The Rival

Susan strutted her way back to her office smirking at the worker bees she passed. She laughed to herself thinking back at the look on Laura's face as she left her office, priceless! Tormenting that uptight bitch was always the highlight of her day, and going braless today had totally been worth it. She could almost see the steam coming out of her ears when she noticed, repressed as she was. Probably didn't even realize she was staring, not that that was anything new as most people had a hard time looking her in the eyes since her girls came in. She really shouldn't push her too far though, she'd need people like her when the company became hers. Then she could stop working and let some wage **** run things while she just enjoyed the money.

Entering her own office which was a sharp contrast to the stark environment she had just left, shelves cluttered with knickknacks, desk covered in piles of paperwork, over stuffed leather couch perfect for napping. She kicked off her shoes luxuriating in the soft feel of the thick pile carpet she'd had specially installed as she made her way over to her liquor cabinet and poured herself a generous finger of brandy.

It always amazed her how tough people made their own lives when the world was full of soft comforts. What was the point of a suit when you could do the job just as easily in a t-shirt and sweatpants?

Black #1 started on her computers playlist as she sank into her comfy chair and she laughed fingering her own raven dyed locks as she tossed back the brandy and the world itself went black...

.

Up the stone path stumbled a familiar figure, now inexplicably barefoot, who seemed to be pulled along by the bright silver bracelet on her outstretched left arm.

"You! You're responsible for this outrage you crazy bitch?!" Susan shouted at the same time Laura turned to Shar with her own cry of "Her! No, this is a mistake!"

"No mistakes" Shar chuckled "only happy accidents." Then strode over to the first stone seat as Susan was pulled there.

"What's going on?" Susan asked, rubbing her wrist now that her arm was back under her control. "I woke up alone in some dingy room with nothing but a note telling me to put a bracelet on, not even a door! I've spent hours banging on the walls waiting for someone to tell me what's going on. I finally put on one of these blasted bracelets and it drags me out here and I can't take it off! When my father finds out what you people have done you're going to wish for something easy like prison!" She glared up at Shar undaunted by the other woman's height.

"So feisty!" Shar grinned down at her first contestant. "That attitude should get you far, if it doesn't get you in more trouble. Quick word of warning though this is terribly out of order but if you will look at your bracelet you can see how it now says -2 yes?" Susan nodded confusedly at the number glowing on what was plain silver before. "That means you've just incurred a penalty for insulting the master, we'll get more into that later but for now it's probably best to just stick to answering questions. Now if you would please introduce yourself for the audience."

"What? Susan started looking up from her wrist, then at a gesture in a calm voice continued "My name is Susan Wagner, I am 28 years old and focus group lead for Wagner Group Limited, I am bisexual, five foot four and a G cup, I know the master from work." "What the hell! What did you do to me?!" Susan started yelling again then Shar made a sharp gesture and she abruptly stopped speaking gripping her throat, she then suddenly sat on her seat when Shar pointed down at it.

"Questions later, for now know you are a contestant on Harem Hotel: Haunted Castle Edition." lightning tore across the sky and thunder rocked the garden. Shar glanced up and muttered "It's not supposed to keep doing that" then louder "and we have seven more contestants to introduce."

"Um, about Susan waiting hours in that room. We just left there a few minutes ago and no one else was there?" Laura brought up nervously.

Shar replied "Time is fluid dear, just like space and a good rum and coke. Speaking of needing a good stiff drink, here comes our next contestant."