Broke and Booby The New World of SwapTech chapter 6 by deleted_user

Jonas stood at the counter and felt his stomach drop.

I don't have my wallet.

He'd left everything in the SwapPort locker. His phone. His wallet. His hotel key. The only reason he even had the robe in his hands was because Margie had let him browse while he "figured things out."

"Find everything okay?" Margie asked, her reading glasses perched on her nose.

"Um." Jonas shifted his weight, feeling the unfamiliar sway of his hips. "I have a problem. I don't have any money on me. My wallet is locked in the SwapPort facility. I was kind of hoping I could... come back later? Or—"

Margie's eyebrows rose. "You want me to hold the costume for you while you go get your wallet?"

"That would be great, yeah."

She studied him for a moment, her eyes sharp and appraising. Then she leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "I could do that. Or... I could make you a different offer."

Jonas's brow furrowed. "What kind of offer?"

Margie gestured around the shop. "I've been running this place for fifteen years. I know a SwapPort story when I hear one. You're not the first person to walk through that door in a body that's not theirs, looking lost and broke." She smiled, a little crooked. "I like to help people in your situation. But I also like to help myself."

"What are you proposing?"

She stood up, walked around the counter, and stopped in front of him. "I need someone to model a few costumes for promotional photos. A new line I'm launching for next year's con circuit. It pays cash — enough to cover that robe and then some. And you're exactly the kind of person I need."

Jonas blinked. "You want me to... model?"

"You're in a body that's new to you. A hot body, at that. You're at a convention. You've got that 'fish out of water' energy that reads really well in photos." She shrugged. "One hour of your time. I'll give you the robe, a pair of shoes, and enough cash to get your stuff out of the SwapPort locker. Deal?"

Jonas opened his mouth. Closed it. Thought about it.

Model. In a women's costume. For photos.

"I..." He swallowed. "What kind of costumes are we talking about?"

Margie's smile widened. "Don't worry. Nothing too scandalous. Just a few heroines and fantasy characters. You'll look great."