"Well, Sarah, have you considered our proposal?"
Mr. Fleischer smiled, clearly confident of victory, while Lawyer Guy opened his briefcase.
"I have."
Mr. Fleischer nodded toward her new body. "Once you sign the document, we'll sign over permanent ownership of your new body to you. You'll hardly know anything is different."
"It is a very close match, sir."
"Very good. You've made a wise choice, Sarah."
Lawyer Guy pulled the sheaf of papers from his briefcase, but before he could pass them across to her, Sarah held up a hand. "Sir, I have one condition." Mr. Fleischer's smile faded a little. "Before I sign, I want to meet the renter in person."
"Sarah, you know our policy."
"I know, sir, but I need to look her in the eye and know she'll take good care of it." She paused and looked down at her hands before adding in a soft voice, "I want a moment to say good-bye."
She looked up and met Mr. Fleischer's gaze, forcing innocent honesty into her own.
"You're just making it harder on yourself."
"It's a reasonable request. I'm a sentimental girl. Please."
Mr. Fleischer waved a hand dismissively. "Fine." Then he leaned forward, "But no second thoughts. No hysterics."
"Of course not. I just want a few minutes alone with her, with my old body."
"Ten minutes."
"That should be enough."
To Lawyer Guy he said, "Set it up. I want this wrapped up by tomorrow."
"Sir, can I ask how you found someone who looked so much like me in so short a time who was willing to sign over permanent corporal possession to me?"
"That is not your concern."
"She has agreed to sign the body over to me, right?"
"Of course," Mr. Fleischer lied with a straight face. "All the documents will be in order."
Sarah had no doubt they would be.
Mr. Fleischer reached for his phone. "Now that this is settled, if you'll excuse me."
Sarah rose and managed to not sprint for the door.
YOU ARE READING
Saving Face
FantasyThere's no place like home. For Sarah, home is the body she grew up in, and she's gone far too often. In a near future where the renting of human bodies is possible, Sarah is a top model. She spends most of her time shuffling between temporary bod...
