“The sundress is pretty cute.”



“I’m not too fond of this one, besides it’s not the right weather.”



“We don’t feel the temperature, it’s fine.”



“You’ve already worn it… Why not try something else?”



“Fine… what about this?”



“That’s too me…”



“But they’re your clothes so aren’t they all you?”



“I’m allowed to change my style. So let’s go with something I normally wouldn’t wear.”



“I loved it when you used to wear this.”



“Seriously?”



“Ssh.. you’ll wake Ben up.”



“Why don’t we ask Lauran?”



“I’m pretty sure she’s gone now, so you and I’ll just have to figure something out.”



Ben stirred on the bed half asleep. He could hear voices, well one voice, but it sounded like two different people. In his dreams he could see Lauren and Laura standing in the room talking to each other. The two seemed to be bickering like siblings. Though they finally stopped arguing as the dream faded.



It was almost afternoon by the time Ben woke up. He felt extremely lousy. His eyes were heavy and he had an annoying headache. His neck and back were also still sore from sleeping on the couch, something he never intended to do again. He stretched and opened his eyes to find the room was a mess, at least Lauren’s half of it was.



Lauren’s clothes were scattered on the dresser, with one of the doors still open. It was out of character for Lauren to leave the room in such a state but it wasn’t the first time. He recalled his dream and the voices bickering. Was it a dream he wondered as he got out of the bed and stretched. He went downstairs where he could hear Lauren talking to herself and wondered what was going on.



When he came into the living area he saw Laura/Lauren sitting at the table, waiting for him. She was dressed in a long skirt, a v-cut shirt with the baggy sleeves and one of his jackets Lauren had claimed long ago. It was a weird mix of styles which didn’t really suit her. Then there was the hair. On one side it was loose and hung over her shoulder, while the other side it was tied up into a bun.



“Is everything alright?” Ben looked at the conflicting styles with concern.



“I’m okay…”



“Me too…”



Ben looked at Lauren even more puzzled as she answered twice with different responses.



“Oh that, yeah so funny thing is…”



“The mind seems to be malfunctioning and Laura is now active at the same time as me.”



Ben shook his head and looked at the artificial body sitting in front of him. “So you’re both Laura and Lauren?”



“Yes.”



“Yep.”



Ben was having problems keeping up with the single body speaking for both people. “How do I know which one of you is talking?”



“Surely you’d recognise yourself talking…”



“Actually it’s a little hard, you’re using tones and expressions I would use.”



“Huh…”



“I already have a headache from the way I slept… I don’t need to deepen it.” Ben complained.



“What if we do this?” Laura asked as she turned her head so Ben couldn’t see the bun.



“That helps?” Ben acknowledged.



“Good, also I made you breakfast, I figured you’d be up by now, it’s in the microwave.”



Ben nodded as he went into the kitchen and grabbed out some food before joining Lauren and Laura at the table. He ate slowly as he kept looking up at them.



“Okay I know you have a lot of questions about all this, believe me I do as well. I would report this but I’m not sure what to say and it might put Laura at risk.” Lauren said, turning her head showing the bun. “Is this seriously how we’re going to do this, it’s so annoying.”



“At least we can’t get neck cramps. Also yeah, we both agree that I’m alive which is a huge problem concerning AI laws and regulations.”



“We’ve decided to shelf that for now as I wanted to ask you about how, why and when you used the Doll.”



“I could’ve told her, but I think it’s fair that you tell your side of things for yourself,” Laura reached out to grab Ben’s hand. “Also yeah the head turning is bothersome.”

Ben took a deep breath as he thought about what compelled him to try it in the first place. “The idea of it first crossed my mind on Friday. You said I should experience it then we got to talking about experiencing a body that wasn’t your own.”



“Oh…” Lauren recalled that conversation, did she really encourage this?



“You kind of did but the curiosity was there before that. The truth is we’ve always kind’ve been envious of how women look. Well Ben has anyway,” Laura chimed in.



“What the hell, Laura?” Ben snapped.



“I’m just making sure you’re being honest with Lauren and yourself,” Laura gave Ben an apologetic smile.



“Also isn’t that normal? Guys are always talking about what they’d do if they’d have breasts. Just like women discuss what it’s like to have a dick.” Ben tried to brush it off.



“The curiosity maybe, but the envy, I’m not so sure.”



“I didn’t know you felt that way…” Lauren said as she squeezed Ben’s hand.



“I’m not sure if that’s how I feel, that’s the problem. Also why I wanted to use the Doll, it was a way to see.” Ben admitted



“That’s the thing you shouldn’t have been able to… when did you try?” Lauren asked in a caring tone.



“I was thinking about it all weekend, so when I had Monday off I sat in the chair but nothing happened and I just imagined looking like you, this version of you. I guess that might be when Laura first started to develop.” Ben sighed as he let his guilt and shame out. “At the time it was just a silly what could be, I didn’t think anything would actually happen.”



Lauren sat there not sure what to say while Laura stayed out of it for now. “So when did it happen?” Lauren finally asked.



“Tuesday, I almost didn’t. But Laura was out of the box and you were going to leave the program. I couldn’t focus on work so I just tried it again and I was shocked that it worked. I didn’t even need to say anything, just put the neurolink on.” Ben explained slowly trying to read Lauren’s face for a reaction.



“I left her in standby mode…” Lauren whispered. “I didn’t want to go back so I left her there. It’s only meant to be for short breaks and allow for quick reconnection.” She then paused and looked at Ben with another realization. “Wait, how did you disconnect from Laura? You would’ve needed my ID code to do that.”



Lauren was about to mention that she remembered saying it on Friday. When Ben started talking.



“That was an ordeal, I was working as Laura when I felt the need to use the bathroom. I had no idea how to disconnect. I had a mini panic attack.”



“Yeah you even called us Lauren,” Laura interrupted.



“I don’t recall that.” Ben paused confused before continuing. “Anyway in that moment of panic your code came to me… 299935B”



“Don’t you mean 299935C? That’s the one I’ve been using to wake you up.”



“Wait, what? The company doesn’t use letters in the codes. Except for P.A.s for executives because they are given the same code to get things done… like you two just mentioned…” If Lauren was in her body, her face would’ve gone white.



“The company knows about me?” Laura tilted her head. “But I shouldn’t even exist…”



“Wait, you said Tuesday?” Lauren froze with fear again. “That’s the day I got approached to go to Japan.”



“Oh fuck!” Laura blurted out. “That happened just after Ben became me for the first time… There’s about a ten minute difference between when he became me and when you received the call.”



“So they sent me to Japan to get me out of the way so you could exist?” Lauren was focused on Laura. “If that’s the case and you’re active… oh god I’m in a chair that can keep me asleep…”



“They wouldn’t do that would they?” Laura turned her head. “Lauren? Lauren are you there…?” Laura was in a state of panic. “How am I still awake? Stanley… aren’t you the person who…”



Ben was trying to process what was going on when he watched as Laura/Lauren fell asleep.