Chapter Fifty-Five - Dancing to the Music

Chapter Fifty-Five - Dancing to the Music

Chapter Fifty-Five - Dancing to the Music

Aint no bitch like a corpo bitch.

--Common corporate idiom, origin dates back to early 2020s

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I had to thank Burringham later. He found a pianist, some older guy with greying hair and a nice suit who sat behind the grand piano on the stage and started to play this nice, slow piece. The sound echoed across the hall, brilliant, upbeat notes that sounded happy.

Lucy loved it.

She was grinning ear to ear as I held her close and guided her around in little circles. We didnt know how to dance, and neither of us gave a shit.

I raised an arm above Lucys head and she spun around before I pulled her in again. The pianist somehow managed to change the timing on the fly, so that it looked like we were dancing in sync with the music.

I didnt know what Burringham was paying the guy, but it wasnt enough.Updated chapters at novelhall.com

For all that the dancing was fun, it didnt last all that long. After five minutes, Lucy was huffing and puffing, face reddening around her cheeks, and our dance turned less energetic as she collapsed against my chest and I held her close so she could catch her breath.

That was nice, she said. But, ah, I think I need a minute to breathe, and a drink.

I chuckled. We can dance more whenever you feel like it, you know. Big fancy gala or no.

Lucy grinned up at me. I wish you werent wearing that helmet, you deserve a kiss for that.

I think I deserve a lot of kisses, I said.

Lucy laughed and pulled back. The pianist seamlessly moved into a piece that sounded a little more neutral, like expensive elevator music, and I found myself being tugged along towards a table next to some large vases that had punch bowls and bottles of wine and a man in a butlers outfit pouring cups for people.

I realized then that I couldnt really eat without taking my helmet off, which was going to be a problem later. For now, it was enough that Lucy could grab a cup of some fruity looking punch with ice in it that the butler poured for her.

Okay, so, what kind of political bullshittery are we going to do here today? Lucy asked.

I quirked an eyebrow at that, realized she couldnt see the skepticism on my face, then spoke to Myalis. Think we can get one of those breakdowns like Lucy wants? Most influential dirtbags list. Maybe a hot and cold meter, but for importance?

Im certain I can accommodate. Though you really should consider investing in a Social Warfare catalogue if you want this kind of thing to work better. All I can do now is simulate a limited and less accurate version of what the software in those catalogues could manage.

Im sure youll do great, I told her. I didnt exactly feel like investing points into something like that, not right then and there. Though I bet it was all sorts of fucked up at higher tiers. If a weapons catalogue went from pew-pew handguns to planet fucker, then I figured a social program went from learn to be less awkward to mind-fuck the population.

I followed Lucy as she guided me over to a small group to one side. Myalis gave me names, as well as their careers. We had a bunch of C-something-Os, all of them women in nice dresses, though none were quite as nice as Lucy.

One of them, a supervisory board member (whatever the fuck that meant) from Sunrise Weapons turned our way and smiled. Hello, she said. When Burringham boasted that wed have a real live samurai at the gala, I thought he was full of himself, I didnt expect there to actually be two. Its a pleasure to meet you. Im Sarah. She extended a hand right past Lucy and to me.

This is Sarah Mauve, shes the CHRO for a political lobbying company. Shes an expert in public perception manipulation for fringe clients. At least, thats what Ive read off of her bio.

Lucy grabbed her hand and shook. I had the impression she wasnt gripping Sarahs perfectly manicured hand lightly, either. Hi Sarah. Im Lucy. This is Cat.

Hello, I said. I couldn't--and didnt bother--disguising the humour in my voice. Sorry to butt in, we were just a bit bored.

Figured we might as well make some more friends while we were here, Lucy added. These kinds of things are more fun when you know people, right?

Of course, Sarah said, her artificial smile never wavering. My augs suggested that a good chunk of her face was as artificial as the smile. She gestured to the other women one by one, introducing them as she went. I forgot the names nearly instantly. At least I had Myalis little notes over their faces to help me pretend that I was paying attention.

When Sarah was done presenting everyone, Lucy started to dig into her. I think that Sarah had placed herself as the top of the pack, and that meant that she was the biggest bitch here, at least as far as Lucy was concerned.

I love your dress Sarah, Lucy said while reaching over to pinch some of the fabric of one of Sarahs sleeves. They were made of some thicker, shiny material. Is this plastic? I like it, it matches the plastic of your skin.

Thank you, Sarah said. I like your necklace, very thrifty.

You like it? I asked. I just got it for her today. Its worth more than this building. That was probably a lie, but Sarah was a bitch, so I didnt really care.

Lucy touched the necklace with the tips of her fingers, then shrugged. I find it pretty, she said. Anyway, is everyone here representing a different company tonight?

That seemed more familiar ground to the others, who were eager to drop whatever Sarah was on in order to shill their company, especially when Lucy started asking them what those companies did and seemed genuinely curious to hear them all speak.

Lucy could be scary sometimes. It was kind of hot.

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