Entering the show house kitchen, Lizzy concludes her sales presentation with a flourish.
"All white goods pre-fitted for your convenience and a very reasonable service charge into the bargain." Were she being honest (fat chance, a girl has got to earn a living and Lizzy is firmly fixed on closing the deal) the young woman might mention that the greedy developer is free to hike the cost whenever they choose. So much for newly built homes, all that glitters...
Lizzy bends exaggeratedly, ostensibly to close a cupboard door in fact the better to accentuate her admittedly delightful derriere, thrust to prominence by high heels.
"Soon all this could be yours," she gestures theatrically, pauses for a nano-second to heighten the ambiguity then leans in to expose more than a hint of cleavage before hopping onto a worktop. Crosses her shapely legs to reveal an outrageous expanse of nylon-clad thigh while coquettishly dangling a shoe from a dainty foot.
Bravo, quite the operator, thinks the handsome chap viewing this distinctly average semi-detached. Only too aware she's used every trick in the sales manual, he's not deceived by Lizzy's polished sales patter. There've been complaints, you see. From buyers who read the small print only after signing on the bottom line, and colleagues jealous of her stellar success in converting prospects to purchasers.
Since her sales technique frequently switches uneasily between distraction and seduction, Josh has come here today determined to give Lizzy the sack. However, she's a bright spark and more than easy on the eye, perhaps there might be an alternative?
"Excuse me," Josh announces, instantly commanding the room, "cards on the table time. I'm not a customer, rather Mr Dryden, this firm's MD, your boss." The young estate agent appears momentarily puzzled before swiftly regaining her composure.
"Nice try," says Lizzy, "almost had me there, but I was interviewed by Mr Dryden, lovely older man, silver hair, definitely not you."
"Absolutely correct, not me," concedes Josh, privately reflecting that his dad was always a sucker for a shapely female figure. "Ms Tomkins, if you read the staff newsletter, you'd know my father recently retired to Florida, leaving me very much in charge."
"Oh, I..." For the first time, the young woman is speechless.
"You'd be best advised to listen for a moment," he gestures towards a chair. "To be blunt, customers and colleagues have raised concerns about your sales methods."
"Jealous because I always exceed my targets," Lizzy retorts immediately.
"Ms Tomkins I won't tell you again," the room temperature seems to drop, "sit quietly and pay attention. True, your sales figures are excellent: what's problematic is that you achieve them by misrepresenting facts. Dissatisfied purchasers make for negative word-of-mouth publicity, potentially damaging the firm's reputation."
"Easy to have high principles when can afford them", Lizzy responds spiritedly. "I need this job, the pay's virtually all commission so I have to be determined if I'm to finance my higher education."
Josh raises his eyebrows. "A touching hard luck tale, except that a part-time photography course at community college is hardly studying for a medical degree."
"OK, so I like a good time too, I didn't have the good fortune to be born with a silver spoon in my mouth." Lizzy is unrepentant. "Check if you like."
"I already have. Modest upbringing, good school grades then straight into work, where over seven years you've continually moved between employers."
"Never fired," Lizzy remains defiant.
"Yet..." Josh lets the comment hang in the air. Ever quick on the uptake, Lizzy spots an opportunity for redemption.
"So, you've something else in mind..."
"Very perceptive, I may indeed be able to offer an alternative."
"Such as?"
"I punish you here and now."
"How?"
