Clarisse Taylor was looking out her office window and admiring the setting sun. It had been another satisfying day for her. She had just won another big case for her firm and a partnership was on the way. At 31, she would be the youngest partner ever. Her career had been cemented. Only thing left was some paperwork that would be sorted soon enough.
Clarisse felt it was cause for a small celebration. Sadly, she had nobody to call. In her meteoric rise to the top of her profession, she had had no time for boyfriends. None of the men at work wanted anything to do with her. She was known as a manipulative bitch who would do anything to win her cases, including resorting to some "less than ethical" practices at times. The ladies were scared of her.
"Oh well, I'll just get some wine and go home" she said to herself.
There was a liquor store opposite Clarisse's swanky condo. Clarisse walked in and walked to the aisles at the back of the store where the most premium wines were kept. As she was making her choice two hoodlums rushed into the store and locked the front door. One of them was armed with a gun aimed it at the clerk and demanded the cash register be emptied out.
The other customers in the store were herded to the front and told to strip. Hearing the commotion going on in the front, Clarisse frantically tried to find a back way out of the store. As she was trying to open a door at the back, the other thug armed with a knife yelled at her.
"What you trying to do woman? Go to the front now!" he yelled.
No used to being told what to do, Clarisse reached into her handbag and pulled out a can of pepper spray. She aimed it at the thug and depressed the nozzle. Instead of releasing it contents the nozzle broke off! That can of spray was way past it's useful life.
That just served to infuriate the thug even more.
"You're really gonna get it now bitch!"
"No no, please! I can give all the money you want. Please don't hurt me!" replied Clarisse.
As the thug approached Clarisse she suddenly dropped her expensive Loius Vuitton bag and let fly a couple of punches. One landed on the thug's right temple while another landed on his shoulder. Initially surprised, he replied with a solid slap to Clarisse's face.
Clarisse was staggered and fell against the back wall, landing on her bum. Her expensive thin aluminium frame glasses were broken, on the floor. Hearing the scuffling going at the back, the thug with the gun came and checked on his partner in crime. He then proceeded to point the gun at Clarisse.
"Feisty one eh? Go to the front. I'll take care of the bitch" said the thug to his friend.
"Let's see how what you're really made off. Stand up!" he shouted at Clarisse.
Clarisse slowly managed to get on her wobbly feet with the help of the wall. Her meticulously combed hair, swept up into a beehive bun was coming apart now.
Staring at the woman without her glasses, the thug suddenly recognized her as the ruthless Assistant DA who had sent him to jail 5 years ago. Clarisse of course, had no idea. He decided he was going to play with her.
"What's your name, woman?" asked the thug as though checking.
"C c c clarisse"...
"Louder!"
"Clarisse".
"What is your job?"
"I I'm a lawyer".
That was answer enough for the thug. He had identified his victim and was going to play with this woman.
"Take all you clothes off" he commanded.
"B b but why? "Clarisse knew her fate -- it was going to be the same as all the other customers who had stripped down but she was hoping for the best.
"I can pay you if you want. Please don't take my clothes.... I promise I won't run away..."
"I can get through anything as long as I don't have to remove my clothes" thought Clarisse to herself.
Through the years, Clarisse had cultivated a fearsome reputation for herself in the courtroom. Her fierce, combative style had cowered even hardened criminals and opposing lawyers alike.
About 3 years ago she crossed the divide. She had found it a lot more lucrative to defend crooked businessmen rather than sending criminals to jail. It was about this time that she had joined her current firm.