#telemarketing firms | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

amethystunarmed · 1 year ago

Text

I Need a Shovel to Love Him

Word Count: 4,226 A03 Link Richie calls Peter after the events of the opening night of Workin' Girls.

~~~

Holy fucking shit.

Peter is about to lose his virginity to Stephanie Lauter.

They are on the couch in Peter's brother's apartment. Ted is gone for the evening, went to Ruth’s musical at the Starlight, but he had thrown a condom at Peter with a wink before he left. Peter was equal parts mortified and grateful.

By pure luck, Peter and Steph had managed to avoid getting tickets the same night Ted was going, giving them an opportunity to finally go all the way. They are making out on the couch, Steph straddling him while he gazes up at her in awe. Neither of them are wearing their shirts (Peter has come a long way from the first time he saw Steph in her bra and got so flustered he had to stop. He's just lucky she thought it was both hilarious and adorable). Her skin is hot against his, and when she trails her fingers down his spine, it gives him chills. Steph has finally taken pity on Peter, and moved to take her bra off herself, when the phone rings.

Pete sits up to grab it and Steph groans, flopping forward so her head rests on his chest.

"Are you serious Spankoffski? You're answering your fucking phone right now?"

"I figure if it's my brother telling us he's on his way back because he finally realized the show isn't about sex workers, we'd want to know."

"... You get a pass just this once." She slides off his lap and Peter immediately misses her weight.

Peter fumbles for his phone and is surprised by the name that pops up.

The Power of God and Anime. Richie.

Peter frowns down at his phone. Richie would rather die than make a phone call. For all Ruth loved talking to telemarketers, Richie about broke out in hives every time he had to make a call. (Between his phobia and Ruth's penchant for making the delivery boy uncomfortable, Peter had been making calls to Pizza Hut for them for years.) Richie wouldn't call. Not unless...

Peter hits the button and brings the phone to his ear, even as Stephanie groans behind him. He slides his legs off the couch and stands as he talks.

"Hey Richie, what's up? Aren't you at the show?"

Sobbing. Richie is sobbing. Peter's stomach sinks. "Richie? Richie, what's happening?"

"Pete?" Steph asks, suddenly concerned. Peter holds a finger up to her.

Richie hiccups. His voice is shaky, so much that Pete can barely understand him.

"He- he- He went crazy, he killed them-"

Peter feels like he's had ice water dumped over him.

"Who? Who killed who, Richie?" Peter gets up and grabs his shirt from where he'd thrown it earlier.

"Everyone, he- he-"

"Where are you?"

"The Theater."

Oh thank God.

"Richie, my brother is there, go find Ted, okay?" Ted was a fucking asshole but he would (probably) look out for Ruth and Richie, if only so Pete didn't tear him a new one. "He'll get you and Ruth out of there okay?"

"That's what I'm trying to tell you," Richie says, sniffling, voice hitching. "Ruth and Ted are dead, Peter."

Peter drops his phone.

He doesn't remember what happens next. He blinks and they're in the back of Mayor Lauter’s limo. Steph is holding Peter's now cracked phone to her ear. Miss Tessburger is prattling on about something but Pete can't understand her. Her words sound like a broken garbage disposal, continually revving but never getting any clearer.

He blinks again and Steph is kneeling in front of him. She sways as they take a sharp turn. She should be wearing a seatbelt, he thinks, inanely.

"Pete, you're scaring me."

Peter doesn't know why. He hasn't even done anything.

He blinks and they're at the theater. Steph's hand is firm in his, the only thing that keeps him from drifting away. He trails behind her, letting her guide him to the sirens and the flashing lights. Until he sees-

Richie.

Peter loses time again. Suddenly he is sprinting, and Richie is too and Peter slams into him and they fall to the ground and Peter has his fingernails clawed tightly into Richie's vest so nothing can pry Richie away from him and-

He is sitting in the back of the ambulance. A scratchy orange blanket is wrapped around his shoulders. Richie is next to him. He has Peter's hand in a death grip, squeezing so tight Peter is beginning to lose feeling in his fingers.

An EMT is shining a light in his penlight in Peter’s eyes. It fucking hurts. Peter blinks aggressively at him.

“His pupils dilate, I don’t see any sign of concussion. As far as I can tell, Peter here is just suffering from a pretty extreme shock.”

He gives Peter a pitying little smile. Peter wants to knock his teeth out.

“But he’s not responding.” Stephanie is standing off the shoulder of the EMT. She has her arms crossed over her chest, her chin cocked out. It’s the same stance she’d had when she’d stood down Max Jagerman after they first started dating. It means she’s scared. “You can see it, he did it in the car too. Why the fuck can’t he hear us?”

The EMT hesitates a moment, then speaks slowly, like an adult on Sesame Street.

“Sometimes, when someone goes through something terrible, their brain will... take them away for a little. It’s a defense mechanism.”

Peter has already heard enough of this.

“You don’t have to talk about me like I’m not here.”

“Oh, thank god.” The tension melts out of Steph as she throws herself at Peter’s free side. Her arms wrap around his shoulder and she tucks her head into his neck, like she is trying to get as close to him as possible. “You’re okay. Jesus Pete, never scare me like that again.”

"Pete?" Steph and Peter pull away from each other to look at a Black man in a checkered shirt. He nervously fiddles with a button on the cuff of his sleeve. Peter hadn’t initially noticed him, but he’s pretty sure the man had been standing there for a while. He seemed vaguely familiar, but Peter couldn’t place him. "You're Peter Spankoffski, right?"

Steph pushes over the ambulance, and stands in between him and Peter and Richie. "Listen, if you want a statement, go talk to some other smarmy asshole looking to get famous off this. Try Linda Monroe, she has an affinity for vultures." She is so fucking cool, so brave. Peter thinks he may be in love with her.

Oh my god he's in love with her.

He's in love with Stephanie Lauter.

He wants to tell Ruth, even though she'll ask a million uncomfortable questions.

He wants to tell Ted, even though he'd give some awful advice about not being tied down.

Peter squeezes Richie’s hand.

"No, no," the man says. "I'm one of Ted's co-workers? Bill. Do you remember me?” The name slots into place. Peter remembers him in the backgrounds of office party pictures Ted had shown him and from when Ted brought Peter to a “Bring Your Kid to Work Day” even before he moved in with Ted full time. He has a recollection of Bill smiling at him from where he had hidden behind Ted, telling him, Richie, and Alice Woodward to all play nice together. Peter gives him a faint nod, which puts Bill somewhat at ease.

“Look at you, all grown up. So tall!” He is studying Peter with a sad sort of softness, cataloging all the changes from that little kid he’d met years ago. Peter wants to find the nearest bridge he can jump off of to avoid this conversation. “I wouldn’t have recognized you if Ted hadn’t had a picture on his desk."

Peter wonders if he spontaneously developed a latex allergy, it feels like his throat is swelling shut. “He... He has a picture of me on his desk?”

"Yes, he does.” Peter waits for him to elaborate, but Bill just offers him an awkward little half smile. Which, what the fuck? Did he just come over to here to remind Peter he was going to have to go to his brother’s fucking office and clean out his desk?

“Bill, I don’t want to be rude, but... why are you here?”

“Oh.” Bill furrows his brow at that, like he isn’t actually sure. “We came here together. Ted and I."

Peter squints at him. "Like a date?" He knew Ted had been sleeping around the office (knew too much about it, because his brother was kind of a slut), but he'd been pretty sure he'd been hung up on someone named Charlotte.

"No!" Bill denies, "He- I had an extra ticket, and I- he was the only one who wanted to come." Bill suddenly looked nauseous. "H- he was the only one who wanted to come tonight, and to spend time with me, and the whole night I just-"

"So you're the reason my brother is dead." The whole group snaps their heads to stare at him, even the EMT. He doesn’t know why they all look so surprised. It seems like a pretty logical deduction to make.

Steph wraps her arm around Peter’s shoulder, but she stays standing. He feels small tucked against her side. It feels nice.

Richie gives his hand a squeeze and runs his finger along the side of Peter’s hand. It feels nice too.

Bill sucks in a breath, like somebody stabbed him. Which is fucking hilarious, given the circumstances. He looks at Peter like Peter did something to hurt him. It does not feel nice.

“What? Don’t have anything to say about it? You just said it, you were the reason he was here.” The EMT winces, and Peter glares at him. He wisely decides to fuck off to the front of the ambulance.

“Peter, that’s not- I’m didn’t-” Bill fumbles over himself. Peter isn’t sure what he fucking expected.

“I think you should go.”

“Right, right, but I just wanted to say, if you need anything, you can-” He fumbles with his back pocket and pulls out a wallet, nearly dropping it on the ground. Ted always says that Bill never knows when to drop a subject, and so far, Peter isn’t seeing anything to disapprove this fact.

“Here,” Bill says, as he holds a white card out to Peter. “My number’s on there, you can give me a call-"

And Peter just wants him to shut the fuck up.

"I said fucking GO!"

Bill jumps and drops his business card. Peter feels bad, but he's too fucking tired to apologize. He slumps against Steph's shoulder. Her breathing feels like a gravitational pull, and he doesn't think he could escape it if he tried.

Bill scurries off, and Peter is grateful. “Fuck,” he groans, hiding his face in the crown of Stephanie’s head. She smells like sweat and that fruity shampoo her dad won’t stop buying for her. “Ted was right, he’s a fucking busybody.” It tears through his chest, even saying his brother’s name. He thinks the only thing that could hurt worse would have been not saying it.

It grows quiet. At least, as quiet as the site of a disaster can be. If he listens carefully, he can hear Chief Sweetly crying about one of the actors or Officer Bailey debating with Grace Chasity over who gets to keep his gun. (He's pretty sure Grace is winning.) The noises of the parking lot combine into a low background, police interrogations and muffled sobbing weaving into a dull drone. The police have turned their sirens off, but the lights still flicker red and blue and white. Peter closes his eyes, and the solid colors flicker across the black of his eyelids. The repetition is soothing, smoothing over the anxious hum that has been blaring a klaxon in the back of his brain. Between the warm pillar of Steph in front of him and Richie’s solid weight across his back, Peter finds his eyes drifting shut.

Richie’s shoulders hitching, however, gets him wide awake in an instant. Peter sits up, away from Steph, and pulls Richie closer to him, so he is angled toward Peter. Silent tears flood Richie’s cheeks. His mouth is screwed up in a crooked line.

“What happened?” Peter asks, frantically looking Richie over. He seemed fine when they arrived, but Peter had just been happy he was breathing, he could have missed something important-

"It's my fault Ruth is dead," Richie weeps.

"What?"

"I killed her, Peter. I killed Ruth." Tears stream down Richie's cheeks.

"I thought you said-"

"I told her to audition! She wasn't going too, she said she wouldn't get in. I'm the one... I'm the reason."

Oh fuck.

"Richie..."

Richie just sobs and latches onto his shoulder. Peter can feel time slipping again and he digs his nails into his palm to stay present.

"Richie, it's not your fault."

"I'm the reason she was here."

The sick feeling in Peter's gut twists deeper. That isn't what he... Fuck. What does he say? What does he say?

Steph sees his hesitation and gets a wild look in her eyes. Her hand flutters to the back of Peter’s neck. Her fingernails graze the skin in a repetitive line, like she is trying to beckon him back. He wonders if she thinks he lost time again. If so, she doesn’t say. She focuses all her attention on Richie. "It's not your fault, okay? You blame the murderer, you blame the theater for hiring this whackjob, you blame God for all I care, but you don't blame yourself for that shit, okay? That's how you drive yourself crazy, and Ruth wouldn't want that, you torturing yourself for believing in her. Okay?" She reaches across Peter and takes Richie's free hand. "Promise me."

"Promise you?"

"You won't blame yourself. Promise me."

"I'll... I'll try.”Steph opens her mouth, most likely to argue, but she is interrupted. From the side of the ambulance, the EMT clears his throat, far too loudly, and rounds the corner.

Steph glares at him, but only says, "We'll work on it.” Richie nods, and Peter is positive he is counting on her forgetting about it.

With the EMT back, their closeness starts to itch. Peter can feel him searching them, trying to figure out just what they mean to each other. Peter is pretty sure a vivisection would feel less intrusive.

The three of them untangle from one other. Steph habitually tucks her hair behind her ears, straightening to perfect posture. Even at the scene of a disaster, she maintains her image. Not that Peter blames her. He is sure Dan and Donna will have all sorts of footage from tonight all over the news tomorrow. As a local celebrity, Stephanie will probably get a featured segment. The thought makes him feel nauseous. "Everything seems to be in order!" The EMT says brightly. "I don't think you two need to go to the hospital. Do you three have someone who can take you home?"

"My uncle is coming to get me," Peter lets him know. He looks toward Stephanie and Peter. “He can probably get the two of you too!”

Stephanie's frown deepens. It has been such a common expression for her tonight, Peter feels bad. He has etched so much grief into her face. "But Peter-"

"I'm fine, Steph."

"No you're fucking not. You keep fucking... Leaving."

"I've been here the whole time."

"But you haven't. The lights are on but nobody is home. It's... It's fucking terrifying, Pete."

Oh.

Pete turns to Richie, who nods. His palm is slick with sweat against Peter's. He looks freaked out, even considering everything that has happened tonight, which Peter again feels bad about. He is letting everyone down today. Still... There is one person he can't fail. He can't.

Peter looks up at the EMT.

“Where is my brother?”

Richie swallows nervously. Peter feels his Adam's apple bob against his shoulder. "Pete...” He says slowly, like Peter just asked if he could move to Clivesdale. “He's d-"

"I fucking got that." He doesn't need a reminder. "Where... Where did they take him. After."

The EMT presses his lips together. “You should let your parents handle that, sweetie-”

“Then it’ll never get done. Where is he?”

“Everyone who was... who had passed before we arrived was taken to the hospital morgue.”

“Huh.” Images of Ted, pale and expressionless on a silver slab flash through his head. So many nurses were going to see Ted naked. He would have been ecstatic.

Then Peter is laughing. He is laughing so hard he can’t breathe. Stephanie and Richie are saying something, and they sound almost frantic and someone is shaking his shoulder but it’s so fucking funny Peter can’t stop. Tears stream down his cheeks as he cackles. And at some point his laughs have turned to sobs. They shake his whole body, and he thinks he might be screaming. He falls into Richie, and Richie is sobbing too. He wraps his arms around Peter, and hugs him tight to his chest. Peter can feel wet spots on Richie’s shirt where he is soaking him with tears and snot, but Richie only holds him tighter.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, Pete,” he murmurs over and over into Peter’s hair. A warm weight drapes over Pete’s back, and Stephanie reaches up to pet through Peter’s hair.

“Let it out baby, let it out.” Her voice is wet.

Peter isn’t sure how long they sit there, crying. Long enough, that Peter runs out of tears, and he just sniffles through shaky breaths, feeling like a wrung out dish towel.

“What am I going to do?”

“What do you mean?”

“Where... Where am I going to stay?” His parents were out of the question. Peter wouldn’t go back, even if they wouldn’t just slam the door in his face. Without Ted to pay rent on the apartment... “I’m homeless. Fuck.”

“You can stay with me!” Stephanie assures him.

“Your dad is going to be okay with that?”

“Are you kidding? He’ll love it. Taking you in right before the election? He’ll look like a hero.” She scoffs. “He’ll probably claim it was his idea.”

A car pulls into the parking lot, a beat up red Toyota probably older than Peter is himself. The bumper is more rust than metal. At the wheel is the mean barista from Beanie's. She is wearing an expression that Peter has never seen on her before, blatant concern weighing her face. Out of the car, comes Richie’s uncle Paul. He is still in his suit, like he was relaxing at home in a starched shirt and tie. Considering everything he knows about Paul, that probably was the case.

“Richie!” He yells, louder than Peter imagined he could be, “Richie!” His head frantically turns back and forth as he scans the crowds.

“Over here!” Richie yells, standing and waving his and Peter’s conjoined hands. He has backed up, so the lines of their legs are still pressed together.

Paul’s entire body decompresses when he sees Richie, like he is sighing with his entire body. He staggers against the hood of the car, briefly studying himself with his hands, before pushing past it. He cuts the corner too fast, slams his thigh into the headlight, but he doesn't even seem to notice the impact. He speedwalks over to the back of the ambulance, running up to his nephew to take Richie's face into his hands. “Richie,” he gasps, like holding him is the first breath of oxygen he has gotten all night. Something about it makes Peter's already sore eyes sting, and he has to swallow a lump in his throat.

Richie looks up at Paul with a brittle smile. “Hi Uncle Paul. Thank you for coming.” He says it like Paul has picked him up early from a sleepover. Paul doesn't even answer. He just opens his mouth and then closes it, once, twice, then a third time. Then he pulls Richie forward, unflinchingly, into his chest. His shoulders shake.

“Jeez, Uncle Paul!” Richie shrieks, “You're crushing me.” He doesn't fight the hold though, merely wraps his free arm around Paul and squeezes. The hand still holding Peter’s trembles.

The mean barista jogs up to them, finally catching up from where Paul had run off without her. Peter remembers Richie mentioning she and Paul were dating, but Peter hadn't realized they were “Drive me to get my nephew from the scene of a mass murder” serious. Good for Paul.

"Hey kid. How are you holding up?"

Richie sniffs. "Sorry, Emma. I know you were excited to have dinner with Tom and Tim."

"Kid, you don't have to apologize for... For any of it. I'm just glad you're okay." She places her hand on Paul's shoulder. “Babe, you're going to suffocate him.”

“Right, right,” Paul says, distantly. He lets Richie lean away, hands slowly falling, like he is ready to reach out and grab him again at any moment. He glances over, paling at the sight of Peter and Stephanie. He clears his throat as he processes their presence. “Hello Peter. Stephanie.” He says Stephanie's name slowly, like midway through saying it, he realized he wasn’t actually sure he was right.

She graciously doesn't mention it. “Hey, Mr. Matthews.” Paul frowns, like he always has the few times she's joined them for a study session, but for once doesn't argue. Instead, he turns to Peter.

“Richie mentioned that Ted... Is... Is he, um-”

Peter doesn't have the patience for this. “Ted's dead, yeah.”

Paul gets that same stricken look Bill had, and maybe Peter should be nicer, but to be honest, he just wants people to stop looking at him. Even the fucking barista, who Peter is 99% sure has spit in his hot chocolate, is looking at him like he's a walking tragedy and Peter can hardly stand the writhing weight of their pity.

“Okay... Okay, okay,” Paul repeats, slowly, taking a deep breath. "I'm... I'm sorry for your loss. Ted and I weren't close but... I know he really, really loved you."

It's so impersonal, so distant. It’s a stranger’s eulogy.

It's exactly what Peter expects from Paul. Their mismatched relationship used to be something Peter, Ruth, and Richie laughed at Ted recalling his "best friend Paul" while Paul clearly only tolerated Ted, at best. Ruth had once called it a "tragic, one-sided bromance" and Peter had laughed so hard, milk shot out his nose. But Ruth isn't here. And Ted isn't here. And Paul doesn't like Peter's brother. And Peter can't help but say it.

"Ted called you his best friend." From the way Paul's eyes widen, this is news to him.

"Oh. I... I didn't know he, um, felt that way. I kind of thought he didn't like me."

"Being mean is how Ted shows affection. He learned it from our parents."

"Jesus fucking Christ, Pete," Steph exhales, like the words pain her. She nuzzles closer to his shoulder.

"Speaking of parents,” Paul says, in that frantic way he does when he is trying to change the subject, “are they coming to pick you up?"

"Fuck, I hope not." Peter says, before he can stop himself. He groans. Fuck his filter tonight, apparently he’ll just say anything. Stephanie, Paul, and Emma are looking at him with barely masked concern.

“Peter can stay over, right?” Richie asks, nervously. He still hasn't let go of Peter. Peter can't imagine asking him too.

“Of course,” Paul says and nods toward Peter. Then he looks at Stephanie. “Are you... Are you coming as well?”

“I...” Steph looks between them. “I’m not-” It is the most at-a-loss Pete has ever seen her. “I wouldn’t want to... You guys were... Ruth and I, we weren’t... We only hung out a few times, and... I shouldn’t.” It’s Richie who reaches out and grabs her hand.

“Please, come with us. For Pete, and... for me?” Somehow, tears begin to drip down Richie’s face. (Peter is distantly impressed. He thinks that if he cried anymore, he would crumble into dust.) “You’re our friend, Steph. You are Ruth’s friend too.” He chuckles, and chokes on it. “She was so excited to have a friend who was a girl, you had no idea.”

Steph sniffles a bit. “She was my first girl friend too. At least, the first one who was actually nice to me.”

“Steph...” Paul says. Peter didn’t realize it at first, but his eyes are red. “Even if you think you weren’t as close-” Paul’s voice cracks, “-as you should have been, you get to be sad too, okay?”

“Paul...” Emma says, a twinge of genuine grief in her tone, but Peter can’t bring himself to care about whatever the fuck they are talking about, because Steph is looking between him and Richie like she is waiting for them to say something. Words are fucking impossible but to be honest, Peter doesn’t want to talk anyways. He holds his arms out and Stephanie falls into them. And Peter was wrong, because as Steph silently cries into his shoulder and Richie worms his ways into the hug, shoulders heaving, Peter finds he has more tears left to shed after all.

#peter spankoffski #npmd #stephanie lauter #richie lipschitz #hatchetfield #workin boys #workin boys spoilers #character death #lautski #ted spankoffski #ruth fleming #hatchetverse #angst #hurt/comfort #my writing #my fanfic #paul matthews

59 notes · View notes

tecontos · 11 months ago

Text

Rapidinha no trabalho de pois de tomar um chá afrodisíaco.

By; Madu

Oi, me chamo Maria Eduarda (Madu), tenho 23 anos e sou de Fortaleza-Ce. Vou contar pra vocês do dia que dei minha buceta no banheiro do trabalho.

Por muito tempo, trabalhei em uma empresa de telemarketing. Nós tínhamos um intervalo de, mais ou menos, 35 minutos pra almoçar enquanto outras pessoas trabalhavam nesse turno. Tudo era revezado e eu estava com muita vontade de pedir demissão, porque não aguentava mais. Foi por isso que eu decidi me arriscar a transar no banheiro.

Tinha tomado um chá que minha amiga dizia ser afrodisíaco e achei que era brincadeira dela, mas quando o negócio começou a fazer efeito, percebi que era sério. Fiquei com muito calor e com uma vontade absurda de dar. Precisava fazer alguma coisa.

Quando chegou no horário do almoço, já estava subindo pelas paredes.

Para vocês terem uma ideia, eu nem senti fome na hora. Tomei coragem pra chamar o cara gostoso que trabalhava no mesmo setor que eu e tomamos todo o cuidado pra não sermos pego pelas câmeras, porque tinha um ponto cego pelo banheiro. Trancamos a porta e começamos a nos pegar.

A mão dele era muito firme e apertava minha bunda com vontade. Eu já estava cheia de tesão, então aquilo só me ajudou a ficar com ainda mais fogo. Felizmente, ele também estava interessado em mim há algum tempo, então não precisei me preocupar com recusas.

Tirei a calça dele e a camisa social de uma vez só. Arranhei aquele peito malhado e comecei a descer a mão pro pau que já estava armado pra comer minha bucetinha. Sentei na pia torcendo pra ela não quebrar e abri as pernas. Como eu estava de saia, ele levantou o tecido e afastou minha calcinha pro lado.

Ele encostou a cabeça no meu pescoço e meteu o pau em mim. Segurou com força nas minhas coxas e não parava de mexer os quadris. Aquela foi a experiência mais louca e mais gostosa da minha vida, principalmente porque eu tinha me entupido de afrodisíaco.

Eu só sei que gozei tanto que deixei o pau dele todo babado. Saí da empresa algumas semanas depois, mas até hoje marco alguns encontros com aquele cara delicioso que me fez ir aos céus em uma foda simplesmente maravilhosa.

Enviado ao Te Contos por Madu

27 notes · View notes

knivestothroats · 1 year ago

Text

ITWS/ProVic Crossover Event Of The Century (part 1)

This is a crossover of In The Woods Somewhere by me and Professional//Victim by @victimeyez. Part 2 is here. Content warnings: Captivity, discussion of torture, discussion of sex trafficking, drug and alcohol use

Fletcher owned one suit. It lived in the back of their closet next to their old lucky leather jacket. They figured they used up all the luck when they took a bullet to the chest and didn’t die, so it had been cleaned of blood and retired.

The suit only came out for dinner parties Fletcher grudgingly attended for networking purposes. This one was a business mixer someone had rented out a ballroom at a hotel for. Almost a two hour drive for Fletcher, but it’s not like events were being hosted in the woods.

They combed back their hair neatly. But they couldn’t stand to look at their reflection, so they tousled it again. Stylishly.

Fletcher scanned the room for familiar faces when they walked in. Not wanting to make an immediate beeline for the bar, they walked to it casually instead and ordered an old fashioned. Something to hold and sip would help them look and feel more at ease, less awkward and out of place. They leaned against the bar for a moment, surveying the crowd again. Still, no one they knew. That meant it was time for cold introductions.

It was what these events were for, but… ugh.

Fletcher’s eyes landed on an intriguing pair. One was on the taller side. He was wearing a blazer over a turtleneck, silver wire-frame glasses, and his hair in a half pony. One hand held a cocktail, and the other was planted firmly on the shoulder of a slightly shorter man. He had dark curls falling around a gaunt but pretty face. Shadows clung under his eyes, which drifted nervously around the room before returning to the floor. He was dressed in black slacks, a white button-down shirt that hung a bit loosely on his frame, and most notably, a red leather collar with gold details.

If nothing else, they were the most interesting.

Fletcher approached the pair. They held their hand out to the taller man.

“The name’s Fletcher, nice to meet you.”

He took it gladly, with a firm but non-threatening grip. "I’m Caius, and my friend here is Tommy."

Fletcher managed to refrain from cringing at the name. They glanced in his direction in time to catch Tommy looking at them nervously before turning his head away. Fletcher hadn’t intended to offer their hand to him - the power dynamics were clear here - but now they barely wanted to look at him.

It wasn’t an uncommon name, but it still struck a chord every time they heard it.

"What business venture are you two representing?" Fletcher asked, shifting their attention back towards Caius.

With practiced ease, Caius pulled a business card from his jacket pocket and held it out to Fletcher between two fingers. "We make dreams come true."

Oh, Jesus. Fletcher raised their eyebrows just briefly as they took the card. An almost velvety texture, sharp edges, silvery print. “Personalized entertainment,” followed by a phone number. Fletcher flipped it over to a blank back.

"How very enlightening," they said dryly.

"You'll have to forgive me for being discreet. Tommy works for us as a private entertainer, of the torture fantasy variety. He's very responsive to direction, and… stimulus. He's less of a call boy, there are a lot of rules if you want to fuck him." Caius smirked on the word "fuck." He spoke with an even, telemarketer tone throughout.

Tommy wasn't facing Fletcher head-on, but his eyes were focused on them just to the side. He squinted slightly, as if trying to think of something.

"Hm." Responded Fletcher flatly. "So, torture is a free for all, but sex has conditions."

"We have ways of fixing most things, but penicillin can only do so much.” Caius said. “We have a state-of-the-art lab for flash healing and scar-free recoveries. He's a blank slate every time."

To the side, Tommy's gaze lowered, filtered by long eyelashes. Fletcher turned their sights back on him, sizing him up from a new perspective. He was pretty, in a frail way. Timid, most likely beaten into submission. Collared, but not leashed; that meant he could be trusted to follow orders, at least to some extent. He had the allure of a prey animal to a predator like themself. Caius had chosen well. Or molded him well.

“Which do you get more requests for?” Fletcher asked, returning their attention to Caius. “Torture or sex?”

Caius grinned wolfishly. "Torture - sex is cheaper from anyone else." He tipped back his drink for another sip, but did not take his eyes off of Fletcher for one long gulp. It was weird. He made it weird. "I'm sure customers like you get it for free."

"Customers like me?" Fletcher echoed. "What makes me so special?"

Caius cocked his head, shifting gears. "You tell me. Who are you, sharp stranger?"

Ok, so definitely the type who thinks flirting with customers will help him close deals. Fletcher answered unaffected. "I run a training operation. People send me new recruits or nepo babies that aren't living up to expectations and I teach them the skills to be productive members of criminal society. Mercs, mobs, murderers of all kinds. Done work with a lot of families and guilds, hoping to make some more connections tonight."

"Aren't we all." Caius looked around the room briefly. "We will be doing a demonstration later, hoping to drum up some noise for our service." Tommy was a statue at his side, staring off into space like he had drifted from his body. At least for now, while he didn’t have pain to pin him in place. "Maybe you could help me out - you see, I don't want to get this blazer stained... and you could use a bit of color."

"Mm," Fletcher took a sip of their drink. "People usually pay me for that kind of service. I come highly requested. Or I did, when that was my game."

"People usually pay me for that kind of service. Or at least… providing the body. But look at us - we could be here, right now, making a connection."

He was laying it on thick. Fletcher tried to retake control of the direction the conversation was heading. "Not sure if I should be surprised that there’s a market for it. Obviously this is a more major industry than people realize,” they gestured around the room, “but in my experience, not everyone wants to get their hands dirty. Not that dirty, anyway. Not everyone has the stomach for it, let alone the appetite. What's the going rate for something like this?"

"It depends on what you have in mind. Time, tools, location, severity. You could get a quote from my associate over there," Caius said, pointing to a neatly groomed salesman with short, ginger hair. The gesture caught the attention of said associate, whose eyes widened upon seeing Caius talking to a potential client. He rushed over, trying not to look panicked.

"Hi, hello, I'm Rory." Slightly out of breath, he stuck out his hand for Fletcher. "I see you've...met Caius."

Fletcher shook his hand. "Fletcher. Pleasure. You handle the finances for this operation, then?"

He gave a short, biting laugh. His chill, easygoing sales persona was slightly tight on him at the moment. "Yes, I do, you don't have to give Caius any money, all the payments are processed through me."

Fletcher chuckled. "Caius wasn't trying to shake me down. I was just wondering what you charge for this sort of service. Although it sounds like it varies. You have a ballpark, or a range?”

"Well, it depends on a few factors, yeah. Tools, time, location, severity. But if you can tell me a little about what you have in mind, I can get you one right away." Rory flashed a winning smile. "And if I may, you might be interested in a special contraption my associate has made, which we'll also be demonstrating later today. Maximum pain for minimal effort sort of thing, if you don't want to get your hands dirty. Or if you do." He raised a conspiratorial eyebrow, leading the upsell with practiced charm.

"Mostly just asking out of curiosity," Fletcher said. "What's the contraption?"

"The Cradle," Caius easily volunteered. "Michelle is making toys now, and they're just so inspired." Whatever the contraption was, the mention of it seemed to snap Tommy out of his reverie. He promptly switched to a more refined look of abject misery.

Fletcher caught the change in demeanor. "It rocks them gently to sleep, I take it?"

"Something like that. You'll have to catch the whole spiel when we do the demonstration. Then maybe you can do a demonstration for me."

Fletcher had been trying to be diplomatic, but that was a bit much. "Ok, slow your roll, bud. You’re laying it on way too thick right now and I’m gonna need you to tone it down.”

Rory very firmly stepped on Caius's foot, and he dropped his smile suddenly to a more neutral expression. "One hour, ballroom stage. See it for yourself. Come and join the fun, or don't."

He spoke matter-of-factly, betraying no emotion if he was insulted by Fletcher's rebuke. Rory gave Fletcher a tight smile and moved to pull Caius away by his arm. "Caius, come get a drink with me."

Sweat was beginning to form on the ginger salesman’s forehead. Bags forming under his eyes, slight jitters in his hands - probably due for another bump. Caius resisted for a moment, seeming to consider. Tommy moved in to Caius's other side and subtly touched the sleeve by the man's relaxed arm. Caius turned at the touch and they met eyes, exchanging something wordless shared with just a look. Caius walked away amicably with Rory, but Tommy stood there, staring at Fletcher. Studying their face for a moment before telling them, with a defeated voice, "I know what you want."

Fletcher raised their eyebrows. "And what is that?"

Tommy did not keep a prideful look, he just looked experienced. Performing an unpleasant role that had long become old hat to him. "You like it when they squirm."

Fletcher smiled, flashing teeth. They took a step closer to Tommy. "How long have you been... doing this?"

"A while. Around five years, as far as I can tell. They don't let me put tallies on the walls."

Fletcher folded one arm across their chest and left the other loose to swirl their glass. They thought of a number of questions, but weren't sure if they wanted to know the answers. There was a certain level of detachment that made everything easier. Asking how he ended up in his position may be tempting, but hearing his story could create sympathetic feelings that Fletcher would inevitably have to smash down when they left him at the end of the night. Because they sure as fuck weren't going to rescue him like an abused dog. He could have been an enemy who crossed them and lost, he could be a random victim picked up off the street. It didn't make a difference.

"Caius said you fulfill fantasies. You've gotten good at figuring out what people want, then."

"I had to."

"You're better at it than your owner." Fletcher glanced over their shoulder to the bar. Rory was leaning in a little too close to Caius and talking fast while Caius glowered at him. They turned back to Tommy. "Five years, huh? When did you give up?"

"Handler,” Tommy corrected. “I guess...it doesn't really matter." There was a low table off to the side of the crowd, flanked by two plush chairs. Tommy took a few deliberate steps towards it to check if Fletcher followed, and then eagerly claimed one of the seats. He seemed to enjoy sitting down in such luxury like a child might enjoy playing in a pool. Scant pleasures abound for him.

Fletcher pushed out the other chair with their foot and sat, somewhat poised on the edge as if they’d have to jump up at a moment’s notice.

"It's hard to place an exact moment, but...I would say, whenever it was when they had to reattach my hand." He smiled numbly.

Fletcher put their drink down on the table and studied his face. He seemed too aware of his situation to tell an easily refutable lie if he didn't need to. Still, Fletcher had been around the block, and that was extreme. They didn't want to seem gullible. "Are you fucking with me?"

"I'm five years in and just - just look at me," he gestured vaguely to himself. "No scars, no bumps. Experimental stuff. They gambled on the right guy. I say guy, because he's not a doctor any more."

Fletcher did look Tommy over. He was right. This was a person who had accepted his place in Hell, which means he'd been there long enough to get through all the stages of grief. He should be covered in scars. He should have a crooked nose and fingers. He should be in pain when he walks. All he really had to show was a sunken face and dead eyes. Fletcher leaned back in their chair and glanced over to Caius and Rory and again. There was a third person with them now, and they all seemed like they were trying not to make it obvious they were arguing. "Any chance your not-doctor is here tonight?"

Tommy opens his mouth with a wry grin and then seems to think better of it, closing his mouth to chew over his answer again. "No, he's not. I'm not sure Caius would share. That information."

"I saw the smirk,” Fletcher said playfully. “You have something you want to tell me."

Tommy chewed on his lip as he thought about it. "You're going to get me in trouble."

Fletcher put their hands up innocently. "How am I going to get you in trouble?"

"You almost talk to me like a person," Tommy said.

God, he was so pathetic. Part of Fletcher wanted to be nice to him and part of them wanted to grab his face and smash it into the table. Either could get a fun reaction. "Look," they leaned in conspiratorially. "This is your chance to get it all out. You probably don't get to talk shit with customers, right?"

Tommy's face was slightly flushed. He was practically bursting at the seams, but he swallowed down the desire and sat back, sinking into the seat. "You think you're the first to try this?"

Fletcher blew out a breath and rested their chin on their hand. "You are a professional, huh?" they said with a smile. "I may not convince you, but... I like you better than your handler, so far. I think it would be fun to know something he doesn't."

Tommy sighed and pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes for a long moment. "You're the type that needs a reaction. You like being feared. You've been doing the 'lone wolf' thing for a while now." He removes his hands from his face and his eyes stare at them in his lap. "You've convinced yourself you're comfortable with it."

The smile faded from Fletcher's face. They paused for a long time, staring Tommy down. He wouldn't look up to meet their gaze. "I wasn't asking for information about myself," they said coldly. "Look at me."

"I don't - I don't know why I said that." He kept his eyes down.

Fletcher reached out, put two fingers under Tommy's chin, and tilted his head up. They fixed him with a hard stare for a moment. Studying his face, thinking, but also... he wasn't wrong before. They wanted him to squirm. "That's quite a skill. I don't know if you're wasted in this role or if you're perfect for it."

Tommy closed his eyes for a long moment, and when he opened them again they met Fletcher's with focus and clarity.

"I'm perfect for it."

Fletcher put their chin back in their hand. They drummed their fingers against their lower lip. "I haven't talked to anyone else here yet," they said. "But I think you're probably the most interesting person in the room."

Tommy sat up suddenly, turning as Caius, Rory, and a third man joined them. Caius wore a grim smile. "Has he told you I'm evil yet? Made you sympathetic to his cause?"

"Um, no, but I can figure that out," Fletcher said. "We’re all at the evil convention." They finished off their drink and pointed to the newcomer. "Michelle, I take it?"

"You may take it," The other man said with a nervous laugh. His hair was divided into twists that nearly touched his shoulders. "And you're Fletcher in the Rye?"

Fletcher laughed. "That's pretty good." They stood to shake his hand. "You're the inventor?"

"Oh, more like tinkerer, but I suppose. Are you looking for any new toys for your collection?"

"Well, your associates keep alluding to your 'cradle,' trying to create an air of suspense to keep me interested, I'm sure. But, it's working enough that I want to know what it is."

He laughed. "Yeah, they're the ones that know how to sell. It's a curved brace that connects into nerves along the spine. Are you sticking around for the little demonstration we have planned?"

Rory stood by as if waiting for one of the others to say something he would have to try to make up for, but held fast for now. Caius leaned over Tommy's chair and cupped his boy’s face with one hand, his thumb pressed to his lips while his other fingers supported underneath his chin. A peculiar touch, and an almost casual gesture, but some meaning was hidden there. He was touching Tommy where Fletcher had, in order to tip his head up. Caius dug his fingers into the hollows of his cheeks in an almost teasing squeeze before letting go.

Fletcher watched the interaction carefully, studying both their faces. "I'll stick around," they said. "I should work the room more, anyway. And I need another drink." They picked up their empty glass and raised it in a salute. "Gentlemen."

Rory and Michelle gave small, appropriate nods. Caius flashed them one last winning smile before turning suddenly and leaning into Tommy's space to whisper something in his ear.

Fletcher returned to the bar and opted for a whisky sour this time.

“I’d prefer honey, if you have it,” they said as the bartender set to work. They glanced over their shoulder to scope out perspectives to chat up, but ended up turning back to the bartender.

“So, do you work for the hotel, or do you work for the host of the event?” Fletcher asked.

“I’m employed by Ms. Hannowitz,” he said, referring to the host.

Fletcher nodded. “Okay, so you know what’s going on.”

“Indeed I do,” he said, setting Fletcher’s drink on the bar in front of them.

“Thanks.” They took a sip. “It’s great, thank you.”

They turned towards the crowd… then back to the bartender.

“So how does that work - are you solely employed as a bartender for Hannowitz, or do you do other stuff for her, or is there like a catering company specifically for illegal events?”

A pair of women approached the other end of the bar and waved the bartender over.

“If you’ll excuse me,” he said to Fletcher before walking away.

“Oh, sure, sure,” Fletcher muttered. Taking another sip of their drink, they surveyed the crowd. Finally, they saw someone they recognized - a capo in a family they’d done work for in the past, and trained a couple foot soldiers for. He was talking to a couple people Fletcher didn’t know; perfect opportunity for introductions. They made their way over.

The troupe doesn't make a spectacle of it when they make their way to the stage. Caius and Rory each clasp a hand around Tommy's wrists and rush him up to prevent a last-minute escape attempt. Caius had slipped him a little something earlier, which was not pain meds as Tommy had hoped but instead a muscle relaxant. He wasn't running off anywhere any time soon.

Backstage, Michelle opened the suitcase they had loaded in earlier and started to fit together pieces stored inside. Rods interlocked into a surprisingly sturdy frame, and the suitcase was detached from the wheeled base. With a few turns of an allen wrench, the base unfolded into a longer, thinner platform that the metal frame fit into. It resembled a rolling clothing rack, but unusually tall and wide.

Tommy was watching the construction, his stomach tight with fear. It had been a long time since he cried before the torture even started, but his eyes were prickling with unchecked emotion. Beside him, Caius fussed at the backstage vanity. He had pulled out a little doggy bag of cocaine and poured some onto the chalky desk. He dug in his wallet for a credit card and a crumpled receipt, which he smoothed out and rolled with ease. He cut the ivory with his credit card into two lines before wiping one off the edge into a vial.

"Head back," He instructed Tommy, and when he didn't respond fast enough Caius wrenched his head back by his hair. He pressed the vial under his nose and tapped it gently, emptying the coke into Tommy's sinuses before pinching his nose shut. "If you sneeze, I'll leave you up for them all to use. Don't waste my shit."

Tommy's eyes watered at the pain triggered all the way down his throat, but managed to nod. Caius let go and let him wipe his nose while he took the other line for himself.

"Ready?" Michelle had a hand on one of the supporting polls, wheeling the rack along.

Caius coughed and wiped his nose on the back of his sleeve. "Where's Rory?"

"He's already out there, setting up the table."

Caius sniffed and rubbed his eyes. "Yeah, alright, let's do it."

Tommy wondered what coke was like for Caius. He seemed energetic and focused and jolly. For Tommy, it just made his nervous heart pound harder. He felt like trapped prey, with an overwhelming urge to run, but nowhere to go. Mixed with the muscle relaxant, he felt caged inside of his weakened body.

They walked on stage to see a sizable crowd already waiting for them - enough people had noticed the set-up begin, and plenty others had been invited to attend personally by a member of the team. Caius slunk off to go about some nefarious business while Michelle positioned the rack facing out towards the audience. He stopped at each of the four wheels to press a trigger down with his foot, the wheels locking stubbornly onto the stage with a rubber seal as each was fastened. Rory was laying the finishing touches on a folding table to the side, covered in a variety of implements to inflict pain. In the middle layed a long black piece of metal, curved and thin with an appearance reminiscent of a xenomorph's detached spine. Tommy’s heart hammered in his chest looking at it, and he took one step back towards the stairs.

"Hey," a friendly voice said, as a hand gripped him by the arm. He turned and Michelle was looking at him with a curious smile. "Come here, this way." He was led towards the frame by Michelle's push, who gentled him like a wild animal backed into a corner. "Stand here, just like that, good. Strip down to your underwear, please." Tommy gave an anxious glance at the crowd formed in front of them. "Don't be shy. Here, I'll help."

Tommy didn't resist as Michelle helped him undress, cooperating slowly in a daze. None of this felt real. His head throbbed in time with his heart. A moment later he was strung up to the frame, pulled taut up on the balls of his feet by his wrists chained above him. Michelle took his clothes, and Caius reappeared at his side, one cold hand spreading over his lower back.

"Let's get started."

In another life Caius was some shithead Shakespearean actor. At least, he knew how to project to the room.

"Friends among us, we are here to demonstrate a new and original design from our labs." He did not have to clap his hands or ring a bell, the people were intrigued enough by Tommy's public binding that the dull roar simmered to a quiet murmur among the crowd. Michelle stepped up to center stage and took a deep breath.

"Pain is not evil. It is not inherently a punishment from our bodies. It is a part of our natural homeostasis system, our bodies' need to maintain good, working order. Our body tells us what we need through these systems. We feel thirst when we need water, tired when we need sleep, hot when we are overheating, cold when our body temperature is low. We even crave foods that satisfy nutritional needs - red meat when we are low on iron, maybe some popcorn when we need the salt." It got a very modest chuckle from the crowd. "We have built-in sensors throughout our bodies that tell us when we are injured or wounded. All of our sensitive nerves are there to alert us when the body has been damaged. The signal we receive that holds that information, is how we sense pain.

"Common methods of interrogation - or just play - manipulate the body to create pain. But sometimes, we need to generate a lot of pain without causing a lot of bodily harm. What if we used these nerves, these sensors, directly, to cause pain without unnecessary damage?"

Caius fetched the Cradle from the table and brought it to Michelle, who held it up to the audience.

“We are here today to introduce the Cradle, a device for not only generating pain, but immobilizing the subject by it, too. No more handcuff keys to lose. The Cradle conforms to the human spine, and when lined up correctly, slides pins directly into the shallow bundles of nerves along the subject's back. With physical damage no worse than a few pinpricks, you can latch this into a person's spine with an incapacitating amount of pain. The Cradle then locks in place with a simple mechanism that the victim physically cannot reach to unlock. "

There is an excited murmuring through the audience, and Michelle is received well when he holds it aloft.

"As I began the build and manufacture process, I realized the Cradle could accomplish much more than I had planned. By wiring electrodes into the crest of the artificial spine and running copper filament through the pins, the Cradle is able to directly stimulate the nerves with electricity from the rechargeable battery pack located at the small of the back. Each charge is good for 250 hours of consecutive use, and can be stored without charge degradation nearly indefinitely. "

Caius and Michelle moved to Tommy then. He didn’t even register that Caius was telling him to turn around, but they guided him into it, twisting the rope suspending him so his back faced the audience. He felt distant from his body and his hands were already numb.

"By lining the dial up with the top vertebrae, which you can feel at the base of the neck here - " A firm few fingers felt along the back of his neck for a moment before circling a low spot. "-minor adjustment to account for varying heights-" Something cold was pressed to his back, and then there was an intense pressure as the pins there threatened to pierce his skin. "-clamp to insert the pins at an angle, and lock in with a further series of hooks to secure the mechanism-"

Almost as soon as it breached his skin, the pain was unbearable. His back seized with the intrusion and he screamed until he had no air left. Dragging in another deep breath agitated the creature biting hard into his spine and he struggled to collect air.

They let him go and he was slowly turned back with the unwinding of the twisted cord. He was forced to face the audience as he trembled and seized, muscles clenching up into painful cramps, only driving the pins deeper. He kept waiting for the pain to plateau, to break, but it seemed to only heighten more and more. He dry heaved and his legs shuddered, his body spasming in some attempt to relieve the pain it only stoked. They let him dangle there, the monster on his back crushing his spine in shocking agony as he screamed himself hoarse.

"As you can see, it is quite effective at its original purpose. The Cradle has two forms of charge to create different reactions."

Fletcher watched intently. Tommy clearly knew what was coming. His movements were sluggish - either doped up or disassociating. Maybe both. The moment the device kicked on was clear. His face contorted and his legs gave out, bending awkwardly beneath him as his restraints kept him from collapsing. The screaming was loud, and long, interrupted only by gagging breaths. Michelle explained different settings for pain and immobilization. Fletcher figured they could adjust the settings to make it impossible to scream, hitting that sweet spot where the pain takes the breath from your body. At the very least, cause his muscles to seize enough that he can’t open his mouth, and the cries seep through muffled and broken. But these men were showing off - they wanted the screams.

It looked like a good device. Sure, there were tasers and jumper cables that could cause similar effects. Paralytics, nerve agents. But the Cradle seemed more fine tuned, most versatile. Portability was a question - does it fold up? Still beats a car battery, but not the other options. And they’d be interested to see if it left any marks on his back when they were done.

Michelle turned the device off. Tommy hung limp, jerking with aftershocks. Tears streamed down his cheeks, but he didn’t sob. Just moaned with pain. Fletcher had wondered if they were going to feel conflicted about watching the demonstration. After all, they had enjoyed talking to Tommy more than they had any of his owners. But they ate up every moment.

Tommy really was good at it - or good for it. Not much participation was required on his part. Maybe if he had gotten a chance to beg. He was probably really good at begging. Hell, he reads people so well, he probably had it down to a science.

He would probably look good bleeding, too. The contrast of his pale skin and dark hair would pair so well with the rich red of fresh blood.

The troupe on stage took a few more questions. Blah blah blah warranty, blah blah blah voltage, blah blah blah tetanus. One older woman up front piped up.

"What is the lasting damage remaining after use? Have you studied the extent of the nerve damage left?"

"Why don't we ask him?" Michelle and Rory had been fielding most of the questions, but Caius stepped up to address that one. He crossed over to Tommy, who was starting to recover enough to just barely keep himself up. Caius took his face between his hands and lifted his head to speak directly to him. They had a low, murmured conversation for a moment, before Caius dropped his head and turned again to face the crowd.

"As you can see here, there is some bleeding from the punctures." Caius addressed the woman while he used Tommy's back like a prop, gesturing to his various parts like a ranger teaching children about some animal captured for their wildlife display. "The bleeding is little more than the amount shed for removing a simple IV, as the needles are only a wider gauge by two or three times. Immediate after-effects can include tingling, numbness of the extremities, muscle spasms, cramps, and a low-grade fever. Tommy here is doing quite well for having undergone our trials, though he has reported continuing nerve pain for up to three months at a time."

Caius gripped Tommy's arm suddenly and pushed, spinning him around on his suspension a few times while he struggled to get his feet to support him. He slowed to a stop facing out to the audience. His dark curls stuck to his forehead with a thin sheen of sweat from the pain, and his eyes were red from crying. He still had little drops of his tears down his chest, and he cowered in his near-nudity before the excited audience. Caius ran his fingers through Tommy's hair, smoothing his hair away from his face and adjusting his curls with a few sharp tugs.

"I'm afraid we did not properly introduce him before, but this is Tommy, and he's a very important part of our business. He's not just here to model Michelle's wicked inventions. See, he is our most requested product by far." Caius put a possessive hand on his clammy lower back, pushing Tommy slightly forwards towards the audience.

Michelle and Rory stepped to the side to let Caius do his song and dance as they moved into a different part of their show-and-tell. Rory seemed to have given up on directing Caius, mollified by his drugs. The same drugs that kept Tommy awake as he already trembled from the strain.

"What would you do if you had him to yourself for a few hours?�� Caius asked the crowd. “Anyone?"

There was some nervous shuffling before a young man called out, "Bull whip!"

Caius cracked a grin. "Whipping, certainly. I'm partial to the cane, myself. What else?"

“I'd make him walk on nails!" Another enthusiast called. More people were getting intrigued.

“I'd use him like a punching bag."

“I'll make him beg for his life."

“I'd skin him to the bone."

“He could clean my house in a thong."

“I could use a car battery to make him dance."

“I'd make him dig his own grave."

Talk amongst the crowd grew as people began to brainstorm, and then to one-up each other. Caius laughed with mirth and called them off with the lazy wave of a hand.

"So many good ideas! We use top of the line medical procedures that can't be found outside our labs to keep Tommy fresh for his next date. If you can host, we can come. Tommy is responsive, vocal, and sensitive."

Caius turned and punched Tommy in the stomach. The wind was knocked out of him immediately with the well-placed strike and he struggled to curl in on himself as he wheezed. He could not shield himself with his arms tied above him, and he looked exceptionally vulnerable as he struggled. Mostly nude, strung up in front of a crowd eager to devour him. He had no recourse as Caius dug his fingernails into the tender flesh of his side, raking them across diaphragm and leaving angry red lines in their wake. Tommy flinched and wriggled, a fish caught upon a hook.

"To demonstrate his uses tonight, Ladies and Gentlemen, we will invite a very special guest on stage. Please give a round of applause for Fletcher!"

[continued]

@victimeyez @lonesome--hunter @desert-dyke @coldresolve @just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi @burtlederp @suspicious-whumping-egg @whatwasmyprevioususername @whump-only @misspelledwitch @redstainedsocks @thehopelessopus @im-just-here-for-the-whump @thatsthewhump @aqua-blogging @utopian819 @bloodinthemud @pretty-face-breaker @cursedandtired @morning-star-whump If you changed your url or don't want to be in the taglist anymore lmk

#we wrote this mostly rp style #god even splitting into parts is long #pt1 is 11 pages and pt 2 is gonna be 7 #in the woods somewhere #professional//victim #hm when i link part two the post title says part 1 in the url so #hopefully it works #writings #original

46 notes · View notes

success-strategies1 · 5 months ago

Text

The Future is Now: How AI and Automation Are Revolutionizing 2024

Find out how AI and automation are reprogramming industries and people’s lives in the year 2024. Our text covers the most pressing issues, brand new concepts, and implications for the human resources field in this context. H1: Introduction:

Introduction to AI and automation Appreciating the changes and how not keeping up would be futile. H2: Growing Use of AI in 2024: On the growth in adoption of AI within sectors Artificial intelligence-derived technological interventions

H3: Automation within the Constraints of a Busy Schedule; The background of the issue of doing day-to-day activities faster and easier The era of smart homes and personal assistants is here, and society is embracing it. H3: Employment of the AI and the Automation: Effect of AI and Automation on The Enrichment of Jobs The Emergence of New Types of Occupations. H2: Top 5 Industries Revolutionized by AI at Present: 1. Healthcare 2. Manufacturing 3. Finance 4. Retail 5. Education H3: Use of AI for Enhancing Health Systems: AI that predicts and develops recommendations and plans for treatment Roles played by robots when it comes to surgery processes

H3: AI in the Manufacturing Industry: The Future of Manufacturing: Smart Factories Preferably with Robotism, Automated Warehouses, etc. Conclusion: Other aspects eased by modern technologies H3: AI’s Impact on Finance: This Part Demonstrates the Influence of AI on Financial Activities Facilitated by Artificial Instrumental Advantages. For instance, telemarketing correspondent inquiries. H3: AI in Retail: The configuration of retail strategy and value chain strategy is reflected in the adjusted supply chain architecture. In Conclusion. H3: AI in Education: Extends to current applications of AI in education..

Be informed, Be ahead! Click here join World News Update and always be informed of the progress in... AI.

Benefits and Costs: Current Challenges: Possibilities of Job Losses and the Skills Required H2: AI and Automation in the Near Future: Prospects and Possibilities for the Next Five Years Improving firms in incorporation of these concepts in the industry. The SWOT

H2: Conclusion:

Summarizes the impact of AI and automation within the context of ‘2024’. What should be done and what is to be done next? H2: FAQs: What about the question regarding automation—how it is changing the employment sector? Can technology ever fully eradicate the need for human workers?

What are the common functions that, however, are these days being performed by automated labor? What are the opportunities that technology offers, especially for independent enterprises? What skills do people should acquire or develop to have a chance of being effective at work? Introduction.

Everyone has been and is hearing a lot of talk about self-driving cars and robots taking over people's work for a few years now. However, as crazy as the idea of them is, in 2024 it is no longer just things we hear; they are actually happening. Everything from turning around businesses to finding a place to sleep at night, there is no doubt about it that these advancements are changing everything we know about the world. Therefore, changes like this are very important.

For this paper, we will expound on the revolutionary ways through which artificial intelligence as well as automation is taking a grip of the year 2024, the sectors most hit, and what features the future will bring. Shall we begin?

Do Not Let the AI Wave Get You Thin! Subscribe with World News Update for a more comprehensive cover on ai.

The Evolution of AI in 2024: Considering the way artificial intelligence has grown, its impact in 2024 is. Not even at the present could these industries and the advancement in AI afford to be separated. Important Breakthroughs in AI: Artificial intelligence is now not a thing of the past, for it is advancing right in 2024 from the point of sophistication and attention. AI assistive technology has revolutionized many a task. Automation of Everyday Businesses: Not only our economic perspective alters with the present progression toward automation but also other aspects of our lives. It’s true even for children’s toys. The Emergence of High-Tech Homes and Robo-Manservant: Think of being back in your house all day only to find out that your house knows all that stuff and even knows the choice of the music that you love playing. With smart houses, it is no longer a figure of speech. It is social reality. Alexa and Google Assistant are ever-present smart helpers in our habits and routines, allowing us to organize our day-to-day routine in a more efficient way.

Partake in the Age of Artificial Intelligence! click and join Health Tips by 90s Mantor0 and literary be at the edge of the sea in terms of AI and automation. The Future of Employment: There is no doubt that the ways in which work is done have been dramatically changed due to technology. Therefore, what was being done by hand in the past is today done by machines. Current and emerging trends on AI and its impacts on the job market; Robots are being used more and more for routine activities, which humans can then stop doing and start on other tasks that are more stimulating or more strategic. For such employees, they should not only be open to such opportunities and paths but should offset the tremendous technological advances that continue to require people to seek new skills and competencies to remain employable. The Top 5 Sectors That Are About to Experience a Revolution As a Result of AI Now it is time to consider the use of AI and automation in specific sectors: 1. Medication Industry: The field of medicine is currently being revolutionized by AI, which aims at creating backing for the work of doctors and also to benefit patients. AI-Driven Diagnostics and Treatment Schemes: AI has the ability to diagnose patients better and more accurately in a fraction of human performance time. Therefore, it can be used to deliver diagnostics and treatment plans to the place where the patients are in real-time. The Role of Robots in Surgery:

The practice of robotic surgery has gained popularity as it assists in making accurate cuts and reduces the recovery period and healing process. 2. Production: Artificial intelligence has also been introduced in industries to make the manufacturing process faster. Smart factories and automated robots. The factories have the artificial intelligence-programmed robots doing works such as quality inspection and assembling and also carrying out predictive maintenance strategies that ensure all the machines are up all day long. 3. Finance: The financial sector has made a step in the integration of artificial intelligence, ranging from auto-trading to fraud detection and even risk management. AI-driven trading platforms: These computer programs can process a lot of data much faster than the human brain and make decisions in split seconds for quite profitable trades in the financial markets while reducing the chances of human intervention errors. 4. Retail: It's no mystery that AI is having a massive influence on modern-day retail by enhancing consumer pleasure and hands-free inventory approaches. Personalized Shopper Experience Retailers are leveraging AI to make hyper-personal product suggestions; this ensures that customers always enjoy unique buying encounters based on the details available about them. 5. Education: AI is used to provide tailored learning experiences in education by assisting students and educators in the process of implementing education according to the specifics of students’ individual abilities and needs. AI: A Crucial Component in the Learning Process: Gone are the days when a teacher would have to explain first, then organize tasks and correct, then/or thereafter feed students information. Thanks to AI, a teacher can tell where all the students are stuck and, without struggling, give each student a lesson tailored to address what problem he or she may be having at that particular time. Advantages and disadvantages of AI and automation: Nevertheless, AI and automation have some weaknesses as well. Operating Cost Effectiveness and Time Savings By using AI, companies can get busy with scaled activities while still doing repetitive work of the staff. At the same time, it offers the improvement of the company’s operations as well as considerably lower inputs. Future Work and Age-Related Job Loss Occurred along with the Skills Lost One of the negative consequences of this is also the fear that dynamic changes in the area of AI quite often result in job understating. AI with Automation in the Near Future: The following question pertains to the future of AI and how long people will learn and actually utilize it. What will happen in the next few years? If more capabilities of AI technology are used—this one even more in such areas as health, industry, and finance. We may also experience autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and AI-driven infrastructure components working at the core of everyday life. Trends and Technologies on the Rise: Most of the up-and-coming fads revolve around the more advanced development of quantum computing and the concepts of ethics surrounding the applications of AI to adjust it in a way that is of significant advantage to everyone’s wellbeing. In conclusion.

#AI in 2024 #automation trends #artificial intelligence #future of work #smart technology #impact of AI #automation in industry.

3 notes · View notes

bulkdatabaseindia · 7 months ago

Text

Chennai Mobile Numbers Database

Learn about Chennai Mobile Numbers Database. Describe the key features of a Chennai Mobile Numbers database and application.

In the digital era we live in today, corporations and NGOs alike would greatly benefit from having a database of mobile phone numbers. This collection of contact information would also be crucial for marketers targeting specific customer segments so that they could enhance their marketing drive through personal information.

An organized mobile number database makes operations easier and enables growth in SMS campaigns, customer outreach, or data analysis. Competitive considerations necessitate being able to stay in touch with clients and customers competently throughout a fast, technology-dependent world through consistent supplies of accurate and updated contact information because people are increasingly using their phones.”

Chennai Mobile Numbers Database

The specific Android area phone data set is a directory of phone numbers belonging to Chennai city, and it frequently features additional data within its portals, including names, addresses, and e-mail addresses.

Employ founders unstructured for business organizations and companies that would like access to new clients inside Chennai, for instance, sales news or so on, and support services besides event advertising.

Key Features of a Chennai Mobile Numbers Database

Geographical Targeting: Address the Chennai region and, hence, local markets so that businesses can successfully target their customers.

Demographic Segmentation: Creating marketing campaigns that are personalized can be challenging if you don’t have detailed information about age, gender, income level, and occupation.

Updated Information: Make sure that the database remains true and keeps abreast of doing so regularly rather than allowing for any misinformation or out-of-date files that would lead to it being unreliable

Compliance with Regulations: By obeying set regulations and laws for data protection, ethical standards in database use are ensured, and this also shields firms as well as individuals.

How to Obtain a Chennai Mobile Number Database?

1. Purchase from Data Provider

Several of firms deal in mobile number databases that are confirmed for accuracy and updated for sales. They guarantee comprehensive details by observing prescribed laws.

2. Build Your Database

Gather phone numbers from client interactions, registration forms, loyalty schemes, competitions, and promotions. Using this method guarantees that the information collected is exactly what your business requires.

3. Collaborate with Local Businesses

Share resources and data by partnering with other businesses in the locality. This collaboration will lead to an increased reach for your business and enhancements to its database.

4. Utilize Online Directories

It is important to note that public records and online directories are essential access points for contact details. However, caution should be taken in the way collected information is used by ensuring it adheres to moral conduct as stipulated in regional laws.

Applications of a Chennai Mobile Numbers Database

SMS Marketing: In the domain of enterprise marketing, contextual marketing is a dedicated module that involves sending marketing messages, offers, and updates tailored to the mobile phones of potential clients directly.

Telemarketing: Contacting possible customers and presenting products or services.

Customer Support: “Delivering swift help and backing to clients through immediate interaction.”

Event Promotion: Let residents find out about local events, sales, launching new products, and other important messages.

Surveys and Feedback: Gathering consumer feedback and product or service observations related to developments involved in surveying.

Conclusion

The Chennai Mobile Numbers Database business opportunities are increased, and customers are reached in one of the most productive economies in India. This resource gives you new contact details, thus helping you to improve your marketing plans as well as enhance client ties, leading to extensive customer base penetration.

Using custom messages in Chennai’s lively setting can help one advance positively and achieve long-term objectives while building a real connection with the audience.

More Information About Plan and price Visit our website :- https://bulkdatabase.info/

#Bulk data base #Mobile Number Data #mobile number list #Data base india #Chennai mobile number data #Email Data base #Doctor email data #data base india #New mobile number data

2 notes · View notes

thebaileyoffi · 1 day ago

Text

Illya Bailey — THEBAILEYOFFI

Accomplished senior executive entrepreneur with strategic management and advisory experience in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations across a spectrum of industries. Venture capitalist, extensive trustee, angel investor, and private equity specialist with extensive business development and sales experience. Active donor for various charities, sponsors scholarships, and other works of philanthropy. Currently involved in International Finance, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy, Mining, FinTech, Real Estate, Health Care, IT, Food Distribution, Construction, Telemarketing, Manufacturing, and Private Equity. Mr. Bailey is an extremely dynamic and powerful speaker, motivator, and a high-level negotiator with many governments and multinational firms including equity providers, insurance companies, investment banks, international law firms and accounting firms. Business: [email protected]

https://thebaileyoffi.com/

#THEBAILEYOFFI #ILLYA BAILEY #CANADA

1 note · View note

admyurl30 · 8 days ago

Text

The Rise of Call Services in Bhubaneswar: A Booming Industry

Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, has been witnessing rapid growth across various sectors, including the call service industry. With increasing demand for customer support, telemarketing, and business process outsourcing (BPO), Bhubaneswar call service have emerged as a significant contributor to the local economy.

Why Bhubaneswar for Call Services?

Bhubaneswar offers several advantages that make it an ideal location for call service operations:

Skilled Workforce: The city has a large pool of young, tech-savvy graduates proficient in multiple languages, making them ideal for customer service roles.

Cost-Effective Operations: Compared to metro cities, Bhubaneswar provides a cost-effective business environment with lower operational expenses.

Improved Infrastructure: With better connectivity, IT hubs, and government support, Bhubaneswar is becoming a preferred destination for businesses.

Growing IT and BPO Sector: The rise of IT parks and incubators has further strengthened the call service industry, attracting national and international companies.

Types of Call Services in Bhubaneswar

The call service industry in Bhubaneswar caters to various business needs, including:

Customer Support Services: Companies provide 24/7 support for troubleshooting, complaints, and general queries.

Telemarketing Services: Businesses leverage call centers for product promotions, lead generation, and sales conversion.

BPO & Outsourcing Services: Many global firms outsource their customer service operations to Bhubaneswar due to its cost efficiency.

Technical Support Services: IT and telecom companies offer remote technical assistance through dedicated call service teams.

Future Prospects of Call Services in Bhubaneswar

With increased digital transformation, Bhubaneswar’s call service industry is poised for significant expansion. The introduction of AI-driven customer support, multilingual assistance, and cloud-based communication platforms will further enhance the efficiency of these services.

The state government’s initiatives to promote IT and business-friendly policies are also expected to boost investment in this sector. As more companies recognize the potential of Bhubaneswar, the call service industry is likely to create more job opportunities and drive economic growth in the region.

Conclusion

The Bhubaneswar call service is on an upward trajectory, offering both employment opportunities and business benefits. With a supportive ecosystem and a growing talent pool, the city is set to become a major hub for customer support and outsourcing services in India.

#bhubaneswar call service

0 notes

zoeticbposervicesopcpvtltd · 8 days ago

Text

Zoetic BPO Services Reviews: What Clients Say About Their Projects

Businesses depend on outbound calling projects to generate leads and improve customer engagement along with boosting their sales opportunities in today's rapid business environment. Startups as well as BPO firms look for dependable outsourcing partners to receive high-quality outbound calling projects. The organization Zoetic BPO Services offers reliable genuine BPO projects to its customers.

Why Choose Outbound Calling Projects?

The outbound calling service enables businesses to develop their customer database through essential telephone communication activities. Outbound calling projects at Zoetic BPO Services cover four different operations including telemarketing alongside lead generation followed by appointment scheduling and customer feedback surveys. Businesses prefer partnering with professional BPO firms for outbound calling operations to obtain better efficiency and satisfy their customers.

Zoetic BPO Services: A Genuine BPO Project Provider

The reviews of Zoetic BPO Services demonstrate why businesses trust the company to deliver reliable outsourcing solutions in the market. Through its operations the company maintains full disclosure while providing instant support to deliver customized high-quality projects which match business requirements. The BPO sector recognizes Zoetic BPO Services as a reliable service provider which supplies scalable profit-generating outbound calling projects for both startups and established businesses.

FAQs

Q1: Are outbound calling projects profitable?

Outbound calling projects yield substantial profits provided companies execute these projects through skilled outsourcing and proper business methods.

Which factors enable customers to rely on Zoetic BPO Services?

Zoetic BPO Services reviews prove that it offers authentic service combined with satisfied clients and achieved project outcomes.

What procedures should I follow to launch an outbound calling project at Zoetic BPO Services?

You can reach their staff for discussions about project needs and procedure to join.

ConclusionThe trustworthy service quality and operational efficiency of outbound calling projects at Zoetic BPO Services emerges clearly from existing client reviews. Join forces with them immediately to increase your business through high-quality BPO projects.

#bpoprojects #bpocompany #bposervices #outsourcingsolutions #formfillingprojects #businessprocessoutsourcing #non-voiceprojects #dataentryprojects #bpoprojectprovider #bpo

0 notes

lighthousenewsnetwork · 12 days ago

Text

Academics and futurists worldwide are warning of the potential dangers of artificial intelligence (AI), but the tiny East European republic of Szjlobovjia has taken a bold and decisive step towards neutralizing these threats. Beginning in September, the University of Szjlobovjia will be admitting students into its Academy of Artificial Stupidity, which is already conducting groundbreaking research in this emerging field. Speaking from her office in the capital city of Szjlobograd, Dr. Ivana Likachik told assembled reporters, "Faculty and post-doctoral fellows have been researching this field for a few years now. It started out as a purely academic exercise, but we have been pleasantly surprised by the number of private firms willing to pay for some of the technological spin-offs of our research." "For instance, the Eleventh Plague Marketing company paid us a handsome commission to write a program for the Commodore 64 that identifies everyone within a given marketing territory who doesn't own a TV set, and then dial every one of their telephone numbers 47 quadrillion times over a six-week period, in order to present them with an offer of cable TV service." "A similar algorithm might be used to identify everyone in a given territory who doesn't even have a driver's license, and then bombard them with calls about their car's extended warranty." "It's hard to believe that telemarketing executives need help from computers in order to make them even more stupid, but hey, we'll take their money. With this source of revenue, we will soon be able to replace our Commodore 64s with IBM 286 units." "Furthermore, dance music artists are showing great interest in our ability to program a drum machine to go 'ba-ching, ba-ching, ba-ching...' at precisely 133 beats per minute, with absolutely no change in meter, for three months without a break. The test might have gone on longer, but by that point, our subjects had all jumped head-first out of a third-floor window onto the train tracks below." "All of our courses will be available online to anyone, anywhere in the world — just as soon as we can get our goddamned internet server to cooperate." https://lighthousenewsnetwork.com/countering-the-threats-posed-by-artificial-intelligence/?feed_id=14227&_unique_id=67b34b86bd625

#Tech #artificialintelligence #Humor #Satire #threats

0 notes

codingforcode · 1 month ago

Text

Exploring the Role of BPO Companies in Modern Business and Offshore Development

In today’s competitive business environment, companies are constantly seeking ways to optimize their operations, reduce costs, and focus on core competencies. Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) has emerged as a strategic solution to achieve these objectives. BPO companies handle various business processes, enabling organizations to improve efficiency and maintain a competitive edge. In this blog, we’ll delve into the world of BPO companies, their benefits, key services, and the growing trend of offshore development partnerships.

What are BPO Companies?

Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) refers to the delegation of specific business tasks to third-party service providers. These companies specialize in managing non-core or repetitive tasks, allowing businesses to concentrate on their primary objectives. BPO services are broadly categorized into:

Front-Office Services: Customer-facing functions such as customer support, telemarketing, and technical assistance.

Back-Office Services: Administrative functions like data entry, payroll processing, and human resource management.

The scope of BPO has expanded significantly over the years, encompassing industries such as healthcare, banking, retail, IT, and manufacturing.

Benefits of Partnering with BPO Companies

Collaborating with BPO companies provides several advantages, including:

Cost Savings: Outsourcing reduces operational expenses by leveraging economies of scale and accessing lower labor costs in specific regions.

Enhanced Efficiency: BPO companies utilize expertise, advanced tools, and technology to streamline processes and improve accuracy.

Scalability: Businesses can scale operations up or down based on demand without incurring significant overhead.

Focus on Core Competencies: By outsourcing non-core functions, organizations can focus on strategic growth areas.

Access to Skilled Talent: BPO firms employ skilled professionals, ensuring high-quality service delivery.

Offshore Development in the BPO Industry

One significant aspect of BPO is offshore development, where companies outsource processes to service providers in other countries. Offshore BPO firms are particularly popular for:

Software Development: Offshore development companies specialize in building custom software solutions, mobile apps, and web platforms.

IT Support Services: These include infrastructure management, technical support, and cybersecurity services.

Customer Service: Call centers in countries like India and the Philippines provide cost-effective customer support.

Data Analytics: Offshore firms analyze large datasets to generate insights that drive decision-making.

Why Offshore Software Development Companies Are Popular

Offshore software development companies offer distinct advantages that make them a preferred choice for global organizations:

Lower Costs: Labor and operational costs in offshore locations are significantly lower than in developed countries.

Time Zone Advantage: Round-the-clock operations ensure continuous workflow, improving productivity.

Global Talent Pool: Businesses gain access to diverse expertise from highly skilled professionals worldwide.

Technological Expertise: Many offshore companies are at the forefront of innovation, leveraging the latest technologies to deliver superior results.

Top Countries for Offshore BPO Services

Certain countries have established themselves as leaders in the offshore BPO industry due to their cost-effectiveness, talent availability, and favorable business environments:

1. India

India is a global leader in BPO and offshore development. Known for its large English-speaking workforce and expertise in IT, the country offers services across customer support, software development, and analytics.

2. Philippines

The Philippines excels in customer service and back-office operations. With a highly skilled workforce and cultural affinity with Western countries, it’s a top destination for BPO services.

3. Ukraine

Ukraine is a rising star in the offshore software development sector. Renowned for its technical expertise, the country provides high-quality IT services at competitive rates.

4. Poland

Poland has a strong foothold in IT and finance-related BPO services. Its proximity to Western Europe makes it a preferred choice for nearshore outsourcing.

5. Mexico

Mexico’s proximity to the U.S., coupled with its bilingual workforce, makes it an attractive nearshore outsourcing destination.

Key Industries Leveraging BPO Services

BPO services are integral to a wide range of industries:

1. Healthcare

Healthcare providers rely on BPO for medical transcription, billing, claims processing, and patient support services.

2. Banking and Finance

BPO firms handle tasks like mortgage processing, fraud detection, and customer account management for financial institutions.

3. Retail and E-Commerce

Retailers and e-commerce businesses outsource inventory management, order processing, and customer service to BPO companies.

4. Information Technology

IT companies collaborate with offshore development firms for software development, IT support, and maintenance services.

5. Telecommunications

Telecom companies outsource customer support, billing, and technical assistance to BPO providers.

Challenges in BPO and Offshore Development

While BPO offers numerous benefits, it is not without challenges:

Communication Barriers: Differences in language, culture, and time zones can hinder effective communication.

Data Security Risks: Sharing sensitive information with third-party providers increases the risk of data breaches.

Quality Control: Ensuring consistent quality across outsourced processes requires close monitoring.

Employee Turnover: High attrition rates in BPO firms can impact service continuity.

How to Choose the Right BPO Partner

Selecting the right BPO company or offshore development firm is critical to maximizing the benefits of outsourcing. Here are some tips:

Assess Experience and Expertise: Choose a partner with a proven track record in your industry.

Check Technological Capabilities: Ensure the company uses advanced tools and technologies to meet your needs.

Evaluate Communication Skills: Opt for a provider with clear and effective communication channels.

Review Security Measures: Confirm that the company adheres to stringent data security standards.

Consider Scalability: Select a partner capable of scaling services to align with your business growth.

Future Trends in BPO and Offshore Development

The BPO industry is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements and changing business needs. Key trends shaping the future include:

Automation and AI: The integration of AI and robotic process automation (RPA) is streamlining workflows and reducing costs.

Cloud Computing: BPO companies are increasingly adopting cloud-based solutions for enhanced scalability and flexibility.

Focus on Data Analytics: Advanced analytics tools are helping businesses gain deeper insights into customer behavior and market trends.

Shift to Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO): Companies are outsourcing high-value tasks like market research and business intelligence to specialized providers.

Sustainability Practices: BPO firms are adopting eco-friendly practices to align with global sustainability goals.

Conclusion

BPO companies and offshore development firms play a vital role in modern business by driving efficiency, reducing costs, and enabling innovation. By partnering with the right provider, businesses can unlock significant growth opportunities and stay ahead in a competitive market. Whether you’re a small startup or a large enterprise, the strategic use of BPO and offshore services can transform the way you operate, helping you achieve long-term success.

0 notes

citynewsglobe · 2 months ago

Text

[ad_1] In our interconnected digital age, cellphone numbers function important hyperlinks for communication. Nevertheless, some numbers, like 4808037616, seize consideration for causes past odd communication. Whether or not it’s curiosity about its origin or considerations about spam, this text goals to make clear every thing you might want to find out about this intriguing quantity. Understanding the Space Code (480) Overview of Space Code 480 The 480 space code is part of Arizona’s telecommunication community, overlaying areas resembling Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, and elements of the Phoenix metropolitan space. Launched in 1999 as a break up from the 602 space code, it was created to accommodate the area's rising inhabitants and rising demand for cellphone numbers. Significance of the 480 Space Code Arizona’s fast city growth has made the 480 space code a bustling hub for companies, tech firms, and residential communities. Identified for its vibrant tradition and financial exercise, the world has witnessed substantial progress in telecommunication companies, making 480 a well-recognized prefix in lots of households and enterprises. Who May Be Calling From 4808037616? Figuring out Authentic Sources While you obtain a name from 4808037616, the primary query that involves thoughts is, "Who’s calling?" There are a number of prospects: Native Companies: Many companies in Arizona use numbers with the 480 prefix to contact prospects. It may very well be a reminder for an appointment, a supply notification, or a service follow-up. Authorities or Utility Firms: These entities might use numbers throughout the 480 space code for official communication. Buddies or Acquaintances: If in case you have ties to Arizona, it is likely to be a buddy, member of the family, or colleague reaching out. Widespread Issues With Unknown Numbers The rise of telemarketing and rip-off calls has made individuals cautious of answering unknown numbers. Scammers typically spoof native space codes to seem reliable, rising the chance that recipients will reply. The 4808037616 quantity is likely to be professional, however it’s important to stay cautious. Methods to Deal with Calls From 4808037616 Steps to Confirm Caller Identification Use Reverse Telephone Lookup Instruments: Web sites and apps like Whitepages, Truecaller, and Spokeo can present details about the caller. Verify On-line Directories: Many individuals report suspicious or professional numbers on-line. A fast seek for “4808037616” might reveal insights from others who’ve obtained calls from this quantity. Contact the Supply Immediately: If the quantity claims to symbolize a enterprise or company, name their official quantity to substantiate the communication’s authenticity. Finest Practices for Answering Unknown Numbers Do Not Share Private Data: Keep away from offering delicate particulars until you’re positive in regards to the caller’s id. Ask Questions: A professional caller will reply your inquiries confidently, whereas scammers might battle. Cling Up If Uncertain: Belief your instincts; if one thing feels off, finish the decision and examine additional. What to Do If You Missed a Name From 4808037616 Decoding Voicemails or Missed Name Logs Missed calls could be irritating, particularly if no voicemail is left. Right here’s the way to strategy such conditions: Hearken to Voicemails Fastidiously: Real callers typically go away detailed messages. Take note of the tone and content material. Analyze Missed Name Patterns: Frequent missed calls from the identical quantity might point out urgency or, in some instances, persistence from a spammer. Leveraging Know-how Caller ID Apps: Apps like RoboKiller or Hiya display screen calls and supply caller info. In addition they warn customers of potential spam numbers. Provider Companies: Most telecom suppliers provide options to dam or filter spam calls, making certain a safer communication expertise.

The Larger Image of Unidentified Numbers International Traits in Spam and Unknown Calls The rise in unsolicited calls has turn into a world concern. In response to latest research, billions of robocalls are made yearly, with many designed to deceive recipients into divulging private or monetary info. Scammers typically depend on native space codes, resembling 480, to achieve belief. Efforts to Fight the Problem Authorities and telecom firms have carried out measures to cut back spam calls, together with: Caller ID Verification: STIR/SHAKEN protocols be sure that numbers displayed on caller IDs are professional. Spam Reporting Methods: Many nations encourage customers to report suspicious numbers, serving to regulators observe and shut down scams. Public Consciousness Campaigns: Educating individuals in regards to the dangers related to unknown calls is significant in curbing fraud. Educating the Public on Unknown Numbers Why Consciousness Issues Understanding the way to deal with unknown numbers is important for shielding private info and avoiding pointless stress. Consciousness empowers people to: Determine professional calls. Report and block spam successfully. Keep knowledgeable in regards to the newest rip-off tendencies. Assets for Staying Knowledgeable A number of organizations and instruments present dependable details about cellphone scams and the way to take care of them: Federal Commerce Fee (FTC): Presents assets for reporting and stopping rip-off calls. Nationwide Do Not Name Registry: Permits people to decide out of telemarketing calls. Neighborhood Boards: Web sites like Reddit or Quora typically characteristic discussions about particular cellphone numbers. Conclusion Telephone numbers like 4808037616 might arouse curiosity or concern, however understanding their context and dealing with them correctly can alleviate confusion. By leveraging instruments, verifying caller identities, and staying knowledgeable about international tendencies in telecommunication fraud, you may guarantee a safer and extra environment friendly communication expertise. As expertise evolves, so too will the strategies for shielding your self in opposition to undesirable or dangerous calls—empowering you to remain related with out compromise. [ad_2] Supply hyperlink

0 notes

deepesttreephilosopher · 2 months ago

Text

What Is Reverse Phone Research - Understanding the Basics and Benefits

Reverse mobilephone search for is a interesting tool in the virtual age. It permits humans to recognize unknown callers with the aid of getting into their mobilephone numbers right into a seek engine. This provider has come to be increasingly more commonplace as persons are trying to find to give protection to their privacy and prevent unwanted calls. With the rise of telemarketing and rip-off calls, knowing who is on any other give up of the road will be relevant. Reverse phone look up services grant a experience of protection and peace of brain. They offer a effortless option to a in style situation, making them an mandatory software for everybody with a cell. These offerings are not just for tech-savvy americans; they're consumer-friendly and available to every person. Whether you're curious about a overlooked name or concerned about a doable scam, opposite mobile look up can deliver the solutions you need. It's a highly effective useful resource in modern connected global, proposing clarity and trust with only a few clicks.

How Does Reverse Phone Lookup Work?

Reverse phone research works via having access to reverse number lookup reddit vast databases of mobilephone numbers and their related guidance. When you input a cell variety into a reverse lookup carrier, it searches these databases to locate suits. The news retrieved can incorporate the caller's call, address, and oftentimes even extra exact records like social media profiles. These databases are compiled from a range of assets, consisting of public history, social media, and telecommunication firms. The system is straightforward. You enter the number, and the service does the relax. It scans by way of its statistics to locate any accessible info associated to that wide variety. This technology is rather like a seek engine yet focuses primarily on mobile numbers. It's a speedy and environment friendly method to accumulate data. However, the accuracy of the effects can fluctuate. Some products and services provide extra complete knowledge than reddit reverse phone directory others. It's relevant to decide upon a dependableremember service to verify you get the maximum top wisdom practicable. Reverse phone look up is a %%!%%f4b61f82-third-47de-a04b-1bbd17077dcb%%!%% instrument for finding out unknown callers, presenting peace of thoughts and defense.

Benefits of Using Reverse Phone Lookup Services

Reverse cellphone look up services offer such a large amount of merits. They guide recognize unknown callers, reducing the menace of falling sufferer to scams. By knowing who's calling, that you can opt even if to respond to or ignore the call. This can retailer time and avoid useless strain. These prone additionally assist in reconnecting with historic pals or friends. If you have a neglected name from an unexpected quantity, a opposite research can disclose the caller's id. This is additionally especially constructive once you've misplaced contact facts. Additionally, reverse phone search for facilities can expand very own protection. They assist you be sure the id of callers, ensuring you're not enticing with individual who could have malicious purpose. For agencies, these functions can develop shopper interactions. By picking callers, firms can tailor their responses and offer better carrier. Overall, opposite phone lookup providers offer a fundamental but successful approach to control phone communications. They supply %%!%%f4b61f82-0.33-47de-a04b-1bbd17077dcb%%!%% guidance, editing either

0 notes

kalpeshdab · 2 months ago

Text

Top 10 IT Telemarketing Agencies in the USA (2024): Boost Your Business with Expert Outreach

In the fast-paced world of technology, connecting with clients can be a game-changer for businesses. That’s where the top 10 IT telemarketing agencies in the USA (2024) come in. These agencies are like the bridge between your company and your future clients. They don’t just make calls; they build relationships, spark interest, and drive growth.

Each call these agencies make is filled with passion and dedication, ensuring your message reaches the right ears. With their expert strategies and heartfelt approaches, these agencies help you shine in the crowded IT market. Ready to explore the best in the business? Let’s dive in and discover the top 10 IT telemarketing agencies making waves in 2024.

Here is the list of the top 10 IT telemarketing agencies in the USA 2024:

Callent Tech Dalerio Consulting Helpware Wing Assistant AnswerConnect CIENCE Leading Solution HelpLama IdeasUnlimited Blue Valley Marketing

Top 10 IT Telemarketing Agencies in the USA (2024): Boost Your Business with Expert Outreach

Callent Tech excels in IT telemarketing, providing specific solutions to generate high-quality leads for tech companies. Our team of experts uses cutting-edge strategies and personalised outreach to ensure each client’s message is delivered effectively. With a strong focus on results, we have built a reputation for driving significant growth and enhancing client engagement. Our deep understanding of the IT industry allows them to design their approach, making them a top choice for businesses looking to expand their reach.

Our extensive experience in IT telemarketing means they can adapt to each client’s unique needs, ensuring maximum ROI. We combine innovation with proven techniques, making them a reliable partner in achieving your business goals. Trust our expertise to enhance your telemarketing efforts and connect with the right audience.

Dalerio Consulting

Dalerio Consulting offers exceptional IT telemarketing services, helping tech firms connect with potential clients through strategic outreach. Their team employs data-driven methods to craft compelling messages that resonate with the target audience. Known for their professionalism and commitment to excellence, Dalerio Consulting ensures that each campaign is meticulously planned and executed.

Their expertise in the IT sector allows them to understand the complexities of technology sales, making them adept at converting prospects into loyal customers. With a focus on building lasting relationships, Dalerio Consulting is dedicated to driving growth for its clients through effective telemarketing strategies.

Helpware

Helpware specialises in IT telemarketing, offering customised solutions to boost lead generation and client engagement. Their experienced team uses traditional and modern techniques to effectively reach potential customers and nurture leads. Helpware’s approach is centred on understanding each client’s unique needs and delivering designed telemarketing campaigns.

Their extensive experience in the IT industry ensures that they can easily guide tech sales challenges. Helpware’s commitment to quality and results makes them a trusted partner for businesses looking to enhance their telemarketing efforts and achieve significant growth.

Wing Assistant

Wing Assistant provides top-notch IT telemarketing services, focusing on generating high-quality leads for tech companies. Their team of professionals uses advanced tools and personalised outreach to ensure each client’s message reaches the right audience. Wing Assistant’s approach is characterised by meticulous planning and execution, ensuring maximum impact.

Their deep understanding of the IT sector enables them to design their strategies to meet the specific needs of their clients. Wing Assistant’s dedication to excellence and results-driven approach make them a preferred choice for businesses seeking to enhance their telemarketing efforts and achieve growth.

AnswerConnect

AnswerConnect excels in IT telemarketing, providing comprehensive solutions to help tech companies connect with potential clients. Their experienced team uses a mix of innovative and proven techniques to deliver effective telemarketing campaigns. AnswerConnect’s focus on building strong client relationships sets them apart in the industry.

Their expertise in the IT sector allows them to understand and address the unique challenges of tech sales. AnswerConnect’s commitment to quality and results makes them a reliable partner for businesses looking to boost their telemarketing efforts and drive growth.

CIENCE

CIENCE offers outstanding IT telemarketing services, utilising its expertise to generate high-quality leads for tech companies. Its team employs a data-driven approach to create compelling messages that resonate with the target audience. Known for its professionalism and dedication to excellence, CIENCE ensures that each campaign is thoroughly planned and executed.

Their deep understanding of the IT industry allows them to effectively guide the complexities of technology sales. CIENCE’s focus on building lasting relationships and delivering results makes it a top choice for businesses looking to enhance their telemarketing efforts.

Leading Solution

Leading Solution specialises in IT telemarketing, offering designed solutions to help tech firms connect with potential clients. Their team of experts uses innovative strategies and personalised outreach to ensure each client’s message is delivered effectively. Leading Solution’s commitment to quality and results sets them apart in the industry.

Their extensive experience in the IT sector enables them to understand and address the unique challenges of technology sales. Leading Solution’s focus on delivering measurable results makes them a reliable partner for businesses seeking to enhance their telemarketing efforts and drive growth.

HelpLama

HelpLama provides exceptional IT telemarketing services, focusing on generating high-quality leads for tech companies. Their team of professionals uses advanced tools and personalised outreach to ensure each client’s message reaches the right audience. HelpLama’s approach is characterised by meticulous planning and execution, ensuring maximum impact.

Their deep understanding of the IT sector enables them to design their strategies to meet the specific needs of their clients. HelpLama’s dedication to excellence and results-driven approach make them a preferred choice for businesses seeking to enhance their telemarketing efforts and achieve growth.

IdeasUnlimited

IdeasUnlimited excels in IT telemarketing, providing comprehensive solutions to help tech companies connect with potential clients. Their experienced team uses a mix of innovative and proven techniques to deliver effective telemarketing campaigns. IdeasUnlimited’s focus on building strong client relationships sets them apart in the industry.

Their expertise in the IT sector allows them to understand and address the unique challenges of tech sales. IdeasUnlimited’s commitment to quality and results makes them a reliable partner for businesses looking to boost their telemarketing efforts and drive growth.

Blue Valley Marketing

Blue Valley Marketing offers top-tier IT telemarketing services, utilising their expertise to generate high-quality leads for tech companies. Their team employs data-driven methods to craft compelling messages that resonate with the target audience. Blue Valley Marketing’s professionalism and commitment to excellence ensure that each campaign is meticulously planned and executed.

Their extensive experience in the IT industry enables them to guide the complexities of technology sales effectively. Blue Valley Marketing’s focus on delivering results and building lasting relationships makes it a top choice for businesses looking to enhance their telemarketing efforts.

Why Choose Pearl Lemon Leads for IT Telemarketing?

Choosing Callent Tech for IT telemarketing is a smart move for any business looking to grow in 2024. Their expertise in the field makes them one of the top 10 IT telemarketing agencies in the USA (2024). They understand the unique challenges of the IT sector and use cutting-edge strategies to generate high-quality leads.

With personalised outreach and a results-driven approach, they ensure your message reaches the right audience. Their team is dedicated to building strong relationships, driving growth, and maximising ROI for your business. Trust Callent Tech to enhance your IT telemarketing efforts and achieve your business goals.

Enhance Your Business with Top IT Telemarketing Experts Choosing the right IT telemarketing agency is crucial for your business’s growth. Among the top contenders, Callent Tech stands out with its innovative strategies and commitment to delivering high-quality leads.

Their personalised approach ensures your message reaches the right audience, driving significant growth and engagement. Other notable agencies like Dalerio Consulting and Helpware also provide exceptional services, each with unique strengths in the IT sector. Partnering with these experts will undoubtedly boost your outreach efforts.

Connect with Us on LinkedIn for Service Updates and Insights

Explore the future of lead generation and how Callent Tech’s services can enhance your sales pipeline. Connect with us on LinkedIn for regular insights, industry updates, and expert tips on maximizing the impact of our services on your business.

#telemarketing #leadgeneration #callenttech

0 notes