By the time Gail hit the End button on her cell she felt better. Jan had explained how enduring a brief bit of humiliation could create a long term upside. All she had to do was think of it as acting. With no appetite, Gail ordered a double Bombay Martini for some liquid courage. By the time she got to the bottom of the glass it was already one o'clock. Late again. She toasted an imaginary companion with a final sip, "We who are about to die salute you! The bitch can just put a few more minutes on my tab."
At her desk Margaret was pretending interest in a spread sheet as she waited. She didn't want to show the anticipation she was enjoying. But as minutes ticked past the hour she began to fear she'd overplayed her hand. Then came the knock at her open door. Margaret looked up and fought off a smile of relieved triumph.
"You are a naughty pet. Late twice in one day."
"Yes Ma'am." Gail answered, "I had to think pretty hard about the choice you gave me. To let you spank me or lose my job."
"And...?"
"My future here is important to me, Ms. Vandorn so here I am."
"Good girl, very smart. Now close and lock the door, pet."
Gail complied and then stood with head bowed. Feeling like some recalcitrant schoolgirl presenting herself to a strict headmistress. It reminded her of her boarding school days. From under lowered lashes she saw Margaret move from her desk to one of the leather sofas.
"Come here, pet. Take off your suit jacket. I want you across my lap like the bad girl you are."
Hearing that Gail almost smirked as she draped herself over the woman's thighs. Jan had told her to think of it as roleplaying.
Margaret was elated. Her previous request for a foot massage had been a small test but this was proof of total surrender. She couldn't resist giving Gail's firm ass a long, possessive squeeze before applying her palm with a solid smack. First on one side and then on the other. A dozen swats failed to draw even a whimper from Gail. Having obsessively imagined her pet in just such a situation Margaret was reluctant to let her go.
"Those were for this morning. For the long lunch you treated yourself to you deserve another set. Hearing this Gail decided the charade had gone far enough. She rolled off onto the carpet and jumped to her feet.
"You know you've no choice, pet. But since you're being balky and my first effort didn't seem to hurt...I think the next twelve will have more effect on bare skin. Take off your clothes. I want you back across my lap naked, pet."
Instead of taking anything off Gail put her jacket back on and moved to unlock the door.
"Leave if you like but if you do you won't find a position anywhere in the financial community. I'll see to that!" Margaret was livid.
"You don't realize it yet lady but the shoe just slipped onto the other foot." Gail laughed and left her fuming. On the way out she took a silver framed picture of her parents from her desk. That and her briefcase were the only personal effects she'd ever brought to the job.
Once on the street Gail went back to the cafΓ© around the corner. Her earlier table was vacant and the waiter was the same.
"I missed lunch." She told him.
"I remember. Another double Martini?"
"No way. Bring me a thick, juicy fillet mignon, grilled asparagus and a glass of the house Burgundy."
Jan answered Gail's call almost immediately.
"Looking at my watch I'm guessing you are done at the office. Are you sitting on a now pink ass and feeling very unemployed?"
"I don't think it even got pink. You would have done a much better job of it. In fact I may just have to be a bad girl for you soon."
"So how do you think it went?"
"Exactly as you said it would. "
"Okay. Convert the recording to an MP3 file and send it to me. It's time for me to introduce myself and remind her she was invited to dinner."
Margaret was still fuming when the receptionist asked if she would take a call from a Doctor Jan Kilmer.
"Who is she and what does it concern?"
"The name isn't familiar but she said she wants to consult with you about an important matter."
"Alright. I'll take it."
Someone had probably referred their Doctor to her for investment advice. She forced down her irritation and found her pleasant voice.
"Good afternoon. Margaret Vandorn here. How may we help you, Doctor?"
"I am Gail's partner. Don't hang up. Please listen to this before we discuss how you can help..."
What Margaret heard was her own voice and that of Gail. It seemed to be a recording of everything that had occurred earlier. Margaret was steaming but she knew better than to just cut the call. As soon as Jan felt enough had been heard and the point was made she shut it off.
"Gail used a recorder for office memos and notes. Very clear sound for such a small mic isn't, Margaret?"
"Look if she thinks she can bully me into taking her back she is..."
"Gail is no longer interested in that position."
"So what is it you want then?" A mounting frustration plain in her tone.
"We want you at our place this evening for dinner. Shall we say eightish?"
"You are both nutty if you think I'll have anything further to do with her."
"I think you are far too intelligent to trip over your emotions in this matter. Think of the cost of a sexual harassment suit you couldn't possibly win. Oh and then there is the ever ravenous media. 'PROMINENT INVESTMENT BROKER COERCES INTERN INTO LESBIAN SEX!' The story would be red meat for them. The scandal could damage your firm." Jan paused to let her words sink in, "but then such public unpleasantness just might prove unnecessary."
"If I agree to meet you?"
"I knew you would prove to be a quick study. Our address is..."
"I'll get it from personnel!" Margaret snapped, slamming down the phone. She was upset at the fix she seemed to have gotten herself into and that calm condescending voice on the phone had totally infuriated her.