Candidate (Selected Book 4) by Robin Roseau

"Sixteen."
    "You're not serious. Four."
    "Eight, and I get to pick half of them."
    "I get veto power. Otherwise they could all come to an agreement, in effect giving me to someone I hate."
    "If you veto all my choices, I get to fill out the eight with males."
    "Why would you do that to me?"
    "So you won't dare veto all my choices."
    "You could back me into a terrible corner," I said. "There's no promise you're even going to introduce me to anyone I don't hate."
    "I will allow you to meet every female who comes here," she said. "It will be their choice to ask you out. I can't do better than that."
    "If I come to you in six months and honestly tell you I didn't like any of them, what are we going to do?"
    "You won't."
    "What if?"
    "Then we'll extend our agreement."
    "If you agree to not put anyone into the arena who I flat out didn't care for, I'll agree to your terms."
    She smiled. "You'll spend the six months, when you're not on a date, in your cell. Some of the women I introduce to you will want challenges with you before they will go on a human style date. You will do your best to win, or I will find ways to punish you."
    "No," I said. "You can't leave me in there like that. I'll go crazy."
    "I'll let you keep the visor. It is very clever."
    "So six months of television?"
    "Consider it better than any human computer."
    "I want a job. A paying job, one that pays at least what I was making a week ago. And not one moping floors."
    "A job."
    "One that uses my brain."
    "Working for me."
    "If that's what you want. And exercise. Daily."
    "You'll accept the rest of my terms?"
    "Yes."
    "You will spend your spare time in the cell, but if you behave, you will keep the visor, and I will give you nearly full control over it."
    "Clothes."
    "Not while you're in the cell."
    "Bedding."
    "Not required."
    "Administrator, give me something."
    "I'm giving you a unique deal. You're the one who asked for six months."
    I stared at her for a while. "A good job."
    "My assistant." She smiled. "You'll help run the challenges."
    "No."
    "Take it or leave it," she said. "Leave it, and you'll spend most of your time in your cell, and I'll let you have exercise only when it pleases me to do so."
    "Give me a decent place to live and I'll agree."
    "No."
    "Administrator, I don't want to be down in the cells, looking at those morose women, if you're then going to make me help you treat them like this."
    "That's fair," she said after a moment. "I can put you in a private cell block. You won't see any other women."
    "Is that the best you can do?"
    "No, but it's the offer on the table. You're a mating candidate, and you will spend your time as one."
    "Fine," I said. "Fine."
    "Let us review," she said with a smile. "Six months, or perhaps less. I will introduce you to any female interested in meeting you. You will go out with any who ask. At the end of those six months, you will offer to become mated to one of them. If you cannot make that offer, or she declines, you go into the arena as specified."
    "Yes."
    "You will work for me. When you are not with one of the challengers or performing your duties, you will be in your cell."
    "Exercise."
    "Right. How often?"
    "Two hours five times a week. I like to swim and bike."
    "Biking is problematic. Swimming I can offer, and perhaps other choices."
    "All right. Clothes."
    "I will provide suitable clothing for you. You will wear what I select."
    "I can't keep dressing like this," I said, looking down. "They're going to get, um..."
    "I know. I will see to these needs as well."
    "I wouldn't suppose you could just send me home."
    "No."
    I sighed. "Was there more to discuss?"
    "Your hours will be irregular. Some of the challenges are overnight. Your visor will have your schedule."
    "All right."
    "You begin tomorrow. Spend today learning the capabilities of the visor."
    "Exercise."
    She considered me. "We have a pool. I do not promise you will be alone." She smiled.
    "You're not going to give me a swim suit, are you?"
    "I will