Round 49 Transcript

I study Jeane's sketch with practiced detachment, my rogue's eye scanning for flaws and hidden implications. The lines are clean enough, I'll grant her that—practical in theory at least. But temporary modifications? Shared exertion? I see exactly what kind of 'exertion' she means, the sly minx. The building wants us together physically, its demand as clear as a master's whip crack. The engineering is solid enough, I suppose, but this whole setup stinks of succubus manipulation. I circle the sketch on the table, arms crossed, careful to maintain distance. You want us rigged up like some kind of lesbian assembly line? I'm not here for your performance art, Jeane.

I grab a piece of reinforced steel and the welder from the corner, my fingers finding their usual competence even as my mind races. There has to be another way—a mechanical solution that doesn't involve me spreading my legs for the sake of architectural satisfaction. The building's demand echoes through the room: together physically. Halie's got the right idea—dignity matters more than aesthetics, especially when it comes to... this. I nod toward Jeane's sketch, not meeting her eyes. I'll figure something out. Give me a few hours with these materials and we won't need your... collaboration.

I move to set up my workstation in the corner, purposefully turning my back on the growing sexual tension in the room. The welder sparks to life, cutting through the silence as I start sketching out my own design—one that hopefully satisfies the building without requiring me to bend over for Jeane's twisted version of teamwork. Someone get me those metal fittings and brackets, would you? We're not doing this her way.