Thomas heard the knock on the door right as he was sitting down with a cold beer for a break. He was both annoyed at the sound of the knock and felt a sense of guilt since he had no real excuse to leave the door unanswered.

He let out a sigh as he raised himself from the chair and achingly pointed himself toward the front door where he could see a false haloing effect behind the head of whomever’s shadow was cast across his stoop. Remembering the real reason to stop his work he turned and grabbed the freshly popped pop-top can then stepped to the door in earnest.

Through the peephole he could just make out the Laborie Labs logo on the lapel of the middle aged man who stood outside. Thomas sighed again.

He swung the door open swiftly while balancing the can in one hand to take a good look at the being on the other side of the door.

“Hello Mr. Baptista! I am so glad you are home today. Do you have a few minutes for me to discuss with you the new Echo units offered by Laborie Labs in your area?” the man said with the cheer of a salesperson.

Thomas hesitated for a moment. From what he could tell, if his eyes weren’t finally failing, they sent an actual human. 

…

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