Lower Class

"Catalyst?" Harvey said, staring at the business card, and then looked up and frowned. "You don't look like a changeling."

The nondescript young woman in front of him—amber skin with scattered blemishes, a thin nose over protruding lips, shoulder-length dull black hair, wearing an earth-tone modestly cut blouse—turned her palms upward. "That's the point," she said in an unplaceable Midwestern accent. "Nothing about Juanita Ibanez is unusual. Nothing is notable. Imposters don't succeed by acting sus."

"Yeah, well, I'm not throwing cash at some 3 outta 10 here to scam drunks." Harvey scowled, his angular face tightening underneath slicked-back blond hair. "I want proof." Then his scowl climbed slowly into a leer. "Turn into the hottest bitch in the state."

Catalyst hesitated for a moment. The first purpose of the screening interview was to make certain both of them were comfortable with the arrangement, and she was already getting bad vibes. But that wasn't unusual for the sort of client who wanted her services, and as ugly as it was, crude sexism wasn't by itself a dealbreaker.

"Okay," she said, wishing that the Bicentennial was a little less crowded and she could trust her scent-cues more. "But not here at the table, obviously. The other reason you're hiring me is for my discretion. Give me fifteen minutes—and some distinguishing feature so that when I return to the bar you know it's me, and not just some friend of mine in on the scheme."

Harvey took a swig of his beer, his eyes darting around the bar. His face tensed in thought, and the grimace stayed for an uncomfortably long time, as if pushing out a constipated blockage.

"Bring me a little box of chocolates," he finally said. "I told my friends I was here on a date."

Catalyst inwardly sighed, and decided to cut her losses. Never mind the crass assumptions, or the idea that proof of shapeshifting might come from something literally anyone could buy. (Stupidity was another ugly trait she'd come to take for granted among her clientele.) The real sin was a prospect who tried to scam her out of free work.

She pushed her chair back from the table. "I'm an academic facilitator, Mr. Chutney, not an escort service. Thank you for your time."

A look of shock spread across Harvey's face, and he immediately shot to his feet. "Hold up," he said, lowering his voice but with an audible edge of panic. "I'll give you extra. Up front."

Catalyst paused, then let out a breath. At least he's not here for a freebie. Okay, one more try. "I know you have a certain stereotype of changelings in your head," she said. "And I'll be the first to admit there's plenty of truth to it. Shapeshifters from Equestria, consummate actors, who can be anyone and do anything, who can sense emotions and who eat love. You couldn't invent a more perfect sex worker. And yes, mister Chutney, when Freedom Hive emigrated to Earth the vast majority of us decided to turn their talents in that direction, and I take no offense at the assumption. But we are still individuals, with our own hopes and dreams, and I'm here at Green Hills because I want to apply my talents in a different direction."

Harvey's eyes darted from side to side. "Is that a no? Look, chica, I can pay. I can pay well, I come from money."

Despite herself, Catalyst hesitated. Money was always tight. The idea of a cushy side job to get ahead on her rent was tempting, but it was exactly the sort of work she was here to get away from.

"Can we keep the conversation to our original deal for now?" she said with a touch of reluctance. "You give me some advance warning when you're unable to make a lecture. I attend it on your behalf, and give you my notes. You don't get penalized for missing class, and you get to study the material at your own pace. Midterms and finals are strictly your own responsibility. Is that acceptable?"

Even in the crowded room, Catalyst could smell a nervous edge to go along with Harvey's fidgeting. "I… yeah, man. I mean, uh, I just…" His eyes darted from side to side, and he opened his mouth again, but glanced away and fought for composure. "Sure. Sorry, I still need you for that."

"Great." Catalyst gave Harvey a short, professional nod, then paused again. Harvey was visibly desperate, and the lure of money was powerful, and they would need an hour together…

"Listen," she added, against her better judgment. "I need to spend time with you today anyway, in order to pick up your voice and mannerisms for a better disguise. If you want this to look like a date with an extremely attractive woman, I'll consider it, with a few strict conditions."

Harvey's eyes widened, and then his relief was immediate and palpable. "Yeah? Yeah," he said, trying to project a cool and collected image. "Of course."

"One, it's $500 for one hour, payable in advance."

Catalyst had named a number which seemed unseriously high by her standards, but Harvey didn't even flinch. "Sure. What's your PayPal?"

"I'll get to that. Two, this is strictly about other people seeing you with eye candy. If you so much as cop a feel, I am instantly gone and I block your number."

Catalyst had expected more hesitation at that one, but Harvey just nodded. "Cool. And?"

"Three, this is strictly a one-time thing. You can take some selfies for proof, and I'm happy to make it sound to bystanders like we're heading home together, but once we leave the bar and walk to the corner together, we go our separate ways and never speak of today again. When you call me in the future, it's only for the class work."

"Yeah, I…" Harvey took a sip of his beer and frowned, nodding reluctantly. "If one time is all you'll do, sure."

Catalyst sighed. "Look. I might be able to find someone if you want a rut-buddy, but it won't be me and you won't ask me for it."

"That's not what…" Harvey started, then shut up, and his cheeks flushed as his fingers tightened around his pint glass. He covered it up by taking a deep draught. "Never mind."

Catalyst gave him a CashApp code and waited for the payment confirmation. Half a month's worth of living expenses flashed into her account, and she was committed.

"I'll see you in fifteen minutes," she said.