William opened his apartment door to see his friend Jake nervously pacing in the hallway.
"Hey man, are you alright?" Will asked.
"I'm physically alright, but I need to ask for a huge favor. The biggest favor imaginable, really." Will ushered Jake into his apartment and offered him a beer. "My girlfriend and I are supposed to fly to see my family tomorrow but she was just offered an interview at the best hospital in town on Tuesday. Her loans are piling up and we really need the money."
"Okay. I'm sorry to hear that but I don't see how I can help," Will responded.
"I know it's a tremendous amount to ask but I need you to take her place during the trip."
"No! Fuck no, dude!"
"Dude, I know. I know. It's a lot, but I really need your help with this! My parent's already bought plane tickets and hotel rooms for us. My father honestly thinks I've been making up Emily for the past few months and he swore he'd write me out of my inheritance if I let him book extra rooms and tickets for no reason."
"I don't care! You know the risk. The idea of having slightly long hair makes me nervous. If you think I'm going to risk ACTUALLY becoming your girlfriend because you're afraid to piss of your parents, you're crazy!"
"Isn't your thing triggered by desire or something. I want someone that physically looks like my girlfriend to get my parents off my back for a week, I don't want someone to take her place. We'll have our own hotel room and everything. You can change back to normal every night, I promise!"
"I still don't care. No part of me wants to spend a minute in Emily's body. Do you understand how many levels of weird that is?"
“Please man. How many times have I helped you keep your sanity? I'm like your sidekick. It's not like I'm asking you to spend a week in someone's basement. We're going to a resort town with nice restaurants, free drinks and hot chicks. Hell, I'll even pay for your rent this month!"
"What am I supposed to do around hot chicks while in Emily's body?"
Will was annoyed at Jake but the idea of having a real vacation was enticing. Fancy hotels and resorts sounded interesting but Will convinced himself that he could never visit one. Loose people scared him. Having unchecked desires and a lot of alcohol flying around Will was a recipe for disaster. Still, Jake did make a point about only wanting someone to look like Emily. So long as that stayed true, Jake's desperation may be enough to keep Will in a stable form long enough to actually enjoy himself. The fact that his apartment had almost no food in it also helped.
"A months rent... you promise?" Will asked reluctantly.
"For sure, man!"
"I can be myself every night?"
"Without a doubt!"
"Shit... fine." Will walked to his fridge and pulled out a beer. He already regretted his decision.
"Dude, you won't regret this. I promise! I'll be here at eight a.m. to pick you up."
