Sally was a disgruntled maid for hire. She was a professional and did her job without fussing but she wasn’t happy that this was her career. Cleaning up and dusting and sweeping for rich assholes who had it better off than her. She was currently working on the home of a “Mx. Cassandra Springwood” a CEO of a big tech company. Her house was already 10x bigger than her home and Sally was exhausted from dusting about half of it. She couldn’t wait to get home so she could stop feeling so insecure.

She hated how inadequate she felt just standing here. Every piece of furniture and art decorating it felt like a taunt to her personally and how pitiful she had it. Still, at least the music playing on the surround sound setup was pleasant and kept her a bit focused. She came across a room with a big “DO NOT ENTER” sign on it but it was open ajar slightly. Sally shrugged and figured that they left it open on purpose so she could dust. Private closets need to look clean too or whatever. Maybe she was just curious about what was inside.

Sally entered the secret room and found an elaborate walk-in closet. “Oh boy, they really need three of these?” She thought to herself, although something caught her eye. In the middle of the closet was a pedestal with a strange collar sitting on it. It was a bit shiny like it was made of metal. It had some blinking lights near the ring on the front and the inside was lined with some gold circuitry. It looked like some weird cyber goth raver accessory, Sally didn’t think that was Cassandra’s taste.

Still, it looked stylish in its own way. Sally got a sudden and playful urge to put it on, just to feel like she was fashionable enough to pull it off for a second. She clicked the little device onto her neck and posed in front of a nearby mirror. She didn’t think the odd collar would go with her dorky maid outfit but it kinda added something exciting to her look. Suddenly the blue blinking light on the collar turned red and she heard a noticeable clicking noise. Her smug expression quickly turned to panic.

“TEST SUBJECT SECURED” a robotic voice coming from the collar spoke, “RESISTANCE DETECTED DEPLOYING PACIFICATION”. Sally started to panic more upon hearing the creepy robot voice but suddenly she started hearing music from the speakers on her neck. It was similar to the songs on the house stereo but… stronger. Her grip on the collar loosened as she listened more closely. Her focus on the melody became her singular as her arms fell to her side and she stood at attention and stared blankly into her own reflection.

“PACIFICATION COMPLETE TEST SUBJECT S-94400 WAIT FOR ADMINISTRATOR”. Sally should have been scared. She should have been concerned about how she couldn’t move or how staged this all was. But she knew it was more important to stay still and wait for the administrator. She must have waited for hours just gazing upon herself. Not a thought went through her head, only the calming music. If she listened closely she could hear a faint voice reinforcing ideas that she was in fact an obedient test subject and property of the administrator.

Eventually, she heard the approach of high heels cut through the music. She didn’t turn her head because she didn’t want to be disobedient but she could see Mx. Springwood in the reflection. The alluring CEO walked inbetween Sally and the mirror to admire her catch. “Hmm this was a successful test so far.” Cassandra observed, “The subtle pre-conditioning has made this one a lot more malleable than the others at the lab. Let’s see how it operates. Subject S-94400, please register me as your administrator!”

“Registered administrator.” S-94400 confirmed in a soft monotone. “Wonderful,” Casandra said with delight, “I must say this is so much a better look for you. No more envious sulking on that pretty face of yours, just blank and docile… and the maid uniform is cute too.”

“Thank you administrator.” S-94400 automatically replied, a small sense of pride budding underneath its compliant programming. “Well no sense delaying you anymore.” Cassandra commented, “Finish up Sally’s duties, then report to my bedroom for a more thorough examination.” S-94400 confirmed its orders and left the room to complete them. It felt a small tinge of excitement working for the administrator. Where Sally once felt jealousy and fatigue looking upon Cassandra’s luxuries S-94400 felt pride and satisfaction to count itself among them.