"Steve Vanderhoeff, admissions officer and assistant student advisor, Fort Worth Institute of Business and Technology." introduced a short blonde man with a neat goatee. "Jonathan Madison, I presume?"
"Yes sir. I understand I've been accepted for the summer session," replied Jon. He had been working hard in the week since he moved into town, trying to get his life moving.
"Yes, you have. Given these troubled times I understand your situation completely. For someone of your intelligence, the GED exam might seem like a tedious formality, but your enrollment in our robotics program is contingent on your having a diploma. We are offering the GED here in two weeks." Mr. Vanderhoeff handed Jon a registration form.
"Thank you," said Jon.
"I also have someone waiting outside interested in speaking to you about a possible apprenticeship," said Vanderhoeff, opening the office door and waving someone in. "I understand she intends to take you for a ride to her shop. I suppose I will see you in two weeks. Good day, Mr. Madison."
Jon wondered if he would ever get used to the fact that every synthetic woman he met seemed to be extraordinarily beautiful. The visitor was slightly taller than Jon, with shoulder-length black hair, pale blue eyes, and a kind of graceful slender physique.
"Dr. Emily Blunt, owner of Blunt Reincarnations," she introduced, handing Jon a business card. "I've read your application and understand you are interested in pursuing a career in robotics. My shop is not far from where I believe you are currently staying. I'm afraid that the building is, at this moment, currently in the finishing stages of construction and we won't be officially open for another month, but I would be happy to show you what there is to see."
"Please, lead the way," replied Jon.
During the ride over to the shop, Dr. Blunt avoided business talk. Having discovered that Jon was new in town, the doctor was pointing out all the good restaurants and landmarks on the way.
"Even since I went synthetic I've never lost the taste for a good burrito. You really need to try one of those. Anyway, here we are," said Dr. Blunt.
The lobby was impressive. To one side there was a traditional-looking reception desk and a waiting area, but to the other side it looked like there was a snack bar, with nooks along the back with couches and various game tables.
The doctor began her tour. "There is an emerging trend, that robotics shops are becoming a kind of social nexus for synthetics. I aim to make my shop an actual hangout."
"Sounds like a good move," Jon agreed.
"Back here is where the actual work will happen," said the doctor leading Jon down a corridor past several empty rooms. "I know, it's a little bare, most of the equipment hasn't arrived yet. The stock room is here."
Jon entered a large room with massive shelves clearly designed to hold a number of coffin-sized cases, although there was only one such case actually there, the rest of the shelves being empty.
"There's something I had better tell you, Jon. It's become common at many shops like this for the staff to act as-- display models, and I don't intend for my shop to be any different in that regard," explained the doctor. "I'm willing to take you on as an apprentice but only on one condition."
"You want me to undergo the procedure?" guessed Jon.
"Yes, more specifically, to download your personality into this body." Dr. Blunt tapped the side of the case on the bottom shelf. "It's a matter of expense, more than anything. I'll be getting a shipment of several new models but I can't quite financially justify just giving one of those to you. This one is two years old but in excellent condition, fully refurbished."
"May have a look at it?" Jon asked.
"Of course."
