[This story will make more sense if you take the time to read the earlier instalments. There's a good deal of focus on all bodily functions so if inclusion of those offends you, please read no further. There's also some severe discipline. All characters are over 18.]
*****
Eleanor was slightly surprised when Janet called her in and informed her that she was sending her to the capital of the Women's Republic to complete arrangements for the initial product testing of the underwear Goose Cookers had manufactured for the Corrections Service.
"This way," Janet said, "you can be present to do whatever they want and make any adjustments needed to get the product ready to produce."
"You are relying on me and don't feel you should be there, too?" Eleanor felt obliged to ask.
"I believe you're entirely capable of handling this," Janet answered softly. "Eleanor, this will be a great opportunity for you to see how this process works so we can keep bidding on these projects and keep getting them."
Eleanor said she certainly would go ahead and make sure everything was resolved.
"Exactly what I wanted to hear, El," Janet responded with a smile.
Eleanor arrived in the capital, not her favorite place since this was where she had been tried and sentenced to a cruel punishment that turned out to have been imposed in error. But now she was doing so well in the second major city that she felt she was returning as a successful executive.
She had no trepidations when she approached the large Corrections Service headquarters, nor was she at all reluctant to encounter Senior Correctional Officer, LTC Annette, who had been at the initial conference and had actually been the assigned officer for Eleanor's court case some time before. Eleanor still had strong feelings for Annette, even though their marriage had been put off indefinitely when Annette was ordered back to headquarters, having been promoted.
Eleanor was ushered into the building and found herself in a well-appointed conference room. She had been accompanied by a junior staffer from the company, Harriet, a young, blonde-haired woman whose academic training had been in finance. Soon, Annette entered, smiling at Eleanor, and with her was Warrant Office Kathryn, the contracting officer.
They greeted Eleanor, who responded with appropriate pleasantries, and then introduced Harriet. All sat down at a small conference table. Kathryn opened the meeting by stating how pleased the Service had been with the designs and the initially-delivered product samples. She added, "We're also ok on the additional design requested, for the bra, so long as you agree to make the same fabric differentiation as you implemented for the panties."
"That is fine and will work all right," Eleanor answered, with alacrity, although she kept reminding herself to control her enthusiasm in this business setting. The change would actually save everyone some funds because the bras for the female inmates, admittedly few in number, would be made from a cheaper, less comfortable fabric than the ones for the correctional officers.
Now, Kathryn went over all the technical requirements concerning timing and delivery that would be memorialized in the contract. Eleanor had made sure that Harriet reviewed these ahead of time so that any issues could be raised and resolved. There were a few minor points and Kathryn and Harriet discussed each and figured out how they could be settled with little problem.
Finally, the work was completed and Kathryn looked at Annette and said, "I think we're in a position to have this signed off. Eleanor, I assume you are empowered to sign for Goose Cookers?" Eleanor said she was. Then Kathryn asked Annette who would sign for the Service.
"That will be me," Annette answered without any emotion. Kathryn looked relieved that she would not have to explain everything to a different senior officer.
Kathryn excused herself and went out to have preparation of the signature papers completed.
Harriet whispered to Eleanor that she would like to be excused for a moment and Eleanor said that would be fine, now that the negotiations had been concluded.
When she too had departed, Annette smiled at Eleanor and asked her if she would join her for dinner. "I think it's time for just the two of us," she grinned at Eleanor.
Eleanor smiled back and said that nothing would please her more.
The other women returned and the formalities were rapidly completed once Harriet and Kathryn had again review the final papers. Then Eleanor and Annette signed on behalf of their organizations.
Kathryn assembled the documents, inserted the two packages into large envelopes and handed one to Eleanor. "That's your set," she said. "It's been a pleasure working with you, Eleanor, and I hope we continue to have the opportunity to see each other as work proceeds." She added that she was pleased to meet Harriet.
Eleanor responded and thanked them both on behalf of the company, Janet personally, and herself. "You should know," she added, "that this is a special project for us and we hope to make it the first of others designed to respond to your needs."
With that, she and Kathryn stood up first, and then Annette and Harriet rose as well. As they were walking out of the building, accompanied by Kathryn and Annette, Annette spoke quietly to Eleanor and told her she would come by for her at her hotel in the late afternoon. Eleanor said she would be ready.
When Eleanor and Harriet returned to their hotel, Eleanor suggested that they meet in her room for a few minutes to debrief. After they reached Eleanor's room and sat down in the comfortable chairs there, Eleanor thanked Harriet for her work on the contract.
"My knowing Annette, and Janet's having worked with her before, did make this easier," she confided, "but it still needed your careful review and my attention to design detail. Annette has asked me to dine with her tonight which means you're on your own. Obviously you might see some friends if you have them here; otherwise, take it easy and dine here if you want."
Harriet thanked her and said she probably would take Eleanor's advice and chill out.