“Clariza, it’s time to get outfitted for your next mission. Head to High Yield Shoes. Double double step, no running, or you might draw attention.”

The tip of Clariza’s tongue drew a swype pattern over the roof of her mouth, sending a message that she’d received her orders. Her upper molar-receiver needed adjusting, radiovoices were transmitting too loudly into her ear canal, the volume almost blinding her. She swyped a service request, an approval was issued; a tech would meet her in the shoe aisles.

Sitting in a private chair, she zipped down quantum tube M51 to Retail City. Minutes later she was drooling over her selection of shoes:

Thirty Ought-Six Pumps
Patent In-Souls
Flop Flips
Sleep Walkers
Archless Archers
Marauding Mules
Spartan Sparks
Battlefield Bear Traps
Three Clicks

No, no, no, “OH MY! The Silent Stilettos, ox-blood red, with heel shocks. Add a Tefstrong nonslip surface please. I’m left footed too."

Clariza’s heart raced, she couldn’t wait to get into her new shoes.