Shuffling

Chapter 1
Beth

This is my first story, written a few weeks ago during a powercut.

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Beth leaned backwards in her chair. The worn wood responded with a satisfying creak. Rhythmic typing continued and the clock’s face told her she had about half an hour left. Inevitably, her mind began to drift towards the possibilities that awaited her tonight. The two clubs that inhabited the small town were certainties, perhaps even some coke if she could find the money. Since finally finishing school last year and taking up this job she hadn’t been able to get out as much and she relished the thought of letting her hair down. She’d have to borrow some money from her mom though, a conversation she could certainly live without. Working for someone who was meant to be among the richest on the continent should have meant an end to any financial worries Beth had, yet here she was struggling to make ends meet.

Duncan wasn’t a bad boss, Beth pondered. He’d stood by her when she was arrested, and was generous with time off, yet Beth was not particularly grateful.Twice her own age and an old-fashioned nature insured that she could never quite connect with him on a personal level. Yet he was always polite, if very shy and private. Previous attempts at seduction had gotten her nowhere, much to her chagrin. Beth was used to getting what she wanted with men, with a generous bust and a plethora of low cut tops, he wouldn’t have been the first older gentleman she’d used for a weekend away.

As always, he’d arrived this morning attired in a fancy looking suit and fancy looking tie with little time for small-talk, other than to instruct her he was not to be disturbed (as he always did). Duncan had struck gold with clever investing during the infant years of SA, self altering. Initially created after major breakthroughs in the field of quantum distortion, it allowed for the complete reconstruction of an individual’s physical appearance, within legal limits. While it had started as a means of allowing those who had suffered physical disfigurements or loss of ability to restore their former bodies and appearance, it became a global phenomenon overnight as a 60 year old former hollywood heart-throb used the device to play a character half his age. This lead to SA being released on the commercial market, usage becoming wide-spread amongst the wealthiest of the wealthy, now fully capable of realising their younger days.

Beth packed up her things and headed towards the exit, only to curse when she realised Duncan had the keys. It wasn’t unusual for her boss to spend the night in his office, and as such he usually expected Beth to lock up the building. Reluctantly trudging back towards her boss’ room, she quickly composed herself and knocked on the door softly.

"I’m so sorry sir but I forgot to get the keys off you earlier" said Beth, her voice almost whispering. No reply from the room. Beth knocked again, this time a little louder and repeated her statement. Still no reply from the room. A third and final time Beth knocked, this time accompanied by her asking if he was still there. With still no reply, Beth gently grasped the handle and turned, expecting to be defeated by the locking mechanism, yet to her surprise, she found herself in an open doorway facing the inside of her boss’ office for the first time.

To her complete beffudlement was the presence of a young boy wearing only what looked like pull-ups and a very shocked expression. Taking a few moments to fully digest the situation, Beth wondered whether Duncan was using this boy for immoral reasons. She debated about whether to find Duncan and ask him what was going on, or to call the police, yet as she was making up her mind, the boy began to talk.

"Pwease, I know this is weird but I need you to weave" the boy looked close to tears and was practically begging her.

"Honey, I need to know where Duncan is, has he left you here alone?" She gently asked, she noted though, that the boy kept glancing to the desk beside them, where an unremarkable device was placed.

"Fwive minutes then you come back and I will tell you exsplain everwything, I pwomise" as the boy finished replying, he went to grasp the device. Swatting the boy’s hand away, Beth grabbed the device and studied it carefully.

"I don’t think my Boss will be happy if I let a three year old play with this, sorry kiddo" explained Beth as she ruffled the boy’s hair. The boy began to protest, Beth found it easy to ignore as she looked the device over. Beth came to the realisation that in her hands was a SA device, although not one she had ever seen before. While in her hands, the SA box came alive. ’James Duncan’ flashed up on the screen, underscored by physical details such as his age, height and weight. Beth pieced it all together instantly, her boss wasn’t a paedophile, he was some sick pervert who wanted to pretend to be a little kid. She was certain that this wasn’t a commercial SA.

"Beth, please give it to mwee now" commanded toddler Duncan, Beth mused that while his serious expression was obviously intended to convey authority, on his diminutive stature it came across more like her little boss was suffering from gas. Beth stared down at the toddler and a devilish grin spread across her face.

"Why? These things are worth like tens of millions right? I don’t think a toddler should be playing with one. Plus I’ve never heard of a SA that can do this much, I thought they all couldn’t go under 18 for legal reasons?" probed Beth, all the while she kept a fixed condescending smile down at her boss. Well, former boss Beth thought, he’d fucked up big time.

"Beth I will not be spoken to that way! Give mwee the SA or I swear I will fwire you. It’s my personal SA, I had it…specialwised is all" Duncan replied, yet it was clear to Beth the little guy was scared. He wasn’t stupid, if it got out that he’s regressing this young, he’d probably face jail.

"Listen weirdo, how about you tell me why you were doing all…’this’" asked Beth, her hands gesturing towards Duncan. "Do you get off on this"?.

Duncan immediately reddened and tried to explain how he was just experimenting with the device for research purposes, his eyes darting back and forth across the room.

"Okay little man, let me just take a closer look at this though, be a good boy for 5 minutes" Beth turned her back to the little boy and began to study the SA further. Duncan paid no heed to her words and continued attempting to get her attention.

Beth began to formulate her plan. She felt the adrenaline surging through her at the prospect of what she could gain from this. She couldn’t believe her luck, the little pervert was helpless. Playing around with the device, she realised the brat had it password protected. No worries, as long as she kept it out of his grip she was still in the driving seat. All the while Duncan kept shouting her name, dancing around her lower half.

"Beth!" this time Duncan’s wailing was followed with an ineffective punch aimed at Beth’s legs, his little face contorted with frustration.

"Now little guy, if you do that again, I promise you I’ll spank you so badly you won’t be able to sit down for a week" threatened Beth, the gentle swat to the diaper-clad toddler’s behind reinforced the message. "Anyways, I have a proposition for you, I swear if you do what I ask, I’ll let you restore yourself and I’ll keep this whole ordeal to myself" Beth explained, hands on hips staring down defiantly.

"Go on"