It's a Man's World (Part C)

TransBiotics will likely be featured in a longer form of caption or story at some point in the future.

Part A: fav.me/de4b6vf
Part B: fav.me/de4b72q

The Director shrugged. “There aren’t any open seats on the board.”

Bethany laughed. “This is TransBiotics. You can remove someone and I’ll take their spot. Braxton’s a useless fool. The company won’t suffer from his loss, and I’m sure you’ll find a position for her somewhere in the company once you’re done with her. In fact, as proof of concept, we can apply my technique to the new girl, and once they’re ready, you can find a position for both of them.”

The Director leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled before him. “Suppose I’m inclined to agree. I have a few questions and a few conditions.”

Bethany leaned over the table, resting her chin in her hands. “Ask away.”

“Condition 1: We acquire the patent on this process. We can explain it away as a pharmaceutical research patent, like we always do.”

“Agreed.”

“Condition 2: We acquire your test subject…s. They’re going to need a full psychological workover in order to ensure none of this leaks.”

Bethany thought for a moment. “Amendment: Should their psychological conditioning begin to break down, you can take them. Otherwise, I want to keep them just as they are.”

“Why?” The Director asked. “They’re no better off than any of your other subjects – it’s all drugs and hypnotic conditioning. Whichever one of them was the original? He’s still in there, and he knows what he’s going through.”

Bethany smiled. “Exactly the point. This is a man’s world, after all, and I like the idea of a man having to go through what we women go through every day. The degradation, the objectification, the lack of respect – it’s why I took this job in the first place. It’s why I keep them as my housemaids and love pets. And it’s why I don’t intend to hand them over unless it proves an absolute necessity.”

The Director stared impassively, silent for a moment before speaking. “Amendment agreed to.”

Bethany stood, slowly walking to the Director before shaking his hand. “Glad to be back.”

The Director shook back. “Glad to have you. We’ll discuss the particulars of everything on Monday, once you’re back at work and a board seat becomes… available.” Bethany turned to leave before she heard the Director clear his throat. “One last question,” he said, “for my own personal curiosity.” He held up a photo of both girls, arms wrapped around each other, whispering to each other in a secret communication. “Which one of them is real? Is the original?”

Bethany smiled. “It’s cell division. From the blood to bone, they’re both real. Brain matter, memory engrams, nerves and neurons, down to the smallest strand of DNA, the two of them are identical in every way. Neither is the ‘original’, because in a very real sense, they both are.”

The Director nodded slowly. “I’m looking forward to seeing your research in action.”

Bethany smiled again, remembering how Braxton had ogled her tits on her way out the door, all those years ago. “I’m looking forward to demonstrating it.”