A sullen atmosphere permeated the SimuDate meeting room. Everyone was in the same position as they were when Frost first came up with the idea. But the same could not be said about their hearts and minds. Especially Maverick, he had talked to his longtime friend about the danger of such technology, especially testing it on such a large scale. But Frost's charm was not just reserved for women.

Dean entered the room. He had a thin scar on his neck, mud patches on his jeans and shoes, and dried crimson stains on his sleeves.

He threw himself into one of the rotating chairs, sighed, and lit a cigarette.

Frost broke the silence.

"How many now?"

Dean spoke while blowing out smoke, each syllable punctuated with a tiny burst of white plums.

"15"

"Jesus Christ..." Maverick heard himself say

Frost rubbed his temples as he stared into his lap. Elizabeth watched him like a little child, afraid to ask for something from a clearly stressed parent. Grosse pulled out a tiny bottle of Vaseline lip therapy and slathered his lips.

"I knew this wasn't going to work," said Maverick, "and you did too. That's why you brought him in."

He locked eyes with Dean but looked away first when he noticed that the man's gaze was making his armpits itch and his heart beat faster than usual.

Frost stood up and looked at everyone in turn before walking over to the window and staring over the city.

"I don't have to tell anyone that this shouldn't leave this room."

"Like hell, it shouldn't!" Boomed Maverick, he leapt from his now spinning chair and slammed the table.

"I'm taking this to the police," he said, "If we turn ourselves in, we might get lower sentences. They're obviously going to catch us sooner or later."

Frost glided over to his co-founder. He placed his hand on Maverick's shoulder,

"I love you Rick," he said, "But you should know better than anyone that I'd rather kill you before I let that happen."

Maverick did know Frost inside and out. He didn't expect to hear him threaten him with murder, but he knew him enough to know that he meant it.

Frost walked back to the head of the table.

"Grosse, get to work," said the CEO of Simudate.

"Clearly, SimuDate was a failure. We're shutting it down."

Maverick looked at Frost, then at Dean. He clutched the rosary through his shirt and asked the Lord for forgiveness.

END OF PART 1