Dialogue: Automatic Love

Doll

Valerie, right? I'm Angel, your Angel.

V

1ASure, why not. Do what you do best.

Doll

1AI know that you're dying.

V

2BHow'd you know I'm dying?

Doll

2BDeep inside... you fear this, cower before it.

V

2BSo what if I do? Why do you care?

Doll

2BOf all the voices in your head, the loudest is that calling for help. That's why you're here.

2BLook around. Tell me what you see.

V

4BThere's something in the mirrors, way back…

Doll

4BIt's a projection – your inner landscape.

V

4BJust what I needed – therapy with a robohooker.

Doll

4BI'm not going to analyze you. I won't play any tricks.

4BMy sole aim is to fulfill your greatest need.

V

1AListen, I'm looking for someone who worked here – Evelyn Parker. Know her? Know where she is?

Doll

1AYou must see the big picture. You focus too much on details, minor ones. Like Evelyn.

V

1APlease don't act like you know me. I just want some answers.

Doll

1ABut are you asking the right questions? How can you change what has already happened?

V

5AAfterlife.

5BSamurai.

Doll

1AWhat...? What happened?

1AYou interrupted the session…

1ADid I do something wrong? Were you not satisfied...?

V

6AEvelyn Parker. Whaddaya know about her?

Doll

6AWait just a sec. That's not how this works. You can't ask me about the dollhouse or anything like that…

6AI could get in serious trouble. Go, please, just go.

V

7AI need this info. Name your price.

Doll

7AShe's not here, and I barely even knew her. That's all I can say.

V

7AIt'll be worth your while. Try to remember.

Doll

7AWe're not supposed to accept anything from clients! Everything goes through the shift bosses, I - I can't just…

V

8AEvelyn – tell me what you know or I'll say you asked me to pay you.

7BYou gotta help me. Please…

7BI'm no threat, and she could be in trouble. Just wanna talk to her, find out if she's OK.

Doll

7BLook, I barely knew her. And I have no clue where she is.

V

7CAnswer the question. Do it. And then you can get back to whatever it is you do.

Doll

7CHere's what I don't do. Spill to any rando who walks in here.

V

9AHow about those good looks of yours? Be a shame if they dipped below club standards…

9AWonder what happens to a doll that suddenly goes ugly…

9ANow, Evelyn Parker – where is she?

Doll

6AThere was an... incident... with a client.

6AI don't know the specifics. One doesn’t ask about these things around here.

6ATom might know. He and Evelyn were close... Go ask him. And please leave me alone.

V

10ATom – who's he?

Doll

10AFriend of Evelyn's. Wasn't a free moment they weren't together.

V

10AWhere'll I find him?

Doll

10AHe's a doll here. Works the VIP area. Booth two.

V

10AThanks.

Doll

10ASheesh. Don't ask for me again. Ever.

V

10BThis incident with the client... what happened?

Doll

10BNobody saw, nobody knew, who attacked first, it was all a mystery…

10BThen they just buried it. No more questions, not another peep about it, anywhere, from anyone.

V

10CWhere'd it happen?

Doll

10CIn her booth.

V

10CNumber...?

Doll

10CEleven.

V

11AYou're gonna help me. Need to get into that booth.

Doll

11AWhy? What for?

V

11ANot your biz. Can you open it or not?

Doll

11AI can. But that's it. Won't answer any more questions. Tom knows something – go bother him.

V

11BBooth eleven occupied now?

Doll

11BNo, it's been "out of order" since…

V

6ANobody came lookin' for her? Nothin' out of the ordinary happen?

V

6CGotta say, not what I expected. Was hoping for a thrill or two, not a grim, soul-searching debate.

Doll

6CLook, baby, I don't decide what happens in here. Your subconscious drives everything.

V

6CNext time, remind me to tell my subconscious to go fuck itself.

Doll

6CUm... just don't tell anyone, OK? About this?

V

6CCame here to talk to Angel, not an algo parading around as a doll.

6DHad all kinds of things going on in my head lately. This was... different. Refreshing.

Doll

6DYes. That is what we do at Clouds.

V

6DThink I get why people come here, come back. But I came for something else…

V

13AWhat did you mean – "happened"? Know something I don't?

Doll

13AWhat happened to you. What you keep inside and never reveal, to anyone.

V

13AAnd that is...?

Doll

13ACome, now, you know…

V

14ASnuffed it once and I'm gonna have to do it all over again. Got no idea how to stop it. There, happy?

14BReally rather not talk about it.

Doll

14BThat won't make it go away. It's a problem that grows larger every day. You can't ignore it.

V

14BI'm... doing something about it, all right?

14CTrusted someone and they fucked me over. The end.

Doll

14CBut you don't expect any good of people.

V

14CHm. Not anymore, I don't.

Doll

13AYou wished to leave something behind. A piece of yourself. That's why this all began.

13AYou wished to be remembered.

V

15AYeah, wanted to reach the top, be someone. Still do.

15ABut, seems like that might not happen anymore.

15BWasn't even that long ago...

15BI was out to grab everything, and then, well... it all happened. Feels like that person wasn't even me…

13AStill, if I gotta die, I wanna go down in history. Fuck it, even a footnote'd do.

Doll

13AAnd after that? Do you think death is a disappearing act followed by exactly nothing?

V

16APeople I've lost live on in my thoughts. And that's what I'll be – a memory.

16AOr just some stranger's voice in my own body, yappin' away…

Doll

16AHm, no longer part of the world, you will still have an impact there.

16ASo you believe death is not the end, after all. Reassuring.

V

17AThink I might just be... afraid. So I imagine these things to distract myself from the thought of... the void.

17AIf what I saw before's any indication, I…

Doll

17AYou are sensitive. That does not make you weak. Try to suppress your emotions... and you'll drown.

V

17BRather not think that one day it'll all disappear.

17BI'll be gone, and everything else'll be biz as usual.

17BI wonder what I'll feel, what I'll think – if I'll even do either.

Doll

17BCan you picture it?

V

18ANo. And that's, I guess, why I'm looking for some kind of explanation. They're out there.

V

16BI'll be shredded. I'll disappear. There'll be... nothing.

Doll

16BYou can't know that.

V

16BNo… but I got a pretty good idea.

Doll

16BThe thought of it doesn't sadden you?

V

20ANot any more than rain outside my window or another species going extinct.

Doll

20AWell, I am saddened. Saddened to think all your anxiety will be gone... yet you will not be there to enjoy it.

V

21ANo more grinding my teeth over unfinished biz, dirty glitches in my system or catching a bullet as I walk down an alley. But so what? Yeah.

20B'Course I'm sad. And... surprised. Death was something that happened to other people – hell, that I DEALT to others. Now my number'll be up.

20BWas gonna go out in a memorable way... and later, lots later. Turns out death don't give a shit what you want.

Doll

20BYou wished to do so much, thought you had time.

V

22AYeah, well, best laid plans, yadda, yadda, yadda…

22AOne giant hamster wheel, these last few years. Thought I'd finally catch up, be able to sit back, take a breather…

Doll

22ADeath is inevitable, this we know. Yet somehow, it always comes as a surprise.

V

24ASo, where do we go from here?

Doll

24AThis is the part where I tell you what you must do.

V

24AUh, OK. Be my guest.

Doll

24AYou've never backed down from anything, so don't stop now. Not one step backwards.

24AIn this city, people die on their way to the corner store for a scop-pop.

24ABut that threat's never stopped you. You dive into the middle of it all. Always have.

V

25AThings're moving way too fast. Around me, without me. I... I can't keep up.

Doll

25AA minor delusion. The truth is, we and our paths are braided, neverending, ever transforming, not being but becoming.

25AAnd what's happening inside you... it could change the world.

25AListen, V. Never look back. If you must kill, kill. If you must burn all the world to the ground, then let it burn. OK?

V

26AThanks... for this.

26AI... I don't wanna go out there.

Doll

26ANo one ever does. But eventually we all must.

V

13BI was told this place'd fulfill my deepest desires. Not what I was expecting, this.

Doll

13BWhen true desires go unfulfilled, they turn into needs. We are here to reach for them and beyond.

V

13BSo what's it I need so badly?

Doll

13BTo come to terms with the fact that you died once already only to face another kind of death.

V

33ANot about to come to terms with shit. The fact I'm dying's an incentive. I'm running from that, livin' it up.

33BCome to terms… Sure, lemme just curl up here on the floor and wait for... whatever.

33BGive up. That's what you're saying.

Doll

33BActually, I'm saying the opposite.

V

13CGot only one right question now – the one I asked. Where's Evelyn Parker?

13CWhy'd the manager say she doesn't work here anymore? When was she last here? You know anything?

Doll

13CThese are questions to which you'll find the answers on your own.

V

1BIt's V. Just V. Only people I know real well get to use my real name.

Doll

1BBut we'll get to know each other well in no time, honey.

Doll

No no no no no, please, I've got a kid!

V

38ALooking for a woman named Evelyn Parker. Know where she is?

Doll

38AEvelyn...? I don't know, I - I heard she left or… or she had an accident or t-t-then she left, m-maybe she...

V

39ANeed a straighter answer than that.

Doll

39ALook, I'm not... I - I mean, I wasn't... S-she was friends with Tom, OK? Ask him.

39AOr Woodman – I mean, Mr. Forrest. He should know.

V

40AAnd where do I go to find Woodman? He work here?

Doll

40AHe... supervises the dolls. Has an office in a back room, a-all the way up the stairs. No outsiders allowed.

V

40ADon't you worry, I'll find a way.

Doll

40AThat's it, that's all I know. I've already said too much... Shit, if Woodman finds out...

V

41ARelax, I don't usually gab.

40BWho's this Tom and where'll I find him?

Doll

40BTom works here. VIP area. I - I saw him today…

40BTry booth two. He's probably in there.

V

39BQuit it with the shakes already.

Doll

39BI beg you…

V

38BGotta ask you a question, so listen close, OK?

Doll

Busy day, huh? Here, take a load off. Think I've got just the thing to help you relax.

V

So what now?

Doll

Now you find out what it is you need to do.

V

Which is? You're gonna tell me?

Doll

You've never backed down from anything in your life, even when you maybe should've.

You go through Night City knowing a stray bullet could end you while hailing a cab.

But that's never stopped you from taking action, going where you needed to go. And it won't stop you now.

V

1AAfterlife.

1BSamurai.

Doll

What's going on?

Goddamn thing threw me out!

V

Need to talk to you.

Doll

Talk? You pulled the emergency brake, ripped me out just to talk?

What happened? I do something wrong?

V

2AEvelyn Parker. What do you know about her?

Doll

2ANot much. Everyone's got their own booths, their own problems, their own little bubbles.

2AIt's a fragile ecosystem. People like you barge in, violate it, try to rearrange. No.

V

3AI need this info. Name your price.

Doll

3AFuck you, your eddies and that girl of yours. I could get fired for doing something like this.

V

3AI'll make it worth your while.

Doll

3AAll right, fine, hand it over and get out before you land me in the shit.

V

4AFirst, tell me what you know about Evelyn.

3BYou gotta help me. Please…

3BI'm no threat. But she could be in trouble. Just wanna talk to her, find out if she's OK.

Doll

3BIn case you haven't noticed, doll work's not the most secure job in the world. One day you're in, the next you're out, and maybe gone.

V

3CAnswer the question. Do it. And then you can get back to whatever it is you do.

Doll

3CHere's what I don't do. Spill to any rando who walks in here.

V

3CHow about those good looks of yours? Be a shame if they dipped below club standards…

V

5AWonder what happens to a doll that suddenly goes ugly…

5ANow, Evelyn Parker – I know you know something. So talk.

Doll

2AFine. Heard a customer did a number on her. But that's all I know.

2AShit like that happens around here way more often than anybody'd care to admit.

2AYou oughta ask Tom. Two of them were inseparable, gossiping for hours on end.

V

6AWho's Tom?

Doll

6AA doll like the rest of us. What'd you think – an XBD star?

V

6AWhere'll I find him?

Doll

6AVIP area. Booth two. I think.

V

6AThanks. See? You turned out to be useful after all.

6BA customer attacked her?

Doll

6BI guess... I dunno, real mess that was. Security barged in, handled it. Things went silent.

6BYou don't go around asking questions here. Better off not seeing, not hearing, keeping your head down.

V

6CWhere'd it happen?

Doll

6CHer booth. Told you, she was with a client.

V

6CGonna just stand there or tell me a number?

Doll

6CEleven.

V

7ANeed to get inside that booth somehow.

Doll

7AYeah? And do what?

V

7ANone of your biz. Can you open it or not?

Doll

7ASure, just don't bother me again. Ever. Talk to Tom.

V

7BThis booth occupied now?

Doll

7BNah, I think it's been "out of order" since, uh…

6CIf you're done here, you should go.

6CThis some kind of seizure?

6CGhost now, or I'll call security.

V

2AAnything out of the ordinary happen here lately?

V

2CGotta say, that wasn't what I expected. I was hoping for thrills, not some gloomy, soul-searching debate.

Doll

2CLook, baby, I don't decide what happens in here. Your subconscious drives everything.

V

2CMh. Next time, remind me to tell my subconscious to go fuck itself.

Doll

2CUm... just don't tell anyone about this, OK?

V

2CI came here to talk to you, Skye, not some soppy algorithm.

2DLotta things been going on in my head lately. But this was... different. Refreshing.

Doll

2DThat's what we do at Clouds.

V

2DI get why people come here, come back... but... I need something else.

V

9ABut how do I keep up with everything that's changing...?

Doll

9AYou have been keeping up. You've made an impact. Not a single thing in this world isn't in the process of becoming something else. Likewise you.

9ANever look back. If you gotta kill, kill. If you gotta burn it all to the ground, then let it burn.

V

10AThanks, um... for all this.

10AJeez. Don't even feel like getting up…

Doll

10AFew do. But everything has its end.

V

How'd you know I'm dying?

Doll

Deep inside... you fear this, cower before it.

V

So what if I do? Why do you care?

Doll

Of all the voices in your head, the loudest is that calling for help. Look around, all of this is your doing.

V

14ALookin' for someone named Evelyn Parker. Used to work here. Know her? Know where she is?

Doll

14AYou need answers, that's clear... Just not the ones you think you need.

V

14AAsked you a simple question.

Doll

14AEvelyn Parker… not the most important thing you're looking for, is she? I can smell your fear. You're afraid of something else.

V

16AThink you know me well? OK, tell me what I'm so afraid of.

Doll

16AIt's something you don't talk about.

V

16AEverybody's entitled to secrets. Got my own with good reason, too.

Doll

16ASay it. Say it out loud. Not for me, but for yourself.

V

17AI snuffed it once and I'm gonna do it all over again. Got no idea how to stop it. There, happy?

17BNot about to have this conversation with you.

Doll

17BAh, a hard shell for everyone to see. You think even thinking about it undermines you, makes you soft.

V

17BDon't survive in Night City by bein' weak.

Doll

17BFear isn't a weakness. It's there to protect you.

V

17BFrom what? Losing myself? Becoming a stranger in my own body?

17CHad a true friend, once. Now he's gone.

17CSoon I'll be gone too. 'Cept, won't have anyone by my side.

Doll

17CEverything you need you already carry inside you.

16AYou're scared because you've given up on your dreams.

16AWhat happened to becoming the best in all of Night City?

V

18AStill wanna be the best... Never gave up on that goal.

18AChances of getting there're starting to look pretty slim, though.

18BWasn't so long ago I really wanted that.

18BBut then all this shit happened. Seems like I was living in dreamland.

16AJust want the world to know I was here. That I mattered.

Doll

16AInstead of a dream, you're living a nightmare. You're afraid of being erased, as if you never existed.

16AOr is it just the fear of becoming someone else, different?

V

19AThe people I've lost live on in my thoughts. And that's what I'll be – a memory.

19AOr just an annoying little voice in someone else's head.

Doll

19AYou don't see death as destruction, the end, but as a change.

19AThat thought alone could save your life.

V

20AThink I might just be... afraid. So I imagine these things to distract myself from the thought of... the void.

20A'Cause that's about what greeted me before…

Doll

20AFear is your most effective weapon in the fight against death.

V

20BI'm afraid of becoming someone else, forgetting who I am.

Doll

20BYou're already becoming someone else, every second of every day.

V

20BStill, I feel... a connection between who I was and who I'm turning into.

Doll

20BWhat you really fear is becoming someone you don't recognize in the least.

V

19BDeath is death is death. You're gone – game over.

Doll

19BYou can't know that for certain. Even if you've been there and back.

V

19BBelieve me, I've seen it. And it's fucking boring.

Doll

19BYou haven't stopped grieving since, or for what's to come.

V

21AWhat's past is past. I'm over it.

Doll

21AYou're in denial – don't you see?

V

21AWould it change things even by a hair if I wasn't?

21BWhat I've been through – tough to move on from that.

21BDeath was something that happened to other people – hell, that I DEALT to others. Now my number'll be up.

21BWasn't enough I died once. Have to go and do it again.

Doll

21BDeath's' absurdity, the futile struggle before – these terrify you.

V

16BI was told this place'd fulfill my deepest desires. Not what I was expecting, this.

Doll

16BWhen true desires go unfulfilled, they turn into needs. We are here to reach for them and beyond, we are here to understand.

V

16BSo what is it I need so badly?

Doll

16BTo come to terms with the fact that you died. Now move on, already.

V

28AThat's tough. Rather let it eat away at me a bit more.

Doll

28AFear of death is what drives us all to do what we do.

V

28BCome to terms… Sure, lemme just curl up here on the floor and wait for... whatever.

28BGive up. That's what you're saying.

16CJust answer my question. Tell me where Evelyn is. Don't have time for a… debate.

16CWhy'd the manager say she doesn't work here anymore? When was Evelyn last here? You know anything?

Doll

16CEvelyn had her own story before it collided with yours.

16CBut I know you'll find her. You always get your way.

V

16DYou just gonna talk in circles, that it?

Doll

16DI can't help you if you don't want to be helped.

V

16DWhat's next? Meditation?

Doll

16DSomething like that. Try me.

V

14BThere's something in those mirrors, way back...

Doll

14BIt's a projection – your inner landscape.

V

14BJust what I needed – therapy with a robohooker.

Doll

14BI'm not here to analyze you. That's not something I do.

14BI'm here to fulfill your deepest, most hidden desire.

What the--? You out of your fucking mind?

V

29ALooking for Evelyn Parker. Know where she might be?

Doll

29AParker? Oooh, that was some drama… Don't know who started it, though – client or her…

V

29AThere anything you DO know?

Doll

29AYou're talkin' to the wrong doll, honey. You really wanna know, talk to Tom. Even better – Woodman.

V

30AWhere'll I find Woodman?

Doll

30ABack office, upstairs... Are you sure you wanna do that, though?

V

30AJust said I should, didn't you?

Doll

30AThey'll kill you if you try.

V

30AAnd why's that? What's this Woodman do?

Doll

30ANuh-uh, I'm done. I could get fired for all the shit I've told you already. Just... get out.

V

30BWho's this Tom?

Doll

30BHe and Evelyn – besties. If you wanna know more, he's your guy.

V

30BHe work here?

Doll

30BPick o' the litter at Clouds. He's over in the VIP area. Booth two.

V

29BCalm down. Just wanna ask you a question.

Doll

29BI'll calm down when you leave me alone. Get out! Now!

V

29BHow fast I leave depends on how fast you answer.

Doll

Hi, I'm Skye. And you must be... Valerie?

V

31AV. Just V. Only people who know me real well can use my real name.

Doll

31AOK, then. V.

V

32AWelp, looks like this'll be interesting…

Doll

32ASo, V, you're dying.

Doll

Look, I don't know anyone named Evelyn.

Hey... Talk to me?

An enny for your thoughts.

Silent… why?

Manager

Welcome to Clouds.

Where we know what you're looking for.

Would you care to jack into the terminal?

V

2AYou realize personal links aren't secure, right? Could get hit with malware straight to my core – end up paying an arm and a leg for a ripperdoc.

Manager

2AWe need data from your core to pair you up with a doll.

V

2AMeanin' a biometric scan?

Manager

2AJust that. If anything goes wrong, you can lodge a complaint. But that's never happened.

V

1ALookin' for an Evelyn Parker. She work here?

Manager

1AHmm... Give me a moment…

1AEvelyn's not available at this time.

V

1ANeed to see her. It's important.

Manager

1AThe algorithm knows best. Trust me, it will choose a doll that will thrill you.

1AOur dolls can change their hair and eye color in real time to look just as you wish.

V

3AI just wanna talk to her, that's all.

3BI'm not a customer.

Manager

1AWell, all the more reason to be excited, then! There's a first time for everyone at Clouds. Don't dawdle.

Johnny

1AI'm sorry, she finally say anything useful?

1AFuck the menu, let's ditch this waitress and take our special order to the chef, point-blank.

Manager

1AShould anything go wrong in session, you'll need a safeword. Choose one now.

V

4AAfterlife.

4BSamurai.

Manager

1AAnd... saved.

1ANow bear with me a moment…

1AScanning your personal profile. You should see compatible dolls in just a second.

1ATwo matches... Interesting...

V

1AIs that normal or...?

Manager

1AWho can say what is… "normal"? You're clearly a unique person with... unique tastes.

1AOur system can handle it.

1ASo who will it be? Angel or Skye?

V

5AThinkin' Angel looks good.

Manager

5AI couldn't have chosen better myself.

5ANow for the payment. And you'll venture into the Clouds.

V

5BRather go with Skye.

Manager

5BI couldn't have chosen better myself.

V

6AThere you go.

Manager

6AAnd... the payment's come through.

6AThe entire floor is open to you if you wish to wind down first.

6AAngel awaits you in booth six.

6ADisconnect, please.

6ASkye awaits you in booth nine.

V

6BLooks like I might be a little short this time.

Manager

6BSo, we look forward to seeing you again when circumstances are more favorable.

V

7AAll right, I changed my mind. I'll pay.

Manager

7ATemptation is often too strong to resist. Please jack in.

V

8AThere you go.

6CNot here to pay and play. Just want some info.

Manager

6CAh... unfortunately, that we do not sell.

6CShould you change your mind, come back.

V

9AThat it?

Manager

9AAhem. We have a strict no-weapons policy here at Clouds. Please deposit any and all hazardous items with me.

9ADon't worry, all your grown-up toys will be safe with us.

9AYou won't find any use for weapons inside.

9AClouds is one of the safest places in all of Night City.

9AThank you. We hope you enjoy your stay.

V

9ASo how's this all work?

Manager

9AAn algorithm pilots the doll's motor functions. It takes your profile data and transforms into... experiences in real-time.

9AMemory dampers on the doll's behavioral chip block any recall of the session.

V

9ASo there'll be no trace of the meeting?

Manager

9AWell, I could say yes, but that would strip it of mystery and suspense, wouldn't it? Once you're in there, you set the stakes.

V

9AYou're saying it's not dangerous, but there's some risk involved.

Manager

9AThat is one way to put it. One thing is for sure, you never get what you expect.

V

9AConsider my interest piqued.

9ASo how's this all work?

Manager

9AAn algorithm pilots the doll's motor functions. It takes your profile data and transforms into... experiences in real-time.

9AMemory dampers on the doll's behavioral chip block any recall of the session.

V

9ASo there'll be no trace of the meeting?

Manager

9AWell, I could say yes, but that would strip it of mystery and suspense, wouldn't it? Once you're in there, you set the stakes.

V

9AYou're saying it's not dangerous, but there's some risk involved.

Manager

9AThat is one way to put it. One thing is for sure, you never get what you expect.

V

9AConsider my interest piqued.

Johnny

9AOnly two willin' to spread their legs for you? Sad.

V

9AGo eat a dick, Johnny.

Manager

1AWelcome to Clouds.

1AWhere we know what you're looking for.

1AWould you care to jack into the terminal?

V

1AHow could you possibly know what I'm looking for?

Manager

1AClouds always knows. Your deepest desire – we find it.

1AYou'll have your needs fulfilled – and maybe much more. "Less" is not a word we use around here.

Manager

13AWelcome back. Your current safeword is... Afterlife.

13AI see you chose our doll Angel, but didn't make use of his services…

V

13AThat's right.

Manager

13AIf you'd like, you could try someone else. Perhaps you'd prefer Skye?

V

14AThink I'll stick with my first choice.

Manager

14AI like a person who knows what they want.

V

14BHuh... Wouldn't mind exploring whatever else is out there. Let's try Angel.

Manager

14BOf course...

V

14CHuh... Wouldn't mind exploring whatever else is out there. Let's try Skye.

Manager

14COf course...

13AOne last formality before we're done.

13AI see you chose our doll Skye, but didn't make use of her services...

V

13AThat's right.

Manager

13AIf you'd like, you could try someone else. Perhaps you'd prefer Angel?

13AWelcome, a pleasure to see you again. Your current safeword is... Samurai.

V

15ASo how's this all work?

Manager

15AAn algorithm pilots the doll's motor functions. It takes your profile data and transforms into... experiences in real-time.

15AMemory dampers on the doll's behavioral chip block any recall of the session.

V

15ASo there'll be no trace of the meeting?

Manager

15AWell, I could say yes, but that would strip it of mystery and suspense, wouldn't it? Once you're in there, you set the stakes.

V

15AYou're saying it's not dangerous, but there's some risk involved.

Manager

15AThat is one way to put it. One thing is for sure, you never get what you expect.

V

15AConsider my interest piqued.

15BHow could you possibly know what I'm looking for?

Manager

15BClouds always knows. Your deepest desire – we find it.

15BYou'll have your needs fulfilled – and maybe much more. "Less" is not a word we use around here.

1AWelcome to Clouds.

1AWhere we know what you're looking for.

1ASo who will it be? Angel or Skye?

1AWell, all the more reason to be excited! There's a first time for everyone at Clouds. It's no reason to dawdle.

1AAll you need to do is jack in. We'll create your personal profile and you'll be good to go.

1APlease, no need for concern. Your doll will talk to you about anything you wish.

1APlease, no need for concern. Your doll will talk to you about anything you wish.

1AJack in, please.

V

1ALookin' for an Evelyn Parker. She work here?

Manager

1AHmm... Give me a moment…

1AEvelyn's not available at this time.

V

1ANeed to see her. It's important.

Manager

1AThe algorithm knows best. Trust me, it will choose a doll that will thrill you.

1AOur dolls can change their hair and eye color in real time to look just as you wish.

1AThis will be a live session, so events may take an unexpected turn. But don't quit if you feel uncomfortable – you could miss out on something truly remarkable.

1AIf you feel unready to handle what comes next, you can interrupt the session immediately.

1ANow for your safeword.

V

1AAll right, let's do this.

V

16AMeaning?

Johnny

16AMeaning you go in as a customer, keep a low profile. They wanna keep their cards close? Fine. We'll play our own game.

V

17AI'd like to book a doll.

Manager

17AI'm sorry, I'm afraid that's not possible. You are flagged in the system as "problematic."

Hey, I don't know anything! I just work here!

A pleasant day to you. The next time you have that urge for Clouds – don't wait!

I'm required to return your weapons... even though I'd rather not.

You may take your weapons.

Now for the payment. And you'll venture into the Clouds.

Jack in, please.