Your world setting is wonderful, the conversation between the two girls is just so entertaining

velvet touch of a dildo

that just got me giggling! But this is a brilliant way to demonstrate the acceptance and lack of care the people in this world have for their monitored messages. You expand on the prompt so well, moving from the passive monitoring we currently have - where things record but no one listens, to a more active monitoring where there is an operator on the other side. You tie some aspects of smart technology into automation, jeez fridges that set the table, that would be awesome, and bring a more human element back to the monitoring aspect, which is a very interesting way to go, as it is where we may end up!

You build this world with background details so wonderfully, the conversation about the cooking app in the fridge that feels natural, like a over-fussing mother asking the obvious for the hundredth time. Suspect google craplate let you down again on this bit 'beard in hands' - i suspect you wanted chin? (not that it takes away from the story) but this is a great bit of teenage angst, the great debate of 'should I message him' that I am sure he was going through on the other side.

The dependence and reliance society has formed around technology comes across so very well, and you contrast that beautifully with the rebellion of teenagers, they will always find a way to give their parents the slip.

I love that humanity itself has physically adapted to a more sedimentary lifestyle, and the idea that deformities caused by the use of tech has become an attractive thing is brilliant. Just as bad teeth and being fat is considered attractive in a culture where it is strongly associated with wealth. For as far as humanity has moved forwards, they are still governed by the same base instincts (mating and reproduction) and in this story, it actually feels like they have become more ruled by these drives. The sex contract was another really amusing moment, the idea that something so mutual and natural would be contracted, but then in a world of smart tech where everything comes with terms and conditions, why not that too! Although that did get me wondering about how relationships would work if instead of vows of love, people wrote out actual contracts, stating what they wanted, what they would give, i dunno, maybe more couples could stay together. Then again having to do something in a relationship because its in a contract, as opposed to because you want to, probably isn't going to do long term good.

I also love how you contrast a group of people who live outside this society, it feels like a parallel to Brave New World, only maybe a little closer to a parody of where we might actually end up.

A great story, amusing and equally a little scary, and most of all, really got me thinking! Thank you @vasigo <3

~ Calluna

_{PS - Voting is open! Head over to the round up post and let me know which entry was your favourite for an extra chance to win!}