The room was buzzing with chatter as they entered, but quickly died down as they made their way to the front lectern. Mr. Sutton stepped directly behind the podium; Meenashi and Jenny each took a stool to the side. "Thanks for having us today" he said, gazing confidently around the room. "My name is Jim Sutton, and with me today is my assistant Jenny Richards, and our corporate training officer Meenashi Sato. I am with the firm of Sutton, Marsh and Engal. We represent your company in all legal issues, and have greatly appreciated our relationship with Mr. Barnett over the years."
"The purpose of this workshop is to discuss the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace. I want to first make clear that the timing of this seminar has not been caused by any incidents with your organization! We can't ignore today's business climate, however, with respect to this serious issue. We have seen a rise in the incidence of legal claims and actions of almost 300 per cent over the last ten years alone! Now human behavior has not changed over this time period to cause this. Rather the scrutiny of our behavior as managers from our employees has increased. We hope to safeguard you, as well as your company, from having to confront this issue in a courtroom."
"Now I like to break up my boring presentations with some live examples. I think it really helps drive the point home, when you can see actual case history, and the problems that can occur. One such example came to mind just an hour or so ago" he said, shifting his attention to his helpers. "Meenashi, help Jenny off with her jacket." She slipped off the stool and stepped behind Jenny, helping her out of the coat. She carefully folded it up, and placed it on the front corner of the first desk. "Now I hope you all will agree with me that Jenny is a very beautiful young lady." There was a murmuring of agreement from the room. Jenny could feel her nipples stiffening under her folded arms. "I think I am safe with that statement. What really captured my attention this morning, though, was the fashionable blouse she chose to wear with her outfit. Stand up, and let them see your blouse, Jenny!" Reluctantly, she slipped off the stool, and dropped her arms loosely to her sides. She could see some of the women in the room whispering to each other (no doubt with catty comments!). Her nipples were now at full attention, jutting out prominently through the wispy fabric. The faint outline of her dark aureole was shadowed underneath.
"I would be walking a dangerous tightrope if I commented on how attractive I believed that her lacy camisole was," he continued. He left the podium, and walked up to her side. "I think everyone should recognize though, that if I did this…" Reaching out, he trailed his hand down the front of her blouse, flicking her left nipple as he brushed over it, "I would be crossing over an important line, even if I was simply commenting on the silkiness of her blouse!"
"But Jim, I don't see the problem with complementing her attire!" said one of the men in back.
"Show us what you mean, then Henry," he answered, reading the name off the placard on the desk. He motioned for Henry to join them. The man rose, and worked his way up to Jenny's side.
