I knew Mrs Whitaker was desperate to get her daughter into the stage school from the moment I met them both. Like many of the mothers who bring their daughters for auditions, she was the one with the real drive and was determined to get her daughter on stage at all costs. At her daughter Chloe's audition the girl had performed creditably. Her dancing left a little to be desired but she did a beautiful spoken piece and showed herself to have a fine singing voice. I would have had no trouble in offering her a place and it was clear from the comments of the other staff on the interviewing panel that they were in agreement.
After the auditions were over I was about to leave the hall when Mrs Whitaker suddenly accosted me and asked to speak to me privately. Her daughter was nowhere to be seen and was presumably outside somewhere. I suggested that she come down the corridor to my office.
'I am sorry to trouble you, Principal.' Mrs Whitaker blurted out, 'It's just that well I need to know whether or not Chloe has been accepted. It's very important to us you see.'
'I understand Mrs Whitaker.' I replied. 'You will of course understand that I and my colleagues will need time to consider our decision and you will of course be notified of it in due course.'
'But perhaps you could just give me some indication of what you thought of Chloe's performance.' Mrs Whitaker pleaded.
I now knew how desperately she wanted her daughter to get this place and I pushed my advantage.
'Mrs Whitaker, I would not normally give feedback on candidates' performances at this stage but I have to say that Chloe's performance was merely average. She is, I would say, a borderline candidate for a place,' I said.
'So it is not certain you will offer her a place?' said Mrs Whitaker looking most disappointed.
'I am afraid that is the situation at the moment,' I replied.
'And is there nothing I could do to persuade you that you should offer her a place?' Mrs Whitaker said with a rather wicked grin.
'Mrs Whitaker are you offering me some kind of financial inducement?' I asked pretending not to understand her meaning.
'Mr Principal, I am a single mother and I don't have enough money to bribe you. However, there are other things I might offer which might help you to make the right decision here.'
'Well certainly if you were to make yourself available for an hour or so tomorrow we could consider your daughter's application further.'
'My dear man, just name the time and the place and I will be there.'
'Very well,' I said, 'be outside the school at midday tomorrow and I will meet you there.'
The next day was Saturday and the school was closed. I arrived in good time and a few minutes later Mrs Whitaker drove up in large silver Mercedes. I began to have doubts about her claim that she was an impoverished single mother. She climbed from her car wearing a halter top with a plunging neckline revealing the clear white skin of her full cleavage. Her well turned legs were shown off well by a short skirt and she had obviously gone to some trouble to apply her make up and style her attractively bobbed blonde hair. I unlocked the main door and admitted her to the building. We walked along to my office making small talk about the weather. Once in my office I invited her to sit down. She took a seat on the easy chair in the corner of the room, gracefully crossing her legs.
'So you feel that perhaps I require some further persuasion of the merits of Chloe as a student at the School, Mrs Whitaker?' I said.
'Oh do call me Sarah,' she replied. 'Well, as a woman I am sure there must be some way in which I could convince you that my daughter was the right choice for your establishment.'
'And how far would you go to convince me of this?' I asked.
'Oh, I think I would go as far as you wanted, Mr Principal or should I call you by your first name too?' Sarah replied teasingly.
'No you will address me as Principal or Sir.' I said. 'Now I think you should know that if you wish to continue with this little exchange that you are going to have to do exactly what I ask. Do you understand?'
'Of course,' she replied.
'I must warn you that I have somewhat unconventional tastes. You may of course stop and leave at any point. You have only to say. But until you decide otherwise you must be mine to do with as I please.'
'And you can guarantee a place for Chloe at your school?' she asked.
'Provided you comply with my wishes, absolutely.' I replied.
'OK, what do I have to do first.'
'I would like you to remove your knickers and bend over my desk please,' I said.