6 - Closing Vignette

Raymond was sitting in his office, trying to begin his new article unsuccessfully. Finally giving up in frustration, he allowed his head to plop down on the keyboard, creating a mess of characters on the monitor screen. Jodi strolled in through the door, giving him a questioning look.

"What's wrong, Ray?" she asked sympathetically.

He shrugged and rubbed his forehead. "Ahh, its just my wife. She's been driving me nuts the past few days, can you believe it?"

She creased her eyebrows curiously. "Do you know what caused her to act that way?"

"I have no idea..." Ray lied.

"Well I'm sorry to hear things aren't going so well at home for you. I hope my visit didn't make things wors--"

Ray laughed and shook his head. "Don't be rediculous, you were a godsend. Everything is so organized in my office-slash-basement-dungeon, its amazing. Listen, don't worry about it. My wife's always like that. We fight over anything- a can opener, an old car, the kids... not voting for her for the school elections..." He quickly stopped when she shot him a weird look. "Anyways, what can I help you with?"

"I was hoping you'd ask." Jodi walked over to the side of his desk and handed him a sheet of paper, "I've been going over these stat sheets and maybe you can explain to me...," she licked her lips and subtly spread the unbuttoned opening near the top of her blouse, "...how these things are rounded off?"

She slowly glided onto Raymond's desk and leaned forward, her voluptuous curves in full view. "Are you familiar with how these figures work, Ray?" she asked ever so suggestively.

Ray stuttered and leaned back in his chair as his breathing quickened. "I... uh, umm....."

"Ray?" He appeared so mesmerized that she called out his name, as if to wake him up.

Almost tipping his chair over to the point that it would fall over, Ray quickly jumped up to his feet. "Yea! Yea, I'm here... uh, let me just get a--a p-pencil..."

Smiling coyly, Jodi remarked, "You don't have to be cute with me, Ray." She put both hands around the back of his neck and drew him closer.

Ray sputtered and put his hands up in confusion, as if to tell her to hold up. Ignoring him, she tugged Ray closer until he was right up against her.

Just that moment, Debra walked in through the door, eyes wide in shock. From her perspective, it appeared as though her husband was feeling up his secretary's ample bosoms. She faltered for a step and blinked sharply, putting a hand over her mouth.

Turning to look at the newest arrival into his office, Ray let out a yelp and pushed Jodi away forcefully. "Debra! Wait--"

She didn't say a word. Giving him an icy glare, Debra simply stormed out of the office angrily despite his futile protests.


TO BE CONTINUED...