Finding Virginia: Handle With Care

“Knowing how to use a gun can save your life. Carrying one, can get you killed.” Rick lectured.

It made perfect sense to me. Guns are dangerous and if I had my way, there would be a lot less people in the world who ever held one in their hands. The fact one was laying on the table in front of everyone in the room had made me uneasy to begin with. I realized of course that none of them would remain laying on the table forever though and that the change would inevitably lead to one of them being put to use in my hands. My trepidation at the prospect had to take a backseat to Virginia’s excitement and curiosity. Allowing my true feelings to come forward would only result in exposing me for the misfit I am.

“Are you planning on explaining that?” Olivia asked.

There was condescension in her tone, mixed with impatience or perhaps that was simply annoyance. Rick smiled at her. He probably would have frowned if I had dared speak up but her oversexed appearance was obviously softening his hard exterior, well most of it anyway.

“Understanding the customs and practices of the people you are interacting with will let you know when it is acceptable to be armed and when it is not. This course is not designed to teach you the skills necessary for making that judgment. If you feel inadequate to the task, you should refrain from carrying your own weapon. That however, does not mean you should remain ignorant in the use of a firearm.” Rick said.

“Guns are intimidating when in the hands of a person who knows how to use them. Many time, simply taking the safety off of a hand gun and pointing it in the general direction of a threatening individual can diffuse an otherwise deadly situation. Of course, if you ever point a gun at someone, make sure you are prepared to kill. It’s not an easy choice to make but once you point a loaded gun at a person, you’ve already made the decision.” Rick continued.

“Understand that simple truth right now. If you are going to aim a gun, you better be ready to kill or be killed because that’s where the situation escalates to. With luck and good judgment you will often be able to avoid the cataclysm, but do not assume so. Your life might well depend on it.” Rick said.

The vague situations Rick was alluding to left me with a burning question; What do my cohorts at camp actually do for a living? Other than Gina, no one was asking those kinds of questions though and considering my own situation, it is not all that surprising. If you don’t want someone asking about your own career, you don’t really ask about theirs. I always have trouble ignoring elephants though, so it’s a good thing Virginia is tougher than me.

With no further questions being raised, Rick launched into a demonstration of how to disassemble the handguns before us. Virginia paid close attention, realizing I would soon be requested to do the same. Sure enough that was the next assignment and it took the better part of an hour for everyone to complete the assignment, concluding in the reconstruction of the guns. Virginia spent more than half the time wondering what the problem was.

Next we were shown how to load a clip and then the gun. It was kind of fun, especially watching Gina chase after bullets, rolling on the floor and Olivia crying about a broken thumbnail. I guess I should be less amused by the obvious proficiency difference between men and women in the handling of guns, but then I was doing just fine and unless things had changed since the morning showers, I wasn’t sporting any male equipment. I guess I just enjoyed the proof that I was far from the least capable person in the camp and of course Rick and Tanya had both noticed.

Finally we moved off to the shooting range. It was indoors, shockingly. The only objection I could have raised was instead of typical target they use silhouettes of men. I mean sure there were guys I could imagine myself shooting and all, although I’d rather aim at a little smaller head. It just seemed wrong to be taught to shoot at people or people-esque shapes. I’m sure, psychologically speaking it is necessary, but even after shooting the heart and brain out of a piece of paper I am not certain I could shoot if it were a living breathing animal in front of me, forget about a human being. If Joe Candle expects me to be killer, he’s definitely got the wrong girl.

The most interesting part of the afternoon was an accident, but like any accident involving guns, it was more dangerous than amusing. That said I did laugh my ass off.

Olivia, as usual, was more interested in looking sexy than actually doing anything. During the final test of the afternoon, where we were individually expected to show proficiency in quickly assembling, loading, and shooting a target’s nose and heart, she got a little flustered. The test was timed as well as being judged on accuracy. Rick was giving a combined score based on time and accuracy, Brian on my team had the high score and I had a close second place score, in fact only Gina on my team had scored below anyone on team four and Olivia was the last hope for her team to have anyone scoring well. I don’t think the competition got her though, I don’t think she really gave a damn, but I’m sure she wanted to beat that minimum level of achievement at which Rick had promised an individual training session going as far into the night as necessary. Too bad.

Somehow she managed to pinch herself twice while assembling the gun. I know its not funny but trust me, it was. Then when she ended up with only four bullets in her clip because the rest had rolled their way to safety after being spring launched into the air by her thumb and the spring in the clip. It made me think of a pez dispenser for some reason. Thankfully she didn’t try popping the bullets into her mouth.

So after disaster followed by disaster she finally gets the gun loaded with the nearly empty clip and takes aim down the target alley. The clocks ticking away and she’s taking her time, no doubt figuring she better hit her marks or plan on a long night. She pulls the trigger and nothing. She looks down at the gun like a betrayed lover. It just rests, cold, in her hands and I have a feeling it’s not the first time she’s had that effect.

She ejects the clip, waves it around, and then shoves it back in. She pulls the slide back with the gun sideways and the lets it’s slam back into place at which point the disaster strikes. The slide pinches the skin on her hand and she drops the gun, jumping and screaming and waving her hand in the air like she’d lost a frickin’ finger. Her team, hell every man in the room, is at first super concerned about her well being. Survival was more on mind.

I couldn’t decide whether to drop to the floor, crouch next to the wall, or just pray I was standing in the right spot. The gun tumbled to the ground and went off. Surprisingly to me, the noise of the gun shooting actually took attention away from Olivia and caused everyone to panic. The shot missed me just fine, but Rick wasn’t so lucky. It grazed the side of his calf before being stopped by the cement walls.

Rick, not so tough after all, went down to the ground and there was a bit of blood although not enough to cause me to think he’d been seriously hurt. My team stayed put while the other team with the notable exception of Olivia went running out the door. Brian and I went for Rick and tried to help. Kevin collected the gun from the floor, returned it to safety and unloaded it, while Gina calmed Olivia down.

Rick was resistant to Brian and I at first but Brian doesn’t take no for an answer it seems. I grabbed a conveniently mounted first aid kit and we quickly cleaned his wound and I was putting a bandage on it when Tanya came running in. She looked at Rick and then at the rest of us and out of everyone she picked me for some reason.

“What the hell happened here?” She asked.

“Olivia had a mishap with her gun and dropped it. It went off.” I said.

She stared at me as if she didn’t believe a word of it, but then who knows what the cowards of team four told her. Rick nodded and there was a little color returning to his white cheeks. Olivia was still so distraught over her hand she had no idea what had happened. I swear if I ever act that stupid, I hope someone shoots me.

“I’m fine. Everyone outside, now.” Rick said.

Brian and I hesitated for just a moment but after a quick no nonsense look from Rick we stood up from our kneeling positions and headed out. Kevin, Georgina and Olivia followed, but I noticed Tanya was remaining behind. I guess she wasn’t part of everyone.

We waited outside in the quad. Teams one and two were naturally confused and trying to figure out what happened. To listen to Olivia tell it, my team had sabotaged her gun and made her drop it. Her team supported the story with nods and encouraging one word statements like, “Right” and “Yeah.” I tried not to roll my eyes. I really did. Honest.

It continued until Rick and Tanya emerged from the building. We were then lined up in the middle of the quad. I wasn’t sure what exactly was going to happen but I really wasn’t all that surprised when Olivia was called out in front of everyone. Rick lectured her and the rest of us about safety again. I always love how one idiot in a class seems to reflect on everyone else.

Olivia stood there rather impassively during the spiel. It was the first time I had seen her not fluttering her eyelashes for longer than five minutes. I could have been impressed but then there was that nagging feeling that she was still manipulating everyone. When Rick finished and turned directly on her, she focused her angry eyes on me for some reason. I guess Virginia’s a little bit of a bitch, but I really didn’t do anything except find her amusing.

“I feel it’s quite necessary to make an example here, Olivia. I’m sorry but I’m sure you can understand, I can’t tolerate reckless behavior regardless of the reason behind it. We were only fortunate here that no one was seriously injured or even killed.” Rick said.

“I understand.” Olivia said.

She sounded all the brave victim of unfortunate circumstance as Rick pulled out his strap. If I hadn’t been there myself I might have felt sorry for her. Virginia on the other hand was relieved that what was clearly a serious matter, was not being ignored.

“Shorts and panties down. Touch your toes.” Rick ordered.

Olivia couldn’t help it I suppose. She wiggled her butt as she complied and bared her backside for all to witness. I noticed I was right before when I assumed she was pierced a little lower than her bellybutton. Of course it also made me realize just how exposed I had been the day before when I’d managed to get my own backside whacked.

Rick didn’t drag things out. He applied the strokes quickly and covered her white bubbling flesh with vibrant red stripes. Olivia whimpered a little at first and then slipped into full on tears and crying. I’m sure it was an act. When it was all over, her white butt was a memory swollen over and covered with glistening red welts. I think she might have actually got worse than I did. Still, Virginia didn’t allow for much sympathy.

That was the end of the day’s lessons. Dinner was about an hour later and between the two events I became aware that my team had suddenly become ostracized. How it was that we were being blamed for the incident was beyond my comprehension, but survival camp is no court of law.

“So V, I hear you work for Quondam.” Brian said.

We were sitting at dinner. Brian was across from me and Kevin was next to me with Gina sitting across from Kevin and next to Brian. I guess something about being divided up into teams creates this whole massive sense of camaraderie because it was a far cry from morning when no one even cared that I existed. Questions about work though, were still not on the top of my favorable list.

“For whatever reason, that seems to be common knowledge around here.” I replied.

“Show up in a taxi next time instead of a limo and you might have a little more anonymity.” Gina said.

“Knowing Joseph Candle, he did that to specifically call attention to you.” Kevin said.

“You know Mr. Candle?” I asked.

Suddenly I was curious.

“We’ve crossed paths a few times. He likes his people to be noticed. If he’s hired you, he either thinks you are really good at something or really good at looking like you are good at something. I don’t think he really cares about the difference between the two.” Kevin said.

“It sounds like you don’t like him much.” I said.

“Any man with that much power has to be corrupt.” Gina said.

Brian and Kevin both nodded in agreement. A week ago, I would have as well, but now things are different. Virginia can’t mistrust big companies with big money and bigger agendas even though I always have. It was hard but I had to take the opposite view.

“He’s the CEO of a large corporation not the devil. Besides, from what I’m hearing here, you know very little about the man and all about his reputation. The two are not necessarily the same.” I said.

“So you know him well?” Brian asked.

“Not really, but better than any of you seem to.” I said.

“Or maybe we just know him well enough to see through the layers to the worm at his core.” Gina said.

“I don’t even like apples.” I said.

Gina looked confused but Kevin and Brian laughed with me. I was starting to feel more comfortable even if the conversation was awkwardly centered around me.

“I can see why he likes you.” Kevin said.

“Who says he does?” I asked.

“Calm, cool, collected, and in control. What’s not to like?” Brian said. “Not to mention you are obviously intelligent and skilled. In fact, I have yet to see something you’re not good at including getting spanked.”

I didn’t know whether to politely accept the awkwardly given compliment or blush that the two men in my group had paid so much attention to me. In the end I did both.

“Thanks, but I’m sure I have plenty to learn still.” I said.

It was about then that dinner was over. Even though it was relatively early, I felt exhausted and ready for bed. Tanya had a brief announcement first though.

“After reviewing today’s results we have decided to swap the team assignments. From now on Teams one and three will take first lessons with Rick and two and four will take first lessons with me. This is not to reflect on anyone other than we believe the teams will be more fairly matched this way.” Tanya said.

On the one hand it sounded like good news, but on the other I couldn’t help but notice the unstated implication. Obviously someone was paying far too much attention to Olivia’s paranoid delusions about being sabotaged. Rick and Tanya couldn’t be blamed for being cautious, but they might have at least given a better excuse that didn’t sound so much like they were avoiding the real reason.

A little while later I settled into my bunk, ready for a good night’s sleep. Patricia walked over to me and kicked the side of my bunk making it rattle for a moment. I looked up at her sleepily and yawned.

“Did you need something?” I asked.

She stood with her hands planted firmly on her hips and adopted her best mother in charge stance. I was annoyed but tried to keep it from showing.

“If you do something to me like you did to Olivia today, I’ll bury you.” She said.

Great. Can I at least pick the location?

“I didn’t do anything to her and she knows it. Not that it’s any of your business in the first place.” I said.

“I know your type Virginia. You are just a cold hearted bitch that’s so into climbing on top you never notice all the people you step on along the way. I won’t be one of them.” Patricia said.

“I’m so glad we got that cleared up.” I said. “Anything else?”

Patricia huffed, clearly upset that she wasn’t intimidating me.

“You’ll get what’s coming to you. Karma always comes back around.” Patricia said.

“Let me know when she arrives. I’m sure she’ll start by threatening you about things you haven’t done.” I said.

Patricia glared at me. Everyone else in our mini-girls dormitory was silent.

“Since you’ve got nothing left to say, goodnight then.” I said.

I closed my eyes and dreamed I was in a nice hotel room on a comfortable bed and most importantly I was alone. Unfortunately, it was only a dream, but it was enough to get me through the moment and in turn, through the night. Patricia walked away and no one else dared say another word before morning.

Finding Virginia: Oil & Vinegar

Morning came before sunrise. The trumpet blaring over the bullhorn speakers seemed more like a dream than the restless night I spent but the cold desert morning assured me I was wide awake. Judging by the groans around me I was far from the only one not ready to greet a new day. The trumpet noise faded abruptly to silence.

“Rise and shine, ladies.” Tanya said.

I rolled out of bed onto my feet and stared sleepily at Tanya, who was looking far too awake and cheerful for my liking. Looking around I realized for the first time there were only five other women at the camp. We yawned and stretched and wiped the remnants of sleep from our eyes while Tanya waited impatiently for our attention. I felt a childish urge to stick my tongue out at her, but managed to suppress it despite the early hour.

“Right. Follow me to the showers ladies and then we have morning exercises before breakfast.” Tanya said.

Exercise before breakfast?!? My wide eyes probably said it aloud. Inwardly I groaned and Tanya only smiled in response. Of course, it wasn’t just me taken by surprise at the news. I suppose not everything was in the contracts. I shook my head and took my place, first in line behind Tanya. When everyone was in line she marched us out of the building and around to the back where an “L” wall led into the showers. Next to the entrance there was a table with a stack of white bath towels and a trash can with the word “Laundry” stenciled on the swinging lid.

“You will strip off here, drop your things in the laundry and go into the showers. There are two showers and each of you have ten minutes under the water. On your way out, grab a towel, you can get dressed at your bunks and then line up in the courtyard on the line. I suggest you stretch while you wait for Rick or I to get you started with your exercises.” Tanya said.

“Virginia, Patricia, you’re first. Clothes in the bin and hit the showers.” She continued.

It felt strange to be undressing outside but a quick glance confirmed while I was not alone there were no men in sight. Patricia was naked and pushing past me before I even had my top off. I hurried up figuring my time probably started with Patricia and hoped the water was at least warm. It wasn’t.

The cold water was probably better in the end as it woke me up the rest of the way. I let the water fall over me while I waited for Patricia to lather her own wash cloth with the soap. She was older than me, I’d guess somewhere in her forties, but her body was in great shape. In general she was my body type, athletic, well-toned, good proportions, not too small, not too big. She kept her hair short though where I prefer mine long.

She handed me the soap without a word and let go before I had a firm grasp. The soap slipped to the floor and made a b-line for the drain. She shrugged as if to say sorry but her eyes were laughing at me. I think she did it on purpose but why she would eludes me and with our limited shower time, I didn’t waste any trying to figure it out. I just picked it up and lathered my own cloth.

I was still rinsing my hair when Tanya yelled that our time was up. Patricia and I came out at about the same time, grabbing a towel and quickly drying ourselves before wrapping it around our bodies and heading back inside. It was a little skimpy on coverage, but manageable as long as I walked and didn’t run. Patricia didn’t seem to care. From the silence between us I was fairly certain she had already decided not to like me.

I pulled my bag out from under my bed and opened it up. There were two tanks and two pair of shorts left, apparently the required uniform for the camp. I donned my outfit quickly, but Patricia was faster. She was dressed and out the door almost as quickly as we entered. I figured there was little reason to hurry since we were the first to shower. I took my time and brushed my hair out a little before tying it back and then proceeded into the main quad.

Patricia was mingling with two of the guys when I arrived. I ignored them and set to work getting stretched. I’m not really all that into the whole exercise thing, but after my rocky start it seemed wise to follow instructions. Despite my best efforts I couldn’t help noticing their hushed conversation and the occasional laughter. I was certain they were laughing at me. I told myself Virginia wouldn’t care. It didn’t help much. Fortunately Rick arrived after only a few minutes.

“You’ve got 3 miles to run, get started when your ready. You have 25 minutes.” He said.

I wish I could say I was surprised at the news. I hate running so it seems natural it would be a daily routine at this camp. Rick walked away before anyone could say anything. My three companions kept talking to each other after he left. They seemed a little foolish to me in not taking things seriously, but that was their problem. I started running the perimeter and found a nice steady pace that wouldn’t leave me gasping for air at the end. I had finished four circuits before any of them started. Somehow they finished before me and I finished with 3 minutes to spare. I figured ratting them out for cheating was a bad idea so I kept it to myself.

Tanya assigned us push-ups and sit-ups a few minutes after I finished. I wasn’t really in the mood but I sucked it up and did my best. The morning sun was just peeking into the sky when I finished with the last of the exercises. Rick told us to get breakfast when we finished but to be lined up and ready for more by 6:30. I wanted to ask if that was AM or PM but Virginia didn’t think it was a good idea.

Breakfast consisted of yogurt, fruit and white milk. It was better than dinner at least but the fruit tasted canned. I sat alone and this time no one bothered me. Normally I wouldn’t mind keeping company with others. It was just the whole identity thing had me off balance and the cautious side of my brain kept telling me the less I said, the better off I’d be.

It was getting hot by the time we lined up again. I rubbed in some suntan lotion before going out again and by the cloudless sky, I guessed it wouldn’t last the morning. Patricia and Georgina were late. Rick and Tanya didn‘t seem to notice and I began to get the impression that the rules were only there to harass people they wanted to harass. I considered pointing out the discrepancy. Virginia thought it was a bad idea though, so I kept it to myself.

“Tanya is going to divide you into teams this morning. From this point on you will do everything with your team for the rest of the week. After you’ve been divided up, teams 1 and 2 will come with me for firearms training. Teams 3 and 4 will go with Tanya for climbing. After lunch teams will switch.” Rick said.

Tanya stepped forward and Rick stepped back into the shade. 

“Okay folks, I’m going to put you into teams now. They’re not negotiable and there won’t be any reassignments so don’t bother asking.” Tanya said. “Dennis, Gavin, Patricia, and Travis. You are team one.”

Dennis was definitely the scariest of the guys. Bald head, vacant eyes, and rippling muscles, were just the outside of the package. The way he stood on the line made me think military but the way he held his shoulders said something more like, “I am better than everyone and I don’t give a fuck what you think.” All things considered I felt relieved to not be teamed up with him. Maybe he’s not a psychopath, but the line between sane and insane seemed perilously thin within him.

Gavin was one of the guys I’d noticed Patricia talking with earlier. He was lanky and reminded me of a twig with biceps. He was sporting a military haircut but he looked more like the intelligence type than the gun toting badass he was trying to act like. I felt pretty comfortable not having him on my team, all things considered, he’d probably be one of the inquisitive types.

Travis was definitely the odd fit for team one. He actually looked like a nice guy. His hair was neatly combed back and it was easy to picture him in a suit and tie, sitting behind an executive desk. I’m sure he has twenty years on me, but he looked good for everyone of them.

Patricia fluttered her eyelashes at him as they congregated together. I should ignore things like that but there was just something about her that was aggravating me. If I didn’t know better I would say she was trying to be the center of attention and for some reason she thought she was competing with me. Funny thing, was even though I knew better Virginia was thinking otherwise.

“Bret, Jenny, Michelle, Peter. You are team two.” Tanya announced.

Bret was the other guy, Patricia had been spending the morning with. He was medium height and bulky like a body builder. Paint him green and he’d look like the Hulk, right down to the straight hair combed straight down like a trailing weed. His nostrils flared like a stallion’s but I doubt he was so well equipped.

Jenny thought she was G.I. Jane if her shaved head was any clue. She was probably in her mid-thirties but she acted like a teenager, right down to an annoying habit of chewing gum with her mouth open. Her tiny nipples were trying to screw their way through her tank, mostly thanks to what must be surgically enhanced silicon bubbles. I shook my head wondering why any woman would bother.

Michelle was tall and thin with long dark hair pulled back into a thick mane. Her bare shoulders were both tattooed, one with an eagle and the other with a pair of crossed muskets over an American flag. Her beady eyes made her look tough but something told me it was all a façade.

Peter kept his long blonde hair tied back in a ponytail and the diamond studs in both his ears did little to assist in his masculinity. At least he walked like a man, but then if his shorts were any lower he’d be tripping over them. Sadly, I think he’s probably part of my generation.

“Brian, Georgina, Kevin, and Virginia. You’re team three.” Tanya continued.

Brian was a big guy who reminded me more than a little of a giant teddy bear. There was nothing scary about him at all, except maybe those expressive eyes. His curly blonde locks made me think he’d look more at home on the beach with a surfboard under one arm, but the red desert seemed to suit him almost as well.

Georgina I’d met the other night at dinner but I hadn’t given her much notice at the time. She looked young, barely out of her teens if she was at all. She was very fair skinned with definite Hispanic features to her face. Her soft brown eyes were filled with a quiet strength that felt like determination learned from having to constantly prove her worth. She had her black hair tied back like mine only hers was so short the tail missed her shoulders when she swiveled her head.

Kevin was clearly the oldest man in the camp. He was very tall and would likely tower head and shoulders above Georgina and I. His salt and pepper hair was brushed back, probably to cover a bald spot on top of his head, but judging by the thinness, it was a wasted effort. All things considered he looked fit, tough and no non-sense. Given the choice I think I would have picked him.

While I was giving them the once over, I suddenly realized they were all staring at me. It was only then that I recalled I was Virginia and indeed the fourth member of what looked like the most normal team in the camp. I made my way over to them keeping it casual as if I’d just been taking my time. Georgina was looking at me curiously though and I mentally kicked myself for the mistake.

“Bruce, Kyle, Nathan and Olivia. You are team four.” Tanya said.

Bruce kept his hair just long enough so he could have numbers shaved into the side of his head on each side. I’m not sure of the significance, 96 on the left and 69 on the right, but then he was probably an idiot that did it wrong on the left side. I’m guessing he was a jock in high school and never quite got over missing out on the college action.

Kyle was fixated on Olivia to the point of drooling. He should have been embarrassed by the tent in his shorts, but I guess when the little head’s thinking, shame is like a dentist in a candy store, irrelevant. The patches of geometric hair on his face were probably supposed to make him look cool but they just looked like he shaved without a mirror or a clue.

Nathan was the runt. He couldn’t be more than five feet tall and I’m guessing Napoleon had nothing on this guy. He sauntered around like he owned the camp and anyone daring to stand along his path was destined to be shoved by the mosquito. I considered tripping him but my desire to keep my shorts on for the day won out.

Olivia was pierced from tongue to belly-button and unless I miss my guess, a little lower too. Her hair was beach bunny blonde but I’d bet her natural color was dirty blonde or darker. She had her tank tied in a knot in the front to make sure her silver button stud got every guy’s attention and she took every opportunity to show her studded tongue by licking her fat lips.

With everyone divided into teams we headed off for our respective morning classes. Tanya could liven up her narrative style in teaching but it didn’t take long for me to realize she knew her stuff. I’m not quite sure how climbing a fake mountain on the side of a building will help me survive looking for lost treasures, but it was at least fun. Other than Tanya I was the only one in teams 3 and 4 to make it all the way to the top and back down without falling. Nobody patted me on the back, but it still felt good.

The day flew by and it was lunch time before I knew it. I was a little nervous about eating with my team, especially knowing Gina’s inquisitive nature already. Fortunately the meal went smoothly and the only topic of conversation was the morning’s activities. Gina was acting a little odd but my guess was she just didn’t like sharing a table with me.

Finding Virginia: Safety First

We lined up in the middle of the quad, side by side and toes on a white chalk line in the red sand. I had finished my run with just enough time to get changed into the camp’s uniform and down a bottle of water. Rick paced the line before us like a drill sergeant. In his right hand his nasty leather strap dangled, slapping his leg as he walked.

“My job this week is to teach you how to survive. And if you make it to the end of this course, you’ll have done more than learn how to survive. You will have survived.” Rick said.

My eyes wandered to the woman standing behind his path of pacing. She looked positively bored by the slouch of her shoulders and the glazed look in her eyes. Her short blonde hair gave her a rebellious look and while an impassive expression ruled her face, I couldn’t help imagining her with her tongue sticking out at the back of Rick’s head. Our gazes crossed for a moment and I suddenly felt like the most conspicuous person in the world.

“This isn’t your typical survival school. I don’t cater to paranoia and I don’t advocate eating bugs or purifying your own water. You are here because you want to survive dangerous situations and people and both are unavoidable in your lines of work. That’s okay, but let me tell you one thing you should keep in mind this entire week; If your not up for the things we do here, you probably aren’t well suited for the profession you’ve chosen. Do yourself a favor and survive the easy way, find another career.” Rick continued.

Rick’s words faded into silence and he ended his pacing, stopping directly in front of me. His eyes landed on me with the finals words as he ended his pacing. I shifted uncomfortably on the line, feeling as if he was somehow telling me his last words were meant specifically for me. On a normal day I would have looked away. Hell, on a normal day I would have agreed with him, but I know I left normal behind in a limousine at the airport. I stared back at him with a determination not entirely my own. There was a strength in being someone else and yet still being me.

“If you’re waiting for me to quit, you better get comfortable cause it’s going to be a long wait.” I said.

He looked pleased with himself and a part of me wanted to wipe the overconfidence from his grinning cheeks. The rest of me wanted to curl up on a bed somewhere and forget I’d ever heard of him or Quondam Innovations. I held on to my defiance and braced for the storm sure to come.

“I’m comfortable right here. You’re the one uncomfortable. You don’t fit. You’re out of place and off balance. All it will take is one good push and you’ll fall Virginia.” Rick said.

“So what are you waiting for?” I asked.

“Excuse me?”

“No.” I said, “You want to push then push. You think it would be so easy to get me to quit. Give it your best damn shot and let’s get it over with because I’m not scared of the likes of you and I’m not running away. So get it all out of your system so we can get on with what we are all really here for.”

I was just as surprised as he was. Where did all this determination and venom come from? Virginia West might not have existed yesterday, but today she has possessed me. Rick nodded after a long moment of silence and hard staring.

“Alright, maybe you’re tougher than you look.” He said.

“Tougher than you.” I almost said, but then I bit my tongue and kept quiet.

“For the remainder of the day we will go over safety procedures. My wife Tanya,” He gestured to the woman behind him. “Will be directing this class and I expect all of you to give her your full attention.”

There was a brief murmur of assent and then Tanya stepped forward. Rick moved into the shade of the building behind her, where he could watch all of us, comfortably leaning against the wall. I stared at him until I realized he was staring at me and that he might consider my attention to be less than fully with Tanya. I changed my focus to her and only glance at him occasionally to see if he was still watching. He always was.

Tanya’s class in safety was bitterly dry. The material was hardly favorable for an engaging discussion but her tone was monotonous and she sounded as bored as she had looked before and I’m sure most of us were sporting similar looks of boredom long before she finished. I vaguely recall a few things she called important, but the rest fluttered away with the hot breeze.

Dinner followed and we all filed into the main building like sheep. I was starved and pushed my way to the front of the line with little resistance. I guess nobody felt brave enough to challenge me outside of Rick. I’m guessing his nerve only came up because Mr. Candle probably encourage him to take such action. I’ll probably laugh about in a week but right now I’d like to get my fingers around Joe’s neck and squeeze.

There wasn’t much of a choice, a half dozen tables all setup for four people. I sat down at an empty one with my tray. The gray gruel that was supposed to be gravy was thickly spread over something of only slightly more substance. I steered clear of the muck and shoveled a fork full of green peas into my mouth. They tasted more like the aluminum can they had lived in than the vegetable they were supposed to be. I swallowed instead of spitting them out, but it was a close call.

“Virginia right? Hi, I’m Georgina, but you can call me Gina.”

I looked up, frankly surprised anyone was talking to me. The young woman sat down in the chair directly across from me. She was smiling like we were old friends already. I dropped my fork, giving up the pretense of eating and studied her for a moment.

She was very young, no more than twenty or twenty-one years old. Her straight black hair was cut short, barely falling below her ears. She wore a simple pair of diamond studs in each ear and small cross around her neck. I was impressed with the confidence she exuded.

“Are you sure you want sit with me? I might harm your reputation.” I said.

She glanced around the room while shaking her head at me.

“Are you kidding? I think you’re the most interesting person here.” She replied.

I scoffed at the very thought.

“Why would you think that?” I asked.

“Other than the fact you showed up in a limo? How about that you work for QI?” She said.

“Who told you that?”

“I have my sources. I confess I did a little looking into you after your arrival this afternoon.”

I did my best to remain externally calm but inside I was panicking. It was my worst fear put to the test. What if she asked me questions about my background? Mr. Candle had obviously put something in place, but the particulars were not known to me. I groaned inwardly realizing Gina probably knew more about Virginia West than I did.

“Find out anything interesting?” I asked.

“Maybe. I’m curious, how does a UC Berkeley graduate end up at QI?” She asked.

“It doesn’t seem like much of a stretch to me. Both are well known for their devotion toward technological advancement.”

“I guess you steered clear of the politics.”

“I never much cared for them. Politics are for old men in smoky rooms.”

Gina nodded.

“You must be pretty good at what you do. Six months in you were promoted to team leader on a classified project. A year after that you’re a project coordinator and now, rumor has it you’re taking over Q5.” She said.

I swallowed my surprise, hopefully before it showed on my face. The résumé sounded great, but how did she know anything about Q5? Prior to my tour with Mr. Candle I had never even heard of the section. The glint in her eye told me she was confident in her facts. In the back of my mind I wondered if she wasn’t working for Mr. Candle herself and testing me to see how I would respond.

“What’s Q5?” I asked.

“As if you don’t know. I know it’s classified and all that, but the pieces aren’t that hard to put together. Four weeks ago Stanley Carter is killed in Northern Africa. Two weeks later you are seen entering the secured elevator at QI headquarters in Los Angeles. Everyone knows the only people allowed on that elevator other than Joseph Candle are the members of Q5. Stanley Carter was widely rumored to head the team and with your fast track management record it’s pretty obvious you are replacing him. If anyone had any doubts about it, your presence here has certainly alleviated them.” She concluded.

“You make it sound so good I almost believe it myself.” I said.

“I know what I know. Why don’t you tell me something I don’t know.” She said.

“Mr. Candle has seat warmers for the conference chairs in his office.” I said.

Where the thought came from and why it came out of my mouth is beyond me.

“That’s odd for California isn’t it?” She asked.

I shrugged and started picking at my food again.

“You are in over your head and don’t even know it.” She said.

“You really don’t know as much as you think you do. My work is classified and I can’t discuss it but I can assure you that you’ve got your facts all wrong.” I said.

I decided it was best to deny everything even the things she though she knew about my past. Whether they were truly part of Virginia’s background or something Gina had made up I didn’t know and that meant the safest course of action was to disclose nothing at all. Unfortunately, I also figured that would insure Gina’s curiosity would not diminish. In fact, she might well consider a denial of everything to be an admission that she was right about everything. It was just one more reason to be angry with Mr. Candle. At the very least he could have told me something about the person I was supposed to become.

“I guess you aren’t all that interesting after all then.” Gina said.

She shoved her chair back and walked away with her tray, leaving me alone. I guess I was supposed to care, but I didn’t. I finished my dinner while it was still warm enough to pass for food and headed for bed. It wasn’t that I was particularly tired, but I had a feeling I would be by the end of the week. I slept on my stomach, probably to the amusement of the other women, but the beds weren’t very soft and my bottom still ached from my welcoming.

Finding Virginia: 5 Miles From Hell

“Bad Land Survival Camp.” I read aloud.

The letters were painted yellow and carved into a termite infested wooden sign, painted chocolate brown. With the privacy glass up between myself and the driver, I was essentially talking to myself, but I don‘t think anyone cared. The limousine had stopped after what seemed an endless journey to nowhere and beyond. I was tired and stiff and irritated, but it wasn’t the traveling. My thoughts were focused on the drivers license in my hand and the foreign name printed upon it. My arrival was a welcome distraction.

The camp was surrounded by chain link fence, complete with razor wire on top and security lights every eight feet. The guard at the gate wouldn’t let my limousine in, so I had to get out and walk the last few feet. Virginia had the gall to be annoyed at the inconvenience, but I was feeling grateful for the opportunity to stretch my legs. If the place had looked a little less like a prison, I might even have been happy.

I stepped out of the car into the blistering hot sun. The glare made me squint even through my sunglasses as I glanced around taking in my surroundings. The dirt and rocks were all sporting a permanent red sunburn and I guessed by the end of the day I’d be joining them. I sighed and headed for the gate.

Inside the perimeter there were a number of people standing around looking bored and annoyed. They were all dressed in tanks and shorts, most of them men but my eye picked out a few women amongst their ranks. I could hear them murmuring and got the instant impression their murmurs were all about me, but that was probably just because most of them were staring at me. Normally I would have looked away, but apparently Virginia is a little bolder than I am, complete with an over-brimming sense of self-confidence. I stared back until most of them looked away.

“You must be Virginia West.” An authoritative male voice said.

I turned toward it to see a man in his mid-forties walking toward me with a half smile on his face. His shoulders were straight and unlike the group of people standing around, he looked completely natural in the tank and shorts. I decided he must be the one in the charge.

“I must be.” I replied.

“Rick Mallory. Pleased to meet you.” He said.

He extended a welcoming hand toward me which I grasped firmly for a moment. I glanced back around and noticed the crowd was doing their best to look like they were ignoring us. I turned my attention back to Rick.

“Pleasure, Rick. I’m going to guess you’re the one in charge.” I said.

“Good guess. Welcome to Hell. I’ll be your personal devil for the next week.” He said.

I liked him and couldn’t resist the urge to play along.

“I always knew I’d end up here someday.” I said.

Rick smiled more in his eyes than on his lips, but it was pleasant enough to make me relax. I had been somewhat dreading the week but maybe it won’t be so bad.

“Well you were supposed to be here over three hours ago. Everybody has been waiting on you.” Rick said.

I blinked in surprise at the sudden change in tone. Cathy and Mr. Candle had failed to mention I was going to be late or that in fact there was timeline for the day whatsoever. I had thought, mistakenly it seems, that the classes did not begin until tomorrow.

“Oh?” I said.

“I’ve got your signed contract. If you read it you should have known what time to be here.” Rick said.

He showed me the pages on a clipboard and it had a scribbled signature on it. Obviously, Cathy or someone had signed the form on my behalf because as of yet, I haven’t signed Virginia West on anything. I had a brief moment of insanity in which I seriously considered telling Rick the whole story. Thankfully, I managed to keep my foot out of my mouth for a change.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t get an earlier flight. I didn’t think you would wait on me.” I said.

The lie tasted bitter in my mouth but there was nothing more I could say. I decided it was best for me to make as few waves as possible for the moment and deal with the consequences. Of course, when I get back to LA someone is going to answer for it.

“Normally I wouldn’t but your boss was rather insistent. Personally I’m rather annoyed at having to wait and I know all of them are as well.” Rick said.

Them was a clear reference to the people standing around with nothing better to do than pretend to not be watching me. Internally I was at war with myself. I knew none of their annoyance was my fault. I didn’t do anything other than follow instructions. On the other hand, if I had enrolled in this class and arrived on time only to spend half of my first day waiting on some VIP that didn’t even have the common courtesy to call with an ETA, I’d be pissed and want some satisfaction myself. Strangely, I asked myself, “What would Virginia do?”

“I apologize for the misunderstanding. I was perfectly willing to do anything necessary to make up for my tardiness without disrupting your routine here. Obviously that could have been communicated better. If there is anything I can do to make it up to you, all you need to do is ask.” I said.

The steadiness in my voice and the command I was emanating over the situation was foreign to me and yet it felt right. Rick was clearly taken off guard, no doubt expecting to have a battle with me. I knew a fight would only propel us further down a path of antagonism which would not be beneficial to either of us. It was in everyone’s best interests to settle the matter and move forward without regrets.

“Miss West, I don’t know who you are.” Rick said.

“That makes two of us.” I thought, but fortunately refrained from saying aloud.

“But while you are here let me make one thing perfectly clear to you; This is my camp, I own it, I run it, and I don’t take orders from you or anyone else. I will tell you what to do, when to do it, how to do it, and you will do it or you will leave. It is that simple. Now, do we understand each other?” Rick said.

The last remnants of happiness faded from my thoughts. I stared angrily at the man in front of me with a hundred words on the tip of my tongue, most of them consisting of a mere four letters, but I choked them back and nodded my head in acceptance of Rick’s authority.

“Say it.” Rick ordered.

I inhaled sharply.

“Yes, I understand.” I said.

“Good. Anytime you want to leave, all you have to do is ask.” He said.

It was meant to be a mockery of my previous statement, but there was a challenge hidden in there as well. Virginia accepted it and swore she’d break him long before he got to her. I glanced around and decided Hell is what you make of it.

“So are you getting started now or do I have time to get my gear settled in?” I asked.

“Oh I’m getting started,” Rick said. “And so are you. While everyone else grabs lunch you can catch up with the five mile run they started with this morning.”

“You got a track?” I asked.

“Does it look like we have a track?” Rick asked.

I assumed it was rhetorical.

“You’ll run the inside perimeter of our fence. Each circuit is a quarter mile give or take a few feet.” Rick said. “But first you can drop your shorts and grab your ankles.”

I gaped at him, but fortunately Virginia was in control of my face and kept my expression from giving away my inner outrage. I gauged the look on his face to be serious enough and considering Mr. Candle’s predilection toward discipline and spanking in particular it was far from surprising he would send me to a camp where spanking was part of the curriculum.

“You’re serious.” I said.

“Very. If you’re not you can leave. Otherwise, I expect to see your bare white ass staring up at the sky in the next thirty seconds.” He replied.

I swallowed my pride while Virginia tried to protect what remained of our dignity by doing as I was told without making a fuss. I didn’t even bother to ask whether he meant for my panties to be lowered as well or not. The word bare seemed sufficient to answer that question for me at least.

Rick produced a short, narrow piece of leather from his pocket and stepped up behind me. Looking through my legs, I fought the instinctual blushing when I realized I was providing an entertaining show for those who had been waiting for me all morning. If I were in their shoes it would have seemed a fair enough exchange, but from my upside down view, it was feeling a little tilted against me.

Rick wielded his little strap with the proficiency of an expert. I guess my butt was far from the first he’d had the pleasure of whacking. The damn thing stung like a bite and burned like the sun. He swung it fast and hard making me strain to stay down and take it like a woman. Maybe I should have let some tears fall and he might have gone easier, but something told me I didn’t want or need sympathy.

His efforts covered my entire backside with a pulsating burn that would easily compete with the worst I’ve had from Dad’s belt. I should have been angry at Rick, but Virginia understood. He has a camp to run and I, intentionally or not, had just wrecked his day if not his entire schedule for the week. There was only one person to blame and they weren’t present.

I noticed he was sweating when he stopped because at first I thought he was just pausing to wipe away the sweat from his forehead. I stayed down, my hands clenching tightly around my ankles in passive resistance to the nearly overwhelming urge to rub my tortured backside. A female voice interrupted my concentration and by her volume, I can only assume she wanted me to hear.

“I bet she’ll blaze a trail now.” She said.

A few others laughed and someone else spoke up.

“Now she really is hot stuff.”

More laughter ensued and despite my resolve to remain calm, my face flushed red in utter humiliation.

“Stand up. Hands behind your head and face me.” Rick ordered.

I did so slowly, careful not to trip on my shorts. It did not escape my attention, or anyone else’s for that matter, I was giving an unobstructed view of my privates. The only thing to be thankful for was that my top was still in place. I struggled to control my breathing and forget the humiliation despite the stifled giggles emanating from my audience.

“I think we understand each other now. I want five miles from you and you’ve got an hour to complete them. I don’t think I need to tell you what happens if you don’t finish on time.” Rick said.

“No, sir.” I replied.

I ignored the continued giggles behind him.

“Time starts now. Get going.”

I leaned down to pull up my shorts and panties. The material scratched against my tender flesh and left me wishing for a private moment to massage away the pain. I looked at Rick with tears stinging at the corners of my eyes, but forced them into the background.

“The clock is ticking Miss West. Unless you want to leave that is?”

Virginia set my jaw in defiance and rather than answering him, I turned and started running. The pain and the heat in my buttocks could have been a distraction, but instead I let it focus me. Mr. Candle’s chuckling face floated before my mind’s eye and anger drove me harder and faster than I’ve ever ran before. The sound of my shoes beating against the red dirt was all I heard and the passing monotony of chain link fencing is all I saw.

Great Expectations: A New Me

The limousine arrived on schedule, Sunday morning. I was waiting in the driveway with my single piece of luggage, trying not to shiver in the cold morning air. The driver placed my case in the trunk and then opened the door to the back. For just a moment I was able to pretend I was someone important going off on some leisurely trip. The illusion was only slightly shattered by my well meaning parents, waving goodbye from inside the house. I smiled and waved, ever the dutiful daughter.

I sat down and the driver closed the door with a soft clunk. My hands went immediately in search of a seatbelt, old habits die hard I guess. The leather was cold against the bare skin of my legs and I wondered for the twelfth time that morning, if it was a mistake to wear shorts and a t-shirt. It was only then I realized I was not alone.

“Good morning, Miss Beaumont.” Mr. Candle said.

He wore an amused smile and a black suit. I could feel his eyes drinking in my own less than professional appearance and I mentally cringed at the thought. There was no room for my insecurities and so I pushed them aside and pretended not to care. I smiled back at him with only the lightest touches of a blush on my cheeks.

“Good morning, sir.” I replied. “I wasn’t expecting you to be here.”

“I had thought to delegate the responsibility but then I thought you might not be as receptive if someone else did the job.” He said.

“Are we playing twenty questions or were you going to get to the point?”

The words were out of my mouth before I even realized I had said them aloud. My heart thudded in my chest as I struggled to decide whether to be embarrassed or simply act as bold as my words sounded. I settled on somewhere in the middle.

“I’m going to guess you are not a morning person.” He said.

“Whatever makes you think that?”

He chuckled.

“My apologies, I was expecting to be alone.” I said.

“Quite alright Miss Beaumont. We have matters to discuss though and I’m afraid they cannot wait for your mood to improve.”

Maybe it was the constancy of his gaze or perhaps it was the bluntness of his words, but he made me feel like a bratty little girl and a professional woman all in the same breath. I could feel the heat of shameful blood rushing to color my cheeks. Unable to meet his eyes I focused on my fidgeting hands laying useless in my lap.

“I’ll need your undivided attention. These matters are far beyond important.” He said.

He remained silent and I realized he was waiting for me to respond with more than a look and a nod. I took a breath and forced the embarrassment to subside.

“You have it, sir. Please continue.” I said.

“As you will recall, we discussed the need for secrecy and discretion in revealing your involvement with Q5.”

“Yes sir.”

“The training course I am sending you to is a necessary tool in preparing you for your work, but it is inconsistent with your cover position as an administrative assistant.”

“Might we have a moment to discuss that cover?” I asked.

Mr. Candle paused mid-breath, mid-explanation and his appearance made it obvious he was not used to being interrupted. In fact, I was quite certain he was on the verge of becoming annoyed with me. I regretted his reaction but for my mom, it was a subject I could not ignore and an opportunity not to be passed up.

“Is it important or can it wait until you get back?” Mr. Candle asked.

“It can wait, but it is important.” I said.

“Very well. What is it you wish to discuss?”

“There must be an alternative position we can use for my cover.” I said.

“I fail to see the importance. It is a title and pay scale appropriate for a new entry into my company. Your actual duties are in no way tied to your cover.”

“This is not about me. I need this to be altered for my mother. Obviously doing so now would be a problem but in a couple of months I would very much appreciate a change.”

“Forgive me for being dense, but I really don’t see how a fake title effects your mother?”

“It’s the whole being a secretary thing. I don’t really expect you to understand but bottom line my mother would rather see me unemployed than working as a secretary.”

“But you are not a secretary. Your title isn’t even secretary.”

“Secretary, administrative assistant, there isn’t any difference.” I said.

“There is a world of difference Miss Beaumont.”

“Not for my mom and she’s the one that matters in this discussion.”

I’m not sure if it was frustration or bewilderment in Mr. Candle’s eyes, but the way his muscles were tensed in his hands I was betting on frustration. My argument sounded silly even to myself and I wished I had taken more time to plan out what I wanted to say to him. Still, the crux would be the same no matter how I said it.

“Fine. I will see what I can come up with while you are gone.” Mr. Candle said.

“Thank you.”

“Now if we might get back to the matters at hand?”

“Yes, of course.”

“There are precautions we must take in order to secure your anonymity as part of the Q5 team. Obviously, Allison Beaumont will not be attending a training program such as the one you are being sent to.”

“But I am.”

“Yes, however it is not in keeping with your cover and in order to preserve your cover as long as possible, it will be necessary to participate in a charade.”

“I don’t think I understand.”

“I have arranged for records to indicate Allison Beaumont’s attendance at a training class in administrative duties for the week. However, you will not be there except in name. It would not do for you to be in two places at once so for the training program you are attending you will assume a different identity.”

“You want me to be someone else?”

“I want you to be you only with a different name.”

“I’m not sure I can do that.”

“I have all the documents here. All you need to do is learn to introduce yourself and respond to your new name. For simplicity, this identification will serve as your identity whenever you are on assignment with Q5.”

“I don’t really have any say in this, do I?”

“You can refuse, but you need to understand there is a risk involved if certain other people learn who you are.”

“I told you before, I am not comfortable with lying.”

“I understand. This however is not lying, the identification I have arranged is all you, it is only your name which has been altered. I am trying to protect both you and your family.”

“Fake id’s are illegal. If I get caught with them at the airport or something, I’ll be in a lot of trouble and don’t think for a second I won’t point the finger right at you.”

“These aren’t fake. These are official documents, authorized and produced by the government. Think of it as an official alias, it isn’t your name, but it might as well be for all anyone will ever know or care.”

“Other than me.”

“It is your choice Miss Beaumont, but I urge you not to make a rash and emotional decision.”

“I don’t like this.”

“I didn’t expect you would. That is why I chose to tell you myself.”

“Okay. Who am I?”

“Allison Beaumont.”

“Very funny.” I said.

I wasn’t laughing. Mr. Candle wasn’t either but his eyes were lit with amusement again. The man seemed incapable of a bad mood or taking anything too seriously. I’m sure he thought I needed a chill pill or something equivalent to one.

He handed me a manila envelope. Carefully, I undid the clasp and poured the contents into my hands. The drivers license caught my attention first. It was standard California issue and even had the same picture that was on my real license. The name and address however, were utterly foreign.

“Virginia West?” I said.

“I thought it had a nice sound to it.” Mr. Candle said.

“For an eighty year old grandmother, maybe.”

“Virginia is a very popular first name and West is actually more common than Smith or Jones.”

“In what century?”

“It can be altered if necessary but not in time for this trip.”

“It’s fine. I’ll have to do something with it, but I’ll deal.”

“Good.”

I looked through the rest of the things while we continued in a somewhat awkward silence. They included a birth certificate, social security card, a passport, a health insurance card, a library card, a AAA card, two credit cards, a bank atm card with pin number, an iPhone and a key ring with a car key and what appeared to be a house key.

“This seems like an awful lot of trouble for a fake name.” I said.

“It’s a bit more than a fake name. This is an alternate identity and in order for it to pass more than a cursory examination it has to be reasonably complete.”

I held up the keys between us.

“I hope you aren’t expecting me to take on a mortgage and car payments to keep this up. You aren’t paying me enough to live two lives.” I said.

“No of course not. The company will pay all the bills through a special account set up in the name of Virginia West. You should view the credit cards and bank account as an expense account and everything else as perks which you may enjoy when the opportunity presents itself.”

“Right.”

“Are you on board with this?”

I stared at Mr. Candle for a moment wondering what he would say if I said no. It wasn’t like I had a real choice in the matter. Mr. Candle had made it clear enough; do as he wanted or risk someone getting hurt. Somewhere in the back of my head a voice of sanity was screaming for attention, but it was well passed the time to walk away. Wishing I wasn’t being forced to make the decision while on the road to the airport, I nodded my head in agreement.

“I realize you have reservations at the moment but I think in time you will come to agree this is all for the best. I have an alternate bag packed for you in the trunk with items appropriate for the training camp you are attending. I’ve been assured everything is in your size.” He said.

He handed me a small purse.

“Virginia West’s?” I asked.

He nodded.

I opened it up to find it void of anything more than a wallet, hairbrush, and sunblock. The wallet had two hundred dollars cash in it and plenty of room for my new identification and cards. The hairbrush was not exactly my style, oval-shaped cherry wood with a flat back, but I imagined it was Mr. Candle’s sense of humor shining through. Looking at the sunblock it occurred to me I would probably be spending a bit more time outdoors than I’m usually do. I put everything in the purse and closed it up just as the limo came to a stop at the airport.

“I guess this is where I get out.” I said.

I stepped out onto the curb and the driver brought me a bag on wheels which looked nothing like the one I had brought with me. I shook my head wondering just how I was going to pull this whole thing off. I’m not a spy and I’ve never been any good at deception. I looked inside the car to Mr. Candle who clearly had more confidence in me than I did.

“Good luck, Miss West.” He said.

I smiled and made up my mind. Whatever journey I was about to embark upon, it was clear to me it was a step toward a future brighter than I could ever have imagined. I was afraid, but I was also ready. It was time to look toward the future. I glanced at Mr. Candle one more time before heading off.

“Call me V.” I said.

Great Expectations: Apparel Perceptions

Cherise and I climbed into the limo at exactly 10 AM. Mom and dad saw us off and judging by the looks on their faces they still weren’t buying my explanations. Other than saying it was a perk of my position I hadn’t give much of one anyway, but even I have to admit it was fairly lame. If Mr. Candle expects people to buy my cover position he’ll have to keep some things in mind in the future such as administrative assistants don’t get the company limo at their disposal for something as simple as a shopping trip into the city. Cherise did a good job of playing along as we left but we weren’t even off the block before she turned on me.

“Start spilling girl.” She demanded.

“What?” I asked.

Feigning ignorance can often help to minimize spillage.

“What?” She mimicked. “Well for starters, since when do you even interview at a place like QI?”

I sighed.

“Oh I don’t know maybe since I’ve spent a year being turned down for every other available position in the state.” I replied.

Cherise laughed.

“So what you are really saying is you went for the interview because your dad started following through on his threat to whoop your butt for not having a job.” She said.

“I said no such thing. It was just time I stopped limiting my options for childish reasons.” I replied.

“Right. I’m not saying it’s bad thing but I never thought I’d see a day with you working at a place like QI not to mention actually working at QI.”

“Things change Cheri.”

“Yeah that they do.”

“So, administrative assistant eh?”

“Better than unemployed.”

Cherise looked around the limo with a silly grin on her face, nodding.

“I’ll say.” She said.

“It’s not like I’m going to be sitting outside some low level manager’s office dreaming of the day I might get a chance to work for his boss.”

“Maybe, but it’s not like you are going to be happy sitting outside anybody’s office. Hell you and I both know you’re probably smarter than anyone else working for that godforsaken company.”

“Time will tell. I don’t think it’s all that bad though.”

“Ally, they’re sending you away for a week to learn how to be a good secretary. It doesn’t get much worse than that.”

“Okay, okay. It sucks but it’s my life. Are you happy now?”

“Yeah. Look on the bright side, our lives can suck together. I’m so sick of answering phones and being promised just one more month and they’ll move me up and then a month later the story starts all over again. Well, if I had someplace else to go I’d be there, but with the economy spiraling down like it has been I’m just thankful to have a job at the end of the day. So, yeah I know why you did it and I know what you are really thinking about the job, but I’m proud of you for sucking it up.”

I couldn’t help smiling at her even if she did have it all wrong.

“Thanks, Cheri.” I said.

“What else are friends for?” She asked.

“Smilin’, cyrin’, and lyin’.” I replied.

We both relaxed a bit after that. Cherise found the champagne and poured us each a half glass. No point in getting too plastered to figure out what looked naughty and what looked nice when we got to the store. I was about halfway through the glass when I realized there wasn’t going to be any naughty or nice clothing, just boring corporate attire to get fitted and pick disturbingly uniform colors. I refilled all the way to the top.

The company outfitter was a quaint store located upstairs from a wedding boutique and next door to a busy Cuban restaurant. The smell of caramelized bananas wafted through the air as Cherise and I climbed the steps. I decided we’d be stopping for lunch before we left.

A small bell on the door gave a little jingle when we walked inside the shop. Looking around, there were a few racks of professional wear, mostly for women but a small section to the left side at the front was dedicated to men. Fitting rooms were toward the back of the racks on the right side with louvered doors painted in a high gloss white. A curved counter extended from the right wall to the back of the shopping area and ending against a mirrored wall. From the looks of it there was a large area behind the counter and extending back behind the mirrored wall as well. I guessed it was probably a tailoring area and perhaps additional inventory storage.

A young woman, certainly no older than 18, stood on the customer side of the counter talking quietly into her cell phone. She gave us a quick glance when we entered and then returned her full attention to her call. Behind the counter an older woman walked up and smiled at us. She motioned for us to walk up. Cherise had already caught sight of something she liked and was off to investigate so I stepped up alone.

“Good morning. You must be Miss Beaumont.” The older woman said.

“Good morning. Yes, I am.” I replied.

Cherise caught my eye with a bemused look at my sudden notoriety. I’m getting used to everyone knowing me before I get there, but the constant formality is taking a bit more time. Previously the only time anyone has called me Miss Beaumont was at school and it almost always indicated I was in deep trouble or something like it. I’ll get used to it in time and until then, I’ll just tense up a little now and then.

The woman behind the counter snapped her fingers in front of the one on the phone and gave her a quick, stern look. The phone was instantly closed and handed over without argument and then the young woman turned and smiled at me as if nothing had occurred.

“Shall we start by fitting you for a jacket and skirt?” She asked.

“Lead the way.” I replied.

She led me to one of the fitting rooms and then returned to me a moment later with a charcoal gray skirt and jacket accompanying a white blouse. I took the garments inside with me and quickly changed into them. The skirt was a little large at the waist and the jacket was a little tight in the bust line. I was nonetheless impressed at how well the young woman had sized me up with nothing more than a look. I stepped back out into the main store and appraised myself in the mirror at the back.

“Are you sure you don’t want to go with slacks?” Cherise asked.

In the mirror I could see the two shop women glance at each other with amusement. I tried not to laugh at my friend and I guess it was a legitimate question. Given the choice between a skirt or slacks, I’d probably have gone with the skirt anyway, it’s just more my style, but the company dress code didn’t give the choice. Cherise was probably teasing although her serious expression didn’t give it away.

“What’s wrong with my legs?” I asked.

“Do you really want me to answer that?” Cherise asked.

“Not if you want a ride home.” I replied.

Cherise ran her fingers over her mouth as if closing a zipper. I nodded at her with a short laugh.

“Smart girl.” I said.

The young woman went to work marking the skirt and jacket for adjustments and humming to herself while I stood like a doll on the small platform directly in front of the mirrored wall. Cherise busied herself looking through a catalog she found on the counter and quietly chatting with the woman behind it. She was probably bored out of her mind with the limited selection of things to look at, but there would be plenty of time for fun shopping when the business stuff was done.

“Did you want to take one or two outfits with you today?” The young woman asked.

“I think two would be best if it’s not any trouble.” I replied.

“It won’t be any trouble. We can have the clothes altered for you in about an hour.” She replied.

“Perfect. I noticed the restaurant downstairs, we can go and have lunch while its being done.” I said.

She smiled and nodded.

“Are there any options from the gray?” I asked.

“Oh, yes. You can get black or navy as well.” She replied.

“I’d prefer one of each of those and skip the gray if it’s possible.”

“Certainly Miss. Did you not want any gray at all?”

“How about just one gray and two black and two navy for the total order?”

“That would be fine although I think your company order was for seven outfits.”

“Oh, I see. Well then make it three black and three navy.”

“You should get two of the gray. It looks good on you.” Cherise said.

“Really?” I asked.

I studied myself in the mirror. The gray didn’t look bad with my dark hair or light complexion but it felt drab. On the other hand I definitely looked professional and confident, two things very important to my reputation. Maybe a softly colored blouse would make it feel warmer to me, I thought as I turned to examine myself from different views in the mirror.

“Really. Besides, black always makes you look too pale. You should stick to the navy and gray.” Cherise said.

It was quite obvious the two women agreed, although neither was saying anything. I considered it for a moment and then surrendered to it. I brought Cherise along for her advice so it would be pretty dumb to ignore it.

“Alright,” I said. “Let’s make it three gray, three navy, and one black.”

“Certainly Miss. What colors did you want to take with you?”

“A gray and a navy.” I decided.

“Very good. If you want to change back into your things, I’ll get the alterations started and then you can pick out some blouses from the racks over there.”

I looked at the racks she indicated and nodded. Taking a deep breath, I stepped down from the raised platform and returned to the dressing room. It didn’t take me long to get back into my weekend wear and then Cherise and I were sorting through the blouses. There were a small variety of colors, mostly pastels except for a deep red and a medium blue, both of which I immediately settled on. I went with the jeweled necklines instead of the v-necks and straight collars on Cherise’s suggestion. I tried on a couple and had to admit they did look better, especially beneath the blazers.

It was a rather smooth and quick process when all was said and done. Cherise and I had lunch on the patio at the Cuban restaurant and by the time we were finished eating, my two suits were ready to go. We hit the mall afterward and Cherise left with a dozen bags from a dozen stores while I somehow managed to restrain myself and get nothing. Mom and dad should be impressed, I know I am.

On the way back, Cherise turned the conversation back to my new job again to ask the one question that was probably on her mind since I told her I was going to be working for QI. I had hoped she wouldn’t bring it up, but I knew it would come sooner or later.

“So is it true?” She asked.

“What?” I replied.

I knew what she meant but playing dumb meant I didn’t have to answer straight away.

“You know what.” She stated. “Do they really spank their employees?”

“Yes.” I said.

“And?”

“And what?”

“You can’t just say yes and leave it at that.”

“I just did.”

Cherise shook her head at me. I knew what she wanted, but I wasn’t ready to share that experience quite yet. Truthfully I was still wrapping my head around the whole experience and the fact I had willingly agreed to submit myself to it. I think if I told her, she’d make it impossible for me to continue with the pretense it wouldn’t happen again and I wasn’t ready to accept the future inevitably quite yet.

Great Expectations: Living The Lie

Dinner was ready by the time I arrived home and if my guess is right, mom had held it a few minutes waiting for me. I quickly washed up and seated myself at the table. On the drive home I calmed myself down and decided it would be most believable if I weren’t appearing too overjoyed with my new job. After all, a measly salary as a glorified secretary wasn’t going to impress anyone.

“Well? How did your interview go?” Mom asked.

I stared at my plate for a moment before answering. I suddenly felt less than hungry at the prospect of telling my parents a disappointing lie. For a single moment I considered telling them the whole story, unbelievable as it might sound, and then I realized that the lie was easier to believe.

“I took the job.” I announced.

“But it’s not what you want.” Dad said.

Mom’s bright smile at the news was quickly masked when Dad spoke. Clearly, they had different opinions on the subject.

“No, but it’s a place to start right?” I said.

“Yes, I suppose it is. Maybe it will even grow on you after a few weeks.” Dad said.

“It might. It’s not what I was hoping for but with the economic times like they are and my rather limited use degree I don’t have a lot of options. It pretty much comes down to take what I can get or do nothing at all and I think we all would agree, nothing is not acceptable.” I said.

“That’s a very mature attitude Allison. I’m proud of you.” Mom said.

Dad gave her a look that even I could read as not good, but mom shrugged it off and kept eating.

“So, I’ll be going away next week for a training class and when I get back I’ll be starting.” I said.

“We send you to college for five years and they think you need a training class before you can start working?” Dad asked.

It may have been a rhetorical question but dad’s incredulous expression made me feel like I had to say something.

“I didn’t go to college to become an administrative assistant so it might be a good thing otherwise I might not know what to do.” I said.

“Administrative assistant?” Mom said. “Do you even need a college degree to be a secretary?”

“It’s not like that mom. I’ll be working with one of the vice-presidents on some very important projects. I’ll even get to travel on a company expense account.” I said.

“If it’s such a great position, how much are they paying you?” Mom demanded.

I picked at the food on my plate no longer interested in it in the slightest.

“That’s not any of our business nor our concern.” Dad said.

There was an angry, stern sound to his voice which I knew all too well. Only a few times have I heard it directed at mom, but even with her, dad has limits. For myself, I felt the sting of mom’s words like a lash across my soul. I stood up from the table unable to continue the pretense of eating.

“I know it’s a pathetic job, but at least allow me the luxury of pretending it’s something important and worth doing. I failed you. I get it mom, but you know what? I failed myself too.” I said.

I threw my napkin down on the table and stormed up the stairs fighting back tears that leaked out anyway. My bedroom door slammed shut and I flung myself down on my bed thoroughly ashamed. For the moment I believed it all myself and that was worse than anything. Maybe Mr. Candle was offering me something great but the paycheck and title are all I really have to offer and those things don’t come with respect, even self-respect. I was angry but not at mom or dad because at the end of the day I only have the face in the mirror to blame for anything.

Not surprisingly, there was a soft knock on my door a few minutes later. I grabbed a tissue to wipe away the tears on my cheeks, but mom didn’t wait. She opened the door and closed it behind, coming to sit down on my bed next to me. Her arm wrapped around my shoulders and she hugged me to her. I feigned a smile.

“You know your grandmother was a secretary for 34 years.” Mom said.

I pulled away from her for a moment to look her in the eye.

“I didn’t know that.” I said.

“It’s true. It was a horrible job and she hated it, but she kept going there day after day because she had me and my two sisters depending on her and just like you, she always pushed herself to do the right thing no matter how hard it was. That said, she was determined that none of us would ever have to work in that same kind of job. What you just told us about this job, made me think of her and maybe I overreacted, but you need to understand, I swore to her I’d never be anybody’s secretary and in my heart that promise extended to you as well. If you think you have to do this, I can understand that because you’ve got a lot of her in you and she always did what she thought was right no matter what anyone else thought. But, I can’t helping feeling by pushing you down this road I’ve broken my promise to her and that’s why I said what I did before. I’m sorry.”

She reached out and ran her fingers through my hair. There were tears in her eyes and suddenly I felt a hundred times worse. We cried together and hugged together and I decided right then that whatever happens at Quondam, the title affixed to my name would have to change or I would have to leave. Maybe not right away, but for my mom it couldn’t be soon enough.

“I’m sorry mom.” I said.

“Me too. I know you are trying and I shouldn’t be putting pressure on you when you haven’t had a real choice.”

“It’s okay. I understand and I swear, I’ll either move up the ladder or move on to something better. It won’t be forever.” I said.

“You are many things Allison, but you are not a failure. Not now, not ever.”

I might have hugged mom tighter or maybe said something I don’t say anywhere near enough, except dad picked that moment to knock on my door. Mom and I looked at it with equal annoyance and then she gave me an ironic smile and shrug.

“Yes?” I called.

The door swung open to reveal dad, as though that was a surprise, standing there holding the phone.

“It’s a Cathy from Quondam Innovations for you.” Dad said.

There was no doubt he was talking to me although I felt a little confused considering the late hour. I quickly grabbed a tissue and dabbed away the remainder of my tears. Dad handed me the phone and then he and mom left, giving me a little privacy even though they were undoubtedly as curious about the call as I was.

“Hello.” I said.

“Miss Beaumont, I’m sorry to call so late, but it took me some time to make all the arrangements Mr. Candle requested.” Cathy said.

“It’s alright. Is everything set?” I replied.

“Yes. I have your flight all set for Sunday at 6:30 AM and the company limo will pick you up at 5. You will be back on Saturday morning at 10 AM and again the company limo will take you home.”

“That sounds good. Was there anything else?”

“Also, I scheduled an appointment for you at the company outfitters. You’ll need to get outfits for 5 to 7 days. They’ll have all the information on acceptable styles and colors and the bill will be sent directly here, you’ll just need to sign the order. Oh and make sure you leave with at least one outfit because you’ll need that for next Monday when you come into the office. The rest can be sent here next week and you can take them home when you get back.”

“That all sounds great, Cathy. Where is this place located?” I asked.

“I’ll have the limo at your disposal for tomorrow and they have the address. Your appointment is at 11 AM. I hope that is alright.”

“Yes, of course that is fine. Is it alright if I have a guest in the limo with me?”

“Of course Miss. The limo is completely at your disposal until 6 tomorrow.”

“Great. Thank you Cathy.”

“You’re welcome Miss. Have a pleasant weekend.”

I hung up the phone decided to call my best friend Cherise and see if she wanted to joyride in the limo with me. I knew she wouldn’t mind the shopping either, even if it was boring corporate attire.

“Shopping? Tomorrow in a limo? No shit?” Cherise rattled off into the phone.

“No shit.” I confirmed.

“Count me in.”

“Be here by 10 or I’ll leave you forever.”

“Promise?”

“You betcha.”

We hung up and I went to bed with dreams of luxurious shopping on a company credit card. Too bad reality won’t be as good but I can have my fantasies at least until dawn. I still felt bad about Mom as I closed my eyes and I was determined to make things right by her. It will probably take some cajoling but if Mr. Candle wants me as bad as he says he does then he can come through for me on something as insignificant as a title.

Great Expectations: Glowing Success

I bit my lip considering my options. Go home empty handed for the umpteenth time after being offered an otherwise fantastic opportunity or bend over for a spanking by a woman I barely know from Adam. Then again, the reality is unless I manage to get another job offer in less than a week, I’ll be bending over for another spanking from Dad anyway. Decisions, decisions.

“If I have to go through it, I think I’ll survive but it does feel a bit silly when I haven’t even done anything.”

“I’m sure you can think of something you should have been spanked for and yet have not been.”

“Probably.” I admitted.

Does it matter I was perfectly content to have gotten away with it though? By the look on Mr. Candle’s face I guessed not. I resigned myself to the inevitable and just hoped it wouldn’t be any worse than I get at home.

“Alright. Let’s get this over with. What do I do?” I asked.

Not that I needed instructions on how to bend over for a spanking.

“I’ll make a call down to Mrs. Anderson and you can meet her in the 3rd floor conference room.” Mr. Candle said.

“Now?” I asked.

“Unless there was something more you wanted to discuss before finalizing your paperwork.”

“No, I think we’ve covered everything.”

“On your way then and I’ll have the final papers ready for you to sign when you are finished.” Mr. Candle said.

I nodded and pushed myself up out of the chair. My legs felt a little wobbly as I walked o the elevator and I felt certain Mr. Candle was staring at my bottom as I walked. Probably just my imagination but then again he is still a man.

Mrs. Anderson was standing in the conference room holding that same blue leather paddle I had seen only a week before. She had a rather self-satisfied expression in her eyes but she wisely kept her thoughts to herself. I nodded a curt greeting and closed the door behind me. The enclosed room gave the feeling of privacy even though the walls were clear and anyone walking by could clearly see inside.

“Let’s get this over with if you don’t mind.” I said.

“Of course. Please remove your skirt and place it on the table in front of you.” Mrs. Anderson instructed.

I managed to do so and remain dignified at the same time. I told myself that was the case at least and it sounded good to me. The fact it was my choice made it easier to do and I surprised myself in that my hands were not trembling. Now if only the Texas-size pretzel in my stomach would go away.

“Step to the edge of the table here and bend over it so your stomach is flat on the table. You may want to hold onto the edges of the table for support.” Mrs. Anderson said.

I am certain she was getting off on the power trip. I bit my tongue and did as she instructed though. It is best not to antagonize the one holding the paddle and especially so when they’re taking aim at your backside.

“I’m going to give you six swats. You do not need to count them. They will be hard and you should brace yourself for them. If you try to move out of the way or otherwise block a swat it will be repeated and the same applies if you raise up from the table. Are you ready?” Mrs. Anderson said.

“As I’ll ever be.” I replied.

The first swat landed flat across the center of my panties with an almost quiet clap. Instantly my butt began to tingle and sting, but I stayed in place and kept quiet. I stared at the marble and forced myself to focus on the coolness of it pressing against my blouse. The second swat came just when I thought the stinging from the first was beginning to subside. The sting built up all over again only stronger than before. It was probably all the worse for the fact my bottom hadn’t yet completely recovered from being paddled the previous night.

Once again she waited until the pain started to subside and then the third swat came swishing through the air. I raised up on my tiptoes with it for just a moment and then settled back down. Mrs. Anderson would make an excellent tennis player. Her aim was near perfect and the impact sent waves of wobbling force all through my body.

Only three more to go I told myself. The fourth was delivered lower than the other three with part of the paddle actually touching bare skin. I bit the inside of my cheek to avoid crying out. Oddly there were no tears in my eyes though. I breathed through the sting and braced myself for the fifth.

It came soon enough. The swat landed solely on my left buttock and the intense sting imparted by it nearly caused my eyes to pop out of my head. The sixth swat followed immediately before I could even contemplate the burning of the fifth. It was directed solely at my right buttock and while my brain new it was over I kept my grip on the table trying to draw strength against the intense burning sting that was growing behind me.

“Well taken, Miss Beaumont. You may rise and put your skirt back on.” Mrs. Anderson said.

I stood up grimacing and gave her a rueful nod.

“You’re pretty decent with that thing.” I said.

She smiled.

“I’ve had a bit of practice.” She said.

Mrs. Anderson left me alone and I took a few moments to fix my appearance before heading back to Mr. Candle’s office. When I arrived he had a series of papers strewn out on the coffee table for me. I took my seat carefully, knowing he was watching my every move. My eyes drifted to the switch on the floor for the seat warmer and our eyes met when I looked up from it. Mr. Candle chuckled and I allowed myself a nervous laugh.

I expected he was going to ask me a question about the spanking or at the very least reference it in some way, but he was all business. I signed the remaining forms in a matter of minutes. I gathered the few things I would be taking with me, including the handbook and Mr. Candle walked me to the elevator.

“I’ve arranged for you to take a training course in Utah next week. For appearances you should inform your family and friends it is a week long course to familiarize you with your responsibilities as an administrative assistant.” Mr. Candle said.

“But it’s not.” I said.

“No, it’s a training course, but it’s purpose is to teach you how to survive the assignments I will be sending you out on. Cathy will call you with your travel arrangements. By the time you get back, the rest of Q5 should be here and then you can get settled in with the team.”

“It sounds great. Thank you for everything, Mr. Candle.”

“You’re very welcome. Best of luck in Utah and I’ll see you when you get back.”

I stepped onto the elevator and the doors closed. My heart was pounding in my throat and I could feel adrenaline pulsing through my body. Truth be told, my butt was on fire, but I was so happy it didn’t matter at all. I could hardly wait to tell my parents I was finally employed. Too bad they couldn’t know the whole truth, but even as an administrative assistant, they’ll undoubtedly be smiling like it was success.