Sep 25, 2025
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Hypnovember 2025 - 7. Glow/Shadows
Dedicated to @mas-o-kissed for helping me brainstorm this one, and giving me a setting to work with.
--
"And this, over here, is your cubicle." Lisa, the kindest HR officer that Tomasz had ever met, gestured to the workspace.
It was immaculate, like it was fresh out of the shrink-wrap. The monitor glowed with the warm teal and yellow logo of the CoreVista group, a set of concentric circles, on a mottled background. The desk was spotless. The paper trays were geometrically aligned and even the pens in the pen cup were fanned equidistant from each other.
Tomasz sat in the chair and found it quite comfortable. It had arm rests. He'd never had an office job with armrests before.
Lisa wheeled over another chair, placed her clipboard on the desk and, flattening her pleated black skirt before she did so, sat down beside him.
"Now, if you can log in with your employee ID for me - there we go - this is our basic hub. We don't use a shell program here, all the workstations are drones that access the programs mounted on our servers. And you access those programs directly through the desktop.
"Now we have ZenDesk which is our ticket logging system for corporate support, TechBuzz for IT support, Clockwork is your leave processing and Facebait is our internal social network."
Tomasz nodded, as he passed his eyes over the icons on the desktop. The induction had been jam-packed and he struggled to keep it all in mind, but the job paid well for an entry level one, and he felt lucky to have gotten it.
"Now," Lisa continued, as she glanced from her clipboard to his desktop, "if you can open up BigChair for me."
Tomasz double-clicked the teal couch-chair icon, opening up a program which again asked for his login.
"This is our internal training hub. Company seminars, training modules, proficiency quizzes, they're all here. Currently, you'll only be able to access your induction modules; they'll discuss more in-depth what we've been running you through so far this morning.
"So, I think this afternoon we'll have you going through those, OK?"
Tomasz nodded. He started to say something, but was interrupted by a man coming up to them.
"Uh, sorry to interrupt Lisa, but they need you in the Commonwealth room. They said urgent."
"Oh, uh, thank you, Kevin. Tell them I'll be along in a moment." She stood and collected her clipboard. "I'm so sorry about this, I shouldn't be too long. Feel free to have an explore with the system. Everything is self-explanatory, and the system will only grant you access to what you're authorised for the position.
"Oh, and your headset should be in your drawer. It will Bluetooth to your terminal. Familiarise yourself with the system, do some training, I'll be back soon. Any questions?"
Tomasz shook his head. "No, I'll just induct myself on this and note any questions I have."
"Excellent. I'll be back soon."
She smiled and marched off, leaving him alone in a comfy chair with three safe walls shielding him from awkward icebreakers. He opened the drawer and saw a brand new headset, still boxed and unopened. A brand he'd never heard of - InternAlize - but it looked expensive, with a clean corporate box design. He opened it up and went through the connection process.
Setting the headset over his ears, he was amazed by how comfortable they were. The cushions formed a seal around his ears so soft and secure, it felt as though they had noise cancelling, even before he turned them on.
He tabbed out of BigChair and looked through the other apps he had access to. Resonance, with a black version of the CoreVista logo turned out to be an in-office radio station. Pulse, a squarified company logo, was a health tracker that tied into a counselling support service and the local medical centre.
And there was Shadows.
Right at the bottom of the screen, obscured by the clock, a company logo that animated when he moused over it. Teal rings cycled to white to yellow to grey to teal. And Shadows? What did that mean?
He shrugged and clicked on it. The program opened to a full screen window of white with a dark grey border and the CoreVista logo centred. He moved his mouse but couldn't see a cursor. He tried tabbing out but there was no response.
The logo pulsed as a calm AI-generated female voice began to speak. "Welcome Thomas"
It mispronounced his name. He rolled his eyes. As it spoke the words appeared on the screen below the pulsing logo. At least his name was right there. After each sentence finished it stayed on the screen for a moment, before vanishing for the next one, word by word.
"Welcome to CoreVista's Shadow Program. You have been an employee for ... one ... day. Your interest in the Shadow Program is noted and welcomed. Would you like to enroll in the Shadow Program?"
Tomasz looked for an input. No buttons, no text fields. What the heck was he supposed to do?
"I'm sorry. I didn't catch that. Would you like to enroll in the Shadow Program?"
Tomasz hesitated and whispered into his mic.
"Uh, I don't know what that is."
A video popped up over the company logo, showing standard corporate file footage that went along with the narration. First officeworkers in cubicles working and socialising, then pictures of people living happy lives at home, going outside, kayaking and bushwalking. A pleasant tune of meandering guitar picking played low, buried in the mix.
“CoreVista offers a Shadow Program for all employees. You, a valued employee of the CoreVista group, has the opportunity for signing up for this optional program. In return for extra responsibilities on top of your role with the company, you will gain access to benefits commensurate with your role as a Shadow.”
A checklist came up on the screen and each entry filled out as the voice continued to speak.
“These benefits can include:
Bonus pay
Honorariums
Access to executive facilities.
Higher loading to earn additional employee leave.
Child care
Partner bonuses
And More!”
The screen changed back to the file footage of a variety of employees in different office settings interacting and being happy.
“You … Thomas … have been authorised to join this program if you wish. Ask your supervisor today!”
“Uh…,” He whispered into the mic again, not wanting to upset his neighbours, even though they, too, were wearing their InternAlize headsets. “What are the responsibilities?”
The idea of earning extra pay was tempting on top of his already generous salary package.
The screen started showing a new video; this time of an animated organisational chart.
“Thank you… Thomas. As a Shadow, you will be positioned in higher priority for special tasks. At times an Executive, a Supervisor or your direct report, will have need of an assistant or a body to accompany them on their duties for the company. You … Thomas… will assist your superior as a Shadow, which will allow you to be trained in important tasks to serve in superior roles, should the need arise.
“Much as anything casts a shadow, which is treated as normal because of how light works, our Shadow system normalises our Shadow employees being included in delicate circumstances, which assists CoreVista operations and the operations of our stakeholders.”
“So, it's a training program?” He asked, more casually now, and not so concerned about the others hearing. He settled back in his chair, relishing in the padded armrests.
The main screen of the pulsing logo, which flashed in time with the words, returned. A peaceful sounding piano track started up, and he exhaled calmly.
“If it helps you to think of the Shadow Program that way, then yes. The Shadow Program trains you with specialised tools to adopt the roles required of you.”
Tomasz thought about this. It seemed fairly normal. Executive Assistant training and a training path to the Executive branch itself? The shadow terminology was a bit odd, but no stranger than calling a music app “Resonance” or a social network “FaceBait”
“I would love to join then.”
“That is excellent. Please wait while your Shadow status is registered.” The music continued playing and the concentric circles of the CoreVista logo started to loop and change, like the animated icon on the desktop. Though he knew it was just the same circles changing colours, it had the illusory effect of looking like a circular tunnel. Tomasz blinked and looked around the cubicle. With nothing but bland taupe and grey around him, his eyes fell back to the screen, the logo looping in time with the music, which started a subtle droning synth bass track underneath the piano.
“Please be patient. Your Shadow training will commence soon. Please be patient.”
Tomasz had no reason not to be patient. It was literally his first day and Lisa had told him to do some training. He idly picked at his nails, while the logo pulsed and the music played. He closed his eyes and exhaled. It had been a frenetic morning, with Lisa introducing him to everything. He appreciated the opportunity to breathe for a moment. Even if the program got his name wrong.
“Welcome Thomas” There it was again. “Your application for Shadow designation has been approved. Your induction will commence now. Please make yourself comfortable.” He shuffled into the chair making a comfortable groove. The music shifted to something a little more monotonous. Not atonal or unpleasant, but the piano line became more repetitive and the droning synth bass faded up.
“In the CoreVista network, we have two classes of employees. Our normal employees have standard employment contracts and standard employee benefits. They are expected to do basic tasks and are given basic treatment. You are not a normal employee.”
The words remained on the screen. The logo tunnelled. Tomasz wasn’t sure what to expect. He pushed the space bar, then the enter key, then the mouse. No response. The voice repeated:
“You are not a normal employee.”
He sighed and said; “I am not a normal employee.”
“Very good. Addendum, your tone indicates you do not believe this. Plus be advised, your Shadow contract was accelerated, because of your enthusiasm for the Program. When I say you are not a normal employee, this is the truth. You are valued.
“You are not a normal employee.”
With a smile of pride, he repeated it.
“Correct. The second class of employee is the Shadow. Shadows are used by the executives for important tasks that normal employees are not reliable for. You are not a normal employee.”
The screen stayed on this. Tomasz understood. He repeated it; I am not a normal employee.
“Correct. Shadows are entrusted with the responsibility to be in the room when executives make important decisions. Shadows are entrusted with the privilege of being present for sensitive negotiations. Shadows are required to know confidential information for the execution of their tasks. These are not normal expectations. You are not a normal employee.” I am not a normal employee. “Correct. Normal employees have normal operational benefits.” Pictures appeared on the screen, a family at home, a bushwalking holiday, children, video games. “Shadows have special benefits.” A picture of an expensive Chinese banquet, an orgy in a spa, a board meeting with an animated grey figure standing at the door. “You are not a normal employee.” I am not a normal employee. “Shadows are expected to serve the company. Shadows are rewarded for their service. You will be rewarded for your service.”
Tomasz blinked. Rewarded. The idea felt good. He blinked and looked at the tunnelling logo, which looked larger now. He repeated; I will be rewarded for my service.
“Shadows are asked to forget sensitive information. Example 1 - you are present for a business negotiation. Do you reveal the secrets you learn?”
“No.” He replied. No response. He tried again; “I do not reveal the secrets?” Still nothing.
He tried a third time.
I will not reveal secrets. He said. That was the correct answer. The induction continued.
“Example 2 - an executive says something while drunk at a party. It will damage the company. Do you forget?”
He thought what the phrasing the program wanted was. I will forget.
“Correct. Example 3. You have a football game to attend. You have a meeting as a Shadow to attend. Do you ignore your personal life?”
I will ignore my personal life.
“Correct. Repeat after me.”
Tomasz blinked. The logo with its spiralling and tunnelling colours was definitely getting bigger. His eyes were starting to hurt. It felt easier to just close them instead. The droning of the synth bass bombarded his ears, falling into sync with the AI voice. He repeated each phrase; as the voice instructed.
I will work for CoreVista. I will think for CoreVista.
I am not a normal employee.
I am a Shadow.
Shadows stand behind.
Shadows accompany.
Shadows do not remember.
Shadows do not learn.
I am not a normal employee.
I am a Shadow. I will do what the executive tells me to do.
I will do what the company wants.
I am not a normal employee.
I do not have normal employee benefits. I am a Shadow.
I do not have normal employee benefits. I serve the executive. I serve the company. I am a Shadow.
I am not a normal employee. I am not a normal employee. I am not an employee. I am a Shadow. I do not have benefits. I obey the executive. I obey the company. I do not question. I will forget. I will not think. I will obey. I do not have benefits. I do not have rights. I am a Shadow…
—
Lisa and Kevin approached the Shadow in the newly established cubicle.
“He… willingly took the program?”
“It seems so.” Lisa waved her hand in front of its face. It stared at the spiral, the CoreVista spiral, as it looped in front of the screen. It recited its mantras as all the Shadows did.
“That’s… odd. Why would it do that?” “Why do any of them?” She scrunched up her New Employee checklist and threw it in the nearby bin.
“Do… do we have need of a new Shadow?”
“Uh, none of the departments need one. Hmm, executives… The CFO has a party tonight, but it’s 1) male and 2) white. Not really his type.” Kevin scratched his head.
“How about your department head?”
Lisa paused.
“Maybe if he lost the moustache and lost a few pounds. Maybe he’d make a cute one for her?”
“OK, I’ll make the proposal. What was its name again?” “I don’t know. Thomas, I think.” Kevin shrugged.
“All right Thomas. Stay here, we’ll find you an exec to serve.”
They walked away from the cubicle, leaving the Shadow in the safe glow of its’ screen.
I obey the executive. I obey the company. I do not question. I do not have rights. I am a Shadow…
--- More Smut Here: https://thewinterofmorgan.wordpress.com/ Tip Me Here: https://ko-fi.com/morganwinter81
Kinky Corporate Dystopia
You're working security at a company, strapped in at your desk, a plug buried inside you and your parts caged up.
Many monitors display other workers across the building. You note someone stealing office equipment and submit a report. Your plug and cage buzz, rewarding you for your diligent observation, but fading all too quickly.
You see another worker running late, hurrying along to their desk with a worried expression across their face. You go to submit a report, but your finger hovers over the button. You've been in their shoes. You've been late to your desk before. You feel the briefest moment of connection with this person, perhaps even a second of real empathy.
The memory of the joy that hard work brings forces your finger down onto the submit key. A pleasurable buzz squashes that flicker of compassion, and you chide yourself for allowing your personal feelings to disrupt your duties. Clearly you need another session with Employee Discipline. There is no room for mercy if the Company is to meet targets.
A moment later, you file a report on their manager for not noticing their employee was late, and that they have failed to drill the importance of punctuality into their staff. Another mind-bending buzz floods you with pleasure, reminding you of the importance of loyalty to the Company.
You report the slightest infraction. Any deviance or failure to adhere to company policy must be punished. It feels far too good for you to show any hint of slack. Whatever you may think, your body craves the addictive buzz of pleasure doing your duty provides.
When your shift finishes and your restraints unclick, you make your way to your on-site sleeping pod.
The employees you reported on look at you as you pass through the corridors. Some with fear, some with hate, others resigned obedience. But you know you did the right thing in reporting on all of them. You know they're grateful for your hard work to turn them into perfect employees, just like yourself. They'll thank you one day. What could be better than serving the company that gives you such fulfilment and pleasure?
Another successful shift completed, you enjoy your 5 minutes of free time by reading the company handbook. Chapter 12 "The Joys of Obedience" is your favourite.
You lie down for your 4 hour rest period. Your sleep-pod working to make your dreams more efficient, and more importantly, focused on the Company. Not even the confines of your mind are safe from the company, not that you would want them to be! A pleasant buzz pulls you into a fuzzy slumber, before your next 20 hour shift. You're such a good employee.
Return of the Office Ghoul. Repping my favorite dive bar.
Samantha as one of sin-ful-lincubuse's Cyberverse drones. She's in finance.
Skye, a CYBERVESRE spokesperson, announcing the company's yearly Seasonal Sale. Character is provided by sin-ful-lincubuse
You're working for a Fortune 500 company that announces record-breaking financial growth each year (in terms of revenue and profit) but you don’t feel like you’re working for a Fortune 500 company because the company doesn't fairly compensate their employees, especially the rank-and-file.
June 25, 2025 (Late/Overdue post)