Subject Neighbor, Turned Subject

*In no way am I an expert or scientist. Any realistic application displayed in this story is fiction.*

25. I was on top of the world. Just having finished University, in both the field of neuroscience and robots. Starting my career. Buying my first home, while meager with only two bedrooms. It was enough for me alone, especially with the pool in the back for fitness and celebration.

There was one caveat. There was no one with me. I was not out, if I qualified. I enjoyed men and their physique. However, I was not interested in sex as much as I wanted to control, dominate and befriend a friend with benefits. As a result, I wasn’t out of the closet, if I even qualified.

As I was unpacking into my new house, I noticed my neighbor down the way. Sam. He was a blond fellow, more dirty than platinum. 6’2. 18 years old having graduation signs himself but from high school. He was also the association gardener, a job that I enjoyed as it toned him with an athletic build. Wearing mid-thigh shorts, an open-sided tank and vans with no socks. Looking over and seeing my small moving truck he made his way over. 

S: Hello Mr. B. Looks like you could use a hand? 

I was in awe, up close and personal; he was an astonishing specimen. Hotter than his Instagram posts and TikTok videos. 

F: Sam, how many times have I told you to call me Fred, or Freddy? Yes, if you have the time I would appreciate your help. 

S: Sorry Mr- I mean Freddy. Sure thing, with both of us this will go faster and get us out of this heat quicker. 

Sam reached into the truck, grabbing one box labeled books. His muscles strained and I could see his arms flexing. I could see the side of his pec and his obliques through the gap in his shirt. I paused for too long to stare but got away as only one person could grab an item at a time. 

F: Thanks man! It’s scorching out here! Can you believe it’s this hot at the beginning of the summer? I hate to imagine the temps coming in August. 

I reached in, grabbing a box of my own and following him. Mine were books as well and carried with slight difficulty as well. I was 5 '10, short brown hair, Caucasian with a muscular build. I was bigger muscular wise than Sam but not by much. 

F: Just into the garage for now, on the left. I will sort this out when it's cooler tonight. 

Following behind him I noticed his wide back, with his lats and shoulders popping out of the shirt ever so nicely. We set the boxes down and continued carrying boxes and furniture from the truck to the first bay of the two-car garage. At the end we were both dripping in sweat. He was soaked especially on the top portion of his shirt and lower back. His light gray shirt stuck to him and gave a vague outline of the muscles underneath. Big but not as big as my fantasies of a weightlifter. Reaching into the fridge I grabbed two water bottles. 

F: Here you go. (Handing him the water bottle) It sure is hot but I appreciate your help. 

Reaching for the bottle and chugging some immediately. I witnessed as water escaped down the side of his mouth, past his chin and onto his chest. It turned me on but kept myself hidden. Pulling the bottle away from his lips with a heavy breath.

S: That was so good! Thank you! I’m burning up and dripping sweat everywhere. I’m sorry. 

F: You and me both! Don’t worry about it. I will not worry about cleaning until I’ve unpacked most of my things and put them away. If they maintained the pool, I would offer to cool down in the water. 

S: You have a pool? If you need it maintained I could help. I’m attending school this fall and looking for opportunities for cash. I could come by once or twice a week just to make sure it's clean and functioning. 

F: I was thinking of working on the pool myself but I know nothing about being a pool guy. If you can keep it up and running, then you got the job. 

My mind wandered at the fantasy of Sam being my pool boy. The kind that worked in nothing but a swimsuit, trunk to mid-thigh hugging the legs. I quickly snapped out of my daydream when Sam spoke. 

S: Then it's a deal. I can start next week throwing your pool into my schedule. I really appreciate this Freddy. Even though I am going to college here in town, tuition and everything is super expensive. 

F: So you are staying in the neighborhood? That’s a smart move to save some cash and live at home while you can, if you’re folks have the room, anyway.

Encouraging my local fantasy to stay close was a simple situation. I agreed with his choices, but to be stuck with no one close to admire would be awful. So anything to make staying if he could better, then great. 

F: Working on the lawn and bush is your job already through the association. If you are looking for cash, I will keep an eye out for any jobs. If interested, I also like to keep a clean car. I could also pay you to clean my car once a week or when it's especially filthy? 

S: You are making my day bro! I am glad you moved in so close. I could keep your car clean for you, I don’t have any car stuff but I can get some. 

F: Then we’ve got another deal. Don’t worry about getting the car cleaning stuff. I'll swing by the store later this week and pick up a basic car cleaning kit and a vacuum. I need to get them anyway so don’t worry. 

S: Your car will be spotless and the pool crystal clear my dude! (Checking the time.) I have to get back; I have a few more yards and then chill for the night. I will swing by later to figure out a schedule. 

F: Sounds good to me. Get back and here, (opening the fridge again) have a Monster and a protein shake. Whichever you need first I don’t know, but I've got plenty. 

I passed them to Sam, replying with gratitude he headed out the garage and back towards his home. I was exhausted and collapsed on the floor, enjoying the cool hard floors. Looking up at the ceiling my mind spun, bouncing between getting everything set up and my new employee. Imagining him in the most revealing ways. Cleaning the pool in his trunks. Washing the car in just a pair of shorts, muscles glistening from water that bounced back at him. It was a good daydream.

Three days later Sitting on the couch in my now established living room, the doorbell rang. Checking the doorbell cam I saw it was Sam, and it looked like he was holding something. I got up and opened the door.

F: Hi Sam, how are you?

S: Great Freddy. I was hoping now might be a good time to figure out a schedule? I would have called or texted but I don’t have your number. 

F: No worries Sam. Come on in. 

I stepped to the side and waved him inside. Stepping in, Sam walked in towards the kitchen but turned after a few steps. 

S: These are cookies from my mom, chocolate chips. She wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood and thank you for giving me some jobs to earn some cash. 

Handing the cookies to me I unwrapped the saran wrap to reveal almost two dozen chunky chocolate chip cookies. They looked and smelled amazing. 

F: No problem, man. These look delicious! Too many for me so let's get some milk and share some of these cookies while figuring things out. 

We walked over to the table, sitting down next to the double glass doors that showed most of the backyard including the pool. We sat and talked for a long time. The cookies disappeared one by one. After a while, we came to some conclusions.

F: So to confirm. You’ll swing by every Monday around noon to service the pool. If you give me a list, I can get the pool chemicals and servicing tools online. Otherwise I could give you my card to purchase what you need from the pool store. Thursdays you'll stop by in the midafternoon to wash my car. Those essentials are here and are sitting in the garage. 

S: Sounds right. I would feel weird using your card myself, but the prices at the local pool store are cheaper for bulk amounts. 

F: Don’t stress about it. I’m always looking for a deal, and supporting a small business is always a bonus. If you are free right now and willing, we could drive there right now and pick up the supplies? Plus, these cookies are sweet but I could use a bit of savory. We could hit up a burger place or something after? That sounds good to you.

S: I’m free right now. Let me just test my folks to let them know and we’ll head out. 

At the returning chime of his parent’s approval we loaded into the car to the pool store. It was a pricey trip but I will make good money in the fall, and if I want a functioning pool, this is the cost. Loading everything into the care we drove over for some cheeseburgers, fries and I splurged for both of us to get shakes. We sat and talked for a long time about his sports, life, and goals. Driving back we enjoyed the same upbeat and fast pace music. Pulling into the driveway we got out and parted ways. 

Weeks went by and my daydreams started becoming reality. I was working from home most days, especially Mondays and Thursdays. Cleaning the pool, he did a good job. I would swim laps first thing in the morning. He did the same good job with the car. They dashed my hopes slightly as he still wore tank tops and cutoffs while working. It was enjoyable, but I was hoping for more action. 

Summer passed quickly, and we adjusted the schedule so Sam could attend school. 

One day when Sam came over to clean the pool he looked more bleak than usual. I grabbed a protein shake from the fridge and headed outside. 

F: Hey Sam, you don’t look chipper or upbeat as usual. What’s going on?

Handing him the drink he lifted the bottom of his shirt to wipe sweat from his face. Revealing his stomach for a second which didn’t have his normal chiseled abs. Still lean but not ripped.
S: Thank you! I have been pretty down. School has been tougher than I thought. I haven’t been able to hit the gym as often. Girls don’t seem to want to date if you aren’t in a frat and all the guys are close with each other in their fraternities. If I even had the time between working and classes.

F: I am sorry to hear that. School is hard, but I got through it with some tutoring. The “Freshman 15” is real but you still have a good build. For the guys and girls, the frat parties will fade and they’ll be begging to spend time with you. 

S: That makes me feel better. Thanks! I can’t tell you man how much these jobs have helped. You are a good neighbor boss to have. (I laughed)

F: Neighbor boss makes me feel like I am in the mafia. That or a grandma Karen who has nothing better to do than control everyone else’s lives. 

We both laughed this time and seeing his smile I could tell distraction from the stress was good for him. 

F: You look finished today, but I wanted to let you know anytime you want to swim, go for it. Text me first to let me know you aren’t some crazy person who just jumped in. But anytime you want, it's just me with this great enormous pool so might as well share. 

S: I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time but thought that might be inappropriate. Thank you Freddy!

F: Sam! You can be honest with me. I’m a pretty chill guy and I would have let you from the start. Hell! If you even want to avoid getting a farmer's tan then swim and work without your shirt on. 

I paused in anticipation of his response. I wanted that shirtless pool boy fantasy but didn’t want to scare him or reveal my interest in him. Sam, looking at me from the conversation, turned without hesitation towards his arms. Sam laughed.

S: See me when I take this shirt off later. My head, arms and legs are tan like the beach movies but I am paper everywhere else. I might take you up on that offer. 

I was relieved. My playing it off as a joke paid off. I was also excited I would start getting more of a show while he worked up a sweat. Wanting him to keep that in mind but change the subject.

F: Yeah I bet it's pretty bad. I’ve got some spray sunscreen in a box by the house whenever you feel like it. Now that's solved, what's the hardest part about school? Anything I can help there?

S: School? Um. I guess the hardest part would be paying attention and tests. I just get bored in some classes and zone out easily. Then for tests and quizzes I usually get C’s. I do the reading and the homework, just go blank when I need it. 

Sam stopped as his phone went off. An alarm sounded more than a ringtone. 

S: I have to go. I am all finished here. Thank you for the drink and conversation. 

F: No problem. I get the bulk drink sizes so whenever you want while working, I’ve got energy drinks, protein shakes, and various juice mixes. Next time help yourself.

With that, I bid him farewell and headed back inside.

As time went on, I was working on a project to help addicts rid themselves of their addiction. A chip, a universal method, applied at the top of the spine with a guide wire into the cerebrum accessing sensation. It was a success in our subjects and had helped relieve them of their addiction and improved their lives. The chip could safely stay indefinitely; we remove the chip at the end of the trial. Subjects having less than 5% chance of returning to their addiction. 

One day I was reviewing the results of the trial and found that some guys in the trial looked vastly different from the beginning. While before they looked sickly and skinny or overweight and heavy, now they looked like they had been healthy their whole lives. The skinny grew muscles that didn’t make them big but human. While the larger guys with eating addictions now had smaller guts with large legs, chest and arms. This gave me an idea. 

Sam had been coming over and was gradually losing his figure. Still looking good, but looking skinnier in his arms and legs due to lack of exercise. It distracted him with school, video games, porn I am sure, and his jobs. I gave him protein shakes to help but it wasn’t enough.

One day I texted Sam to come over. He arrived, and I let him in, we both sat on the couch as he was comfortable in my home now. 

F: How are you doing Sam?

S: I’m pretty good, could be better. School and work are draining and I don’t have any time to myself anymore.

F: That’s rough buddy. However, I think I have an unconventional solution if you are interested. It would also help with some cash for spring break, pays pretty well and into the thousands. 

S: Unconventional and will solve all my problems? Sounds like a scam.

F: No scam. The lab I work for has been using a mind modification chip to help people with addiction. It works and has zero side effects, besides some headaches the first day or two but after that, nothing. I am thinking you could be perfect for the next phase of the trial. Testing to see if the modifier can amplify good habits and focus rather than simply suppressing habitual desires. I would check you in person every week. Texted every day. Make about $8000 and the chip would be unnoticeable under the skin so no one asking a million questions. 

Sam sat there thinking about all of this and asked some follow-up questions of his own. We went back and forth while I also pulled out my computer to reveal some results of the trial. People coming out of it looking healthier than ever. In the end Sam agreed. 

F: I think this will be fantastic for you. It will help with school, work, and physical wellbeing. Only concern is that this remains confidential. Our subjects, those married or in a relationship, must maintain discretion from sharing with their partner. Is this something you think you could do without sharing with your parents?

S: I don’t know. Can I think about it and text you later?

F: Sure thing, and here (handing him a flash drive) here is all the data with before and after results. Proving this as a working and guaranteed solution.

Sam grabbed the flash drive and stood up, needing to leave as this was a last-minute hangout at my house. The next few hours I was terrified. It scared me this was way too much and that I could lose him forever. Potentially having a mob outside my house to burn me at the stake. Then my phone chimed. Message reading, “I’m in :)” I was thrilled and jumping for joy. What Sam didn’t know was that I had some other plans with the chip, to potentially form him into the perfect guy for me. 

A week went by, Sam told his parents we were hitting up the pool store and burger joint again. Sam was coming to my lab while everyone was out for the procedure. We arrived, and I brought him inside. No cameras so no trace. I brought him and asked him to remove his shirt. He obeyed. He was athletic with just the hint of a pouch at the bottom of his abs. Overall skinny but still one of the best looking guys in my life. I placed some sensors on his chest and leaned him forward on a chest supported chair.

S: Your hands are like ice, Freddy. 

F: I know, they keep the lab colder and my hands rarely warm up much. How are you feeling?

S: Nervous but excited for the end results and some pay. With the money I was thinking of getting a car, nothing fancy but something to get around. 

F: Good. This won’t feel a thing and will awake the whole time. 

Sam relaxed. I walked around and applied the sedative to numb the area. Preparing to start with a scalpel, chip and guide wires. 

F: I am about to begin but I need you constantly talking. Talk about anything you like that will allow a constant flow of conversation. 

S: Got it. Is it cool if I vent? I’ve got a lot to complain about but nothing I can do about other than get the words out of my head and de-stress. 

F: Sure thing! Just make sure that you keep talking. If you stop, I will think something is wrong. We have tested almost 200 people and nothing has happened but I want to be careful.

Sam looked like he would sweat if it wasn’t so cold. 

S: No problem. 

Sam began. Complaining about some neighbors that thought he wasn’t doing his best with their yards, some moms in the association that got a bit too handsy when he was working, professors just printing packets instead of teaching, girls unimpressed he wasn’t willing to join an expensive frat….on he went. 

I placed the chip and waited until the little light showed green. I guided the four wires into the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe and finally the cerebellum. Before closing up I ensure the chip, connected to satellite, is established with a program on my phone and computer. Cleared, I closed up. It took Sam a few moments to rise, but he felt great.

S: This feels great, I have a slight headache but everything seems clearer. 

I suppressed a chuckle since the program had not begun and would start during his first nights’ rest while sleeping. I let him have it though. 

F: Well then I better up my game if we ever play chess or tennis. 

We both laughed and walked out. No one saw us. Driving to the closest food place and getting tacos. Driving home I explained to check in with me if anything felt off. I could take it out at my house in a genuine emergency, but nothing should happen. He was content and continued to spout off random exclamations of his now genius brain. I dropped him off at the end of the driveway and told him to head straight upstairs so no one would see the bandage. He got out and was gone.

Getting to my house my heart was racing. The secret I was keeping was that I had other plans than to just improve Sam's life. I would improve his life and tailor him perfectly to my preferences. I got to work coding. First, I made a program to affect his memory. Nothing long term was too unstable but I could clear the last 24 hours, forgetting about the chip installed allowing me to operate without limitations. Then I got to work on two other functions for now. His memory would expand into the 2 terabytes of data storage the chip contained, only remembering school and essential information for testing, homework and intelligent performance. The next was physical, I coded a program combining desire and fatigue to ensure it would compel him to hit the gym and perform his best. Exercising without interfering with school, his jobs or bodily function desires. I submitted the program, made sure I delivered it and began installation, going to bed.