Ryan scrolled through the list of outfits available in the program. “Okay, let’s do something different this time. Something that changes more than just how they look... something that messes with their heads.”
Billy leaned over his shoulder. “Like what?”
Ryan smirked, typing quickly.
~Store now offers ‘Dance Club Diva Outfits’—tight, flashy, colorful clubwear that makes the wearer feel confident, flirty, and obsessed with dancing. The Wearer Of These Outfits Dives Into To The Role.~
He hit Enter.
Back in the store, Macy’s eyes lit up. “Ooooh! Jess, look over there!”
Jess turned and saw a rack of skimpy, glitzy dresses, crop tops, glittery heels, and mesh leggings.
“Oh god, what now?” Jess asked, already regretting whatever Macy had spotted.
“Clubwear!” Macy beamed, grabbing a neon-pink mini dress with shimmering sequins. “Come on, this is gonna be so fun.”
“Macy, I don’t think—”
Macy shoved a silver halter-top and skin-tight skirt into Jess’s hands. “No thinking! Just feel the vibe.”
Jess groaned. “You know, every time I say ‘no,’ somehow I end up doing it anyway.”
“That’s because you secretly love it,” Macy said, already halfway to the dressing room.
A few minutes later, the dressing room doors opened. Macy strutted out confidently in her pink club outfit, heels clicking against the floor like she was already in a nightclub. Her makeup, somehow, looked heavier and flashier—even though she hadn’t applied any. Her walk was exaggerated, hips swaying like she’d done this a hundred times.
Jess followed, awkwardly tugging at the hem of her tiny skirt. “This is so not me…” she muttered. “Why do I feel like I want to dance or something?”
Macy giggled and grabbed Jess’s hand. “Because this look is everything. Come on, girl, give me a spin!”
Jess hesitated, but her body twitched forward before she could stop herself, doing a slow, twirling pose.
“What the hell… why did I just do that?” But as Jess Says that Her body felt much more Confident.
Macy didn’t notice her concern. “You look fire, Jess. Like, total dance floor slayer.”
Jess blinked. Her voice sounded different when she replied—bouncier, more perky. “Th-thanks... wait, no, I mean—I don’t talk like that!”
She clapped a hand over her mouth. Something was off. Really off. But Macy was completely oblivious, dragging her over to a wall-length mirror and making kissy faces.
From behind a shelf, Ryan grinned. “Perfect. Macy’s diving in headfirst, Jess is cracking—but still resisting. This is getting good.”
Billy was watching the screen. “You see that? It’s affecting their personality stats. Macy’s confidence is maxed out. Jess seems to potentially notice something off, That or She has some kind of Self Confidence Issue”
“Yeah, let’s push it one more level,” Ryan said, typing again.
~Add pole-dancing stage to store; make girls think it’s just a silly interactive display and feel a sudden urge to try it.~
“Just watch,” Ryan whispered as he hit Execute.
Jess turned toward a glowing section of the store that hadn’t been there before—a lit-up mini-stage with a vertical pole in the center, flashing lights overhead, and a sign that read: TRY OUR PARTY MODE STAGE!
“Oh my god…” Jess whispered, heart pounding. “Macy, that wasn’t there before, was it?”
Macy’s eyes sparkled. “I'm pretty sure it was... But Even So what if it wasn’t? Come dance with me!”
Jess opened her mouth to object—but her hips swayed before her words formed. “No. No no no. This isn’t right.”
But even as she said it, her hand reached for the pole.
As Jess reached for the pole, her fingertips tingled. A warmth spread through her arms, down her spine, and pooled in her hips. The moment her hand gripped the cool metal, it was like something clicked inside her.
Her body moved before she could think—hips swaying, legs twirling, chest thrust out as if she knew exactly how to command attention. She wrapped one leg around the pole and spun slowly, hair swinging like she was in a music video.
It felt natural. Too natural.
“Oh my god, Jess!” Macy squealed beside her, already on the second pole that had materialized nearby. She was all glitter and giggles, grinding to the beat of music that seemed to start playing on its own. “You’re killing it, girl!”
“I—what am I doing?” Jess said, her voice husky and breathless. “This… this isn’t me!”
But she couldn’t stop. Every time she tried to pull away, her body would roll her hips harder, or arch her back sexily, or flip her hair in a way that sent a cheer up from nearby—
Because yes, they had an audience now.
A small group of girls had gathered—some clapping, some cheering, a few pulling out their phones to film or snap pictures. A couple had even joined in, stepping up to empty poles or dancing along beside them like it was the most normal thing in the world.
Jess locked eyes with her reflection in a nearby mirror. Her skin was flushed, her lips parted, her eyes glazed with excitement. She looked like… a different person. Someone confident. Bold. Flirty.
Not Jess.
Yet... she couldn’t stop smiling.
Macy leaned in, their bodies brushing mid-dance. “Isn’t this amazing? I feel like I was born to do this.”
“I… I don’t know what’s happening,” Jess said, the internal battle playing out behind her smile. “This isn't me, Macy. Something’s wrong—this whole place is weird, and I think—”
“Shhh,” Macy whispered, putting a finger to Jess’s lips. “Don’t ruin the moment. Just enjoy it.”