Target: Lana Douglas

I put my feet on Gretchen's desk and really thought about this.

If the plan was actually submitting a good article, was Lana really the best way to go? After all, I could make Gretchen do the work too. No wait that's a horrible idea. I read her articles when I was searching information about her. She was a really crappy and boring writer. No, it couldn't be her. No matter how I sliced and diced this, Lana made most sense. She was easily the best and most efficient writer on the magazine. So what's the first move?

As I was pondering the first few moves of my next master plan, Gretchen just sat there on the floor next to me. Silently. Probably still a little powerless from the orgasm, perhaps too afraid to say anything to me? Either way I almost completely forgot her existence. Until she opened her mouth.

"...Jack, are you going to be sitting there all day? I have work to do..."

I turned to her. Wow, what a cute little request. Was I finally seeing the fruits of the submissive score? Either way I loved it so much, I just had to pat her head.

"You were quiet all this time? That's a good girl, letting your master think in peace." (GRETCHEN: +1SP) (+41SP)

She looked angry. Well, she tried to look angry.

"Please Jack."

"That's alright. I know my first move anyways."

I got up and pushed the chair away.

"Now remember to stay good. Good girls get rewards, Gretchie-pet."

As I watched conflicted emotions battle on her face, I left her office. And I almost ran into Gloria.

Wait, was she right behind the door? Had she been listening to our conversation? Well, at least she tried acting nonchalant.

"Oh hey. You were in there quite a while. In Gretchen's office. What were you guys talking about?"

Oh God. Her mother had turned her into her little spy. Her little awful spy.

"Oh, I... I just wanted to know why Gretchen thought my article was perfect, even though Maria didn't."

"Really? Well, why?"

"Umm... If you don't mind, that was a private conversation between me and my editor."

"Okay. Sure, sure."

She walked away, desperately trying to act like she didn't even care. Was this something I had to deal with now? This little corporate spy? Well. It was probably no problem. All I had to do was keep away from Gretchen's office for a while now. Which kinda sucked but it's not forever. And not the only place we can meet. Also, we had to get our story straight. I texted her and told her what we "officially" just talked about, and asked what she had told Maria were her reasons for liking the article. That should just about cover all bases.

Well. Let's start this thing with Lana.

I gathered my concentration, and was ready to open the door to the writer's room.

This required acting. Which I suck at.

As I walked back to my desk, I tried to look as bewildered as I possibly could. I knew that would be the perfect Lana-magent.

And it was.

"So what happened? She spanked you again? You still got a job?"

"Yeah, umm... I mean no to the spanking, yes to the job... It was weird though."

"Why?"

"I don't know if I should tell you. It was a secret."

"Oh, now you have to tell me. Do it. Or I can make your life miserable," she said with a wink, even though I had no doubt she could.

"Well, she... loved my article. In fact, she said that she had planned on giving ten grand bonus to whoever wrote the article of the year. And she basically just told me, I got it. I'm sort of in a trance, I'm so happy."

That did it. Lana's face turned into a scowl, and I could see every single competitive spirit in her waking up.

"You? You wrote the best article? Are you fucking kidding me?"

"Well, calm down, it's not official yet. Apparently, the secret deadline was next friday. But if nothing else comes by then..."

Lana's scowl turned into an evil grin. "Oh really?"

"Yeah... Wait, are you..."

"Oh, I have a banger I've been saving for rainy days. Thanks for the info, buddy-boy."

She chuckled as she slid back to her desk. I was trying to look distraught, but it probably didn't matter anymore. She bought it hook, line and sinker. So I just ensured that she would focus on writing the best article of her life this week. Easy part done. Next part: Get her to give that article to me.

I had no idea where to start with that one.

What were the strategies that worked with Lana before? **** and getting me to help with her computer. And I really didn't think I could get much more juice about either one. So... New ****? It seems always to be the best motivator. Seemed as good a plan as any. At least I didn't have to write this week, I could dedicate the whole week on project Lana.

So digging I went. All day. And surprise surprise, nothing useful. I went through her social media, old writings, old addresses... But that's just what it was. Old. Her writings were pretty great, I had to admit myself, and once in a while I even forgot what I was researching and just started reading them. Her social media didn't tell me much, she didn't have a lot friends. She didn't seem to have a current boyfriend. She did have a hot sister (interesting), and a hot mother (doubly interesting). But that was too far in the future. All I could tell from her social media is that she was quite the drinker. And a little bit of partier, but that seemed more like the side-effect of the drinking.

And it seemed like she really liked this one danceclub, Aftershots. Huh, never could've imagined that she'd go to one of those places. Or even dance. In fact, apparently she planned on going there today. Wait, so did Sophie and Ulla. Huh? So all my writing colleagues were planning to have fun night out? And didn't invite me? Those absolute fucking bitches.

Perhaps that's the best plan here. Interrupt their little "girls' night out"? Seemed like the best way to start finding more about Lana.