Emi crosses the Rubicon

It was time as the Americans say to cross the Rubicon.

“Why is a Breeding Pass weird and disgusting?” Emi said loudly. Sayaka’s eyes virtually bulged in surprise as she wheeled on the Assistant Business Manager.

“Why is it weird and disgusting?" Emi repeated. "Men naturally want to breed with women. The Japanese government pays women who have kids. Is that not the same thing on a smaller scale? Money for breeding. This Pass just opens things up a bit.” Emi was reaching for a justification now, “perhaps it is good that it allows men and women to form a connection they wouldn’t necessarily think to constrained by arbitrary norms set by society. Maybe it isn’t a weird and disgusting thing but a beautiful thing?” Her female workers were looking at her aghast while some of the men were nodding in agreement. One or two were looking with intent at the Pass in Sayaka’s hand.

Sayaka regained her composure. She didn’t know exactly why Emi was doing this but she had to oppose her. “Listen,” she said, an edge of desperation creeping into her voice, “we are all workers coming to an end of a good and friendly two-year tenure. We are professionals for God’s-sake not lust filled animals. Now why don’t I put this Breeding Pass in a safe place and we forget all about this…”

“Or one of you guys could just breed her,” Emi loudly interrupted her, baldly stating her true intentions. “Take the Pass and then give it to her” she emphasised her intent by punching with a balled fist. “She has to say yes and in two months she’ll be back in Japan. You’ll never see her again. No alimony, no fuss.”

Sayaka was incandescent with rage. “You conniving bitch! You’re just looking to get me out of the way because you want the promotion back in Tokyo.”

It was true enough but Emi ignored this and turned to Ethan. “Hey Ethan-san why not take her? And anyway, didn’t she give you a poor performance review rating last year? Stopped you getting a bonus didn't it?” Ethan said nothing but rose to his feet. Sayaka had a rush of panic when she saw the bulge in Ethan’s trousers. Out of the corner of her eye she saw that Trevor, a known pervert in Sayaka’s mind, was looping around the workstation getting closer to her.

“Enough of this!” Sayaka suddenly made a lunge and took up a pair of scissors.

“No!” Emi cried but it was too late.

With a triumphant snip the Senior Business Manager cut the pass clean in two. The Breeding Pass fluttered away into two pieces “There! No more Breeding Pass!” Sayaka Mori declared emphatically to the public consternation of Emi and the secret consternation of many of the guys.

The Senior Business Manager stood up straight. Smugly satisfied with herself.