"Would you be willing to go to $2,500 per day if I commit to at least two days?"
I couldn't believe that I was preparing to shell out five grand for a forty-eight hour rendezvous with a total stranger. But I knew that high-end call girls went for even more, and Juliette had infinitely more to offer than a simple hooker.
Bonnie paused for a moment, then nodded.
"I'll have to confirm it with my boss, but I think we can make that work. But remember that you'll be on the clock. Juliette will automatically deactivate after forty-eight hours and we'll deduct an extra $2,500 from your security deposit if you return her late."
"I understand."
"Did you have any other questions or concerns before we process the transaction?"
I stopped to ponder how it would look to my neighbors seeing a naked woman getting out of my car.
"Do you have any clothes she can put on before she leaves your facility? It will look a bit strange walking around with a naked cyborg at my side."
"Yes, of course," Bonnie said. "Our customers like to be discreet when they take our agents out in public. I'll arrange to get Juliette suitably dressed. Shall we place the new charges on your same credit card?"
After processing the payment and filling out a long waiver, Bonnie reentered the consultation room ten minutes later with Juliette. She was wearing a pretty mid-length skirt and blouse with three-inch pumps. Her shirt clung tightly to her large breasts, with her firm nipples producing two sensuous bumps in the thin fabric. Somehow, she looked even more sexy fully dressed, making her seem even more lifelike than before.
"Everything appears to be in order," Bonnie said to me, then she turned to the robot. "Juliette, are you all set for your sleepover adventure with Jade?"
"Absolutely," Juliette said. "I'm excited to show her some of my more entertaining features."
I frowned at the thinly veiled sexual references that Bonnie was making, and for a moment I considered reminding her that harassment takes many forms. But I bit my tongue and smiled at Juliette.
"Right then," I said, extending my hand to her. "Shall we?"
Juliette looked me for a moment, unsure what I meant, then she reached out and clasped my hand gently. Feeling her touch me for the first time sent an electric charge through my body. As soon as her warm fingers wrapped around my hand, my heart began beating rapidly and my palms started to sweat.
"I'll return her in forty-eight hours," I said to Bonnie, turning toward the exit.
"Enjoy!" Bonnie said, with a sly smile.
When we got into the parking lot, I pressed the remote unlock button on my key chain and my car flashed and beeped. Without thinking, I went to the driver's side to open my door, then I noticed Juliette standing awkwardly in front of the passenger door.
"Have you ever ridden in a car before?" I asked.
"This is my first time in wake mode,” she said. “In previous outcalls, I was stowed in my clients' back seat or trunk. I suppose they wanted to conserve all of their available minutes for more active types of engagement."
Poor thing, I thought. It sounds like she's been treated no better than a sex doll by her other customers.
"Well, we certainly won't have any of that with me," I said, walking over to her side of the car. "I'd like you sit up front and keep me company. We're partners now!"
I opened the passenger door and held Juliette's hand as she awkwardly squatted and leaned into the passenger seat, then I closed the door behind her and got in the driver's side. The NextGen office was crosstown from my home, so I tapped my residence address in the navigation system memory and clicked the command to start route guidance. The voice assistant confirmed my destination, then told me to turn right at the nearest side street.
"She sounds a bit like me," Juliette said, cocking her head to the side. "Is she a robot too?"
"She does have a similar lilt to her voice," I said. "I suppose she also has a form of artificial intelligence. But you're far more capable and personable than she is. What do you say we not use that term for you anymore. I prefer to think of you as my...friend."
Juliette turned her head toward me and smiled.
"I like that idea. No one's ever called me that before. My onboard dictionary defines a friend as someone connected to another with feelings of affection. Where are we going, my friend?"
"Home, Juliette," I said. "We're going home."
For the next thirty minutes, I pointed out the interesting landmarks along the way, educating Juliette about the city's unique architecture and civic features. Whenever the voice assistant prompted a change in direction, she turned her head and looked at the console screen with curiosity. When we got to my home, I pressed the remote garage door opener and parked the car in the carport then closed the door behind us. I didn't want any prying neighbors second-guessing who I was taking home this time. I helped Juliette out of the car, then opened the door to my foyer and welcomed her into my house.
"Well, this is it," I said. "This is my home. Would you like me to show you around?"