Word of the Coolidge Offshore contract spread swiftly and Linda's routine β study, train, gym β was interrupted by frequent congratulations. Amidst all the praise Linda decided to keep mum about the problems with her son. When the expected expulsion order was issued she arranged to pick Jack up at the airport the following Wednesday. For the upcoming weekend β possibly her last trouble-free for awhile β she accepted Julie's invitation to work at an InGen fitness-fest. Although she had expected simply to man the one of the company's booth, she was subjected to tests and injected with some new-age fitness products. Normally she would have objected, but decided not to fuss when Julie agreed to the same treatment.
* * * *
Julie was with the boss on Sunday night when he conferred with Dr. Dowler. Dowler confirmed that Linda was responding to the treatment in absolute accordance with all protocols. There were a few more tests to run, but all indications were that she'd be the boss' fountain-of-youth.
After Dowler signed off, the boss looked to Julie.
"What do you think?"
"I agree; we've run a bunch of girls through here, but I've never seen anyone react like she has. We've got another job for her Wednesday, but if she passes that and the tech guys agree, she should be ready for you next weekend."
Although compassion was not his strong suit, Julie had been loyal. She had done everything asked of her. "You look sad," he said.
"I am, in a way. I'm happy, of course, we've found, or it looks like we found, the lover you need, but being your lover has been my life."
The boss smiled inwardly. There was no insincerity in Julie's voice. The loyalty and submissiveness fostered by the treatment was remarkable. This incredibly beautiful woman was completely enthralled by his broken body. Maybe, after Linda became his, he might still give Julie an occasional call.
"If we have success on Wednesday, you'll leave for the conference. We will handle Linda internally. The final treatment will be on Saturday. When she finishes her work-out I'll be the only one in the gym. She'll focus on me; I'll own her."
Julie recalled when it happened to her. It was the last day of the four week supplement program and InGen asked that she work-out at the company gym so it could conduct some tests when she was done. It never occurred to her to say no; within a few days of starting at InGen she was completely loyal to the company.
That day, like every day since she had joined InGen, her pussy was on slow burn. Nonetheless, her only sexual partners, other than herself, had been the purchasing agents of two potential customers who, after wild nights of sex, had placed large orders with InGen. While innumerable men and many women had hit on her, she had said no to all of them. She liked sex as much as anyone else and many of the guys had been cute, but she found it easy to say no. She felt her focus should be on the company.
She had put down her final set of weights and headed for the locker room. When her heart rate and blood pressure returned to normal she was suddenly quite certain of one thing: she needed to be laid, right now. She decided to return to the gym, grab one or two of the guys who had been working out with her, and head home.
When she got there the gym was empty except for an old man in a wheel chair. He introduced himself. He was the owner of the company. She found him incredibly, compulsively, attractive. She couldn't turn away from him. He touched her hand. This was the man she wanted.
He told her that her remarkable physical rejuvenation was the result of a treatment InGen had secretly subjected her to. That explained the shots and daily nutritional supplement. InGen had done this because she would have the ability to transfer her rebirth to him. The process had altered her in other ways. It had made her submissive, loyal, obedient. From now on she belonged to him; she would be his devoted servant and lover. While she would work at InGen, her primary function was to attend to him. She knew he was right; they had changed her; she was happy; she understood the point of her life.
They became lovers that day. And although she had slowed his physical decline, research confirmed that although she was close, she was not quite right. She was proud when the staff, after months of experimentation on her, determined how she deviated from the perfect subject, the one who could fully rejuvenate the boss. Since the day Linda was identified Julie had been wholly devoted to the project. She would soon be replaced, but she was happy. The boss would get what he needed.
* * * *
On Monday morning Linda found a note on her desk; Julie wanted to see her. Julie met her with a smile and a hug.
"Well, you've blown the doors off all our expectations during your three weeks here. I think you're ready for your first sales call. We set an appointment for you at Momerz on Wednesday. There's the research." She pointed to a disc on her small cherry table.
Julie saw the flash of concern on Linda's face.
"Is there anything wrong?"
Linda knew she should be positive β she was a salesperson after all β but despite the short time they had known each other, she felt a powerful intimacy with Julie. She could be forthright.
"Well, I've tried selling Momerz for years without any hint of success. Nobody has had any luck with them. I'm not sure I'm the person for this job."
Julie was not fazed, "I am."
Over the next few days, interspersed with her hours in the gym, yoga classes, and the daily testing, Linda prepared for her call on Momerz. She found InGen's research, like its products and training program, pedestrian. It only confirmed what everyone in the industry already knew. Deniese Paris, the imperious, straight-laced, and powerful administrative assistant to Con Momerz, the company's owner, would make the decision. The problem was that no one could get in to see Deniese.
On Tuesday evening, after yoga, Julie ushered Linda into her office, asking, "Ready for tomorrow?" while retrieving bottled water from her refrigerator. Linda said yes, but her voice carried little conviction. Julie recognized Linda's consternation.
"You worried about the sale?"
"Yes. I don't want to sound defeatist, but I'm having trouble coming up with a pitch other than those I've used at Momerz a dozen times before without success. Momerz has been buying from Gamble for years. Our products don't test out any better than Gamble's and Gamble has a full-time sales representative at Momerz' headquarters. How do we provide better service than that?"
Julie took Linda's hand in hers and directed Linda's gaze to the room's full length mirror. "Look at yourself," Julie said, her voice low and seductive. Linda studied herself in the mirror. "You're the sexiest woman on the planet. If you project your sexuality, if you simply look at someone with the certainty that he, or she, will find you irresistible, there are few people on the planet who could say no."
Linda's first thought was to object, to assert she was more than a sexual being, that she was a capable salesperson who didn't need to use sex to make a sale, but she knew how important appearance was to her job. It would be hypocritical to deny what Julie was saying. She continued to look in the mirror. Under the influence of her friend's soft hypnotic voice and rich sensual perfume, she had to acknowledge that her sexuality had blossomed over the past weeks, that it had become the most powerful voice in her head. She gazed at her reflection, focusing on her looks, sensing a primal appeal, a woman who could have anyone she wanted. If she had this power, she thought, why shouldn't she use it.
Julie appeared in the mirror, standing behind her.
"That's it baby, look at yourself, you're the hottest woman on the planet, you're dazzling, you're radiant; no one can say no to you, anyone can be yours, all you need to do is want him."
Linda saw the smoldering need burning in her friend's eyes. Julie leaned against Linda, pressing her firm breasts to the younger woman's back while sliding her hand down Linda's arm. The touch was light, sensual. When Linda didn't object Julie whispered in her ear, "Like me, for example, you turn me on, I want you."