the compound before. One stint in the past six months digging. Before that, another transferring the processed earth into the green zone. The rest, working for those fuckwits.”

“Ah, they’re not that bad are they?”

“Oh god, when I saw Bartholomew out there strung up… I stood by that tire keeping it going for ages.”

“He’s one of us too now, you know, or at least, he was. So’s the doctor, Nicholas and Dominic.”

“Blanks?”

“Yep. Saw them suited the same time Eleven was. Well, Dominic, a couple of weeks before. Before you ask, no, they’re not permanent but they should be a lot nicer to us once they’ve experienced the life. Dominic thinks it’s permanent. Good thing about being a statue, you pick up a lot of juicy gossip.”

“But… I saw Dominic just three days ago!”

“Really? Thought he was going to be a dog until the second event.”

“They had that over a week ago, Blank. Looks like you’ve been missing out.”

“Shit! Really? There’s not even a TV here so we can watch it.” I sagged. “I wanted to see that too!”

“Think they’re already training for another. There’s been a dog in block one for a week.”

“Let’s just hope we can catch up on them when we get back.” I looked at the other two. “Go on.”

“What?”

“We’ve told you a bit about us…”

“Oh, that! Sorry, this conversation’s going all over the place. Winnipeg. I wasn’t anything special before this, so no change there. Just a barista for Starbucks.”

“Taken in New York?”

“Well, not taken there, shipped there in a pod, yeah.”

“I… think we might’ve spoken before. Probably one of the same batch. Didn’t you train one of the first bunch here?”

“Yes! You were there?”

I nodded.

“Shit! Which dog?”

Should I tell them this time? I pondered for a second. No, no… I didn’t want anything from them. Just one of them, nothing special. Which one?

“Hero.”

“God, what was it like for you?”

“Love it. I loved being a dog out there. God, I hope we get the chance here. Seems we will. They must be picking on the Blanks who never got the chance before.”

It nodded. “I felt the same… God it was fun training mine though. I earned my pleasure training him.”

I chuckled. “Agreed. Oh fuck me, it was fun. Didn’t win anything though. And finally…” I pointed at the last one.

“Another Brit. Worked with my dad in Swansea market, that’s in Wales. No, it’s not England. Similar story to Chell over there. Fetish week London a year or so ago.”

“Suppose that’s a good idea. Nicknames. We are all different and we might as well know who we’re talking to.” I pointed at them in turn. “Chell, Beany…”

“Why beany?”

“You said you were an accountant? A bean counter?”

It chuckled. “OK. Beany it is. And him?”

“Coffee? Starbucks… How about Buck?”

It gave a thumbs up.

“So, Chell, Beany, Buck and… How about Dragon?”

“You know that much about Wales then?” It chuckled. “And for you… Herc?”

“Herc? Why”

“Well, you did say you were Hero. For some reason it seems wrong naming you that. That’s your dog name. Hercules was a hero.”

I nodded. “Agreed then. Dog names are for when we’re on all fours. Not other times. Herc it is.”

The door burst open and Eight stepped in.

It looked around. It looked at the pile of dust and then me, still holding the broom.

“What the hell is going on here?”

“Sir?”

It turned to me. “Did I give you any instruction apart from in, Blank?”

“No, sir, but”

“Did I tell you to clean up?”

“No, sir.”

“Then why did you sweep the place?”

“It was filthy, sir.”

“Was this your idea or did one of these push you into it?”

“It was mine, sir.”

He pointed his fob at me and oh fuck. It wasn’t level ten but it wasn’t far off. I collapsed and started writhing I’ll tell you that much and while I was, it continued to sign for another few minutes.

I didn’t catch a word of it. I had my eyes clenched shut in agony for the most part.

Finally, it ended and I managed to crawl to my knees. I stared at it.

“What the hell was that for, sir?”

“I just told you what it was for. Don’t make me repeat myself or I’ll fuckin’ well do it again.”

I looked around. “You didn’t tell me anything, sir. You might’ve told them, but I couldn’t see anything with that going on, sir!”

“Tough!” He turned, opened the door and slammed it behind him.

I struggled for a minute before one of them helped me to my feet. “What the fuck, Blank? What”

It held me and nodded to one of the others.

It signed. “We’re Blank, not just in name in its opinion, Blank slates. No ideas. No doing things on our own initiative. If it tells us to do something we do it. If it doesn’t tell us to do anything, we do nothing.”

I took a few deep breaths and signed back. “Are you sure it was Number One you worked under and not that… That…”

One of them shook its head. “Even One wasn’t that bad. Oh fuck it looks like we’ve got a hell of a time ahead of us.”

I nodded. “Now we know. We’re just nothing. Don’t even think. Just act like robots whenever it’s around.” Then, a thought. “In fact, take it to the extreme.”

“What do you mean?”

“It wants us to have no… no agency. We don’t. It wants us to do nothing unless told otherwise, we do nothing. If it doesn’t tell us to go to bed which ruins our performance the next day ‘cos we’re all wrecked from lack of sleep… That’s what we do. If we end up collapsing in exhaustion because of it, well… Let it micromanage us. Not one action unless told to do it.”

“Ah fuck… This is going to hurt, isn’t it?”

I nodded. “I should’ve known there’d be a downside to this life. Looks like Eight’s it. I didn’t think there was anything here that could make me want to be somewhere else until now.”