Paul could not believe what he was hearing. After 4 years of service, he had believed himself to be an asset to the company. His boss, Richard, now sitting there, spewing the company line, had become a good pal. Yet, here it was.
“… and with the overall downturn showing no signs of recovery in the near term, it is really a last resort that the company has to take affirmative actions to ensure the survival….”
On and on he went. Yet, Paul could not but detect a note of falsehood through it all. After all, only 15% of the staff got laid off, and he was quite sure that within his division, he was one of the top performers. In fact, there was even rumours about his promotion to management this year. Somehow, he felt that Richard had shafted him. Maybe he was feeling insecure, having a strong contender in his team. Some folks can’t handle that. Whatever. There was only one way to deal with this. Paul headed down to his favourite drinking hole.
Always, it seems that when you want most to be drunk, that state of euphoria eludes you. He had been drinking for hours, but it was still early, just 11pm. Worst of all, he was still sober. Looking around him, he almost laughed at the scene. Next to him along the bar counter, a guy was making his move on a pretty young lady. Over at the tables, groups laughed together, unwinding after a day at work. How nice. He did not have to crawl out of bed tomorrow morning.
Just as he turned back to address the problem of a full cup in his hands, he noticed an attractive, dark haired woman walking in. He had seen her before, somewhere. She looked to be in her mid-twenties, sleek long hair, nice short skirt, a white blouse and a light jacket over it. Paul watched as she moved up to the bar and ordered her drink. She moved well, he observed. Nice ass. He thought. Just then, she looked his way and caught him staring. She gave him a small smile, which seemed to speak directly to Little Paul. He twitched. Paul smiled back and went back to his drinking.
Then it hit him. He knew who she was! She was Lydia, wife of the good ole buddy Richard, his once wonderful boss. He saw her look his way again. He raised his glass in a toast, which she returned. Paul walked over to her side of the bar. She watched him as he approached, probably trying to guess the “opening line” that he was going to use.
“Hi, Lydia.” He said. She was surprised. Whatever line she thought he would use, this was not one of them! Paul introduced himself. Obviously, she still did not know what her dear hubby had done. Otherwise, she concealed it well. As they chatted, a nagging idea formed at the back of Paul’s mind.
“Your husband screwed me. Now, I will screw you. And I’ll drop him a thank you note.” He thought.
Paul made sure she had plenty to drink. After all, he was invincible tonight. If anything, he was even more clear headed now. But he could see the alcohol hitting her. She started to laugh a little louder, and he was moving closer and closer to her, not touching, yet he had positioned his seat such that she was sitting directly in front, in between his spread knees. Leaning close, he could smell her perfume, and had nice glimpses of her cleavage. She touched him first, putting her hands on his arms as she giggled at something he said. Turnabout is fair play, so he put his hands on her knees. Two more stiff drinks and she was laughing hysterically on his shoulder and he was rubbing he waist. “Let’s get out of here,” he suggested.
