Clandestine Corporate Associate 069 - Sherry
Preface
Sherry sat alone in the nearly empty bistro. Waiting for Marcum, she sipped and savored a glass of Fume Blanc. Enjoying her wine she started reflecting on her unorthodox job.
Five years ago she was a rising financial analyst for a major brokerage firm. Then she met Jack. He was attractive, rich and wanted a stay at home wife. The day they got married, Sherry stopped working. For four years Sherry was strictly a housewife.
Then about six months ago, she was approached by Stephen Marcum. He was looking for a part-time business research associate. Because of the confidential nature of the work he told her it would be best if no one knew that she was actually working for him. It was a perfect opportunity. It would give Sherry the excitement of a career which she sorely missed. And Jack would not need to know that she was working.
Sherry decided to sign a one year employment agreement with Marcum. So, for the last 180 days Sherry has been working for Corporate Financial Research Unlimited. She had been gathering restricted and confidential corporate information while receiving additional training. Marcum titled her position Business Research Associate although Sherry fully realized what she was doing. She had begun a new career as a corporate spy.
Sherry continued to sip her wine and wait. The last six months had been truly enjoyable. The secret nature of her forbidden work was doubly rewarding. She was getting addicted to the secrecy and to the excitement. Her body was tingling as she sat and sipped. Sherry didn't have to wait long to receive her next assignment. Right on time, Marcum entered the sparsely lit bistro.
"Hello Marcum. What's going on," she asked as he sat in the other chair at her table.
"Your first extremely critical project has come up. A high stake take-over is about to go down. Weekly progress reports must be gathered and turned in," he said.
"Do you think I am up to the task," she asked.
"As chance has it, you know the man leading the hostile take-over. So, you are the perfect person for this assignment. You are to keep tabs on Robert Hanson and keep CFR and our client informed," he told her.
"I know Robert. But I am not sure I can get the inside information that is needed."
"Sherry your work has been great. I have complete faith in your professional abilities. CFR would not give you this extremely critical assignment if they thought you could fail. No, we know you will succeed. However, it will require working irregular hours undercover," he told her.
"You know my situation with Jack. Besides I am not totally trained yet," she replied.
"The stakes are at the highest possible level. Special arrangements have already been made. CFR has temporarily altered your personal situation," Marcum said.
"What on earth do you mean," Sherry asked.
"Your husband is currently not an issue. Arrangements have been made to send Jack out of the country on business. He will be in Europe until this assignment is over. This assignment is that damn critical Sherry," he said in a concern voice.
"Oh my, it must be, if CRF has gone to that much trouble," Sherry said.
"Yes, I can't emphasize enough the need for us to succeed," he responded.
"Well, if you really think I am capable, then it looks like I am your newest undercover research associate," she told him.
"Great, we are all counting on you," he informed her.
"How are you arranging it with Hanson? How am I getting access to him?"
"Ten thousand dollars has been placed in your private bank account. You will receive that same amount every week for the next ten weeks," he replied.
"How is having money to throw around going to get me access," she asked.
"The stakes are high. Therefore compensation is high. Of course your expenses will be covered. However, all of that money is your special project bonus pay," he said.
"Oh my, a hundred thousand dollars is a hell of a lot of money Marcum," she said.
"Yes but failure is always much more costly. So we have to succeed," he told her.
"So, how am I going to get close enough to Hanson to get the information," she asked.
"Sherry you are intelligent and resourceful. That is why I hired you. You have an abundance of social class, ample grace, and awesome natural beauty. You and Jack have socialized with Robert Hanson. You know how the man operates. You know he plays the field. You need to capitalize on your familiarity with him," he explained.
"Yes, but how can I can the inside information every week," Sherry said.
"Think outside the box Sherry. Robert is a player. He loves to chase a pretty skirt. With your charms and beauty I have no doubt that you can get all of the intimate details out of Hanson even daily if needed," he told her.
"Please, Marcum you can't honestly suggest I come on to the man. For God sake I am a happily married woman. He is a married man," she whispered.
"For a hundred thousand dollars, results are expected. Our client doesn't care how we get results, nor do I. It is your job to keep me informed on the progress of the Carson Industries take-over. That is the bottom line Sherry."
"Damn it, I did not sign on to become a corporate whore," she angrily whispered.
"You need to adjust your attitude Sherry," he replied.
"No I won't do it, period. There is no way that I can do that to Jack," she told him.
"Why? Get real Sherry. Jack is no different than Robert," he said.
"You are wrong. Jack doesn't screw other women," she told him.
"That's your fantasy. But, it doesn't really matter about Jack. Sherry this project isn't optional. It is mandatory."
"Marcum, for God sake, you can't force me to sleep with Hanson," she retorted.
"We must succeed because failure has dire consequences. Your employment history can be made public. You definitely don't want Jack to find that out what you have been doing behind his back. And that will just be the beginning of negative repercussions."
"That is fucking blackmail," she whispered.
"No, it is business. Before you refuse to do your job you should think," he said.
"That's bullshit! I'll quit and confess to Jack that I have been working," she told him.
"That's unacceptable. You signed a contract. You have a one year obligation to CFR. Once you have completed your term of service you can walk away without any repercussions. Or you can re-enlist. However, you can not quit until then," he told her.
"So I will work my one year, but I am not going to whore myself," she replied.
"Listen you are a professional research associate. You are not a whore. As a friend and as your boss, I am telling you to change your attitude. Get your head on straight. The stakes are too damn high to be emotional. Literally millions of dollars and thousands of jobs are at stake. CFR must successfully get that information to the client," he told her.
"Maybe, but you are going to have to get someone else," she snapped.
"The consequences of breaching your contract go beyond the two of us. CFR is obligated to provide powerful individuals with detailed weekly updates of the take-over attempt, or else dire consequences will result. If you and I don't perform, well then negative shit happens. That is life," he told her.
"I don't care, I will quit Marcum," she insisted.
"Stop it! Use your head. Think! At a snap of a finger, Jack is out of the country. You are given a stipend of a hundred grand. Think! People with power and money have a major stake in our success. Failure will mean ruined lives for these people. And these people have the power to ruin our lives."
"Keep your meat money. Get someone else to be your fucking whore," she retorted.
"Hell I would if I could, but Sherry I can't! Clear your head and be realistic. We don't want Jack receiving deceptively compromising photographs of you in the company of numerous CFR males. Jack could be provided ample evidence to ensure total victory in divorce court. You would end up with absolutely nothing. We are both expendable. If we fail this assignment then we both will face ruin."
"You fucking bastard! You set me up, didn't you," she said standing and running out.
Sherry started running down the sidewalk. Her head was spinning. She gasped a moment later when Marcum grabbed her by the arm. Quickly he turned her back around.
"Get over your emotions Sherry. Your job is of critical importance. The reality is that we fly together or we go down together. You must do your part. Do your job," he said.
"This sucks! You suck Marcum," she retorted.
"Maybe, but not honoring your contract is not worth ruining our lives," he snapped.
"I don't know. I need time to think. Please just leave me alone," she replied.