Chapter 4: Skye Joins the Male Management Development Team
Skye was walking down the sidewalk following the GPS on her phone. She was going to a meeting where she would either gain top secret access or be denied. She found the address, it was an apartment building. It was upscale enough to have a doorman. She felt a tinge of anxiety. She wasn't prepared, what if the doorman asked her who she was visiting?
As Skye approached the building the doorman stepped out. He held the door and before Skye could say a word he said, "Good afternoon Miss Winslow. Enjoy your visit to suite 15-B."
Skye was momentarily taken aback. How did he know her name? She quickly realized he was a government employee. She recovered and said, "Thank you sir. You said 15-B?"
The doorman nodded, "Yes Miss, the penthouse. Take the elevator at the end of the hall."
Skye looked down the hall and said quietly, "Do I need a code for the elevator or anything?"
The doorman shook his head. He said, "No Miss, they'll see you coming," he motioned up toward a video camera.
Skye smiled. She said, "Right, thank you sir."
The doorman tipped his hat and turned his attention outside.
Skye walked down a long hallway. As she approached the elevator it opened and she stepped inside. The elevator doors closed behind her. She looked at the button panel but the floor buttons only went up to 14. She then heard an automated female voice say, "Floor Fifteen - Penthouse level."
A few moments later the female voice repeated, "Floor Fifteen - Penthouse," and the elevator opened.
Skye stepped into a stark white hallway. There was an automated kiosk that flickered to life. A pleasant female model appeared and said, "Good afternoon. Please place your palm on the reader below."
Skye placed her open hand on the reader and the model said, "Welcome SW1625-2-7669. Your party is expecting you in penthouse 15-B that way," the model was pointing to Skye's right.
Skye looked to her right and saw the door marked 15-B. She walked over and raised her hand to knock but the door opened. It had been opened by a strikingly beautiful woman, several inches taller than Skye. She was wearing a black business suit and her sexuality was undeniable.
She said, "Come in Skye, I've been expecting you."
Skye stepped into the brightly lit room and the woman closed the door. She said, "My name is Marisol. Please, make yourself comfortable."
Skye looked around at the impressive penthouse. She noticed luxurious leather furniture including a couch and chairs. Skye moved toward the couch and Marisol said, "May I get you a beverage?"
Skye thought for a moment and said, "Maybe just some water."
Marisol snapped her fingers. She said loudly, "David, fetch some water for our guest."
A male voice behind Skye said, "Right away."
Skye hadn't noticed anyone else in the room. She turned to see a middle aged man hurrying away. Skye seated herself on the couch. She felt the leather and said, "Is this real?"
Marisol seated herself on an adjacent chair and said, "It is."
Skye raised her eyebrows and said, "Isn't it illegal to use leather for furniture? I mean we don't raise animals anymore for food."
Marisol said, "Don't remind me. I find synthetic beef disgusting. The truth is, it's illegal to kill animals for their skin. There are ways to achieve an end, without breaking the law. That's sort of what we are about."
The man returned with a bottle of water for Skye. Skye said, "Thank you."
Marisol said, "Leave us David."
David nodded at Marisol and said nothing as he hurried away.
Skye found it odd the way Marisol was treating him. She said, "So uh, is David your coworker?"
Marisol smirked and said, "Uh, yeah let's go with that. He's my coworker."
Skye opened her bottle of water and took a sip.
Marisol picked up a tablet computer and began reading the screen. She said, "Skye Winslow, twenty one years old, daughter of Hanson and Grace Winslow. Genetics student at Nova University," Marisol paused for a moment to look at Skye then continued reading, "dating Asher Foy."
Skye said, "How do you know about Asher?"
Marisol was amused. She said, "Skye, it's our business to know things. I presume you are aware that we are preparing to offer you security clearance in our organization."
Skye nodded and said, "Well I kinda figured since I'm here. So I have a question."
Marisol put down the tablet and said, "What is it?"
Skye said, "What exactly is it, that you do for the department of defense."
Marisol stood and walked over to Skye. She placed the tablet in her lap and said, "As soon as you sign this electronic form I can tell you."
Skye looked at the form and said, "What's it for."
Marisol said, "It's very simple. The form says that you agree to secrecy. You are not allowed to discuss your work in our organization with anyone."
Skye was really looking forward to working with Dr. Crenshaw. Plus, all the cloak and dagger stuff was intriguing. She used her fingertip to sign her name and handed the tablet back to Marisol.
Marisol looked at the signature and then saved and closed the form. She set the tablet down, smiled and said, "Male management."
Skye was confused and said, "What?"
Marisol crossed her arms. She said, "You asked what I do for the department of defense. I develop male management techniques and methods."
Skye said, "What's that?"
Marisol smiled. She said, "I specialize in the manipulation and control of adult males. I'm currently developing methods of selectively defeating the erection inhibitor molecule."
Skye said, "Why would you do that?"
Marisol said, "There are countless uses for such a thing."
Skye said, "Like what?"
Marisol said, "Skye, do you know why erection management exists?"
Skye said, "Well I'm told it made society better, but I was born long after it went into effect."
Marisol said, "It did more than improve society, it allowed society to continue. The inherent sexual weakness of men allowed them to be corrupted which nearly caused the collapse of government. One generation after erection management went into effect, society turned around. Once again men could be elected to high positions in government because they could be trusted."