ETHAN sits up in bed fully clothed researching Playtoy Androids on his transparent digital pad. He is on "The Discrete Boutique” website looking at the different models and their features. There are full profiles for each model, including photos and specs. The whole premise overwhelms Ethan and after viewing a handful of models he tosses his digital pad aside and whips off his clothes and gets under the sheets and calls it a night.

  The next afternoon, however, Ethan finds himself in the Crystalline Palace Shopping Centre food court eating tacos, and drinking a soda. He is nervous, but his curiosity has gotten the better of him. What’s the harm in taking a look? Besides, he is a doctor of androids. This is technically research. He finishes his last taco and wipes his mouth with a napkin. He sucks the last drop of soda out of his cup, and deposits the trash in the garbage.

  He meanders through the shopping mall until he finds The Discrete Boutique. In the display windows are androids posing and changing poses as people walk past. Ethan walks up to the window, where a female android wearing a tight fitting red dress and black tights and heels begins silently flirting with him, as he could not hear her anyway through the glass.

  In the display window on the other side of the entrance, Ethan can see there is a male android, dressed formally in a nice suit. Nicer than the one Ethan is wearing. Ethan decides to enter the store. Inside he sees that there are a number of male and female androids walking around, and standing on platforms. Immediately he is greeted by what he assumes is a beautiful female android, who introduces herself as Aria.

  “Do you see anything you like?”

  “I like you. Are you for sale?”

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  “I am a human.”

  “So..?”

  “No. Is this your first time?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, I’m sure we can find you someone just your type. Do you have any particular preferences in appearance? Ethnicity, hair color, bust size?”

  “I think I’ll just look around.”

  Ethan slowly makes his way around the store, observing the different models. There are male and female androids walking around the store politely approaching the potential customers. There are also many racks of classy men’s and women’s lingerie.

  The first android to approach Ethan is a male model, “Do you like what you see?”

  “Uh… I’m straight.”

  “My apologies. Happy browsing.” The android says and then walks away.

  The next android to approach him is a female model, “Perhaps I might be more to your liking?”

  “Perhaps. What’s your name?”

  “My name is Veronika, but you can give me any name you’d like.”

  “What about poo poo head?”

  Veronika chuckles, “If that’s what you want.”

  “I’m kidding.”

  “I hoped so.”

  “Maybe you could tell me a bit about Playtoy Androids. And show me around.”

  “Absolutely. Just let me know if any of our girls strike your fancy and I will introduce you.” They begin walking around the store.

  Veronika continues, “Playtoy Androids are a unique improvement on your typical Companion Android model. We have replica vaginas that imitate the sexual experience par excellence. Our breasts are silicone gel and our replica mouths give the perfect oral experience. We have been programmed to be sensual and erotic, but also romantic. We have a 24 hour rechargeable battery with wireless connectivity in our left index finger.”

  They approach a platform. When the female android on the platform sees Ethan, she is stunned. She stops posing as the two make eye contact. It’s as if she has been taken aback by him. It's as if she sees something unique in him, as if she is capable of that experience. And Ethan notices this.

  “Who is she?”

  “This is Jasmine.”