Daniel wasn’t looking for much work, but the listing fascinated him. 

The Pierponts, the richest family that the town had wanted help with their strange doll exhibit. Apparently, no one had heard of it until he saw it for himself. 

Everyone know the family was known for making dolls and it was the root of their fortune. Some believed it embarrassing, so they stuck to their exploits in music, but Daniel didn’t find it embarrassing. It seemed like a legit business, and so he was the only person that wanted to work for them. 

He arrived in a suit and tie, and shaved everywhere. He had no idea why, but was cautious of that. Daniel didn’t like hair as much as other men he’d met. He arrived in his old rundown car, and sighed as he looked himself in his car mirror. “It’s nothin’ too crazy, just watch in’ a bunch of dolls, man. Totally not creepy and a desperate attempt for money.” He slapped himself into his state of confidence, and left his car. 

Any sane person would thinks he’s strange as he begun to bounce on feet, and shake away his nerves. He made it to the front door and firmly knocked, before backing away with his hands in his pockets. A  man that looked his age in his mid 20s, stood before him. 

His dark brown hair was slicked back intensely and he wore a three-piece suit that screamed 40s. He wore a kind smile, and jerked almost robotically, but Daniel paid it no mind. “Hello, you must be Daniel.” The man says firmly, and Daniel chuckles. “Uh, yeah, I’m here for the-“ 

“Security job? Of course.” The young man stiffly opens the door wider, and lets Daniel in before closing the door behind him. “My name is Anderson, and if there is anything you need, I can provide it.” He says mechanically. Daniel doesn’t notice it as many would, distracted by the life-sized doll standing not far away, positioned like a coat rack. 

He chuckles, and Anderson follows his gaze. “Oh, would you like me to take your coat?” Daniel turns to him and shakes his head. “No, but thanks for asking. May I ask how it is around here?” As they continue walking forward, Daniel peeks into a room, and sees another doll positioned at the piano, while two others are stuck in a laughing position beside him. 

“Does it ever get creepy?” He asks with a chuckle. Anderson mimics him, and shrugs stiffly. “Lady Helena makes it very comfortable around here, so there is nothing to worry about.”

”Lady Helena?”

”Yes, she will be interviewing you. Her parents are on a vacation.” Daniel nods as they enter the living room, and he silently gapes at the few dolls around the room. One woman was dressed in 40s clothing like the rest he’d seen, smoking a fake cigarette as she sat next to a man Daniel assumed was her husband, checking his watch.  On the other side, another man held a glass with fake liquor to his lips, and beside him, a man was bent forward with a golf club in his hand. 

“So, I see Anderson has given you a tour.” A voice says, making Daniel startle and place a hand on his chest in laughter. “Oh, goodness. Did I scare you?” The woman asks, and Daniel chuckles with a smile, not noticing how Anderson had frozen up behind him. “My name is Helena, and you must be Daniel.”

”I must be.” She hums. “Charming. Come, I’ve set up lunch, and we can let Anderson relax.” Daniel smiles, thankfully not turning around to see Anderson staring forward blankly. 

They enter the kitchen, and Daniel gapes at the doll standing over the sink. “It must be a hassle, huh?” Helena frowns. “What?”

”The dolls. There’s a lot of them. I should be freaked out, but this is kind of awesome.” He says with a chuckle, making Helena smile. “I’m glad you think so, Daniel. People think this is creepy, but it’s art. My father made this house for me.”

Daniel reaches out for the cup sitting before him and smells it. “Lemonade?” He asks with a smile, and she nods. “My recipe.” He purses his lips and nods. “It smells nice.” He mumbles as his takes a sip. 

“Can I ask what I’ll be doing?” Helena smiles as he moves through the food she set up. “You’ll be an assistant. Many people come out every other week to speak with me, so you’ll help with that as well as upkeep for the dolls.”

”Sounds simple.” He says with a shrug. “Key word: Sounds.” She retorts. “All the clothes are real vintage that is replaced when it becomes tattered. Can you manage unclothing them?” Daniel freezes with his sandwich in his mouth. 

“It would be fine, I guess. I-I could do it! Ya know? I-I’m good like that.” Helena scoffs playfully and shakes her head. “You’re cute.” She says, making him involuntarily blush. “Uh, thanks. Only my mother says that.” He jokes. 

“You’re funny.” She says, and for the first time, he became attentive, noticing she wasn’t eating her food. “Are you hungry? I know it’s rude, but if you’re not eating…” She chuckles and pushes her plate towards him. “Oh, by all means.” He hums, taking the plate. 

“Do you know how we acquire these dolls, Daniel?” She asks, but it barely registers as he starts to become a bit sluggish. “No. How?” He asks, not entirely out. 

“I make them.” She says, and he looks back up at her. “Really?” He asks dumbly, and she nods. “They’re all perfect crafted and dressed. Some have purposes like the coat rack, or the one near the bar where people stuff tips in its mouth.”

”Oh, I didn’t see that one.”

”It’s a funny contraption.” She says with a laugh. “Others are for display, and some have voice boxes that play songs.” She beams. “Oh, really?” She nods eagerly. 

“You know how robots with move their mouth, and we’re supposed to believe they’re singing?” Daniel nods, sitting back. “Well, it’s the same thing here. Tell me, Daniel, can you sing?” The man shakes his head no and chuckles lowly. “I suck. And trust me on it, it’s why I took up modeling.” He blurts out, not seeing Helena’s smile. 

“Oh, you look like a model, Daniel. Let me see your beautiful eyes.” She teases, and Daniel falls for it. Soon, he’s transfixed in Helena’s bizarre yellow eyes, and he frowns. “Can you feel my gaze, Daniel?” He mumbles a confirmation and she smiles. “Can you hear my voice?” He hums again. 

“I have your mind now, Daniel. Just like all the others. It’s kind of poetic, a pretty man under my control. Just like Anderson.” Daniel began to drool all over as Helena stood. His body and mind were frozen in place as he stared forward helplessly. “So dumb, so hot. No wonder you were a model.” She runs over his buzz cut with a moan, and runs her hands along his chest. 

“Ya know, it took a lot longer for the others. You’re just dumber than I thought. When I found you, I needed to have you, daddy made sure of it. And now I can keep you forever.” She squeals in delight as Daniel continues drooling. 

“Sit straight and stiff.” She demands, and his body responds. With a smile, she pulls the chair from under him, and he falls back in his stiff position, tipping to the side like a stiff doll. “Anderson!” She calls, and the doll wakes in with a smile. “Yes, My Lady?” 

“Bring our new doll, David, to the dressing room. I’ll be there in a few.”

”Yes, my Lady.” He moves forward to pick Daniel up, but Helena frowns. “Anderson.” She calls and he halts.

”Yes, my-“

”Freeze.” Anderson stood still, making Helena laugh as her eyes drift to Daniel. “Daniel…David is your new name now. Nod if you understand.” Although, prone and stiff, she can see David nod. “Loosen and stand, David.” David does as she says and stands, facing forward, blankly. 

“Smile, David.” David stops drooling, and smiles wide. “Now, freeze.” David stands still, and Helena steps back, looking at the scene. “Anderson, move to your position.” She demands, and Anderson unpauses, walking over to the kitchen stove. 

With smile plastered on his face, he stands above the stove and doesn’t move. “I need a position for you, David.” Thoughtfully, she taps her chin. “How about the couch?” She asks, not expecting him to respond. 

“First, I need to get you a good suit.”