Cinderella, Inc

It was 2345, and history had a tendency to repeat itself, even if technology is more advanced.

CinderElla worked as a software engineer for a company called Crystal Shoes, Inc. Their latest product was a pair of cutting-edge smart shoes that could change their shape and color based on the wearer's mood and neural commands. They could even clean themselves.

CinderElla spent most of her time coding, debugging, and testing new features for the smart shoes. But despite her contributions to the company’s success, her coworkers, who also happened to be her step sisters, Stephy and Anastashley, always took credit for her work. They were the founders' biological daughters and often spent their days planning elaborate cocktail parties while CinderElla did the actual work.

Stephy and Anastashley approached CinderElla, both had glasses of red wine in their hands. She didn’t notice them, as she was busy working on a chip upgrade for the shoes.

They both spilled their glasses of wine all over the upgrade and CinderEllas brand new dress.

“Oops,” Stephy said.

“Accident,” Anastashley said and they both started laughing.

“You stupid bitches,” CinderElla shouted and shoved them as she stood up.

“Mother, CinderElla is acting out again,” Stephy said.

“She shouted at us and committed assault,” Anastashley said.

Stepmother came over and slapped CinderEllas face several times until CinderEllas face was red and her nose was bleeding.

“Get back to work, you dumb stupid girl,” step mother said.

“You’ll get yours one day,” CinderElla shouted.

“Not if you want to keep this job, and food on the table, you insolent brat,” stepmother said before punching CinderElla in the stomach.

“Now sit down and get back to work,” stepmother said.

CinderElla sat down crying.

On Friday night, CinderElla overheard her stepsisters discussing an exclusive invitation to the annual BlueScreen Gala, where tech developers, CEO’s, and wealthy entrepreneurs came together for a night of celebration. CinderElla had always dreamed of attending such an event and meeting the rich man of her dreams but knew her stepmother would never allow it. If CinderElla came to the party, she’d be slapped and told to go to hell and stay there.

If she reported this as an assault, her step mother would convince the police it was self defense, again. Poor CinderElla had a ‘history’ of acting out. A history her step mother provoked out of her, but oh well.

CinderElla spent all night coming up with a revenge plan.

She used spare parts from all around the factory to build robotic workers for herself. A couple even looked like her.

She’d find a twenty four hour restaurant to hang out at while the robots tortured then enslaved or possibly killed her evil family. She’d then disassemble the robots on her return and use the parts for shoes, selling them to the very officers that would eventually question her.

They wouldn’t even realize they were wearing the only evidence that existed.

She quickly and discreetly built the robots and hid them all over the factory. She programmed them to attack her step sisters and step mother right after the Gala.

**********

The night of the gala arrived.

Her stepsisters pushed her to the ground then spit on her before calling her a stupid cow.

Then the sisters left in a self driving hover limo.

CinderElla retired to her room, feeling dejected and unappreciated.

“Soon, you’ll be my slaves or be dead,” CinderElla mumbled and smirked.

A hologram flickered to life in front of her. It was an image of her old mentor, the man who used to manage the factory, Farting Freddy Faraday. CinderElla called him this because when he was alive, he ate many burritos in the morning and would spend the rest of the day farting.

"CinderElla," the hologram said, "you have been working hard, and I have put my consciousness inside this hologram for when you need me. Since I’ve been activated, it means I am sensing your extreme emotional state. How can I help you?” Fred asked.

“Oh my god, Farting Fred! I’ve missed you so much,” Cinderella said and tried to give Fred a hug. Her arms went through him but she kept hugging him anyway. Fred wrapped his holographic arms around her.

“How… how can I help you?” Fred asked.

“There’s a Gala I want to attend. The BlueScreen Gala. My evil stepsisters and disgusting stepmother are going and they won’t let me go,” CinderElla said.

“Those bitches. Those monstruos bitches. I am here to help you attend the BlueScreen Gala."

CinderElla was overjoyed. With a flick of Farting Freddy Faraday's digital wand, her tattered hoodie and jeans transformed into an elegant, tech-infused gown adorned with sparkling LED lights. On her feet were a pair of Crystal Shoes, now glowing a brilliant blue, perfectly matching her dress.

“How did you do that?” CinderElla asked.

“Your clothes are electronic and are programmed to change. All I did was connect my subconscious to your USB port using my wand plug, and digitally alter your cloths to look fabulous,” Fred said.

“Of course,” CinderElla replied.

“Now go. Go to the Gala,” Fred said and smiled.

"But how will I get to the gala?" CinderElla asked, wide eyed.

"Do not worry," Fred replied, "a ride-sharing chariot-style Uber awaits you outside. I called them."

CinderElla got into her Uber, then arrived at the Gala, making a grand entrance, her clothing changing colors with every step.

The Gala was crowded, the people already drunk or high. They applauded every new guest who arrived, excited to see every new person.

The host of the party, the young and charismatic CEO of Charming products, Inc, Charlie Handsome, couldn't take his eyes off her.

As the night progressed, Charlie introduced himself to CinderElla, and they talked and danced for hours, bonding over their shared passion for technology, coding and building new products. CinderElla almost forgot about the robots at home.

Stephy and Anastashley watched from a distance, seething with jealousy. All the wealthy men at the party were supposed to belong to them, but nobody had asked either one to dance.

When the clock struck midnight, CinderElla knew it was time to leave. She knew her new holographic made outfit would only last so long, because quality clothing was made by people.

Not wanting her clothes to deteriorate in front of Charlie, she thanked the CEO of Charming industries for a wonderful evening and hastily left the gala.

In her rush, one of her smart shoes came loose and fell off. Before she could retrieve it, the shoe projected a small holographic man who spoke a message in a loud, braying voice:

"Return shoe to manufacturers at Crystal Shoes, Inc, or be arrested for theft of private property. Don’t be a criminal, keep your crimes minimal."

CinderElla went to a bar so she could have her alibi, and when Stephy, Anastashley, and stepmother returned home they were captured by the robots, who promptly beat them up and put them in a cage.

The robots then showed the sisters and Stepmother obedience videos, so their minds would eventually be brainwashed into obeying everything CinderElla told them to do.

Charlie Handsome wanted to see more of the woman he danced with, and sent an invitation to all the guests at the party to return to his mansion so he could try to match the shoe to them.

Stephy and Anastashley were ordered by the robots to identify her, so Charlie would know who the woman actually was.

“But we want Charlie. We fear CinderElla will steal every man from us,” Stephy said.

“She’s just our competition,” Anastashley said.

“To bad, to bad,” the robots repeated and they beat the sisters.

“Let’s just give CinderElla what she wants. We’re her servants now anyway,” stepmother said.

“Oh my god, you’ve been brainwashed,” Stephy shrieked.

“Who cares, I don’t want to get beat up again,” Anastashley said.

“Fine,” Stephy agreed.

They were released, followed by the robots and insisted on accompanying Charlie on his quest to find the owner of the lost shoe.

As they arrived at Crystal Shoes Inc., Stephy and Anastashley eagerly volunteered to try on the shoe, hoping to trick Charlie Handsome into believing they were the mystery guest. The robots dragged them out of the mansion and into an alleyway and beat them up again to remind them CinderElla was boss.

So when they went back inside and tried on the shoe, they made sure the shoe was off without so much as a glow, giving them away as fakes.

When CinderElla entered the room, the shoe immediately lit up and projected her personal hologram.

“Return the shoe to CinderElla. She will return the shoe to the company,” the hologram said.

Charlie recognized her and, now overjoyed, asked her to join his company, Charming Inc, as CEO, and also to marry him.

“Yes, as long as you have those three monsters work in your sewage section cleaning out the garbage,” CinderElla said.

“Deal,” Charlie said. Cinderella brought her robots to Handsome, Inc who made sure her two stepsisters and stepmother were on their hands and knees working twenty two hours a day, with only two hours for sleep. They also fed the two sisters and stepmother dog poop for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Charlie Handsome and CinderElla got married and lived in their new mansion happily ever after, using Stephy and Anastashley as footstools when there was no more work to be done at the office.