Test Subject, Part 2

Author's note:  The following story is satire, and is not intended to, in any
sense, impugn the fine folks at big tobacco companies who, no doubt, put
their customers best interests ahead of their profits.  

The author does not necessarily condone the use of tobacco, by adults or
minors, nor the use of illegal substances, nor masturbation, nor
participation in lesbian sex, nor any other morally questionable practice
depicted in the story.  Later parts of the story contain graphic sexual
language, and are not suitable for underage readers.  
Any resemblance to smoking fetish fiction is purely accidental.  
All other imaginable disclaimers apply.

Test Subject
Part 2: "Hooked"

Maureen tried to occupy her mind while she sat and waited. While she was
waiting, the receptionist had lit up three more times. She seemed to be chain
smoking, which was unusual, Maureen thought, in a work environment, even
though A.T.C. seemed to be some sort of tobacco company. While the
receptionist smoked, her attention seemed intently fixed on her work, which
consisted of filing papers and typing on her computer.  Maureen fidgeted,
bored, and looked again at her watch, wondering what she had gotten herself
into. She vaguely wished that she had brought something interesting to read.
She was tempted to light up a cigarette, but resisted the urge.  Further
inside the office, a door opened, and an attractive blond woman in her early
thirties emerged and smiled warmly at her. She was wearing a white lab coat
that imperfectly concealed a buxom figure. "Hi Miss Connolley, would you like
to step into my office to start our interview?" 

As Maureen sat down in the chair opposite Dr. Monroe, she felt momentarily
awkward, and cleared her throat nervously. 

Dr. Monroe spoke first. "I suppose you're curious about what our study
entails, and why it pays so well. A.T.C. is a small tobacco company that is
doing research to develop cigarettes that are both safer and more satisfying.
We are currently looking for committed smokers to help us as we refine and
perfect a new product that we have been developing. Does this sound like
something that might interest you?"

Maureen didn't quite know what to think. She asked the first question that
came to mind- "How long is the study, and what do I have to do?"

"Well, you have to commit to coming in to our office each day for about an
hour. You'll be paid $1000 each week. How many weeks or months you remain a
part of the study is up to you. While you're here, we'll give you various
cigarettes to try, and ask you questions about your experience of them. We'll
also give you free samples to take home and try at your leisure. For
liability purposes, we're also prepared to offer free medical exams and
weekly physicals, since, of course, smoking is a health risk."

Dr. Monroe paused for a second. "Would you like to try one of our newest
cigarettes to see how you like them?"

Maureen was curious what sort of smoke could be worth paying $1000 a week to
try, and she felt like having a cigarette anyway. "Sure," she said, smiling.
"Cigarettes are so expensive I never pass up a freebie."

Dr. Monroe opened up her desk drawer and selected a pack of cigarettes from
inside. The box was entirely white, without any markings on it. She withdrew
two cigarettes, and handed one of them to Maureen. She kept the other one for
herself. She also offered a lighter, which Maureen waved off.

"No thanks, I got my own," she said, taking her lucky lighter out of her
purse. Dr. Monroe lit up first, an expression of obvious pleasure crossing
her face as she inhaled. Even more curious than before, Maureen held the
cigarette to her lips with one hand while her other worked her lighter. Her
cigarette now lit, Maureen inhaled sharply, mentally attentive to the taste
and feeling of a new cigarette brand.

Maureen could only smile as the smoke made its way through her body. She
experienced an instant nicotine rush, much like when she first started
smoking, but none of the nausea or other uncomfortable effects of her initial
experimentation with cigarettes. The sensation of the smoke in her lungs was
very pleasant, like the smoke simply belonged there. She looked down at the
cigarette burning between her fingers, smiled, tilted her head back, and
rather than blow the smoke out, merely let it escape through her nostrils and
slightly parted lips. 

Dr. Monroe broke the silence as she took another puff of her own. "They're
nice, aren't they?"

Maureen nodded as she took a long drag and inhaled. She felt nicely dizzy,
remarkably alert, and yet very relaxed. "This is easily the best cigarette
I've ever had!" she said, smoke escaping her lips as they formed the words.
"It gives a nice nic kick, but it's also really smooth, and it tastes really
good too." She paused only to take in more of the smoke. "When can I start?"

"You can start today, if you'd like. There's just a few forms you'll need to
fill out first," said Dr. Monroe, as she indulged in another luxuriously long
puff. "You'll find that this is the best job you could ever imagine."  Dr.
Monroe smiled expansively.  "We take very good care of our employees."

Maureen's heart was thumping rapidly in excitement as she tapped her ash and
then continued to enjoy her cigarette. She wasn't sure if her excitement was
from the cigarette itself, or from the prospect of being able to smoke more
of these delightful cigs in the future.  As the two women smoked in silence,
questions came to Maureen's mind, but remained unasked; she was sure that she
would find out the answers later. Although she had just met the mysterious
Dr. Monroe, Maureen had an overall good impression of her. She felt as though
the two of them had bonded over the past few minutes.

The two women finished their cigarettes at about the same time, and Maureen
felt a thrill of anticipation as Dr. Monroe withdrew two more cigarettes and
handed her one, not even bothering to ask if she'd like another. The two of
them lit up again, and Dr. Monroe opened her top desk drawer, and took out
some papers. 

"Here are some forms for you to sign," said Dr. Monroe, pushing the papers
and a pen across the desk. "They are basically some waivers so that you won't
sue us, and a confidentiality clause. You must agree not to disclose the
nature of your involvement with us to any third party." She took another huge
puff before continuing. "Also, you may not share any of our product with any
other third party for any reason, since it is still in development. For our
part, we agree to pay you $1000 per week, and provide free medical exams and
health screenings for the duration of your association with us. Feel free to
look over everything before signing, and let me know if you have any
questions."

Maureen glanced at the contract as she smoked, and found everything to be
straightforward. She put her cigarette in the middle of her mouth and held it
there as she eagerly signed and initialed in all of the appropriate places,
so that she could quickly get back to puffing. She gave the papers back to
the older woman, who exchanged the papers for a fresh pack of cigarettes and
handed them to Maureen.

"Very good. Can you come in tomorrow afternoon at 3:00?" Maureen nodded. "In
the meantime, enjoy these."

"By the way," said Maureen, taking the pack and examining it, "What do you
call them?"

"We haven't started marketing them yet, but for now we're calling them
`Allure 100's.'"

"Nice name, very appropriate," Maureen said as she put the pack into her
purse, smiling broadly. Dr. Monroe rose from her chair, and shook Maureen's
left hand, since each of their right hands were occupied with their
cigarettes. "Thank you for everything."

"You're very welcome. I look forward to working with you."

Maureen left Dr. Monroe, and made her way towards the exit. As she left, she
inhaled more smoke, smiled and waved goodbye to Emily, who was still puffing
away as she worked.

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