Chandler Ford needs to meet his sales quota. He is convinced it is the only way his boss Elroy will pay any attention to him, and then Chandler can finally get what he thinks he wants: Elroy's love and affection. Selling anti-aging pills to the old should be easy, but as the month reaches its end, his numbers aren't where they need to be. And neither is Chandler.
After a demoralizing interaction with his boss, one not ever the ever-cheerful security guard named Manny can soothe, Chandler stops a violent crime. When he realizes the victim is an android named Dash, Chandler wants nothing to do with him. Yet what Dash tells him about perfection, love and attraction, sinks in for the better.
As the month nears the end, Chandler's boss Elroy, and the security guard Manny, both take on completely different roles in his fantasy life. Now if only Chandler could meet quota, maybe he'd know what to do next ...
"Pfft." Chandler gestured to the booths, clearly displaying old porn movies. "Again, you're sort of one to talk."
"These are old films, not perfect films. And they are filled with glitches in their own way, too. See?" When a man stepped out of a booth, leaving it empty, Dash tugged back the curtain. He slotted in his card for another showing. Chandler hung back, not quite standing next to Dash as the movie began to roll, but enough to see the beginning credits. A warped line appeared in the centre of the film, as if the tape inside the VHS had been melted. When two men appeared on screen, the bottom of the screen stayed static while the top moved along normally, giving the impression of four sets of legs.
Dash soon dropped the curtain as the men's mouths met. Another warped line had appeared on the screen, making it seem as if the entire frame were being ironed. "See?" Dash said.
"I see a warped porn movie that was probably made that way by someone rewinding and pausing too much."
"They have been well-loved, yes. These movies are fun for me, reminding me of what I used to do, and some of the better times. Before things went sideways, or went wrong or something else."
"Well, that's great. Good for you. I know what -- who -- I want though," Chandler said. "And that's Elroy. Not Manny."
"You seem awfully certain about that. So tell me why."
"What?"
Dash shrugged. "Tell me what's so special about Elroy."
Chandler was surprised at the turn in conversation. He thought he was going to have to justify not asking out Manny. Wasn't it obvious why he wanted Elroy? He figured that since Dash had never met him, or seen him, this was just about getting intel rather than pronouncing judgement. So he thought of Elroy. He described his height, his chiseled jawline, and the commanding way he walked into a room.
"And?" Dash said.
"And what? He's hot. He's ... sort of like those men on the screen. He's in control, in charge. I just like him. If you saw him --"
"I wouldn't be swayed by how he looks because everyone has their reasons for liking what they like. Everyone has their types. But those attributes that you told me -- tall, strong, commanding -- they seem like they can fit your friend out there who actually did help you, you know."
"No."
"Yes." Dash raised his brows in a challenge. "I know I didn't get a good look, but security guards tend to be bulky, have strong shoulders, and a need to be commanding and strong. Maybe his hair is different from Elroy's, sure. But I truly see no difference between them."
"There is. A big one."
"Oh?"
Chandler hesitated. "Don't make me spell it out."
"Why not?" Dash smirked. "I know I'm a former sex bot, and I know we’re in a porn store right now, but you’re still going to have to tell me what you're thinking."
Chandler sighed. It felt so strange putting words to the fantasies in his mind, let alone sharing them in such a public place. "Elroy is a top. Through and through. And I want to be with him. Like that."
"Okay. Well, I think your friend could be a top, too."
"He can't be."
"Why not?"
Chandler sighed again. "You told me you knew about his leg. That it was metal."
"So?"
Chandler was going to lose it. Dash was being deliberately obtuse. His smile made that point that much clearer. "Look, I hate saying this, but it's likely that his leg was not the only thing hurt in the intergalactic war. When does a bomb differentiate between thigh and genitals, you know? I...I don't think he can truly perform. And so while I can get on your side that Manny is funny, cute, and maybe all those things you mentioned, I just don't want to have sex with him. I'm not attracted to him."
"Hmm. All because he can't top? Or really, because you think he can't top?"
"Yes." When Dash was quiet, Chandler met his gaze. "What? I'm allowed to have my own preferences."
"Yes, of course. But I think you're approaching this from the wrong way."
"There is a right and wrong to sex now?" Chandler said, and then gestured all around him. "Could have fooled me."
Dash put a hand on his shoulder. It was a calming gesture, and in spite of feeling as if he was still getting the third degree, Chandler let himself be led back to the front of the store, where the dildos and cocks were. "You see," Dash said, "something like this could easily make up for anything lacking in the bedroom."
"But it's a machine," Chandler said, "and you told me yourself that these wouldn't rise to consciousness, so not even a magical glitch will give me what I want."
"You're right. With that attitude, you'll never get what you want."
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