Getting the party started

“Aww, just look at her!” Emily cooed mockingly, “Isn’t she just a little cutie?”

“She definitely is!” Barbara agreed, mockery in her voice. She walked up to Lauren and pinched her cheek adding, in demeaning baby talk, “You are just the cutest little thorn in our collective backsides. Yes you are! Yes you are!”

Lauren pulled away, her face now a shade of purple from being seen by her coworkers and boss in such a state. “I thought that this was between us!” she angrily growled at Jessie.

“Was it?” Jessie asked with a cruel smirk, “I don’t remember that part of the bet.”

“Ooh, let me hold her! Let me hold her!” Daphne cried, practically bouncing in place.

Lauren shook her head no, but Jessie merely smiled and brought her over to her waiting coworker. After a quick transfer of hands, Lauren found herself cradled in another coworker's arms; but this time it was worse because, unlike the other four (Jessie was 30, Margot was 52, Emily was 29, and Barbara was 40), Daphne was Lauren’s youngest coworker at nineteen. A woman who was only six years younger than her was holding her like she was an infant!

Suddenly, much to Lauren’s shock, Daphne took a deep breath and blew onto Lauren’s exposed stomach. Much to her humiliation, Lauren found herself laughing like crazy; which in turn caused laughter from the other woman. After both laughing fits died down, Lauren found herself turning even redder as she hung her head.

“As this is a birthday party,” Margot stated, a giggle in her voice, “I think we should get this party started; but first, I think I should give my gift now.”

Margot then walked over to Lauren and lifted her out of Daphne's arms. After sitting her down on her down on a chair, she kneeled down and looked Lauren in the eyes.

“You see, Lauren,” Margot began, “You haven’t been acting like a team player at work. Putting your rivalry with Jessie on the backburner, you tried to get poor Daphne fired. You tried to get Emily’s boyfriend to dump her for you. And I don’t think I need to bring up the incident with Barbara and the deep fryer; all because YOU wanted to impress the district manager and earn employee of the month! And the only reason I kept you around? You attracted customers to our little hole in the wall. When Jessie told us about this little situation you’re in, none of us believed it. And now that we see you for what you really are – a manipulative, lying little girl who’s been playing dress up for far too long, I don’t really see any reason to keep you around anymore.”

Lauren paled. Was Margot saying what she thought she was saying?

“Lauren,” Margot said with a cruel smirk, beeping Lauren on the nose, “you’re fired.”

“F-f-f-f-f-fired?” Lauren squeaked. This had to be some sick joke!

“I wouldn’t worry about it.” Daphne shrugged. “After all, a little girl your age shouldn’t be worried with adult responsibilities yet.”

This earned a round of laughter from the other woman as Lauren sat in the chair, lip quivering in humiliation. This two weeks had gone from bad to worse…in just the first day!

“Now then,” Margot said, “as I said earlier, let’s get this party started!”