Meeting mother

At quarter after ten, Meghan buzzes you to say that her mother is here. You tell her to send her in, and rise from your desk to greet an attractive auburn haired woman.

Mrs. Cassidy, pleased to meet you," you shake her hand and gesture to the conversation area of your office.

"Oh, call me Eileen," she says with a smile, choosing the couch and arranging herself, crossing a shapely pair of legs, and leaning forward to show you a glimpse of cleavage. A bit taller and curvier than her daughter, she's in her forties, but clearly lives a pampered life and keeps in shape.

"Would you like something, coffee, tea..."

"No, I'm good thank you John. You don't mind if I call you John I hope. I think it's best to be on a first name basis, don't you? I hope you don't mind me intruding, but Daddy said that I should meet with you, so here I am." You nod at her, waiting her out in silence.

"Well. The reason I wanted to talk to you was about Meghan, of course. I spoke with Daddy last night about why she isn't doing something important instead of being stuck as a secretary, and he said some silly thing about her being on probation and needing you to give her a good report so she could be promoted. So here I am."

"I see that. What is it you want from me?"

"Why to see that you give her a good report of course. She's ever so clever, and should be doing something important. Frankly, I don't know why Daddy doesn't just do something."

"Instead of leaving it up to me, you mean."

She colors briefly, slightly flustered. "I'm sure you're very capable John. I didn't mean to suggest.... Daddy speaks very highly of you. But as Meghan's mother I have to look out for her best interests."

"Meghan is an adult. Surely she can look out for her own best interests?"

"Oh but she's just a child, John. She needs a mother's guidance and help."

"I'm confused. You say she's just a child, yet earlier you said she was clever and should be promoted. We don't normally make a practice of promoting children."

"Well...That was just a figure of speech. I mean that she's still young. Learning. You know."

"Actually I do know. Mrs. Cassidy, the fact of the matter is that your daughter is one of the most incompetent secretaries I've ever seen. I have to discipline her every day. Your father has told you she's on probation, but she's on probation to keep her job, not to be promoted."

She looks at you with shock all over her face. "Well, that's a rude way of putting it..."

"Only if you consider facts rude. Meghan is in danger of being fired at any moment. She has no chance of promotion until she shows she can handle the job she's in."

Eileen is now clearly flustered, she recrosses her legs, showing you a bit more of them, and tries a smile. "Meghan is young. Surely you can give her some leeway, John. I know she admires you very much. I can speak to her and tell her she has to improve. Perhaps we can work out a plan together."

"What did you have in mind?" you ask, watching her eyes flirt with you. She leans towards you, smiling.

"Well, we're two grown adults. I'm sure that if we put our heads together we can come up with something to help Meghan." She strokes a hand over one silken knee, smiling invitingly at you.