Mr. Martinez had been an intimidating figure when she'd been doing budget presentations, fully clothed in her old role. The concept of grovelling bef...re him as a naked mail room girl was terrifying. For the thousandth time that day, she cursed herself for ever having been stupid enough to sign up for her current role.Kirsten arrived at Mr. Martinez's office and the timer stopped when she was within a yard of his doorway. She was twenty five seconds late, and she cursed Reggie for earning her. I recollect the dance, that I danced with a tall lady, that my mother, contrary to custom as it seems to me, put me to bed herself, and that it was before the dance was over, for I felt angry and tearful at being put to bed so early. My mother closed the curtains quite tightly all round a small four-post bed, and told me I was to lie quietly and not get up till she came to me in the morning; not to speak, nor undo my curtains, nor to get out of bed, or I should disturb Mr. and Mrs. *** who were. She opened it and went to put the card and the gift into one of the side pockets so Tal would be surprised when he unpacked. Instead, she was the one surprised. She stared down at the condoms and her blood turned cold. There could be no mistaking it — Talbot was seeing other women on his business trips. She and Tal had agreed long ago that they didn't want children and so she had gone on the pill and as added insurance she also used a diaphragm. Not once during their marriage had she and Talbot. " But of course the silly stubborn girl did nothing of the sort.Miss Garrison had of course expected this and so, like many timesbefore, she activated the random zap function on Lucy's belt remote.And oh, such a difference! Within twenty seconds Lucy was on the floor,kissing Miss Garrison's feet, begging for the opportunity to getdressed in her school uniform. She let the zaps continue for anotherten seconds or so before switching them off. The girl was up on herfeet curtseying, promising to be.