Realizing that you were standing there with your mouth open, you quickly recompose yourself. " I'm sorry about that ," you say, " I am just not used to meeting a celebrity. It's not something that happens everyday to me. My name is Kelsey. Kelsey Cable." you introduced yourself.
" Don't worry about it Ms. Cable. It happens all the time... especially working here." Hayden replies cryptically with a smile. " So what brings you to FDBSE? "
' Something about this place is off ' you think to yourself as you look around the lobby, ' Its like I should know this place, yet somehow a skyscraper you don't remember was built in the small town you had spent your entire life in.' You know your not dreaming, because you can feel the counter under your hand , and the cool air from the air conditioner. At first you thought you should just run away, but your curiosity gets the better of you. Like ' why is there a movie and television star working the receptionist desk ? '
" I'm really not sure ." You answer truthfully. " I was taking a walk through the town and I saw this beautiful skyscraper that I had never seen before and had to find out what it was.
" That's alright Ms. Cable. We get our best customers through walk-ins. Could I ask why you were walking around ? You don't really seem to be in a hurry. " Hayden asked.
" Bored mostly. I retired six months ago, and my children are both out of the house now. I guess I was looking for something to do. I saw the Henchman Wanted sign out front and it made me laugh. That is a rather unique way to advertise a job opening. " You finish with a chuckle.
" Actually that is exactly what we want. " Hayden said, " We have a special hierarchy here , and all department heads are referred to as Henchmen or Henchwomen . Those below them are minions, and the lowest tier are underlings. We believe it helps our workers understand their places in this company. "
" Really? " you replied. " I was a human resource officer at the factory down the road for twenty years, and they would have said that that was demeaning to the workers. There would have been a riot there if we had introduced a command structure like that." you said.
" Well that company can't do the things we do, and I can guarantee that our workers are happy." Hayden retorted cheerfully, like she knew a secret no one else did. " Did you say you were in human resources? As in someone who locates and acquires talent for a company ? Because we are in serious need of a henchman to perform that job here." She added.
" Yes, but like I said I am retired..." you trail off as you notice a group of people wearing lab coats getting off an elevator behind Hayden. One brown haired woman said something to the group, maybe giving out assignments, causing the group to scatter and the head woman stepping onto another elevator. The group was too far away in the giant lobby of the skyscraper to hear what they were saying , but that wasn't what drew your attention. " Is... is that?" you tried to ask, " Is that Pippa Middleton ?" attempting to draw Haydens attention to the woman non- chalantly.
Hayden half turned and answered after looking at he woman. " Yes. That is Dr. Middleton. She is the head of research and development as well as the top henchwoman here." Turning back to you she adds," She is also the vice president of Freaky Duchess Body Swap Enterprise and a certified genius. The Duchess says the company couldn't exist without her."
You were not only astonished at seeing Pippa Middleton, but you had so many questions come to mind when Hayden said those few sentences. " Miss Panetteire... did you say 'BODY SWAP' ? " you asked.
" Yes I did. How do you think this company could afford to have me as a receptionist any other way?" Hayden asks matter-of-factly. " We run a body swap company... but you were about to tell me that you are retired and not interested in the job opening." she said grinning , daring you to walk away after that bombshell.
Quickly you amend your previous statement. " What I meant to say was I am ready to come out of retirement for the right job."
Hayden winked at you and simply said " Good choice. "
" I do have a few questions though. " you say, waiting for Haydens nod to go ahead. " Do all henchmen or women get a new body?"
" Yes. " she states. " You can pick the method, and your new identity... so long as its not already taken by another henchman. Even then you can do as many mutual trades as you want."
" Great... and the Duchess? " you ask. " Is Pippas sister the owner?"
" She is not Kate Middleton, although it was once her body. They call each other 'Sis' , even though neither one was born in the body they wear. Its hard to understand, but there was a rouge A. I. that gave the Duchess the body of Kate Middleton and not her life. It also made her use the name ' Duchess' or 'the Freaky Duchess ' . You'll figure it out eventually. When you finally meet her all you will think is ' I recognize her from somewhere' but not be able to place where. It was some form of reality alteration." Hayden said.
" Does that mean I have the job?" you ask.
"Yes. It does. " Hayden said happily. " I'm going to give you some literature to read tonight and tomorrow we will place you into your new life. Think about how you want to change, from the options listed , and who you want to become. Come back at 7 am tomorrow and we will perform the procedure. See you then."
You took the book from Hayden and turned to leave, attempting to hold back the excitement over getting to pick a new life for yourself. At home that night you decide to use --------- method to become the new-------.
