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As several weeks passed, people began to notice changes in Arnie... subtle at first- his way of walking for instance- his carriage was more erect, projecting self-assurance. He acted that way as well. Arnie had always been sort of shy and retiring, always looking down rather then in your eyes when speaking. But not anymore, he stood erect looking directly in your eyes when he spoke to you.

His work had improved immensely too... he had always been a little unorganized, but now he was being given more input into the projects he worked on. There was even talk of allowing him to manage one. Arnie looked different too- in addition to his posture and directness, his acne was clearing up as well. In short, Arnie Turdlinger looked and acted like a new man.

Unbeknownst to Arnie the "worm" he had found and attempted to inspect in his kitchen contained a speck of smart dust- a nanocomputer that had inadvertently attached itself to his clothing before leaving work. Instead of disappearing as Arnie thought it had entered and integrated itself to his own system. The "worm" itself was a biological/technological hybrid designed specifically to integrate itself to its host. Once the disorientation of the integration process was over it ran concurrently with the host's own internal "biological computer." This is what was causing the "upgrade" in Arnie.

Arnie began to notice these changes himself... he felt a new confidence for one thing. His mental acuity was vastly improved, he was able to process information at an incredibly accelerated rate. There was also a profound difference in his physical coordination, he was able to do things he had only dreamed of before. Even his stamina was affected. Arnie found he could work for long hours without tiring.  Along with these abilities, his personality was changing too... he no longer liked being called Arnie, but insisted upon Arnold or Mr. Turdlinger.

Since his acne disappeared and his manner took on new dimensions, Arnie began to draw looks from some of the women at work... the ones that had seemed to look through him when speaking before. One night after work one of them asked him out for dinner and a movie, after which they returned to her place for a sexual interlude. Up until that moment, the only sexual partner Arnie had ever had was himself, so he didn't really have anything to compare it to... but judging from her demeanor afterward- she seemed more than satisfied. Arnie... er Arnold, was indeed a new man.

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