#descorts

what   was   that   saying?   it's   only   a   gambling   problem   if   you   lose.   since   the   fire   at   stoneage   that   killed   one   francesca,   the   other   just   can't   keep   out   of   trouble.   she's   supposed   to   be   laying   low.   the   pretender   is   a   snake   in   the   grass,   not   the   girl   wearing   designer   on   8th   street.   

it   became   a   problem   when   she   felt   a   weapon   on   her   flank.   she   nearly   gasped,   her   human   proclivities   kicking   in,   but   she   snapped   her   mouth   shut.   cameras   were   everything   in   new   york.   it's   why   muggings   like   this   became   a   lot   more   ...   interesting.   her   would   -   be   robber   was   wearing   a   neon   mask,   and   it   projected   many   faces   back   at   her,   many   voices   demanded   her   purse.   

"   i   don't   carry   physical   money.   "   strange   that   stoneage   had   a   training   class   for   this   situation.   or,   just   sad,   actually.   "   i   am   a   replicant   commissioned   for   use   by   stoneage   industries.   "   but   the   faceless   man   stiffened.   he   was   saying   something   she   didn't   quite   hear,   but   she   knew   her   approach   wasn't   working.   "   please.   "   her   voice   was   higher   than   it   was   meant   to   be,   and   she   flinched   at   herself.   francesca   knew   she   was   afraid   by   the   shaking   of   her   pale   fingertips   in   the   moonlight,   but   she   didn't   know   that   she   was   so   riled   she   would   break   character.