Car-rear

It's not fair, Alison thought. I worked hard in high school, put my own way through college, and this is the thanks I get.

Tall and firm, with an athlete's body, the lovely brunette had no idea how she found herself in such a position. She had been so excited for her first job interview. Her prospective new boss seemed so energetic, so ready to help her advance to the next stage in her career.

I warn you, though--I can be demanding. In remembering his remark, which he had made with a kindly smile, Alison felt the irony pound in her head like a third glass of wine.

But how could she have known what he really meant?

She could always quit, of course. There's other jobs for an attractive, hard-working girl intent on making it up the corporate ladder. But this job has connections. It has promise for her career like nothing else she'd seen. So what if she has to put up with some...discomfort?

Some embarrassment?



Even now, her bottom throbbed. She had just looked at it in the mirror before she left for work, and it was still red and somewhat chafed, like a bruised apple. She had slept on her stomach the night before, and cancelled her date with her boyfriend. What if they had decided to sleep together and she had taken off her clothes? She didn't want to have to explain.

The worst thing was having to go to work the next day in business attire. Her smart, conservative gray suit rubbed against her sore, abraded skin like the rough side of a sponge.

And the worst thing wasn't that she'd have to sit down at her desk, exacerbating the discomfort. No, the worst thing was...he wasn't finished with her.

We can't abide mistakes with Excel calculations, he had said. I'm afraid one punishment won't be enough. You can expect one every day this week.

And it was only Wednesday. To think how sore she'd be by Friday...it was almost beyond her imagining.

But as she arrived to her building, went up the elevator, and weaved her way around the maze of cubicles to find her desk, she felt a grim resolve.

Suck it up. Stop complaining. This is what you've signed up for. You can take the pain and the embarrassment...because you're going to get farther ahead in this job, and faster, than you ever thought possible.

Yet, as soon as she sat down, her phone lit up.

"It's time," crackled the voice on the other end. And she knew he was rolling up his sleeves and putting a chair out in the middle of his plush, immaculately decorated office.

And soon she'd be over his lap.

The carpet a sea of geometric confusion, just inches from her eyes.

Her body barely woken up from a deep sleep, yet her already sore bottom being struck until it was a glowing, stinging light.

"Coming sir," Alison rose. She smoothed out her skirt and brushed the hair out of her eyes.

Suck it up.

Winners don't quit.

This will help you in the end.

And she walked with resolute purpose into her boss's office.