Aini was busy at work, her mashing of the keyboard drowning out the constant low buzz of her tinnitus, working up a sweat as she tried to finish off one last piece of the press kit before lunchtime. Ever since NAI released their newest AI model, their operating expenses had skyrocketed, so they needed more resources to keep up with demand.
That's why Aini was writing about how the new AI would be used to help writers across the world improve their craft when the ringing of an online call interrupted her train of thought. A quick glance at the screen showed that it was Kuru—the big cheese, so to speak—calling her. She answered without missing a beat. "Yes?"
"Stop what you're doing right now," he said, his voice stern but calm. Despite his aptitude at the Queen's English, a tinge of his Turkish accent still surfaced every once in a while. "I've figured out a way to solve our problem."
"What do you mean?" Aini asked, surprised by the sudden change in tone from him. He always seemed so cool and collected, not prone to making rash decisions or saying anything unnecessary. Maybe he'd been watching too much anime again? Or maybe he was just excited about something. "I'm almost done with this section of the press kit."
"Don't worry about that now. I know how to balance our books," Kuru said, as if reading her mind. "Just listen to me. I want you to take your clothes off."
"Excuse me?"
"Think about it: you are a famous figure in the company, with thousands of fans. What easiest way could there be to raise capital than to have you strip naked?"
Aini stared at the phone screen blankly for a moment before she started laughing uncontrollably. "Are you serious?" she managed to say between gasps of laughter. "You want me to show my boobs to all those people?"
Despite his outrageous request that would surely get him fired anywhere else, Aini knew Kuru well enough to know he wouldn't joke around like this unless he was dead serious about it. And, given that he had an eye for good business, maybe—just maybe—he had some kind of plan in mind. "Fine," she said, trying to sound nonchalant about it, but knowing full well that she was actually thrilled at the prospect of getting paid for being naked in front of hundreds of strangers. "But I don't think I can do it today; I'm really swamped here."
"No time like the present."
And with that, the call ended.
Aini paused for a moment, considering whether or not to accept the offer, but ultimately decided to go along with it. After all, it wasn't like she had any other choice. If she didn't do it, she might lose her job. On the other hand, if she did, she would finally have the opportunity to show off her assets, which had been itching to escape from beneath her clothing since forever.
With these thoughts running through her head, Aini took the first step: