The Sinister Screen Queen

Tanya adjusted the blue dress, frowning at her 2002 self in the mirror.

The dress was fine, if a bit plain.

"Is this really all I get?"

Blame yourself. Came the cool voice of the system.

Tanya groaned. "And tell me why you're called System Casey? Shouldn't you be giving me what that means?"

My name is Casey. The voice replied, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Casey?" Tanya frowned. "Shouldn't I get to name you instead?"

A faint scoff echoed in her head. If I'd left it up to you, I'd probably be called 'Polly' or 'Bing Bong' or something equally atrocious.

"Oh, please." Tanya frowned, crossing her arms.

"I'd come up with something far better. But whatever—moving on."

Tanya glanced at the system's display floating in front of her, scanning through the categories.

One term on her status screen caught her attention. "Emotion points?"

"What are those?"

Casey sounded all too pleased to explain. Emotion points, or EP, are a currency you'll use to buy shop items and access lottery draws.

Earn them by stirring emotional reactions in people.

Small emotions? A handful of points.

Stronger emotions, let's say, in the shock or awe range, could fetch thirty to fifty points.

Something really big, like life and death, love, heartbreak, you're looking at a hundred or more points for those.

Tanya took that in, already imagining ways she could rack up points.

"Basically, I get paid to play with people's emotions?" She asked, a smile creeping onto her face.

Oh, you'll need to be a bit smarter about it than just causing a scene. Casey added.

It's an art.

Casey said cheerily. And as for ways to spend it, you can use my lottery.

The good stuff's expensive, though.

"How expensive?"

Casey brought up the lottery screen, showing the tiers.

Casey's Lottery

Bronze lottery: 10 000 EP

Silver lottery: 100 000 EP

Gold lottery: 1 000 000 EP

Diamond lottery: 10 000 000 EP

"Bronze is ten thousand EP?" Tanya gaped.

"And diamond's ten million? What do I even get from here?"

Casey sounded almost amused. You could draw skills without having to learn them, like martial arts, directing, even medical knowledge.

Or maybe you'd get rare things like a Ferrari or the Mona Lisa.

Tanya's eyes sparkled with a hint of greed, already picturing her new life surrounded by luxury. "Sounds incredible. What's the catch?"

There's no catch. Casey said, sounding a touch too casual.

Tanya arched an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. Sure. Let me guess, the chances of drawing something amazing are… low?"

The system hesitated, then said. Well… lower tiers like Bronze have a lower chance for high-quality items or skills.

In Bronze, for example, you might get a master-level skill with a 0.09% chance or, you know, you could get toilet paper.

"Toilet paper?"

Tanya's lips pursed. "And Silver?"

Silver gives a 0.99% chance for a master-level skill. Gold goes up to 14.9%.

"So, the quality just barely goes up with each higher tier. Fantastic." She scowled.

Her eyes drifted to Diamond. "And the chances there?"

Casey went silent.

Tanya frowned. "Well?"

Oh, that's a—secret! Casey teased.

"Why?" Tanya asked, pressing.

I don't feel like telling you. Casey replied, the system's voice tauntingly cheerful.

Tanya crossed her arms, annoyed. "Fine. I'll open the Diamond tier myself to find out."

Oh really?

Casey laughed. You'll be lucky to even reach that in three years.

"You want to bet?" Tanya challenged her system.

A notification flashed up with a little chime.

Diamond Bond

Open the Diamond Lottery within 3 years

Reward: Diamond Level item

Accept/Be a Baby

Tanya rolled her eyes, smirking. "Oh, 'Be a Baby?' How professional."

Bad luck. Casey quipped as Tanya accepted the challenge.

"Thanks, Casey. Now open the store."

The screen blinked, but nothing showed in the store.

Her screen was frustratingly empty.

The only option visible was.

Tanya Pendragon AU (2002) Memories: 100 EP

"…"

"It's empty!"

"There's nothing here for sale!"

Stating the obvious. Casey replied dryly.

"Why?" Tanya demanded.

It hasn't been stocked yet. Casey said her tone as if that were entirely reasonable.

"Stocked? When?"

Maybe a year. Casey replied lazily.

Tanya seemed poised to jump at the screen and murder the system.

Or February next month.

Tanya sighed and muttered. "Of course, everything in this system's on backorder."

"Fine. Then I want my newcomer gift." Tanya certain there'd be something in it for her.

Gift? Oh, you're not getting any freebies here.

Tanya's mouth fell open, indignation bubbling up.

Every main character gets a beginner pack! Every one of them!

But as if sensing her frustration, Casey added.

I'll give you a job.

Milking Sister

Earn 100 EP from your stepsister

Reward: Bronze Lottery

Accepting…

"Hey!" Tanya exclaimed. "I didn't even agree—"

Casey snickered. Oh, please. Were you really planning to turn it down?

Tanya kicked her bed. "Not like I had a choice."

Before Tanya could continue complaining, she heard footsteps approaching her room.

She felt the cold run through her, her hands were sweaty all of a sudden.

Bad luck.

Tanya braced herself as the door opened and an irate teenage…

Keira Knightley!

"Do you mind explaining why I got a phone call in the middle of an audition saying you're skipping school again?" Keira demanded eyes blazing holes in Tanya.

Tanya blinked, caught off guard but already sensing her first opportunity to stir up some trouble, and maybe earn some elusive points.