Weekly staff meeting

You spend the next hour working, pausing every now and then to stab your thumb down on remote and give Meghan another jolt of vibration. Every time you are rewarded by a gasp from outside your door, and you smile in satisfaction.

This is the day you regularly meet with your key people to go over your accounts. The meeting is scheduled for ten, in a nearby conference room. You gather the files you need and step out of your office. Meghan looks up at you.

"I want you to sit in on the meeting today Meghan. I need you to keep notes of the discussion." She looks surprised, since she is not normally part of the meeting, but grabs a pad and pen and follows you. You notice she's walking carefully and you contemplate giving her another dose of vibration but you decide against it.

Your staff is already waiting for you, gathered around an oval table. You take your accustomed seat and gesture Meghan to sit next to you, and look around the room at the four others.

"I've asked Meghan to join us and take notes of the discussion. If that goes well, it may be a regular thing." The others nod casually, most of them checking notes in front of them. "Let's begin with the Henderson account. Frank, bring us up to speed."

Frank is a bright young guy, and a real asset. He quickly runs through the status of the account, detailing progress to date and activities planned for the week. Meghan is hastily scribbling notes as he speaks, and you wait until Frank makes a point then stab the button on the remote, holding it for less than a second. Meghan gasps with a sharp indrawn breath and squirms in her chair. Frank pauses.

"Are you ok?" he asks with concern. The others are also looking at your secretary, polite worry in their eyes.

"Yes, I'm fine. It was nothing. I'm sorry," she says hurriedly, composing herself. Frank nods and finishes his update.

"Great work Frank," you nod approval. "Kathy, how is Western Logistics looking?"

"Big improvement, John. I think we're getting that turned around. I should have something more definite by Monday but I'm confident that we're in good shape...." she stops talking and stares at Meghan who gasps again, and rocks forward in her seat. Realizing that she is again the center of attention she blushes furiously and composes herself.

"I'm sorry, it's really nothing," she says, her eyes begging you to stop. You look at her coldly.

"If you're not feeling well, maybe you should excuse yourself Meghan," you tell her.

"No sir, I'm alright, it was just a...a twinge."

"Well control yourself then. Go on Kathy."

With a brief glance at your secretary, Kathy continues. She's another bright one, who came over from a competing company lured by a generous bonus. She's as ambitious as hell, and eager to show off her considerable talents. A tall, slender woman, she dresses austerely, with not the slightest hint of sexuality.

You press the remote again, and are aware of Meghan stiffening beside you. She bites her lip, suppressing a gasp and rocks gently, her eyes imploring you. No one but you notices. You give her a brief smile of approval.