The young executive struggles internally for a couple of seconds, second-guessing herself and her decision, but finally decides it is best to stick with the original plan and share what happened. “Grab a seat and I’ll get you another cup”, she says. “I would rather stay on my feet a bit longer.” She walks out of the room; to Lydia’s trained and for obvious reasons extra-watchful eye she moves rather gingerly, but not too much so. When she returned with the coffee for her subordinate she seemed much more composed but she still sits down very slowly and carefully.
“Okay… So you know how these “Fairer World” people are basically the best charity one can work with in terms of PR, right”, Ms Cho begins a moment later. “Zero scandals. Pretty much a full guarantee, as far as anything can be a guarantee these days, that the company they cooperate with does what it says it does for good causes, get to proudly advertise the relationship and so on… Well. It turns out there is a reason for that”. The young Asian woman takes a deep breath and a sip of her coffee. “Specifically… They have a very strong endorsement contract that holds the managers or other staff they are dealing with personally responsible for any shortcomings on the company’s side. And I mean… Personally. Not a fine that the company can easily compensate for me”.
The executive takes a few more sips. “So it’s weird to even say it out loud, but you probably heard enough anyway. I think they have a few different approaches depending on the person but they went with corporal punishment with me. I couldn’t really believe it when I read “corporal punishment delivered on bare buttocks” (they had reasonable limits written in, but you know, still!) and then I couldn’t believe I’d actually have to accept it… But Ms Stevens basically said that I was promoted to executive in expectation that I would do anything for the company and such an opportunity should not be passed up just because I’m not confident in my abilities. If I don’t screw up, any punishment written in is irrelevant, so she did not see a problem”.
Lydia has gasped appropriately at the “bare buttocks” part but let her boss get on with her story. "Right... Well. All the things I actually was worried about I had under control and got them sorted... But I completely missed the fact that the people preparing promotional materials somehow concluded those won't be needed until the announcement itself instead of having to submit them for preview. I tried kicking them... But it was too late. They very politely explained that they understand my apprehension but their reputation only continues being what it is and therefore of value if they enforce all rules strictly... And well, they enforced them. In understanding of this being my first time they used an apparently light strap and only gave me a dozen". Ms Cho chuckles. "They, also very politely, said they will bring a cane next time just in case and they may ask me to strip completely. So... Yeah. I better stay on top of things".
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