It was late in the evening, and Simon was doing his third take trying to record a video message to his family. None of them felt right, so he decided to try a very different approach. He pushed the record button, and sat back on the small toy couch Miyoko had found for his makeshift home.
"Gloria. Today is my first day at Minivatech. As you know, the company involves government contracts and very hazardous working environments. There is a remote possibility that I will be sent away or even killed while working on the job here. They say I'm supposed to make this video saying goodbye, you know just-in-case. I doubt this will ever happen to me, but you know, it never hurts to be careful. Anyhow, if you do ever see this video, it's because, well, something happened." Simon felt the pain sear up, and held himself from crying.
"I guess in that case I'd want to say I love you, and I love the kids. Minivatech will take good care of you financially, which is something at least. Well, let's hope this never happens. Goodbye, Gloria." He stood and reached for the camera, switching it off only moments before the tears forced their way out of his eyes.
He sat back on the couch, breathing deeply to avoid letting the involuntarily sobs escalate. A moment later, he noticed some faint unfamiliar sounds. He sat quiet, listening, until he realized there was talking outside his cabinet. Miyoko was seldom in the office this late, and bid him farewell hours ago. Simon racked his brain, wondering who could be outside. The woman's voice became louder and louder, until finally he could make out what was being said.
"Totally. Totally. You should dump that jerk. He doesn't deserve you." Simon heard the sound of drawers being opened and closed. Like she was looking for something. "Seriously babe, you have no idea how much he could be lying to you. Ohh, this is nice." She sounded startled. "Nothing. I'm just snooping around random offices. I found a music player in one of the drawers."
Suddenly the doors to Simon's cabinet opened, gripping him with fear. He immediately jumped for cover behind one of the M-Rack machines. "Weird. What the hell are these things." His heart was beating fast as he peered out to get a look. His drawer was dim, but well lit enough to make out a hand reaching in, grabbing one of the M-Rack machines he had been working on. Simon was thankful to be hiding near the back.
"Wow, this is one of those miniature machines the division sells for millions. I can't believe it's just sitting around." Simon watched her turn the M-Rack in her hand as she inspected it. Behind the machine he could see contours of a dark colored tank top with some lettering or pattern on it. It was too dim to make out any details. "No, of course I'm not going to take it. A music player is one thing, this is something they would definitely miss." She set the machine down onto the shelf more abruptly than she had picked it up, the bang and vibration startling Simon. When he looked back, he was shocked to see light reflecting off the woman's eyes as she peered deeper into the cabinet. He ducked back quickly, startled, and nearly fell over.
"Wow, this is weird," she pondered, her voice echoing in the cabinet. Simon was terrified. Had she seen him? He kept still, his back to the machine. To his left her huge fingers appeared inches from him, headed towards the back of the shelf. Watching her huge wrist pass him was terrifying. He realized if she grasped for the machine he was up against, he'd probably be crushed before she knew what she was doing. A moment later he watched her abduct his couch.
"There is a dollhouse couch in a random cabinet at work. Ohh, and it looks like.." Without warning, the machine he was up against began to slide sideways! Simon's heart leaped into his throat as he moved with it, trying to stay out of sight. "..there is a whole little play setup back here. There's a miniature camera, some clothes. It's like someone is playing dollhouse at work. This is some weird shit." Simon was terrified she was going to investigate further. He needed to hide, and decided he'd be safer *inside* the M-Rack. He wondered if he could make it around and into the door without being seen. Before he could move, his visitor closed the cabinet and disappeared, her voice trailing off.
-----
"Rise and Shine!" Light streamed through the cabinet as Miyoko woke him. He was still groggy, having hardly slept after the terrifying surprise visitor. He had slept inside one of the M-Rack machines, figuring it would be safer if she came back while he was asleep. "Wow, what happened here? Ohh no, Simon? Are you in there?"
He had been leisurely waking up, when her urgency caused him to call out. "Yes yes. I'm fine, sorta." He hurried out into the open, Miyoko's face showing a smile of relief as soon she saw him. "I had an unexpected visitor last night. She rummaged around the shelf, I had to hide and sleep in here." He placed his hand on the machine next to him. "I admit it was pretty terrifying, but she didn't see me. She took my couch, I think she also stole a music player from somewhere in your office."
"I'm glad to see you're alright." There was a look of genuine concern in her eyes. Possibly the first he'd ever seen. "We might have to rethink your accommodations. Nosy cleaning people." Simon felt relieved she was taking this seriously. Just then, she started to joke with him. "She might, you know, sick her deadly feather duster on you." She let out a visible laugh as Simon's face showed distaste. "Ohh, don't worry. I'm just poking fun. I can't let my golden little helper get hurt. I'll work something out." She looked somewhere outside, and a moment later her huge hand returned his couch to him. "Here you go. If you're okay, I have a busy day." As soon as he nodded, she stood up, disappearing as the cabinet door swung closed.
------
Simon was in a grassy field, picnicking with his wife, his children running through the flowers. Suddenly he heard a female voice echo all around him, "Si-mon. Ohh, Si-mon." Her tone was pleasant and lyrical, but the way it pervaded all the air around him was terrifying. Then he felt the earth shake. He felt himself falling over even as he woke from the dream and sat up on his couch. Miyoko's finger poked it again, shaking the couch and him with it. "Si-mon, wake uu-p," watching her giant finger, hand, and arm recede, he met her eyes staring back at him. "You didn't sleep all day, did you?"
"No, I, um." Simon stumbled to his feet, barely aware of what hour it was, or how long he had been sleeping. All day? Was it evening? "I uhh, I guess I, didn't sleep much last night." He looked for his miniaturized clock, and realized he wasn't in his cabinet. He was in a small box, and Miyoko was looking down at him from above. He looked back at her with surprise, still waking up. "Where am I?"
"You didn't want another repeat of last night did you? You're at my house." Both of her hands reached into the box, huge fingers corralling him back onto the couch as they slid under it. "I have a surprise for you." He could barely see through the cage of her fingers as she lifted him up and out of the shoebox. When her hands retreated, he looked around and saw what looked like a horribly decorated toy room. "It's your new home! It's a 1/9th scale dollhouse, complete with running water."
Simon looked around again, this time making more sense of his surroundings. He appeared to be in a living room. The kitchen was through a doorway to his left, and a stairway led up to a second floor. Both rooms seemed to be oddly sliced in half. Through the open wall, he saw she was swinging the entire other half of the house closed. It swung on a hinge, closing a gap until pieces of the floor met and the room was suddenly twice as big. Miyoko was now only visible through the windows on the far side of the room. One her giant eyes suddenly appeared in one of them. "I admit, I thought you'd be more excited, Simon."
"Ohh I am. Just, wow. It's a lot to take in." He was also in shock. He jumped to his feet, rushing to the kitchen to turn the tiny handle and see a trickle of water come out. He turned to see her eye following to the kitchen window to watch. "Running water, that's a really nice improvement."
"I'm glad you like it. There are some clothes in the closet upstairs, and some books and magazines lying in one of the rooms. Feel free to explore. Excuse me for a moment, I need to change for the evening." She moved outside, and a moment later a huge white piece of fabric fell over the house, blocking all the windows. He headed back through the living room, up the stairs, and into a room down the hall to find a real bed. He pressed into it. It wasn't exactly a full size spring mattress, but still, it was flat soft surface and would help his sleep immeasurably. The toyish end-tables were affixed to the floor, yet helped make the room feel whole. He laid down on the bed, looked up at the ceiling, and felt normal for the first few minutes in a long time.
Simon heard a rushing sound, and the white sheet whipped away from the windows. Looking out, he caught glimpses of red satin fabric, before the entire roof of his bedroom lifted open, Miyoko peering in from above. "At home already I see. If you're hungry, I have some dinner for you. I couldn't figure out how to get a working refrigerator into your house, so it's out in the kitchen."
"Please, I'm starving." He couldn't remember the last time he ate, and decided he probably slept through lunch. He rolled off the bed, stood up, and looked around puzzled, trying to decide how he should exit the house. Before he could see any obvious answer, her hand reached in through the bedroom ceiling, fingers gently grasping him from above, pressing into his chest, back and arms, and lifting him out. A moment later she set him in her palm, grasping him as she walked.
Facing her, he finally got a decent look at her evening outfit. It was a sexy silk red dress that left little to the imagination. Gentle folds of fabric followed the contour of her body, showing off every single curve. He appreciated being able to admire her, and felt it was cut all too short when she set him down on a table. Kitchen counters and appliances were close by, and from what Simon could tell, she lived in an apartment not a house.
"We have something important to talk about." She began as she headed to the counter. Her hands moved as she spoke. "Our cover story with your family is quickly running out. I saw the farewell video you recorded." At the point she turned, carrying a small plate, curiously filled with toy furniture. From afar Simon felt he got an even better look at her stunning outfit and figure, and felt a bit uncomfortable at his feelings of attraction to her. When she reached the table, he could see the plate contained a tiny chair, tiny table, and a tiny dinner setting. She gently transferred each of them to the surface in front of him, and gestured for him to sit.
She waited patiently for him to take a bite before continuing. It was steak, and it was quite good, if very lukewarm. "I know it's a big step, but I think it's time to send it to them, Simon." He didn't know what to say, he just took another ravenous bite of his dinner. Miyoko didn't push it, she let him continue, drifting back to the kitchen, retrieving some candles from a cabinet. As she set them strategically around him on the table, she continued.
"You won't be alone. I'm taking care of you now. You have a home here." She lit the candles, and sat in a chair at the table. She was giant, and gorgeous, the red silk of her dress framing her breasts just above the tabletop. "Minivatech has doubled your salary and is sending it all to your family. They will be well taken care of. We can be a good team, you and I." A mixed set of emotions flooded to him. Sadness and loss over the inevitable parting with his family. Sitting this close to the most gorgeous woman he'd ever seen, the flickering candlelight on her dress. He wanted to say yes to whatever she was proposing.
"Send it." He felt a pang of guilt as the words came out of his mouth, but it didn't change his decision. He couldn't be with them anymore. That's why he made the video in the first place. "I have to let them go." He forced another bite of steak into his mouth, though more to avoid tears than because he was still hungry. Miyoko seemed to understand, as she simply nodded, placing her huge hand down on the table near him. The giant tip of one finger nearly at his feet. He set his foot onto it, and for the first time since he'd been shrunk felt a personal connection with someone. Again he had to struggle not to weep.
Then the doorbell rang, and the demeanor in her face suddenly changed. "As you wish Simon. I'll send it in the morning. I'm sorry, but you'll need to finish that in your house."
----
After being returned to his new home, he felt even more alone. Outside he heard muffled voices and clinking sounds, and realized Miyoko had a dinner guest. Suddenly her dress, the candles, they all made sense. It was not for him. She was on a date. It made him feel a bit stupid thinking she might feel something for him. Why would she? Minified into a six-inch toy figure of a man.
After finishing the remnants of his dinner, he searched for the books and magazines she promised, carting them to his bedroom and using them to fitfully force himself into a sleep he wasn't tired enough for.
----
It was dark around him when he was startled awake by some noise. His house was clearly covered again, as the windows held only glimmers of distorted light through hatched fabric. Still, having slept all day he was far too alert to sleep again. He walked to the window. Between the fibers he could see two dim figures on Miyoko's bed, clearly in the throws of intimacy. He struggled to make out some detail, not driven by sexual voyeurism but by a simple desire to see human connection, even if it was not his own.
One of them sat up. The perfect silhouetted curves of her breast and body left no doubt in his mind it was Miyoko. She arched her back, enjoying her partner, and Simon wondered if he would ever connect with anyone ever again. Still, seeing them made him feel a bit less lonely, so he watched on. Both of their voices and sounds were hushed, not at all what he expected given Miyoko's flamboyant flirting with coworkers.
As the silhouettes again became one, there was a softness and tenderness about their movement. Then, without fanfare, the female shape slid to the edge of the bed, bending to pull clothes up from the floor. Her partner still caressed and kissed her from behind, as if not wanting her to leave. "Don't go," he heard gently called in a whisper. However, she was unswayed, and walked gently across the dark room, leaving quietly through the door.
Simon wondered where Miyoko could be going. However, when he looked back at the bed he was surprised to see another obviously female shape sitting up and heading towards him. The ramification landed on him in a moment of quick shock. Miyoko was still here, and her departing bedroom guest was a woman! By the time the realization finished running through him, Miyoko was already at the dollhouse. Simon suddenly felt guilt for having invaded her privacy. He shuffled in the dark, trying to avoid being caught, but ended up noisily stumbling back onto the bed.
"Enjoy the show, Simon?" Terror filled him as she picked up the entire house. Was she going to hurt him? Kill him? Was it the end? He did all he could to just keep himself atop the bed as everything shifted beneath him. "That was Sasha. She makes my heart flutter, but like a bird, she sings her song and then flies off as quickly as she came." The house settled to rest, and he sat up to see the dim outline of Miyoko's shape through the fabric. "I'm sure you're lonely in there. I understand. I get lonely too."
"Tonight we can be lonely together." With that she disappeared out of view. A moment later, the fabric slowly slid off the house, clearing up the window. At first Simon was still. Judging from the view out the windows, his house was now on her nightstand. He heard Miyoko wimper softly. Was she weeping? Another moment, and curiosity got the better of him. He quietly moved to the window, and was greeted by an entirely unexpected sight. Just outside his window, Miyoko lie on her bed, naked, her hands reaching and moving against her crotch.
For a moment his shame forced him to look away, but it didn't last long. How could he not admire her, she was so beautiful. He looked down out the window, watching the round pleasant shape of her breasts perched atop her chest, her slender legs spread, her arms framing her torso. Her eyes were closed or elsewhere. Was she oblivious he might be looking on? In between breaths he could hear her hushed sounds of self-pleasure.
The scene was too erotic not to get his hormones flowing. He was a man, after-all. However, for a time he just stared on, watching her pace herself, watching her self-joy. Without making any decision at all, he moved quietly through his toy house, to the bathroom with a view on the same side. The cabinets and sink were all fake toys, but at least it would have running water. Looking out the window, seeing she was still rapt in her motions, he gingerly opened his pants. The moment was as silent and lonely as it was sexy, as he joined her in self-stimulation. He noticed an arch in her back and a quickening of pace, and it drove him closer even as he hid himself aside the window.
After hearing her soft release, he peeked out. Seeing her lie still, naked, gorgeous, he thought about another life. The life where he was whole, and she wanted a man, wanted him. Her body turned a bit, pulling the covers over her legs but leaving her chest bare. Simon stared out, working himself in his hand, until he precipitated the intended outcome -- barely catching his own voice in the process. With fluid in his hand, he momentarily cursed the fake nature of the toy house. He dumped the mess into the sink, and turned the water on before thinking about the sound it would make. Too late now. He quickly used the oddly running water to rinse the remnants down the drain before heading towards the bedroom.
Lying down in the bed, he wondered about his new life, realizing for perhaps the first time his old life had ended. "Good night, Simon." The soft words surprised him. He had thought her already asleep. He did the only thing he could think to do.
"Good night, Miyoko." Then he drifted off to sleep.