Sparks Start To Fly !

Over the next two days, the noticeable antagonism between Debbi and Diane grew. Diane never missed an opportunity to snipe at Debbi while Debbi's initial diffidence vanished and she began to bite back ! Diane flaunted her superior qualifications while Debbi emphasised that, despite all that, she was currently higher up the management ladder. Carol and Angela were, of course, secretly on the side of Diane. The six men on the course had no particular reason to support either faction but most also passively fell in behind Diane. It was a class thing. Debbi might be more attractive in both looks and personality but Diane was one of them, from the same background and education.

Ingram watched all this build until he judged it time to spring his first ploy to get Debbi naked. The two women were once more locking horns in a discussion about how ruthless one should be in business. Debbi was advocating the idea of karma and how one should treat people fairly in order to be paid back in kind. "God, you're so naive" Diane countered. "It's a dog eat dog world, nobody ever got anywhere by being nice." Debbi blustered, trying to find examples. Diane ploughed over her. "And you seriously believe that ? Get in the real world honey. I can't believe someone as dim and gullible as you has ever been able to make any progress, even in a crummy company like yours !" Red faced with anger, Debbi bridled. "I am not gullible and I am most certainly not stupid" she exploded.

"OK ladies, hold it right there" Ingram interjected. "I think now is the perfect time to introduce a little exercise in lateral thinking and you two are ideal to go head to head against each other in it !"

"Fine by me" Diane responded aggressively. "You betcha" spat Debbi !