Pleasure without the pain. The tagline of the Conception Corporation's 'Lesiure and Entertainment' division. Robotics have come on leaps and bounds in the last fifty years and so has advanced intelligence. While independent free thought is still under wraps in the R&D laboratories of the corporations, a facsimile of a human with simulated behavioural responses is possible. In all honesty I was surprised it took so long for Conception to launch its Lover robots. You see, prostitution is illegal, with good reason, of course, prostitution still goes on, you wouldn't expect any different. But in TUBEville, clinging to the edges of Monument & Bank a new business has started up. A brothel with synthetic people is, of course, perfectly legal, or at least, there are no laws against it. The business is run by Abdul Kaleef, the kind of business man who always manages to keep his nose clean when all around him is dirty. Abdul has been running most of the illegal prostitution that goes on in the Monument and Bank area, the huge shanty town gives plenty of opportunities for grooming and hiding talent and perfect for exploiting those desperate enough to have no choice. Abdul is certainly a strange character, always smiling, always courteous. I've spoken to him, he always reacts with surprise when you bring up his 'alleged' illegal activities, but then, he isn't expected to behave any differently. In the meantime, the virtual brothel seems to be doing good business, whether the desire for real, rather than synthetic flesh, proves too much for the clientele, at the moment it's a curious and somewhat bizarre addition to the tunnels. Until next time. Eldin Cale