For Nick
As she snapped the lid of the empty contact lens case shut, she looked at the face staring back at her in the bathroom mirror. The reflection bore little resemblance to the girl she once was; the image was that of a stronger, more confident woman. The debt she now owed the surgeon was worth all the hours she had worked. Once dressed, she gave herself a final check in the hallway mirror, picked up her briefcase and left the flat.
It began to rain as her car came to a halt in the rush hour traffic. She banged her fists on the wheel and swore as she would now be late. To save time, she reached across to the passenger seat and took the file out of her case. She traced her finger over the name of the client she was representing and shivered. After a brief read through of the notes, she tossed the file back down, pausing to check some other items in her briefcase. Glancing up, she noticed the car in front was beginning to move away.
As she drove through the main gates the rain grew steadily heavier. With a screech of her brakes, the car was parked and now she was walking purposefully towards the door, her umbrella being blown about by the wind. She gave her name to the guard and with a flash of her ID badge, she was in. She was led down a long corridor, stopping now and then for the guard to unlock and then lock each door behind them. The silence deafened her and the strong odour of disinfectant filled her nostrils. As they turned another corner, her confidence waned slightly - she began to feel queasy, doubting her ability to win the case.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the gruff voice of her guide. As the last remaining barrier between herself and the man she had come so far to see was opened, she took a deep breath. She reminded the guard of her clients rights, nodded his dismissal and turned to the man sat in a chair before her as the door behind her was closed.
She removed her overcoat and straightened her suit jacket, her skirt riding up over her knees as she walked across the room to put her leather case on the inadequately sized table in the corner.
She could feel his eyes surveying the length of her stocking clad legs; she had deliberately chosen heels to accentuate the curves of her calves and as she turned to repeat the rehearsed greeting, she knew her decision had been appreciated.
"Hello, my name is Lexi and I will be representing you." She could feel the pulse of her heart beating in her throat. It was only then that she noticed he was in handcuffs and composing herself, now relaxed enough to continue.
"I have read through the file, but it appears to be lacking in a few pieces of information, therefore, I would like you to go through the events of the night in question for me."
She deafly listened to his account, checking her watch, knowing that she must act swiftly… all the time aware that he was visually undressing her as he spoke. She stood up, turned her back to him and walked back over to the table, ignoring his plea of innocence. She removed the carefully folded piece of black material from her bag, stood behind him. Without warning, she covered his eyes.
"What the fuck are you doing?" he demanded.
"It is quite simple really" she replied. "This is a basic test of your awareness. It is quite proper I assure you - we need to prove beyond any doubt that you were intoxicated that night."
"My word isn't enough then?" he questioned.
