MINDLYFT (COMPLETE)

CHAPTER 22

Wizard never answered my question. Sent me a link to a woman about my age named Susie Seven. Said I should meet her for lunch. Hear what she had to say. A quick search of her background and I realized she was already someone in my close network. We uploaded exams together four years ago. I'd spent some time with her on the CyberClubs, and we'd even double dated a couple of times, although always virtually. From the two or three times we actually met in person I remember she was one of the few friends I had that didn't get all bitchy when we were OffCap just because I looked pretty naturally.

I had one day off a week. One day I didn't need to get up early and start my commute to the Moon and get back late too tired to eat dinner. One day to just chill. I sent Susie a BodyProof meeting request. Meaning an in-person meeting, which was an increasingly rare occurrence outside of work these days. Wizard had insisted on it. I'm not sure why.

When I arrived at the BodyCafe Suzie was already there, staring off into space, her headgear covering her thick brown hair. It took her about ten seconds to realize I'd sat down across from her. She took the cap off and looked at me quizzically.

"Where's your cap?" She asked.

"I don't wear mine anymore," I said and shrugged with a sly smile.

"You mean when you go out?" 

"I mean at all. In fact my new job prohibits them. Says they'll interfere with my creative capacity on the project. Have to work naked," I said.

"Eww. Don't know if I could handle that. Like what do you do if you forget someone's name or if you wake up and your skin is dry?"

"I don't forget. And I deal with it," I said, answering her questions curtly, still not sure why Wizard wanted me to meet with her.

"So the job must be pretty good, huh?"

"Good pay and benefits. Long hours. Frustrating project objectives," I said.

"Well, that's the work world for you," she shrugged. 

I was waiting for her to ask me more particulars about my job but she didn't. To her, all corporate jobs were the same.

"What have you been doing?" I asked. "Where are you working?"

"Haven't been able to find a job," she said, almost happily. "Almost had one last year but the AI's optimized and my function was automated. My bio is still in the Algo but nothing has come up."

"Working for the AlgoBosses then?" 

"Well, not really. Something a little different," she said. "Not really a job. Just been spending my time on the SphereNet and SocWeb."

"Well how are you paying your bills if you're not working?" I asked.

"There's this new app on SocWeb called MeetMe. It's mainly for dating but some people use it for other kinds of networking. It's ad-model based so you have to watch a lot of adds, offer opinions on products, and indulge a few sales bots now and again. They do a pretty extensive identity verification too. Full file, bio, pics and a HoloScreen. 

You earn points like a video game. There are different levels but you level up and earn points by matching with as many guys as possible. You get more points for chatting, more still for sending pics, and a ton of points for HoloMeets. The real prize comes if you agree to a date, and well, you get the picture. If the date goes really well, then you both rate each other, and there are bonuses. For me, I get points I can use for paying bills and shopping, and for the guy, he gets StreetCred levels that help him meet the next girl."

"You're telling me that you get all the money you need just from chatting all day and going on a few dates?" I still didn't know where this was going or why Wizard wanted me to have this conversation.