Chapter 1. A New Job
Todd turned his work van into the driveway and stopped before the entry gate. He knew this job was in the ritzy part of town, but didn't realize just how ritzy. Before his hand had reached the intercom button, an impetuous female voice squawked out at him. "Finally, you're here! Come right up, Mr. Andrews." The gate proceeded to open, and Todd drove his truck along the long driveway up to the house. On the left were three elaborately woodworked garage doors, with black rivets and expensive detailing. To the right was the front door. He wondered what a house like this cost.
Not that he would ever be able to afford one. Even being only twenty-four, with his whole life ahead of him, working construction wasn't exactly a path to riches. He was happy though. He was working for himself, making a go at it. He started his business when the plague hit. He saw an opportunity, bought a van, and took it. The side of his van was painted with the obnoxiously large lettering "Bigger Doors Now!" with smaller print offering "Same day service! Installed while you wait!" He grabbed his clipboard and headed towards the house.
He rang the doorbell once, then twice. Finally he heard a shuffle as the door popped open abruptly. "Come in, come in!" The striking young woman answering it stood a full head taller than him. She was not the tallest carrier who had ever greeted him at the door, but she was one of the most attractive. She wore jeans and a stretchy tank top which was a bit disheveled, like she'd just thrown it on minutes before. Neither her appearance, or her over-confident smirk surprised him in the least. This was his business, extending the height of doors for those who needed it - those infected with the Biomimetic Plague.
As he stepped inside he met her eyes, framed in gorgeous brunette locks, that is until he passed close to her. At that moment he instinctively looked down, checking out her perfect assets in a moment she couldn't see him doing it. It was kind of like checking out a girl when she wasn't looking, only with a carrier, you could do it when she was right next to you. A slang had developed to describe it, "slancing", as in stealing a glance, usually at the giant chick. He called it a fringe benefit.
He peered around the room. On opposite sides of the foyer, there were two seven foot tall thresholds which looked obviously in need of his services. He walked towards one of them. "Are we doing the whole house then?" He ran his hand up the side of the opening. It was rounded. This was high-end work. Todd guessed this job would be both time-consuming, and lucrative.
"No." She let out a disappointed sigh. "Only these two and the door to my bedroom upstairs." Todd turned around to see her standing by the stair, her hand posted on the banister in a way that seemed a bit too inviting. He was still trying to get a read on whether she owned the house. He'd certainly seen it before. Carriers could earn much more than normals, especially attractive ones, and she was attractive.
"I'll need to see everything, to make a proper estimate." He followed her as she led him up the stairs. If he thought the slancing was good before, following her ass up the stairs was a new kind of treat. Upstairs she passed two doors then stood behind the next one on the right. "This is it then? These three?" She nodded, as he looked over her bedroom threshold. He hated what he was going to have to say next. Clients were always unhappy about it. "This one is going to be a tricky. You see, these ceilings are only eight-foot-five. If I put in an eight-foot door there, the molding will nearly hit the ceiling." Her face was frowning, showing she was already not thrilled. "I recommend going 7'5" instead, which is usually plenty. You're what, six-foot-five?" He always liked to underestimate to compliment them, sort of like underestimating a woman's age.
"Six-eight," she blurted out excitedly. She looked at the door frame. "I guess that would be okay. It'll be pretty tight if I'm wearing heels though. Hmm." Todd could see from her concern it was not her house. Her parents probably wouldn't want it looking funny so she could have a few extra inches of clearance, and she knew it. Carriers were much more uncompromising about their own homes.
Todd reached up and placed his fingers where a 7'5" extension would stop. "Seven-foot-five would be right about there." Rather than merely eyeball it, she stepped up to the spot, trying to judge how much clearance she'd have. In the process, she was standing distractingly close to him. He slanced, checking out the way the side of her boob stretched the tank-top-tight. Then she stepped on her tip-toes, no doubt simulating wearing heels.
"I dunno. I really don't want to duck, like, ever. Do you really think that's enough?" She pivoted on her feet a little, almost like she was posing for him. Todd continued checking her out as she considered the options. Then she turned towards him. It felt like it happened in slow motion, the reveal of her cleavage as if it was sunrise on the horizon. Those gorgeous breasts swung into view inches from his face, and he just stood there, his hand still on the wall, staring down her shirt -- until he finally realized what he was doing.
"Uhhh." He quickly stepped back, cleared his throat, and grabbed for his clipboard. "Yes, miss. Normally seven-foot-five is enough." He was staring down at his clipboard, struggling to stay focused on the details as he wrote up the estimate. "That is what I recommend." He handed her the clipboard, her eyes piercing down into him with a smirk that seemed downright devious.
"Alright." She took the clipboard from him and looked it over. "This is a bit more than I expected. However, you come highly recommended. You're going to do really really good work for me, aren't you?" As she passed the clipboard back, she stepped aggressively towards him. He took a step back, but she quickly flanked and backed him into the wall. "You know how I know that? Because you're an admirer." She leaned in, placing her palms against the wall behind him, bringing her body closer. "You were trying to be careful, but you're still pretty obvious. Maybe if you do a really good job I'll let you admire me some more. Would you like that?"
Todd was stunned and awestruck. This girl was gorgeous, a carrier, and coming onto him. You're damn right he was an admirer. It's half of why he started this little business replacing doors. Maybe all of it. Sometimes the clients were a little flirty with him, and he enjoyed it. However, never anything like this. He didn't even know how to react. He simply nodded his head, not sure which question he was answering. "Mmm.. You're so cute. Maybe I should take you into my room right now and -play-." She licked her tongue across her lips. Todd thought he had died and gone to heaven. Then he heard a door open down the hall.
"Jennifer!" A low deep voice shouted down the hall. "What did I tell you about this kind of behavior?!"
She stayed looming over Todd for a moment, her face turning sour. Then she turned to the man. "But D-aaa-D!?" The tone of her voice whining. Suddenly her behavior revealed she was even younger than he thought, possibly only eighteen or ninteen. "I didn't *do* anything. We were just tal-king!" By this time her father had reached them, she had finally backed away. "I was just looking over the estimate -- negotiating!" She handed him the clipboard. "I'm an adult, and a carrier. This is what carriers do!"
"And how are those carrier jobs coming? Any call backs?" He paused, and she sulked her head. "Jennifer, as long as you're under my roof, you'll behave. Now, go downstairs and get this gentleman some water." She huffed, handing her father the clipboard before storming off like an angry beaten dog.
Her father turned to Todd. "I'm sorry about Jennifer. Ever since the change she thinks asking like a harlot will get her what she wants. I think that's why she hasn't be called back for any of these jobs. I hope she didn't offend you." Todd shook his head, far from offended, and seriously confused. He looked down at the clipboard estimate. "One day she's going to realize she doesn't have to listen to me. No idea what I'll do then. Anyhow, I'm Zed, we spoke on the phone." The man held out his hand for a handshake before handing back the clipboard. "These numbers look fine. If she gives you any more trouble, just tell her you need my opinion on something and come find me."