Penny Farthing

PLEASE READ BEFORE PLAYING: In this multiple choice adventure, you play a young woman who discovers she has picked up an intestinal parasite on a recent trip to Africa. Good luck!

NOTE: Some of the entries are so long that you will need to scroll down to read all of the text. When you click on the link to continue, be sure to scroll back up to the top of the screen in order to read the next entry. If anyone knows how to fix this problem, please let me know! Enjoy!

Click to get started on your adventure.

It is a day like any other. Your recent, disastrous trip to Africa seems like a distant memory as you shower, put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Sometimes you stop in to see your boss, Tina, before going to your desk. Tina is a good boss – firm, but friendly, and she loves to chat. Today, you...

stop by her office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “How are you this morning?”

“Good thanks!” you reply cheerfully.

You chat with her for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk in the large, open-plan office space. You say hello to your colleagues, Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Every morning, the local bakery delivers bagels to the office. Someone will need to meet the delivery man in the lobby. Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk in the large, open-plan office space. You say hello to your colleagues, Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?” She has sent it to the whole team.

Every morning, the local bakery delivers bagels to the office. Someone will need to meet the delivery man in the lobby. Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office, passing through the sales and IT departments on the way. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find the usual delivery man, Warren, waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you typically go to a local eatery. There are two within walking distance of the office. Souper Salads has a nice minestrone soup which comes with a delicious warm, crusty bread roll. The Sandwich Station sells a lovely portobello mushroom panini.

Today you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. You often have a little chat with Ford or Justin at about this time. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads, where you order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

The Sandwich Station has very limited seating, so you usually either take your sandwich back to the office and eat it at your desk, or walk down to the lake and sit on one of the benches there.

Today, having bought your panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You cannot see Ford from where you are sitting – there is a cabinet in the way – so you get up and walk over to his desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you typically go to a local eatery. There are two within walking distance of the office. Souper Salads has a nice minestrone soup which comes with a delicious warm, crusty bread roll. The Sandwich Station sells a lovely portobello mushroom panini.

Today you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You cannot see Justin’s face, since his monitor is in the way. Pushing against the floor with your feet, you roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” he says, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“Updating our procedures,” says Justin. “But I could use a break!”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you typically go to a local eatery. There are two within walking distance of the office. Souper Salads has a nice minestrone soup which comes with a delicious warm, crusty bread roll. The Sandwich Station sells a lovely portobello mushroom panini.

Today you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide you should probably do something a little more constructive. You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you typically go to a local eatery. There are two within walking distance of the office. Souper Salads has a nice minestrone soup which comes with a delicious warm, crusty bread roll. The Sandwich Station sells a lovely portobello mushroom panini.

Today you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass your colleague Stacey’s desk, you are not surprised to see her on Facebook, as usual. Sometimes you wonder how that woman gets any work done at all.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. As you sit down, you see an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

Mason Road is the site of the company’s other office building. Your own building, on Chapel Street, became too small for the company’s expanding workforce a couple of years ago, and rather than moving everyone to a larger building, the company on its infinite wisdom decided instead to rent a second building.

Traffic between the two buildings, which are less than half a mile apart, is frequent. Tina, as the accounts manager, takes part in a daily sales meeting at the Mason Road office. Often you go with her – you are her de facto second-in-command, and she feels it is good experience for you – but you tend to give it a miss if you are busy.

Today you decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the window, where you sit on a stool at a bar with a beautiful view across the lake, spoiled only by the pedestrians that pass by in an almost steady stream. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass your colleague Stacey’s desk, you are not surprised to see her on Facebook, as usual. Sometimes you wonder how that woman gets any work done at all.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. As you sit down, you see an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

Mason Road is the site of the company’s other office building. Your own building, on Chapel Street, became too small for the company’s expanding workforce a couple of years ago, and rather than moving everyone to a larger building, the company on its infinite wisdom decided instead to rent a second building.

Traffic between the two buildings, which are less than half a mile apart, is frequent. Tina, as the accounts manager, takes part in a daily sales meeting at the Mason Road office. Often you go with her – you are her de facto second-in-command, and she feels it is good experience for you – but you tend to give it a miss if you are busy.

Today you decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass your colleague Stacey’s desk, you are not surprised to see her on Facebook, as usual. Sometimes you wonder how that woman gets any work done at all.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. As you sit down, you see an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

Mason Road is the site of the company’s other office building. Your own building, on Chapel Street, became too small for the company’s expanding workforce a couple of years ago, and rather than moving everyone to a larger building, the company on its infinite wisdom decided instead to rent a second building.

Traffic between the two buildings, which are less than half a mile apart, is frequent. Tina, as the accounts manager, takes part in a daily sales meeting at the Mason Road office. Often you go with her – you are her de facto second-in-command, and she feels it is good experience for you – but you tend to give it a miss if you are busy.

Today you decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, and find an available bench on which to sit. The view is very pleasant, although you could do without the motor boats roaring around the lake. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass your colleague Stacey’s desk, you are not surprised to see her on Facebook, as usual. Sometimes you wonder how that woman gets any work done at all.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. As you sit down, you see an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

Mason Road is the site of the company’s other office building. Your own building, on Chapel Street, became too small for the company’s expanding workforce a couple of years ago, and rather than moving everyone to a larger building, the company in its infinite wisdom decided instead to rent a second building.

Traffic between the two buildings, which are less than half a mile apart, is frequent. Tina, as the accounts manager, takes part in a daily sales meeting at the Mason Road office. Often you go with her – you are her de facto second-in-command, and she feels it is good experience for you – but you tend to give it a miss if you are busy.

Today you decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office. There, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you.

Finally, the managing director, Ryan Vincent, walks in with a purposeful air. “Hello everyone,” he says. “Let’s get this started.”

The meeting largely consists of updates from the various team leads in attendance. Ryan sometimes grills them on their reports, but today he remains quiet. Afterwards, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford and Justin, but you still manage to get a lot accomplished by the time five o’clock rolls around.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You, which has the widest range of pizza toppings you’ve ever seen in a restaurant.

By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed. Such is your day – it has been depressingly similar to just about every other weekday. Predictable, unexciting, normal, ordinary.

However, though you do not know it yet, things are about to change...

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy pasta meal out of a packet. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed. Such is your day – it has been depressingly similar to just about every other weekday. Predictable, unexciting, normal, ordinary.

However, though you do not know it yet, things are about to change...

Continue.

Another day, another dollar...

As usual, you get up and shower, then put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “How are you this morning?”

“Good thanks!” you reply cheerfully.

You chat with her for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to your colleagues, Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

A strange sensation in your nether regions makes you frown in concern. It felt like a tingling, almost a squirming, just inside your anus. You hold still, waiting for a repeat, but nothing else happens, so you get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to your colleagues, Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

A strange sensation in your nether regions makes you frown in concern. It felt like a tingling, almost a squirming, just inside your anus. You hold still, waiting for a repeat, but nothing else happens, so you get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?” She has sent it to the whole team.

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office, passing through the sales and IT departments on the way. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find the usual delivery man, Warren, waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. You often have a little chat with Ford or Justin at about this time. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads. On the way, you feel a tingling inside your anus again, but it does not last long, and you uneasily dismiss it as your imagination.

You order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. On the way, you feel a tingling inside your anus again, but it does not last long, and you uneasily dismiss it as your imagination.

Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Pushing against the floor with your feet, you roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide you should probably do something a little more constructive. You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass your colleague Stacey’s desk, you are not surprised to see her on Facebook, as usual.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass your colleague Stacey’s desk, you are not surprised to see her on Facebook, as usual.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass your colleague Stacey’s desk, you are not surprised to see her on Facebook, as usual.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass your colleague Stacey’s desk, you are not surprised to see her on Facebook, as usual.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office. There, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent, the managing director, walks in, and the meeting begins.

The various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their department’s projects and statistics. Ryan asks a couple of questions, and seems satisfied with the answers. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. But at twenty to five, you suddenly feel a powerful urge to defecate. You get up and run to the bathroom, but it is too late; something has already come out of your anus and into your panties. Horrified, you lock yourself in a stall, and pull down your panties.

What you see immediately terrifies you. In your panties are several slimy, squirming worms, each between ten and fifteen inches long, and as thick as a pencil. They are very pale reddish-brown in colour, with no visible features other than a few slightly discoloured areas, positioned randomly along their length.

You frantically shake out your panties into the toilet bowl. You can feel more squirming between your buttocks, however, and, feeling rather nauseous, you reach back with your hand. You find yourself grabbing three more worms that are sticking out of your anus; as you pull them, you feel them sliding disgustingly through your anal sphincter. These, too, you drop in the toilet bowl.

“Oh my god oh my god oh my god,” you say out loud, your voice shaking. You feel like crying. How did this happen?

It must have been something you ate in Africa. You tried a lot of local food; no doubt the eggs of some parasitic worm survived the cooking process and made it into your gut. No wonder your bowel movements have been so erratic recently.

You sit down, and try to push out more worms. You have no illusions that you will be able to get them all out this way, but the fewer you have inside you, the better. Tomorrow you will go to the doctor, and get some kind of medication that will get rid of the worms completely.

Despite considerable effort, however, you are unable to force out any more worms. Reluctantly, you give up and get off the toilet, pulling your panties back up. You flush the worms away, wash your hands, and return to your desk.

You call the doctor’s office, but unfortunately it closed at half past four. You resolve to call first thing in the morning.

At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford and Justin, but you still manage to get a lot done.

At twenty to five, however, you suddenly feel a powerful urge to defecate. You get up and run to the bathroom, but it is too late; something has already come out of your anus and into your panties. Horrified, you lock yourself in a stall, and pull down your panties.

What you see immediately terrifies you. In your panties are several slimy, squirming worms, each between ten and fifteen inches long, and as thick as a pencil. They are very pale reddish-brown in colour, with no visible features other than a few slightly discoloured areas, positioned randomly along their length.

You frantically shake out your panties into the toilet bowl. You can feel more squirming between your buttocks, however, and, feeling rather nauseous, you reach back with your hand. You find yourself grabbing three more worms that are sticking out of your anus; as you pull them, you feel them sliding disgustingly through your anal sphincter. These, too, you drop in the toilet bowl.

“Oh my god oh my god oh my god,” you say out loud, your voice shaking. You feel like crying. How did this happen?

It must have been something you ate in Africa. You tried a lot of local food; no doubt the eggs of some parasitic worm survived the cooking process and made it into your gut. No wonder your bowel movements have been so erratic recently.

You sit down, and try to push out more worms. You have no illusions that you will be able to get them all out this way, but the fewer you have inside you, the better. Tomorrow you will go to the doctor, and get some kind of medication that will get rid of the worms completely.

Despite considerable effort, however, you are unable to force out any more worms. Reluctantly, you give up and get off the toilet, pulling your panties back up. You flush the worms away, wash your hands, and return to your desk.

You call the doctor’s office, but unfortunately it closed at half past four. You resolve to call first thing in the morning.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

Feeling rather shaken, you switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media, trying to keep your mind off the worms that you know are writhing around inside you.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media, trying to keep your mind off the worms that you know are writhing around inside you.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

The next day, you get up and shower, then put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you call the doctor’s office. Mercifully, someone answers immediately. “Newman Medical Associates, this is Cherie speaking.”

“Hi Cherie,” you say. “I’d like to make an appointment to see Doctor Lemmon, please? As soon as possible...”

“She’s very booked up right now I’m afraid,” says Cherie. “The earliest I can give you is two o’clock on the fifteenth.”

“The fifteenth?” you echo in dismay. “I was really hoping to get in today!”

“I’m sorry, she’s fully booked,” says Cherie. “If it’s urgent, you should consider going straight to the hospital. What symptoms are you experiencing?”

You find yourself feeling very reluctant to tell her the nature of your condition. And a hospital visit would no doubt be expensive. It has been almost two months since your return from Africa; you suppose a few more days won’t kill you. “I guess I’ll take the fifteenth at two o’clock,” you say reluctantly.

“Okay, we’ll see you then,” says Cherie.

You hang up with a sigh, and get out of your car. Then you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Another day, another dollar...

As usual, you get up and shower, then put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “How are you this morning?”

You reply,

“Good thanks.”

“Actually ... not so great.”

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to your colleagues, Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

Your stomach churns as you feel the worms in your rectum squirming around. You head to the toilet, sit down in a stall, and push ... but you cannot get anything to come out. With a little whimper, you return to your desk and get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?” She has sent it to the whole team.

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office, passing through the sales and IT departments on the way. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find the usual delivery man, Warren, waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. You often have a little chat with Ford or Justin at about this time. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads. On the way, you feel the worms inside your intestines wriggling around again, and you grimace unhappily.

You order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. On the way, you feel the worms inside your intestines wriggling around again, and you grimace unhappily.

Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Pushing against the floor with your feet, you roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide you should probably do something a little more constructive. You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass your colleague Stacey’s desk, you are not surprised to see her on Facebook, as usual.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass your colleague Stacey’s desk, you are not surprised to see her on Facebook, as usual.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass your colleague Stacey’s desk, you are not surprised to see her on Facebook, as usual.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass your colleague Stacey’s desk, you are not surprised to see her on Facebook, as usual.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office. There, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent, the managing director, walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you shift uncomfortably in your seat as the worms squirm around just inside your anus. Fortunately you manage to maintain your outward composure. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford and Justin, but you still manage to get a lot done, despite the considerable distraction of numerous worms squirming around just inside your anus. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media, trying to keep your mind off the worms that you can feel writhing around inside your rectum.

Midway through the evening you try, once again, to push them out into the toilet, but they continue to resist your efforts to expel them. A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media, trying to keep your mind off the worms that you can feel writhing around inside your rectum.

Midway through the evening you try, once again, to push them out into the toilet, but they continue to resist your efforts to expel them. A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You chat with Tina for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to your colleagues, Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

Your stomach churns as you feel the worms in your rectum squirming around. You head to the toilet, sit down in a stall, and push ... but you cannot get anything to come out. With a little whimper, you return to your desk and get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

“Oh?” inquires Tina, looking concerned.

“It seems I ... brought something back from Africa with me,” you say, staring at the floor awkwardly.

“Oh no!” says Tina. “Like, a parasite?”

You had hoped you were being vague enough to allow Tina to assume you meant a virus of other tropical malady, but your instant blush confirms her guess. “Without going into specifics, yes,” you admit. “I’ve got an appointment to see my doctor on the fifteenth. At two p.m.”

Tina glances at her calendar, and nods. “By all means,” she says, “take whatever time you need to take care of this. I’m sorry this happened to you, Penny – I’m sure it’s not pleasant!”

“It is rather horrible,” you agree with a sigh. “I can’t wait until the fifteenth! I just want to get rid of ... of ... the things.”

You chat with Tina for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to your colleagues, Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

Your stomach churns as you feel the worms in your rectum squirming around. You head to the toilet, sit down in a stall, and push ... but you cannot get anything to come out. With a little whimper, you return to your desk and get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

Another day, another dollar...

As usual, you get up and shower, then put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “How are you this morning?”

“Good thanks,” you say automatically.

You chat with her for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to your colleagues, Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

Your stomach churns as you feel the worms in your rectum squirming around. You head to the toilet, sit down in a stall, and push ... but you cannot get anything to come out. With a little whimper, you return to your desk and get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to your colleagues, Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

Your stomach churns as you feel the worms in your rectum squirming around. You head to the toilet, sit down in a stall, and push ... but you cannot get anything to come out. With a little whimper, you return to your desk and get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?” She has sent it to the whole team.

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office, passing through the sales and IT departments on the way. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find the usual delivery man, Warren, waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. You often have a little chat with Ford or Justin at about this time. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads. On the way, you feel the worms inside your intestines wriggling around again, and you grimace unhappily.

You order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. On the way, you feel the worms inside your intestines wriggling around again, and you grimace unhappily.

Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Pushing against the floor with your feet, you roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide you should probably do something a little more constructive. You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass your colleague Stacey’s desk, you are not surprised to see her on Facebook, as usual.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass your colleague Stacey’s desk, you are not surprised to see her on Facebook, as usual.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass your colleague Stacey’s desk, you are not surprised to see her on Facebook, as usual.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass your colleague Stacey’s desk, you are not surprised to see her on Facebook, as usual.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office. There, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent, the managing director, walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you shift uncomfortably in your seat as the worms squirm around just inside your anus. Fortunately you manage to maintain your outward composure. After the meeting, you and Tina head back to Chapel Street ... but about halfway there, you suddenly gasp as you feel something slither out of your anus.

“Something wrong?” asks Tina.

Feeling flustered and rather panicky, you say, “I just need to get to a restroom really quickly!” With a sick feeling in your stomach, you realise you can feel several worms writhing around in the back of your panties.

“We’ll be back at the office in a minute,” says Tina anxiously. “Is this related to your ... issue?”

“Yes,” you say, feeling highly embarrassed. “Sorry.”

Once Tina has parked the car, you dash into the office and then walk to the restroom as quickly as possible while trying not to look like you are in a hurry. You lock yourself in a stall, hike your skirt up, and hastily pull down your panties.

Several large worms are squirming around blindly in the slight depression their combined weight is making in the white cotton material. You hurriedly tip them into the toilet, then you sit down and try to push more out. But even though your bowels are feeling uncomfortably full, you cannot get any more of the revolting roundworms to come out. Eventually, with a frustrated groan, you flush the toilet, pull your panties up, and leave the stall.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford and Justin, but you still manage to get a lot done, despite the considerable distraction of numerous worms squirming around just inside your anus.

Suddenly, however, to your horror, you feel something slither out of your anus. Jumping to your feet, you walk to the restroom as quickly as possible while trying not to look like you are in a hurry. You lock yourself in a stall, hike your skirt up, and hastily pull down your panties.

Several large worms are squirming around blindly in the slight depression their combined weight is making in the white cotton material. You hurriedly tip them into the toilet, then you sit down and try to push more out. But even though your bowels are feeling uncomfortably full, you cannot get any more of the revolting roundworms to come out. Eventually, with a frustrated groan, you flush the toilet, pull your panties up, and leave the stall.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media, trying to keep your mind off the worms that you can feel writhing around inside your rectum.

Midway through the evening you try, once again, to push them out into the toilet, but they continue to resist your efforts to expel them. A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media, trying to keep your mind off the worms that you can feel writhing around inside your rectum.

Midway through the evening you try, once again, to push them out into the toilet, but they continue to resist your efforts to expel them. A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

Another day, another dollar...

As usual, you get up and shower, then put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “How are you this morning?”

“Good thanks,” you say automatically.

“With Janine being out today, would you mind keeping an eye on the customs inbox?” asks Tina.

“Of course,” you reply. “No problem.”

You chat with her for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to your colleagues, Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

Your stomach churns as you feel the worms in your rectum squirming around. You head to the toilet, sit down in a stall, and push ... but you cannot get anything to come out. With a little whimper, you return to your desk and get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to your colleagues, Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

Your stomach churns as you feel the worms in your rectum squirming around. You head to the toilet, sit down in a stall, and push ... but you cannot get anything to come out. With a little whimper, you return to your desk and get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?” She has sent it to the whole team.

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office, passing through the sales and IT departments on the way. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find the usual delivery man, Warren, waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

Nobody replies to Tina. A minute later, she sends out another message: “Well jeez, I guess I’ll get them myself!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. Then she passes Stacey’s desk, where, after a glance at Stacey’s computer, she pauses. “Stacey, please come and see me in my office in ten minutes,” she says. You cannot see Stacey’s reaction from where you are sitting.

A couple of minutes later, Tina returns from the lobby with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

Not long afterwards, Stacey returns from Tina’s office in tears. “What happened?” asks Justin.

“She fired me!” says Stacey, starting to pack up her things. Then Tina comes over, looking rather sad, and stands watching Stacey with her arms folded. Five minutes later, it is all over: Stacey is gone.

“Jeez, Tina,” says Ford. “That was a bit harsh, wasn’t it? Just for being on Facebook?”

“It wasn’t just Facebook,” says Tina grimly. “And she’d had multiple warnings. God knows I tried – I gave her plenty of opportunities to improve. Anyway, what’s done is done.”

She shrugs her shoulders, then goes back to her office. Feeling rather stunned, you and your colleagues return to work.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads. On the way, you feel the worms inside your intestines wriggling around again, and you grimace unhappily.

You order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. On the way, you feel the worms inside your intestines wriggling around again, and you grimace unhappily.

Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Pushing against the floor with your feet, you roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide you should probably do something a little more constructive. You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass your colleague Stacey’s desk, you are not surprised to see her on Facebook, as usual.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass your colleague Stacey’s desk, you are not surprised to see her on Facebook, as usual.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass your colleague Stacey’s desk, you are not surprised to see her on Facebook, as usual.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass your colleague Stacey’s desk, you are not surprised to see her on Facebook, as usual.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office. There, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent, the managing director, walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you shift uncomfortably in your seat as the worms squirm around just inside your anus. Fortunately you manage to maintain your outward composure. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford and Justin, but you still manage to get a lot done, despite the considerable distraction of numerous worms squirming around just inside your anus. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media, trying to keep your mind off the worms that you can feel writhing around inside your rectum.

Midway through the evening you try, once again, to push them out into the toilet, but they continue to resist your efforts to expel them. A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media, trying to keep your mind off the worms that you can feel writhing around inside your rectum.

Midway through the evening you try, once again, to push them out into the toilet, but they continue to resist your efforts to expel them. A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

Another day, another dollar...

As usual, you get up and shower, then put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “How are you this morning?”

“Good thanks,” you say automatically.

You chat with her for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to your colleagues, Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

Your stomach churns as you feel the worms in your rectum squirming around. You head to the toilet, sit down in a stall, and push ... but you cannot get anything to come out. With a little whimper, you return to your desk and get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to your colleagues, Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

Your stomach churns as you feel the worms in your rectum squirming around. You head to the toilet, sit down in a stall, and push ... but you cannot get anything to come out. With a little whimper, you return to your desk and get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?” She has sent it to the whole team.

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office, passing through the sales and IT departments on the way. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find the usual delivery man, Warren, waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads. On the way, you feel the worms inside your intestines wriggling around again, and you grimace unhappily.

You order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. On the way, you feel the worms inside your intestines wriggling around again, and you grimace unhappily.

Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work.

Shortly before noon, however, you feel a sudden, rapidly growing pressure in your bowels, and you gasp in pain. As you get to your feet, the pain becomes too much to bear, and you strain hard to expel what feels like a thick, squirming turd. It rushes out into your panties, and you practically run to the restroom in a panic.

Once safely in a stall, you pull down your panties and stare, aghast, at the writhing mass of worms filling the back. You estimate there must be at least twenty of them, maybe even thirty. You hastily shake out your panties over the toilet bowl, and the worms drop with little splashes into the water. Then, squatting over the bowl, you try to force more out, but nothing else comes.

Your stomach churning, you flush the worms away, wash your hands, and return to your desk. Since it is now nearly lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Pushing against the floor with your feet, you roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work.

Shortly before noon, however, you feel a sudden, rapidly growing pressure in your bowels, and you gasp in pain. As you get to your feet, the pain becomes too much to bear, and you strain hard to expel what feels like a thick, squirming turd. It rushes out into your panties, and you practically run to the restroom in a panic.

Once safely in a stall, you pull down your panties and stare, aghast, at the writhing mass of worms filling the back. You estimate there must be at least twenty of them, maybe even thirty. You hastily shake out your panties over the toilet bowl, and the worms drop with little splashes into the water. Then, squatting over the bowl, you try to force more out, but nothing else comes.

Your stomach churning, you flush the worms away, wash your hands, and return to your desk. Since it is now nearly lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide you should probably do something a little more constructive, and get back to work.

Shortly before noon, however, you feel a sudden, rapidly growing pressure in your bowels, and you gasp in pain. As you get to your feet, the pain becomes too much to bear, and you strain hard to expel what feels like a thick, squirming turd. It rushes out into your panties, and you practically run to the restroom in a panic.

Once safely in a stall, you pull down your panties and stare, aghast, at the writhing mass of worms filling the back. You estimate there must be at least twenty of them, maybe even thirty. You hastily shake out your panties over the toilet bowl, and the worms drop with little splashes into the water. Then, squatting over the bowl, you try to force more out, but nothing else comes.

Your stomach churning, you flush the worms away, wash your hands, and return to your desk. Since it is now nearly lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office. There, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent, the managing director, walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you shift uncomfortably in your seat as the worms squirm around just inside your anus. Fortunately you manage to maintain your outward composure. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford and Justin, but you still manage to get a lot done, despite the considerable distraction of numerous worms squirming around just inside your anus. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media, trying to keep your mind off the worms that you can feel writhing around inside your rectum.

Midway through the evening you try, once again, to push them out into the toilet, but they continue to resist your efforts to expel them. A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media, trying to keep your mind off the worms that you can feel writhing around inside your rectum.

Midway through the evening you try, once again, to push them out into the toilet, but they continue to resist your efforts to expel them. A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

Another day, another dollar...

As usual, you get up and shower, then put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “How are you this morning?”

“Good thanks,” you say automatically.

You chat with her for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to your colleagues, Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

Your stomach churns as you feel the worms in your rectum squirming around. You head to the toilet, sit down in a stall, and push ... but you cannot get anything to come out. With a little whimper, you return to your desk and get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to your colleagues, Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

Your stomach churns as you feel the worms in your rectum squirming around. You head to the toilet, sit down in a stall, and push ... but you cannot get anything to come out. With a little whimper, you return to your desk and get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?” She has sent it to the whole team.

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office, passing through the sales and IT departments on the way. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find the usual delivery man, Warren, waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads. On the way, you feel the worms inside your intestines wriggling around again, and you grimace unhappily.

You order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. On the way, you feel the worms inside your intestines wriggling around again, and you grimace unhappily.

Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

Your worms choose this moment to squirm particularly vigorously against the inside of your anus, and you grimace.

“Are you okay?” asks Ford in concern.

You hesitate, then reply,

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“Not really, no...”

Pushing against the floor with your feet, you roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide you should probably do something a little more constructive. You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office. There, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent, the managing director, walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you shift uncomfortably in your seat as the worms squirm around just inside your anus. Fortunately you manage to maintain your outward composure. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford and Justin, but you still manage to get a lot done, despite the considerable distraction of numerous worms squirming around just inside your anus. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media, trying to keep your mind off the worms that you can feel writhing around inside your rectum.

Midway through the evening you try, once again, to push them out into the toilet, but they continue to resist your efforts to expel them. A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media, trying to keep your mind off the worms that you can feel writhing around inside your rectum.

Midway through the evening you try, once again, to push them out into the toilet, but they continue to resist your efforts to expel them. A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

Ford does not look convinced, but he says, “Okay, if you say so...”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

“Oh?” says Ford.

You blush in embarrassment. “It seems I must have eaten some contaminated meat, or something, when I was in Africa,” you tell him in a low voice. “I kinda ... brought something back with me.”

“Uh-oh,” says Ford. Then his eyes widen. “Oh no – like, a tapeworm?”

“Something like that,” you admit. “Hush though – I don’t want everyone to know. I’m sure my doctor will sort me out in no time. I have an appointment with her tomorrow afternoon.”

“I hope so!” says Ford. “Good luck!”

You continue to chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads. On the way, you feel the worms inside your intestines wriggling around again, and you grimace unhappily.

You order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. On the way, you feel the worms inside your intestines wriggling around again, and you grimace unhappily.

Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office. There, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent, the managing director, walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you shift uncomfortably in your seat as the worms squirm around just inside your anus. Fortunately you manage to maintain your outward composure. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford and Justin, but you still manage to get a lot done, despite the considerable distraction of numerous worms squirming around just inside your anus. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media, trying to keep your mind off the worms that you can feel writhing around inside your rectum.

Midway through the evening you try, once again, to push them out into the toilet, but they continue to resist your efforts to expel them. A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media, trying to keep your mind off the worms that you can feel writhing around inside your rectum.

Midway through the evening you try, once again, to push them out into the toilet, but they continue to resist your efforts to expel them. A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

Another day, another dollar...

As usual, you get up and shower, then put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “How are you this morning?”

“Good thanks,” you reply. “Looking forward to this afternoon!”

“I’m sure!” says Tina with a smile.

You chat with her for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to your colleagues, Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

Your stomach churns as you feel the worms in your rectum squirming around. You head to the toilet, sit down in a stall, and push ... but you cannot get anything to come out. With a sigh, you return to your desk and get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to your colleagues, Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

Your stomach churns as you feel the worms in your rectum squirming around. You head to the toilet, sit down in a stall, and push ... but you cannot get anything to come out. With a sigh, you return to your desk and get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?” She has sent it to the whole team.

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office, passing through the sales and IT departments on the way. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find Warren waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads. On the way, you feel the worms inside your intestines wriggling around again, and you grimace unhappily.

You order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. On the way, you feel the worms inside your intestines wriggling around again, and you grimace unhappily.

Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Pushing against the floor with your feet, you roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide you should probably do something a little more constructive. You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

At about twenty to two, you leave the office and head to your doctor’s appointment. Arriving with five minutes to spare, you report at the window, then sit down in the waiting room. When a nurse calls your name, you get up and follow her through a door and down a corridor. She checks your height, weight, pulse, and blood pressure, and then she tells you that the doctor will be right with you.

You do not have to wait long before the door opens and Doctor Lemmon’s friendly face appears. “Hi Penny!” she says.

“Hi,” you reply, now feeling a little nervous.

“What can I do for you today?” asks the doctor cheerfully.

You take a deep breath, then say,

“My bowels are full of worms.”

“It’s probably best if you see for yourself.”

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

At about twenty to two, you leave the office and head to your doctor’s appointment. Arriving with five minutes to spare, you report at the window, then sit down in the waiting room. When a nurse calls your name, you get up and follow her through a door and down a corridor. She checks your height, weight, pulse, and blood pressure, and then she tells you that the doctor will be right with you.

You do not have to wait long before the door opens and Doctor Lemmon’s friendly face appears. “Hi Penny!” she says.

“Hi,” you reply, now feeling a little nervous.

“What can I do for you today?” asks the doctor cheerfully.

You take a deep breath, then say,

“My bowels are full of worms.”

“It’s probably best if you see for yourself.”

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

At about twenty to two, you leave the office and head to your doctor’s appointment. Arriving with five minutes to spare, you report at the window, then sit down in the waiting room. When a nurse calls your name, you get up and follow her through a door and down a corridor. She checks your height, weight, pulse, and blood pressure, and then she tells you that the doctor will be right with you.

You do not have to wait long before the door opens and Doctor Lemmon’s friendly face appears. “Hi Penny!” she says.

“Hi,” you reply, now feeling a little nervous.

“What can I do for you today?” asks the doctor cheerfully.

You take a deep breath, then say,

“My bowels are full of worms.”

“It’s probably best if you see for yourself.”

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

At about twenty to two, you leave the office and head to your doctor’s appointment. Arriving with five minutes to spare, you report at the window, then sit down in the waiting room. When a nurse calls your name, you get up and follow her through a door and down a corridor. She checks your height, weight, pulse, and blood pressure, and then she tells you that the doctor will be right with you.

You do not have to wait long before the door opens and Doctor Lemmon’s friendly face appears. “Hi Penny!” she says.

“Hi,” you reply, now feeling a little nervous.

“What can I do for you today?” asks the doctor cheerfully.

You take a deep breath, then say,

“My bowels are full of worms.”

“It’s probably best if you see for yourself.”

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office. “How did it go?” she asks.

You tell her about your visit to the doctor, and Tina shudders. “You poor thing,” she says. “I hope the meds work quickly!”

When you arrive at the office, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent, the managing director, walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you shift uncomfortably in your seat as the worms squirm around just inside your anus. Fortunately you manage to maintain your outward composure. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford and Justin, but you still manage to get a lot done, despite the considerable distraction of numerous worms squirming around just inside your anus. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Driving straight to Rite Aid, you pick up your prescription. Then, pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You head home, swallow your first pill with some water, then eat your pizza in front of the television. You spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media, trying to keep your mind off the worms that you can feel writhing around inside your rectum.

Midway through the evening you try, once again, to push them out into the toilet, but they continue to resist your efforts to expel them. A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home, swallow your first pill with some water, then make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media, trying to keep your mind off the worms that you can feel writhing around inside your rectum.

Midway through the evening you try, once again, to push them out into the toilet, but they continue to resist your efforts to expel them. A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

“Oh?” says Dr Lemmon. “Well that can’t be very pleasant. You’ve seen these worms, then? Can you describe them?”

“About a foot long,” you say. “Very pale in colour, and about this thick.” You show her with your fingers. “They’ve been coming out of my ... anus.”

“Sounds like Ascaris lumbricoides – the giant roundworm,” says the doctor. “Have you had any coughing fits lately?”

You shake your head.

“How are your bowel movements?” asks Dr Lemmon.

“Nonexistent,” you tell her. “I haven’t passed anything in over two weeks – except for worms.”

“Hmm,” says the doctor, frowning. “Any abdominal discomfort?”

“Some,” you say, nodding. “Mainly just before a bunch of worms come out. Then it feels like I really need to poop badly, and I can’t even get to the bathroom in time.”

“Well it certainly sounds like Ascariasis,” says Dr Lemmon, “though the symptoms are a little atypical. Nonetheless, there are plenty of meds that will take care of it. I’ll prescribe you some Mebendazole – just take two pills a day until you run out, and you should find yourself passing the dead worms in your faeces. Hopefully your bowel movements will return to normal a day or so after you complete the course, but if not, give us a call.”

“Okay,” you say, nodding. “Will do. Thank you.”

Dr Lemmon sends the prescription to your local Rite Aid, then you check out at reception, and leave the building.

When you get back to the office, you head straight to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

“Well now I’m intrigued!” says Dr Lemmon with a smile.

You pause as you rise from your chair. “I’ll need you to look in my ... um ... rectum.” You can feel your cheeks turning red as you say this.

“Oh!” says the doctor, a little taken aback. “Well I don’t normally do that – I’m not equipped for colonoscopies and so on. Normally I’d refer you to a specialist for that.”

“Oh,” you say, sitting back down. “Well ... I seem to have worms in there.”

“Ah,” says Dr Lemmon, nodding. “Well that can’t be very pleasant. You’ve seen these worms, then? Can you describe them?”

“About a foot long,” you say. “Very pale in colour, and about this thick.” You show her with your fingers. “They’ve been coming out of my ... anus.”

“Sounds like Ascaris lumbricoides – the giant roundworm,” says the doctor. “Have you had any coughing fits lately?”

You shake your head.

“How are your bowel movements?” asks Dr Lemmon.

“Nonexistent,” you tell her. “I haven’t passed anything in over two weeks – except for worms.”

“Hmm,” says the doctor, frowning. “Any abdominal discomfort?”

“Some,” you say, nodding. “Mainly just before a bunch of worms come out. Then it feels like I really need to poop badly, and I can’t even get to the bathroom in time.”

“Well it certainly sounds like Ascariasis,” says Dr Lemmon, “though the symptoms are a little atypical. Nonetheless, there are plenty of meds that will take care of it. I’ll prescribe you some Mebendazole – just take two pills a day until you run out, and you should find yourself passing the dead worms in your faeces. Hopefully your bowel movements will return to normal a day or so after you complete the course, but if not, give us a call.”

“Okay,” you say, nodding. “Will do. Thank you.”

Dr Lemmon sends the prescription to your local Rite Aid, then you check out at reception, and leave the building.

When you get back to the office, you head straight to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

Another day, another dollar...

As usual, you get up and shower, then put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “How are you this morning?”

“Good thanks,” you say automatically.

You chat with her for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to your colleagues, Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

You cannot feel any squirming in your rectum this morning, which is a good sign. You go to the toilet and attempt to defecate, but without success. With a sigh, you return to your desk and get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to your colleagues, Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

You cannot feel any squirming in your rectum this morning, which is a good sign. You go to the toilet and attempt to defecate, but without success. With a sigh, you return to your desk and get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?” She has sent it to the whole team.

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office, passing through the sales and IT departments on the way. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find Warren waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads. On the way, you think you feel movement inside your rectum, but you are not completely sure.

You order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. On the way, you think you feel movement inside your rectum, but you are not completely sure.

Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Pushing against the floor with your feet, you roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide you should probably do something a little more constructive. You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office. There, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent, the managing director, walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you listen attentively, trying to learn what you can. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford and Justin, but you still manage to get a lot done. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media, trying to keep your mind off the worms that you know are still inside you.

Midway through the evening you try, once again, to push them out into the toilet, but nothing comes out. A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media, trying to keep your mind off the worms that you know are still inside you.

Midway through the evening you try, once again, to push them out into the toilet, but nothing comes out. A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

Another day, another dollar.

As usual, you get up and shower, then put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “How are you this morning?”

“Good thanks,” you say automatically.

You chat with her for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to your colleagues, Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

You cannot feel any squirming in your rectum this morning, which is a good sign. You go to the toilet and attempt to defecate, but without success. With a sigh, you return to your desk and get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to your colleagues, Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

You cannot feel any squirming in your rectum this morning, which is a good sign. You go to the toilet and attempt to defecate, but without success. With a sigh, you return to your desk and get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?” She has sent it to the whole team.

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office, passing through the sales and IT departments on the way. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find Warren waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads. On the way, you think you feel movement inside your rectum, but you are not completely sure.

You order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. On the way, you think you feel movement inside your rectum, but you are not completely sure.

Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Pushing against the floor with your feet, you roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide you should probably do something a little more constructive. You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office. On the way, you pass through some construction, and as the car shudders along an unpaved section of the road, you feel your bowels begin to move. The pressure builds steadily, and you...

resolve to hold it in until you get to the office.

decide to empty your bowels right here and now.

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford and Justin, but you still manage to get a lot done. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media, trying to keep your mind off the worms that you know are still inside you.

Midway through the evening you try, once again, to push them out into the toilet, but nothing comes out. A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media, trying to keep your mind off the worms that you know are still inside you.

Midway through the evening you try, once again, to push them out into the toilet, but nothing comes out. A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

With a great effort, you manage to hold it in. Unfortunately, by the time you arrive at the Mason Road office, the urge has completely subsided, and when you hurry into the ladies’, you find yourself unable to push anything out. Disappointed, you meet up with Tina in the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you listen attentively, trying to learn what you can. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

“Oh my gosh,” you exclaim, as you relax your anus and start to push. “Something’s coming out...”

A thick column begins to slide out of your rectum, tenting out your panties beneath your skirt. Tina stares at you, wide-eyed. “You’re ... having an accident?”

“Pretty sure it’s just worms!” you gasp, your eyes watering. Then the flow stops, as the column gets stuck. “Oh God,” you mutter. “Ow ... ow!! It hurts!!!”

Tina pulls the car over and parks against the kerb. “What can I do?” she asks anxiously.

Struggling vainly to force more of the column through your anus, you groan, “Thanks Tina, but this is my gross problem to deal with...”

“Don’t be silly,” says Tina firmly. “I don’t want you rupturing yourself there. If there’s something I can do to help, let me help! I can handle gross.”

You reply,

“Sweet of you Tina, but I’ll manage...”

“Okay okay – can you help pull them out?”

With a mighty effort, you manage to get the column moving again. A ball of tangled worm bodies stretches your anus wide open, then it eventually pops through, followed by a rush of more worms, which you continue to push out for the next minute or so. Finally, your anus closes up.

“Whew!” you say, panting, as you hold yourself up with your bottom several inches above the passenger seat. “But ugh – my panties are just full of worms now!”

“Are they moving?” inquires Tina.

You shake your head, relieved. “No – they seem completely still.”

Tina reaches into the back seat and grabs a polythene bag. “Here,” she says, “you can dump them out into this if you like.”

You shudder. “Thanks,” you say, “but I’d prefer to deal with this in the restroom. Then I can dump them into the toilet.”

Tina shrugs. “Suit yourself,” she says. “As long as you’re sure you won’t have worms falling out of your panties before you get there.”

This is an alarming possibility,

but you are confident that your panties will keep the worms contained.

and you decide to take up Tina’s offer.

“Of course,” says Tina. She reaches into the back seat and retrieves an empty polythene bag.

You unfasten your seatbelt, hike your skirt up, then, shifting your bottom to the edge of the seat nearest Tina, you lean away from her and tug your panties down to your knees.

“Wow, okay,” says Tina, staring down at the mass of worms sticking out of your anus. “Well they all look dead, anyway.” She grabs hold of the entire column, and tries to pull them, but they are slippery and squishy. “Try pushing at the same time as I pull,” she suggests.

You bear down, and slowly, a ball of tangled worm bodies stretches your anus wide open. Finally it pops through, followed by a rush of more worms, which you continue to push out as Tina pulls from her end. Eventually your anus closes up, and Tina stuffs the dead worms into her bag. Then she ties the two handles together, and cleans her hands with a couple of tissues.

“Feel better?” she asks.

“Much,” you reply, pulling your panties back up. “Thank you so much, Tina – that was above and beyond the call of duty!”

“You’re welcome,” she says. “Now let’s get to our meeting.”

You arrive at Mason Road with no time to spare, so you leave the bag in Tina’s car. Inside, you go straight to the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you listen attentively, trying to learn what you can. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street, where you discreetly empty out the poly bag into a toilet, and flush away all the dead worms.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Tina resumes driving, and soon you arrive at Mason Road. You carefully get out of the car, then head inside. With barely a minute remaining before the start of the meeting, you hurry into the restroom, where you hike up your skirt and pull down your panties.

They are, as you suspected, full of worms. You shudder in revulsion as you stare at the tangled mass of nematode bodies, then you quickly shake them into the toilet. Flushing, you make your way back towards the conference room, but then your heart leaps into your mouth as you see a single, white-ish worm lying on the carpet ahead of you.

As you pass it, you stoop and deftly scoop it up, tucking it into your purse for later disposal. Then you head into the meeting. Just as you take a seat next to Tina, Ryan Vincent enters, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you listen attentively, trying to learn what you can. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

“All right,” you concede. “The bag probably is a good idea.” You unfasten your seatbelt, then hike your skirt up.

“Wow!” says Tina, staring at your panties, which are sagging down below your elevated buttocks under the weight of dozens and dozens – possibly hundreds – of worms. As you raise yourself up still further, she holds the bag open below your bottom. You carefully tug your panties down, inverting them so that the worms spill out into the bag.

“Christ, you poor thing!” says Tina, shuddering. “They all look dead, at least, so your meds must have worked.”

“Yes – that’s quite a relief,” you say. Having emptied your panties, you pull them back up, tug your skirt down, and refasten your seatbelt while Tina ties the handles of the bag together.

“All right!” she says. “Now let’s get to our meeting.”

You arrive at Mason Road with no time to spare, so you leave the bag in Tina’s car. Inside, you go straight to the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you listen attentively, trying to learn what you can. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street, where you discreetly empty out the poly bag into a toilet, and flush away all the dead worms.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Another day, another dollar...

As usual, you get up and shower, then put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “How are you this morning?”

“Good thanks!” you reply. “No sign of further worm activity, at least!”

“Glad to hear it,” says Tina with a smile.

You chat with her for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

You cannot feel any squirming in your rectum this morning, which is a good sign. You go to the toilet and manage a small bowel movement, which is another good sign. You notice a few dead worms in the toilet bowl too. Having flushed and washed your hands, you return to your desk and get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

You cannot feel any squirming in your rectum this morning, which is a good sign. You go to the toilet and manage a small bowel movement, which is another good sign. You notice a few dead worms in the toilet bowl too. Having flushed and washed your hands, you return to your desk and get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?” She has sent it to the whole team.

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office, passing through the sales and IT departments on the way. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find Warren waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads, where you order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Pushing against the floor with your feet, you roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide you should probably do something a little more constructive. You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s empty desk, you sigh at the loss of your colleague.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office. There, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you listen attentively, trying to learn what you can. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford and Justin, but you still manage to get a lot done. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

As you are preparing to leave, Tina comes over. “Hey Penny,” she says. “Glad you’re still here. Stacey’s replacement starts tomorrow – young guy called Tyler Bingham. I was hoping you might introduce him to everyone and keep him occupied until nine thirty, when he needs to meet with Dani for his orientation. Unfortunately I have a conference call first thing tomorrow, otherwise I’d do it myself...”

“Of course!” you reply. “Happy to.”

“Thanks!” says Tina. “Have a good night, then.”

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

Another day, another dollar...

As usual, you get up and shower, then put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “This is Tyler.”

The tall, handsome young man standing next to Tina’s desk smiles at you and extends his hand.

“Hi Tyler!” you say, shaking his hand. “Nice to meet you – welcome to the team!”

“I have to jump on a call,” says Tina. “Penny will look after you this morning, Tyler – I’ll catch up with you after your orientation.”

“Okay,” says Tyler, nodding.

“Come right this way, Tyler,” you say, stepping back out of Tina’s office. He follows, and you take him to meet Janine, Ford, and Justin. You explain to him what each member of the team does, what he himself will be responsible for, and how the accounts department interacts with other groups. Then, with a few minutes to spare before his orientation, you give him a quick systems overview. At half past, you take him to meet Dani Pritchard, the Human Resources Manager. Having handed him over, you go to your desk and start the day’s work.

You cannot feel any squirming in your rectum this morning, which is a good sign. You go to the toilet and manage a moderate bowel movement, which is another good sign. There are no dead worms in the toilet bowl today, which you hope is also a good sign. Having flushed and washed your hands, you return to your desk and get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

But then Tina comes over with a tall, handsome young man whom she introduces as Tyler. You smile and jump to your feet, and shake his hand when he offers it.

“I’m late for a conference call,” says Tina, “but Penny will look after you this morning, Tyler. I’ll catch up with you after your orientation.”

“Okay, see you later,” says Tyler.

You proceed to explain to him what each member of the team does, what he himself will be responsible for, and how the accounts department interacts with other groups. Then, with a few minutes to spare before his orientation, you give him a quick systems overview. At half past, you take him to meet Dani Pritchard, the Human Resources Manager. Having handed him over, you go to your desk and start the day’s work.

You cannot feel any squirming in your rectum this morning, which is a good sign. You go to the toilet and manage a moderate bowel movement, which is another good sign. There are no dead worms in the toilet bowl today, which you hope is also a good sign. Having flushed and washed your hands, you return to your desk and get to work.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office, passing through the sales and IT departments on the way. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find Warren waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads, where you order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Pushing against the floor with your feet, you roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide you should probably do something a little more constructive. You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s desk, you smile to see Tyler sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s desk, you smile to see Tyler sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s desk, you smile to see Tyler sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Stacey’s desk, you smile to see Tyler sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office. There, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you listen attentively, trying to learn what you can. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford, Justin, and Tyler, but you still manage to get a lot done. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

Another day, another dollar...

As usual, you get up and shower, then put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “How are you this morning?”

“Good thanks!” you reply.

You chat with her for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you say “Good morning Tyler!”

Tyler turns around and smiles. “Good morning Penny,” he says.

You continue onward, passing through the sales and IT departments. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find Warren waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

chat with Tyler?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads, where you order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

As you approach Tyler’s desk, he looks up and smiles at you. “Hi Penny,” he says.

He really is very good-looking, and you find your heart racing a little as you nonchalantly perch on the edge of his table. In this position your left buttock is sitting on the laminated surface, your left knee is bent, and your left foot is dangling about twelve inches off the floor, while your right leg remains extended, your right foot firmly planted on the carpet. It is a slightly awkward position, since your knee-length skirt will only allow your thighs so much freedom of movement, but you manage to make it look cool and casual ... you hope.

“Hi Tyler,” you reply, noting that he just glanced down at your bare left knee. Then you say,

“How are you settling in?”

“Tell me about yourself.”

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide you should probably do something a little more constructive. You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

“Good, thanks,” says Tyler, nodding. “Everyone’s been really nice, and I’m learning a lot from Justin.”

“Excellent,” you say. “Yeah, Justin’s a good teacher – I’m sure he’ll have you flying solo in no time.”

You chat with him for a few more minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Tyler shrugs. “Well, I’m originally from Oregon, but my parents moved here when I was fifteen. I got a degree in political science, but it didn’t really lead to much work, so I entered the business sector. This is only my second proper job, actually – my first was as an insurance clerk. I really didn’t enjoy that, I have to say.”

“Well I’m sure you’ll have a better experience here,” you tell him with a warm smile.

You chat with him for a few more minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office. There, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you listen attentively, trying to learn what you can. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford, Justin, and Tyler, but you still manage to get a lot done. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

Another day, another dollar...

As usual, you get up and shower, then put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “How are you this morning?”

“Good thanks!” you reply.

You chat with her for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you say “Good morning Tyler!”

Tyler turns around and smiles. “Good morning Penny,” he says.

You continue onward, passing through the sales and IT departments. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find Warren waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

chat with Tyler?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads, where you order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

As you approach Tyler’s desk, he looks up and smiles at you. “Hi Penny,” he says.

He really is very good-looking, and you find your heart racing a little as you nonchalantly perch on the edge of his table. Once again the position is slightly awkward, and it crosses your mind that this would be easier in a slightly shorter skirt. Or if you hiked up your skirt a little before you sat on the table. But what would Tyler think if you did that?

“Hi Tyler,” you reply, noting that he once again glanced down at your bare left knee. Then you say,

“Things still going well?”

“Nice day today, isn’t it?”

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide you should probably do something a little more constructive. You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

“Yes thanks,” says Tyler, nodding. “I’m getting pretty comfortable with the systems, and learning a lot.”

“Good!” you say.

You chat with him for a few more minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Tyler smiles, and nods. “Yeah it is,” he says. “I might take another walk along the lake trail at lunchtime.”

You chat with him for a few more minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office. There, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you listen attentively, trying to learn what you can. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford, Justin, and Tyler, but you still manage to get a lot done. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

Another day, another dollar...

As usual, you get up and shower, then put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “How are you this morning?”

“Good thanks!” you reply.

You chat with her for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you say “Good morning Tyler!”

Tyler turns around and smiles. “Good morning Penny,” he says.

You continue onward, passing through the sales and IT departments. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find Warren waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

chat with Tyler?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads, where you order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

As you approach Tyler’s desk, he looks up and smiles at you. “Hi Penny,” he says.

He really is very good-looking, and you find your heart racing a little as you nonchalantly perch on the edge of his table. Once again the position is slightly awkward, and it crosses your mind that this would be easier in a slightly shorter skirt. Or if you hiked up your skirt a little before you sat on the table. But what would Tyler think if you did that?

“Hi Tyler,” you reply, noting that he once again glanced down at your bare left knee. Then you say,

“Things still going well?”

“Nice day today, isn’t it?”

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide you should probably do something a little more constructive. You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

“Yes thanks,” says Tyler, nodding. “I’m getting pretty comfortable with the systems, and learning a lot.”

“Good!” you say.

You chat with him for a few more minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Tyler smiles, and nods. “Yeah it is,” he says. “I might take another walk along the lake trail at lunchtime.”

You chat with him for a few more minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office. On the way, you feel a familiar squirming sensation just inside your anus, and you stiffen in alarm.

“Something wrong?” asks Tina.

You can no longer feel anything. “Probably just my imagination,” you reply uneasily.

“Are you still on your meds?” asks Tina.

You shake your head. “No – it was only a three-day course. And for a while everything seemed fine. But now ... I seem to be a little ‘blocked up’. So I’m perhaps a little over-sensitive to every little tingle. Like I said, probably just my imagination.”

“Hope so!” says Tina.

Once she has parked her car outside the office, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you listen attentively, trying to learn what you can. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford, Justin, and Tyler, but you still manage to get a lot done. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

Another day, another dollar...

As usual, you get up and shower, then put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “How are you this morning?”

“Good thanks!” you reply.

You chat with her for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you say “Good morning Tyler!”

Tyler turns around and smiles. “Good morning Penny,” he says.

You continue onward, passing through the sales and IT departments. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find Warren waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

chat with Tyler?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads, where you order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

As you approach Tyler’s desk, he looks up and smiles at you. “Hi Penny,” he says.

He really is very good-looking, and you find your heart racing a little as you nonchalantly perch on the edge of his table. Once again the position is slightly awkward, and it crosses your mind that this would be easier in a slightly shorter skirt. Or if you hiked up your skirt a little before you sat on the table. But what would Tyler think if you did that?

Maybe it is time to find out. Or maybe not. As Tyler glances down at your left knee, you...

say, “Hi Tyler.”

stand up, tug your skirt up a few inches, then sit back down.

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide you should probably do something a little more constructive. You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

Perhaps, you think to yourself, such a transparently obvious move would turn Tyler off ... and then you would have achieved nothing but making a fool of yourself.

You chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Tyler grins down at your exposed thigh. “Wow,” he says.

“Sorry,” you apologise. “It’s just that my skirt’s kind of long and tight for that position to be comfortable. If only there were a spare chair...”

“No need to apologise on my account,” Tyler assures you with a smile. “You just totally brightened my morning.”

You laugh good-naturedly, feeling glad you were bold enough to make this move.

You chat with Tyler for a few more minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office. There, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you listen attentively, trying to learn what you can. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford, Justin, and Tyler, but you still manage to get a lot done. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

Another day, another dollar...

As usual, you get up and shower, then put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “How are you this morning?”

“Good thanks!” you reply.

You chat with her for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you say “Good morning Tyler!”

Tyler turns around and smiles. “Good morning Penny,” he says.

You continue onward, passing through the sales and IT departments. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find Warren waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

chat with Tyler?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads, where you order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

As you approach Tyler’s desk, he looks up and smiles at you. “Hi Penny,” he says.

He really is very good-looking, and you find your heart racing a little as, once again, you hike up your skirt a few inches and perch on the edge of his table. He grins down at your exposed thigh. “Very nice,” he says.

You chuckle, then say,

“How are things going, Tyler?”

“My eyes are up here, Tyler.”

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide you should probably do something a little more constructive. You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

“Good thanks,” says Tyler. “I think I’m getting the hang of things.”

“Excellent,” you say.

You chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Tyler’s eyes flick up to your face. “Sorry,” he says, but his smirk does not seem very repentant.

You chat with Tyler for a few more minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office. There, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you listen attentively, trying to learn what you can. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford, Justin, and Tyler, but you still manage to get a lot done. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

Midway through the evening you realise you can definitely feel squirming in your rectum, and your heart sinks; the worms are definitely back. You sit on the toilet for a while, but cannot push anything out.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

Midway through the evening you realise you can definitely feel squirming in your rectum, and your heart sinks; the worms are definitely back. You sit on the toilet for a while, but cannot push anything out.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

Another day, another dollar...

As usual, you get up and shower, then put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

As you drive, you can feel the worms in your rectum squirming against the inside of your anus, and you shudder in disgust. Once you have parked your car, you take a minute to call Doctor Lemmon’s office, and when Cherie answers, you ask if Doctor Lemmon is available.

“Just a minute please,” says Cherie. Then, a moment later, she comes back on the line. “Just putting you through.”

“Hello Penny!” says Doctor Lemmon. “The Mebendazole didn’t work?”

“Briefly,” you reply. “A lot of dead worms came out, but after a few days I started feeling more movement.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” says Doctor Lemmon. “I’d like you to get an MRI – it will help us assess the extent of the issue. Can you get to the hospital this afternoon?”

“Sure,” you reply, and you make a note of her instructions.

Having ended the call, you get out of your car, walk into the building, and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “How are you this morning?”

“Not great,” you admit. “Need to get an MRI this afternoon. The worms are definitely back.”

“That sucks,” says Tina, looking dismayed. “Do you need the afternoon off?”

You shake your head. “No – I shouldn’t be gone for much more than an hour, I hope.”

You continue chatting with her for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer. Before doing anything else, you message Tina to let her know about your hospital appointment this afternoon. She responds, “Sorry to hear the worms are back! No problem re appointment – and good luck!”

“Thanks,” you reply.

After answering a few emails, you see another instant message from Tina, this one addressed to everyone: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you say “Good morning Tyler!”

Tyler turns around and smiles. “Good morning Penny,” he says.

You continue onward, passing through the sales and IT departments. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find Warren waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

chat with Tyler?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads, where you order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

As you approach Tyler’s desk, he looks up and smiles at you. “Hi Penny,” he says.

He really is very good-looking, and you find your heart racing a little as, once again, you hike up your skirt a few inches and perch on the edge of his table. He grins down at your exposed thigh. “Very nice,” he says.

You chuckle, then say,

“How are things going, Tyler?”

“My eyes are up here, Tyler.”

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide you should probably do something a little more constructive. You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

An hour later, you leave the office and head to the hospital for your appointment. After filling out a questionnaire, you change into a hospital gown, and enter the scan room. You are given a pair of ear plugs, which you put in, and then you climb on to the MRI table.

The scan itself takes about an hour, but it is painless, and you spend the time thinking about Tyler, and wondering if he is attracted to you. Afterwards, you change back into your clothes, and the nurse tells you to call your doctor for the results. You check out at reception, and return to the office.

You have only just sat down when you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

An hour later, you leave the office and head to the hospital for your appointment. After filling out a questionnaire, you change into a hospital gown, and enter the scan room. You are given a pair of ear plugs, which you put in, and then you climb on to the MRI table.

The scan itself takes about an hour, but it is painless, and you spend the time thinking about Tyler, and wondering if he is attracted to you. Afterwards, you change back into your clothes, and the nurse tells you to call your doctor for the results. You check out at reception, and return to the office.

You have only just sat down when you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

An hour later, you leave the office and head to the hospital for your appointment. After filling out a questionnaire, you change into a hospital gown, and enter the scan room. You are given a pair of ear plugs, which you put in, and then you climb on to the MRI table.

The scan itself takes about an hour, but it is painless, and you spend the time thinking about Tyler, and wondering if he is attracted to you. Afterwards, you change back into your clothes, and the nurse tells you to call your doctor for the results. You check out at reception, and return to the office.

You have only just sat down when you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

An hour later, you leave the office and head to the hospital for your appointment. After filling out a questionnaire, you change into a hospital gown, and enter the scan room. You are given a pair of ear plugs, which you put in, and then you climb on to the MRI table.

The scan itself takes about an hour, but it is painless, and you spend the time thinking about Tyler, and wondering if he is attracted to you. Afterwards, you change back into your clothes, and the nurse tells you to call your doctor for the results. You check out at reception, and return to the office.

You have only just sat down when you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

“Good thanks,” says Tyler. “I think I’m getting the hang of things.”

“Excellent,” you say.

You chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Tyler’s eyes flick up to your face. “Sorry,” he says, but his smirk does not seem very repentant.

You chat with Tyler for a few more minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office.

“How did it go?” she asks.

“Fine,” you reply. “I won’t know the results until tomorrow at the earliest, though – the radiologist has to review the images and then report his findings to my doctor.”

Tina nods. “The waiting must suck,” she remarks.

“It does,” you agree.

When you get to the Mason Road office, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you listen attentively, trying to learn what you can. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford, Justin, and Tyler, but you still manage to get a lot done. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

Midway through the evening you realise you can definitely feel squirming in your rectum, and your heart sinks; the worms are definitely back. You sit on the toilet for a while, but cannot push anything out.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

Midway through the evening you realise you can definitely feel squirming in your rectum, and your heart sinks; the worms are definitely back. You sit on the toilet for a while, but cannot push anything out.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

Another day, another dollar...

As usual, you get up and shower, then put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “How are you this morning?”

“Okay thanks,” you reply.

You chat with her for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you say “Good morning Tyler!”

Tyler turns around and smiles. “Good morning Penny,” he says.

You continue onward, passing through the sales and IT departments. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find Warren waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

chat with Tyler?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads, where you order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

As you approach Tyler’s desk, he looks up and smiles at you. “Hi Penny,” he says.

He really is very good-looking, and you find your heart racing a little as, once again, you hike up your skirt a few inches and perch on the edge of his table. He grins down at your exposed thigh. “Very nice,” he says.

You chuckle, then say,

“How are things going, Tyler?”

“My eyes are up here, Tyler.”

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, until it occurs to you to call Doctor Lemmon’s office. After putting you on hold for a few minutes, Cherie puts you through to the doctor.

“Hi Penny,” says Doctor Lemmon. “How are you feeling?”

“As well as can be expected,” you reply. “What’s the news? Do you have my results?”

“I just finished reviewing them,” says the doctor. “The good news is that the worms are concentrated mainly in the large intestine rather than the small intestine, which means that the impact on your nutrient uptake is minimal. Additionally, although the worms are effectively blocking your colon, there seems to be no significant build-up of faecal matter behind them. They seem to be consuming it all and excreting almost nothing themselves – which is very strange indeed.”

“Okay...?” you say. “And the bad news?”

“Well,” says Doctor Lemmon, “the bad news is that I’ve never heard of a case like this. The behaviour and life cycle of these worms are unlike those of Ascaris lumbricoides. We may be looking at a new species – and there, I’m afraid, I’m a little out of my depth. I’d like to refer you to a specialist in the field of parasitology – his name is Salman Kapoor, and he’s actually based at this hospital, which is serendipitous. If you’re amenable, I’ll give you his number and you can set up an appointment.”

“Sure,” you say, though you are feeling a little uncomfortable at the thought of discussing this topic with a man.

She gives you the number, and once you have hung up with Doctor Lemmon, you call Doctor Kapoor’s office right away. Unfortunately he is in Seattle this week for a conference, so you grab the earliest available appointment, and resign yourself to putting up with your unwanted guests until then.

With a sigh, you get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, getting some training from Justin.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

“Good thanks,” says Tyler. “I think I’m getting the hang of things.”

“Excellent,” you say.

You chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Tyler’s eyes flick up to your face. “Sorry,” he says, but his smirk does not seem very repentant.

You chat with Tyler for a few more minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office. There, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you listen attentively, trying to learn what you can. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford, Justin, and Tyler, but you still manage to get a lot done. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

Another day, another dollar...

As usual, you get up and shower, then put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina looks upset as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says.

“What’s wrong?” you inquire, concerned.

“You probably know that Glenda’s retiring,” she says. “I had been hoping to get her job – God knows I’ve earned it. But Ryan just told me he’s giving the job to Cliff!”

Your jaw drops. “But Cliff’s been a manager for what, all of ten minutes?”

“Exactly,” growls Tina. “But they’re bowling buddies, and golf buddies, and who knows whatever the fuck else. It stinks.”

“It’s outrageous!” you say. “Isn’t there something you can do about it?”

Tina shrugs. “Like what? Sue? Ryan’s the MD – he can promote who he likes. I doubt I’d gain anything by suing except a whole lot of legal bills. No – I’ll probably just quit.”

“Quit?” you echo, dismayed. “You can’t quit, Tina! What would we do without you?”

Tina chuckles. “You’d be fine. You might even get my job, Penny! But hush – let’s not jump the gun. I haven’t made a decision yet. I’m just kinda pissed right now, that’s all.”

“Understandably,” you remark.

You chat with her for a couple more minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you say “Good morning Tyler!”

Tyler turns around and smiles. “Good morning Penny,” he says.

You continue onward, passing through the sales and IT departments. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find Warren waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

chat with Tyler?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads, where you order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

As you approach Tyler’s desk, he looks up and smiles at you. “Hi Penny,” he says.

He really is very good-looking, and you find your heart racing a little as, once again, you hike up your skirt a few inches and perch on the edge of his table. He grins down at your exposed thigh. “Very nice,” he says.

You chuckle, then say,

“How are things going, Tyler?”

“My eyes are up here, Tyler.”

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide you should probably do something a little more constructive. You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

“Good thanks,” says Tyler. “I think I’m getting the hang of things.”

“Excellent,” you say.

You chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Tyler’s eyes flick up to your face. “Sorry,” he says, but his smirk does not seem very repentant.

You chat with Tyler for a few more minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office, while you grimace at the horrible sensation of worms wriggling just inside your anus. Once you arrive at the office, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you listen attentively, trying to learn what you can. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford, Justin, and Tyler, but you still manage to get a lot done, despite the distraction of countless worms wriggling around in your rectum. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

Another day, another dollar...

As soon as you wake up, you can feel the worms in your rectum squirming around, and you shudder in disgust. Then, as usual, you get up and shower, then put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “How are you this morning?”

“Okay thanks,” you reply.

You chat with her for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you say “Good morning Tyler!”

Tyler turns around and smiles. “Good morning Penny,” he says.

You continue onward, passing through the sales and IT departments. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find Warren waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

Not long afterwards, you stiffen in alarm as there suddenly comes upon you an urge to defecate so powerful that you cannot resist it even for a moment. Your anus opens up, and a torrent of worms spews out into your panties. You immediately get up and rush to the ladies’ restroom, where you dump into the toilet bowl a dozen or so roundworms, then pull from between your buttocks a couple more, whose squirming bodies are dangling from your anus. Having flushed the toilet and washed your hands, you return to your desk, a little shaken.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

Not long afterwards, you stiffen in alarm as there suddenly comes upon you an urge to defecate so powerful that you cannot resist it even for a moment. Your anus opens up, and a torrent of worms spews out into your panties. You immediately get up and rush to the ladies’ restroom, where you dump into the toilet bowl a dozen or so roundworms, then pull from between your buttocks a couple more, whose squirming bodies are dangling from your anus. Having flushed the toilet and washed your hands, you return to your desk, a little shaken.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

chat with Tyler?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads, where you order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

As you approach Tyler’s desk, he looks up and smiles at you. “Hi Penny,” he says.

Your heart racing a little, you once again hike up your skirt a few inches and perch on the edge of his table. He grins down at your exposed thigh. “Very nice,” he says.

You chuckle, then say,

“How are things going, Tyler?”

“My eyes are up here, Tyler.”

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide you should probably do something a little more constructive. You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

“Good thanks,” says Tyler. “I feel like I’ve got a pretty good handle on the job now.”

“Excellent,” you say.

You chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Tyler’s eyes flick up to your face. “Sorry,” he says, but his smirk does not seem very repentant.

You chat with Tyler for a few more minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office, while you grimace at the horrible sensation of worms wriggling just inside your anus. Once you arrive at the office, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you listen attentively, trying to learn what you can. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford, Justin, and Tyler, but you still manage to get a lot done, despite the distraction of countless worms wriggling around in your rectum. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

At about 10:30pm, several worms suddenly slither out of your anus, and you curse as you jump to your feet and rush to the bathroom. You are about to dump the worms into the toilet when it occurs to you that you should probably keep them to show Doctor Kapoor at your appointment tomorrow. You put them into a Tupperware container, which you seal and put in the fridge.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

At about 10:30pm, several worms suddenly slither out of your anus, and you curse as you jump to your feet and rush to the bathroom. You are about to dump the worms into the toilet when it occurs to you that you should probably keep them to show Doctor Kapoor at your appointment tomorrow. You put them into a Tupperware container, which you seal and put in the fridge.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

Another day, another dollar...

As soon as you wake up, you can feel the worms in your rectum squirming around, and you shudder in disgust. Then, as usual, you get up and shower, then put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head out to your car.

This morning, however, you drive straight to the hospital for your appointment with their resident parasitologist, Doctor Salman Kapoor. After a short wait, you are directed to his office.

He is a middle-aged Indian man with grey hair and a ready (if slightly creepy) smile. He gestures for you to sit down, and as you do so, you place on his desk your Tupperware containing the worms you collected last night.

“Ah!” he says, taking the container and opening it up. “Yes – most interesting! Not lumbricoides, certainly. But what?” His accent is quite heavy. “Miss Farthing, please describe your symptoms, in detail, from the first moment you became aware of the worms.”

As you tell him the whole story, he alternated between nodding and furrowing his brow. Eventually he stops you. “Where in Africa were you staying?” he asks.

“Libreville in Gabon, and Naivasha in Kenya,” you reply.

Doctor Kapoor nods. “Very nice,” he says. “Did you enjoy your visit?”

“Not really,” you confess. “I mean, Africa was lovely, but my boyfriend and I fought constantly, and broke up three days before we came back. It was kind of a nightmare actually. And apparently I ate worm eggs too, which just makes the whole trip all the more awesome.”

“Well here’s the thing,” says Doctor Kapoor. “I almost predicted you would say Kenya, because I discovered a paper in a rather obscure medical journal about two very similar cases in Kenya four years ago. In both cases, a major symptom was a cessation of defecation in the patient. The author of the paper was of the opinion that the worms were consuming all faecal matter and excreting only liquid waste. Some of that liquid was absorbed by the intestine and processed via the kidneys, while the rest became a slime which lubricated the movement of the worms within the colon, and was often excreted along with several worms at periodic intervals.”

“The worms are slimy when they come out,” you confirm. “But I’m not that interested in the life cycle. The question is, can you get rid of them?”

“That is a very good question!” says Doctor Kapoor. “I will certainly do my best. But it may not be easy. The giant roundworm’s life cycle is such that if good standards of hygiene are maintained, just getting rid of the adults with an appropriate medication is usually sufficient to cure the condition. But your worms are, I believe, roseate roundworms – Ascaroides roseae – which have a more problematic life cycle. We don’t know very much about it yet, but your case will certainly help us to learn more.”

Your heart sinks at this discouraging news. “What’s the next step, then?” you ask.

“I’d like to take a blood test,” says the doctor. “The Kenyan patients were suffering from a mild Vitamin K deficiency, which is easily correctable with a daily tablet, but we should figure out whether you need to be taking that. I would also like to perform a short exam, today, of your rectum.”

Your cheeks flush immediately. “Oh!” you say. “Um ... I wasn’t prepared for that.”

“No preparation is necessary,” says Doctor Kapoor cheerfully. “Normally for a colonoscopy you would need to fast for a day before the exam, but in your case this will not be necessary. I just need to get a look at the worms, and I do not need to go in very far for that. Just take off your shoes and panties please, then climb on to the table and lie on your side.”

Rather reluctantly, you kick off your shoes, then you pull down your panties and climb up on to the exam table. You lie down on your side, then gasp as the doctor comes over and hoists your skirt up around your hips. “Pull your knees up to your chest please,” he says.

You do so, and then you jump as Doctor Kapoor’s fingers begin rubbing something cold and wet around your anal opening. “This is just a little gel,” he explains, “to lubricate the endoscope.” Then you feel him slowly inserting something into your anus. “Try to relax,” he says. “Even bear down a little, as if you are defecating. That will make it feel more comfortable. Good. Now I’m going to blow some air into your colon to inflate it – you’ll feel like you need to defecate.”

As he pumps air into your bowel, you grimace as the need to poop grows more intense. “Ah yes, there they are,” he says. “Would you like to see?”

You are a little curious, but also highly embarrassed. After a moment’s thought, you reply,

“Um, sure.”

“No thanks.”

The doctor wheels around a table on which sits a monitor, until it is directly in front of your face. You stare at the picture on the screen – your colon, packed with dozens of pale, writhing worms. You shudder in disgust.

“Fascinating, isn’t it?” remarks Doctor Kapoor, grinning happily.

“That’s not how I would describe it,” you mutter.

“No, I suppose not,” acknowledges the doctor. He says nothing for a few moments ... and then you realise he has started sliding the endoscope in and out of your anus with slow, rhythmic strokes. The worms on the monitor retreat into the distance, then approach the camera closely, then retreat again.

“What are you doing?” you ask, feeling increasingly uncomfortable.

“I am checking how the worms respond to tactile stimuli,” says Doctor Kapoor. “But they don’t seem to be responding.” He pulls out the endoscope, and wipes around your anus with a tissue. “You can put your panties back on now.”

Feeling rather humiliated, you descend from the table and put your panties back on. You tug your skirt down, then put on your shoes.

Doctor Kapoor smiles at you. “A nurse will be in shortly to take a blood sample,” he says. “Thank you Penny – I’ll send the results to your doctor. Wanda Lemmon, isn’t it?”

“That’s right,” you confirm.

He leaves, and soon afterwards, a nurse enters. She takes a blood sample from your arm, then she directs you back to reception, where you check out. You drive to work, enter the building, and walk straight to your desk. Sitting down, you switch on your computer, and begin your day’s work.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

“Suit yourself,” says the doctor. He says nothing else for a few moments ... and then you realise he has started sliding the endoscope in and out of your anus with slow, rhythmic strokes.

“What are you doing?” you ask, feeling increasingly uncomfortable.

“I am checking how the worms respond to tactile stimuli,” says Doctor Kapoor. “But they don’t seem to be responding.” He pulls out the endoscope, and wipes around your anus with a tissue. “You can put your panties back on now.”

Feeling rather humiliated, you descend from the table and put your panties back on. You tug your skirt down, then put on your shoes.

Doctor Kapoor smiles at you. “A nurse will be in shortly to take a blood sample,” he says. “Thank you Penny – I’ll send the results to your doctor. Wanda Lemmon, isn’t it?”

“That’s right,” you confirm.

He leaves, and soon afterwards, a nurse enters. She takes a blood sample from your arm, then she directs you back to reception, where you check out. You drive to work, enter the building, and walk straight to your desk. Sitting down, you switch on your computer, and begin your day’s work.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

chat with Tyler?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads, where you order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

As you approach Tyler’s desk, he looks up and smiles at you. “Hi Penny,” he says.

Your heart racing a little, you once again hike up your skirt a few inches and perch on the edge of his table. He grins down at your exposed thigh. “Very nice,” he says.

You chuckle, then say,

“How are things going, Tyler?”

“My eyes are up here, Tyler.”

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide you should probably do something a little more constructive. You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

“Good thanks,” says Tyler. “I feel like I’ve got a pretty good handle on the job now.”

“Excellent,” you say.

You chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Tyler’s eyes flick up to your face. “Sorry,” he says, but his smirk does not seem very repentant.

You chat with Tyler for a few more minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office.

“How did it go this morning?” she asks.

“It wasn’t fun,” you remark with a shudder. “The parasitologist seemed a little ... off. He stuck an endoscope up my ass to have a look at the worms, and, well, it just didn’t seem very professional.”

“Uh-oh,” says Tina. “Well let’s hope you don’t have to go back and see him again.”

Once you arrive at the office, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you listen attentively, trying to learn what you can. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford, Justin, and Tyler, but you still manage to get a lot done, despite the distraction of countless worms wriggling around in your rectum. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

Another day, another dollar...

As you wake up, you gasp as you feel a bunch of worms wriggling not just inside your rectum, but in your panties as well. They must have come out of your anus during the night. You can feel them writhing between your buttocks and squirming against your pussy. You can even feel one of them...

“Oh Jesus!” you exclaim, leaping out of bed and dashing to the bathroom. You yank your panties down, then make a grab for the worm in your vagina. Fortunately it is only partially inside you, and is easily removed. Shuddering in revulsion, you shake the rest of the worms out of your panties and into the toilet. You flush them away, then wash your hands.

Then, as usual, you shower, put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Another day, another dollar...

As you wake up, you shudder as you feel worms in your panties again. You can feel them writhing between your buttocks and wriggling against your pussy. You can even feel squirming inside your vagina.

“Ugh!” you exclaim, jumping out of bed and hurrying to the bathroom. You pull your panties down, then make a grab for the worms in your vagina. Fortunately they are not fully inside you, and you are able to remove them easily enough. Shuddering in revulsion, you shake the rest of the worms out of your panties and into the toilet. You flush them away, then wash your hands.

Then, as usual, you shower, put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a knee-length skirt, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “How are you this morning?”

“Okay thanks,” you reply.

You chat with her for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you say “Good morning Tyler!”

Tyler turns around and smiles. “Good morning Penny,” he says.

You continue onward, passing through the sales and IT departments. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find Warren waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

chat with Tyler?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads, where you order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s up?”

You have a nice little chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling at you.

“Hey Justin,” you reply. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

As you approach Tyler’s desk, he looks up and smiles at you. “Hi Penny,” he says.

Your heart racing a little, you once again hike up your skirt a few inches and perch on the edge of his table. He grins down at your exposed thigh. “Maybe you should just wear a shorter skirt,” he says cheekily.

You chuckle, then say,

“How are things going, Tyler?”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide to call your doctor. Cherie puts you on hold for a couple of minutes, and when she comes back, she says, “I’m sorry, Penny, we haven’t received Doctor Kapoor’s report yet.”

“Okay,” you say with a sigh. “Thanks Cherie.”

You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

“Good thanks,” says Tyler. “I feel like I’ve got a pretty good handle on the job now.”

“Excellent,” you say.

You chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Tyler grins. “I would!” he says.

You smirk, then say, “I’ll think about it.” In fact, the idea rather excites you, and you resolve to have a look through your closet for something shorter, yet work-appropriate.

You chat with Tyler for a few more minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office, while you grimace at the horrible sensation of worms wriggling just inside your anus. Once you arrive at the office, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you listen attentively, trying to learn what you can. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford, Justin, and Tyler, but you still manage to get a lot done, despite the distraction of countless worms wriggling around in your rectum. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads, where you order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. You butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office, while you grimace at the horrible sensation of worms wriggling just inside your anus. Once you arrive at the office, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you listen attentively, trying to learn what you can. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford, Justin, and Tyler, but you still manage to get a lot done, despite the distraction of countless worms wriggling around in your rectum. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

Another day, another dollar...

As you wake up, you shudder as you realise that once again there are worms in your panties. You can feel them writhing between your buttocks and wriggling against your pussy. You can even feel at least one squirming inside your vagina.

“Ugh!” you exclaim, jumping out of bed and trotting through to the bathroom. You pull your panties down, then grab at a worm that is sticking out of your vagina. Once you have removed it, you stick a finger inside, and find another worm, which you also pull out. With a shudder of disgust, you shake the rest of the worms out of your panties and into the toilet. You flush them away, then wash your hands.

You take a shower, then get dressed. Today, instead of a knee-length skirt, you wear a black miniskirt that comes down to mid-thigh. You are a little nervous about getting into trouble (the company’s official dress code stipulates that skirts should be “no shorter than 3 inches above the knee”), but you are looking forward to seeing Tyler’s reaction. If today goes well, you have two or three other skirts of a similar length that you could wear in the future.

You finish getting dressed, apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina’s eyes widen as you enter. “Oh my!” she says. “Who are you and what have you done with Penny?”

You laugh, a little nervously. “Too short?” you inquire.

“Well it’s in breach of the dress code,” says Tina, “but you wouldn’t be the first person to do that. I’ve seen Jenna and Allison in skirts of that length, and as far as I know they’ve never got into trouble for it. Besides, you look great! Is this for our latest team-member, by any chance...?”

You blush. “Have I been that obvious?”

Tina grins. “Not at all,” she assures you. “I’m just very perceptive. Well, good luck – I hope he appreciates it!”

You chat with her for a couple more minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you say “Good morning Tyler!”

Tyler turns around and smiles. “Good morning Penny,” he says. Then he notices your skirt. “Wow!”

“I take it you approve?” you ask with a smirk, as you sweep past him.

“Totally!” you hear him reply.

You continue onward, passing through the sales and IT departments. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find Warren waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says. “You look ... nice!”

“Thank you Warren!” you reply with a smile as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

Your new look seems popular – perhaps you should have tried wearing shorter skirts years ago! You originally went with the knee-length look because you felt it made you look professional – and it does – but it’s certainly nice to get some positive feedback for this change.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

A moment later, you receive an instant message from Tyler: “I’m loving the new look!”

You giggle quietly to yourself, then reply, “Thank you. It doesn’t seem too unprofessional, does it?”

“Not at all,” he responds. “You look awesome!”

Feeling quite pleased with yourself, you get back to work. At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

chat with Tyler?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads, where you order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says. “What’s with the new look?”

You chuckle. “I was getting tired of the knee-length thing. Just wanted to remind people I’m young and fun.”

“Well it suits you,” Ford says warmly. “You look very nice.”

You chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling down at your legs. “New outfit today, huh?” He licks his lips, and you wonder whether he has just caught a glimpse of your panties up your skirt. Surely not...

“Hey Justin,” you reply, quickly placing your hands in your lap. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin, finally lifting his eyes to your face. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

As you approach Tyler’s desk, he looks up and smiles at you. “Hi Penny,” he says.

Your heart racing a little, you perch on the edge of his table, acutely aware of how much leg you are showing, and of the fact that, with your legs apart like this, Tyler can probably see a little way up your skirt. He grins down at your hemline. “That ... is a nice skirt,” he says.

You chuckle, then say,

“How are things going, Tyler?”

“Eyes up here please, Tyler.”

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide to call your doctor. Cherie puts you on hold for a couple of minutes, and when she comes back, she says, “I’m sorry, Penny, we haven’t received Doctor Kapoor’s report yet.”

“Okay,” you say with a sigh. “Thanks Cherie.”

You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. As you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup, however, you cannot help noticing that your legs are attracting a few glances, particularly from male passers-by. Concerned that they might be able to see up your skirt, you cross your legs.

After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

“Good thanks,” says Tyler.

You chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Tyler chuckles as he looks up at your face. “Sorry, sorry,” he says.

You chat with Tyler for a few more minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office, while you grimace at the horrible sensation of worms wriggling just inside your anus. At one point Tina glances down at your bare legs. “Goodness, that skirt gets even shorter when you sit down, doesn’t it? You might want to keep your legs hidden from Ryan; I’ve no idea how he feels about miniskirts, but just in case...”

“Point taken,” you say.

Once you arrive at the office, the two of you head straight for the main conference room where, finding it empty, you quickly sit down, hiding your legs beneath the table. One by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you listen attentively, trying to learn what you can. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford, Justin, and Tyler, but you still manage to get a lot done, despite the distraction of countless worms wriggling around in your rectum. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

Another day, another dollar...

As you wake up, you initially feel rather horny, but then you shudder as you realise your panties are again full of worms. You can feel them writhing between your buttocks and wriggling against your pussy. You can even feel squirming inside your vagina.

“Goddammit,” you mutter, climbing out of bed and trotting through to the bathroom. You pull your panties down, then pull several worms out of your vagina. Some of them are not fully inside you, and you are able to remove those easily enough; the rest you manage to fish out with your fingers. With a shudder of disgust, you shake the rest of the worms out of your panties and into the toilet. You flush them away, then wash your hands.

Then, as usual, you shower, put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a miniskirt that comes down to mid-thigh, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “How are you this morning?”

“Okay thanks,” you reply.

You chat with her for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you say “Good morning Tyler!”

Tyler turns around and smiles. “Good morning Penny,” he says. Then he glances down at your skirt. “Nice!”

You smirk as you continue onward, passing through the sales and IT departments. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find Warren waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply with a smile as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!”

“You too,” he replies, and he turns and heads for the door.

You return to the accounts department, where you open up the box and put it on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You send out the report, then find yourself at a bit of a loose end. Will you...

chat with Ford?

chat with Justin?

chat with Tyler?

stay at your desk?

You leave the office and walk to Souper Salads, where you order your usual minestrone soup with a bread roll. When the man behind the counter gives you your food, you decide to sit...

in a booth.

by the window.

You leave the office and walk to The Sandwich Station. Having bought your portobello panini, you decide to take it...

back to the office.

down to the lake.

You get up and walk over to Ford’s desk. “Hey Ford,” you say.

Ford swings his chair around, and smiles up at you. “Hey Penny,” he says.

You chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You roll your chair around the corner of the large modular table at which the two of you work.

“Hi Penny!” says Justin, smiling down at your legs. He grins, and you can’t help wondering how far he can see up your skirt.

“Hey Justin,” you reply, quickly placing your hands in your lap. “Whatcha doing?”

“This and that,” says Justin, finally lifting his eyes to your face. “Nothing urgent.”

He chats with you for a few minutes, and then you roll your chair back around the table to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

As you approach Tyler’s desk, he looks up and smiles at you. “Hi Penny,” he says.

Your heart racing a little, you perch on the edge of his table, acutely aware of how much leg you are showing, and of the fact that, with your legs apart like this, Tyler can probably see a little way up your skirt. He grins down at your hemline. “Nice skirt,” he says.

You chuckle, then say,

“How are things going, Tyler?”

“Eyes up here please, Tyler.”

You idly surf the Internet for a few minutes, after which you decide to call your doctor. Cherie puts you on hold for a couple of minutes, and when she comes back, she says, “Just putting you through now.”

“Okay!” you say, relieved. “Thanks Cherie.”

“Hi Penny,” says Doctor Lemmon. “I’ve reviewed Doctor Kapoor’s report. Would you like to discuss it now over the phone, or come in for an appointment?”

“Now please!” you say. “I don’t want to wait any longer.”

“Sure,” says Doctor Lemmon. “Okay. So, what you’re infected with is a roundworm called Ascaroides roseae. It’s rare and hasn’t been studied much, but there are numerous drugs we can try. Doctor Kapoor wants you to try a drug called Piperazine first. If that doesn’t work, we’ll move on to the next drug. Would you like me to send a prescription to your local pharmacy?”

“Thank you – yes – that’d be great,” you say.

“He also wants you to stop by his office daily – or as often as you can manage – for an exam, so he can monitor the effects of each drug on the worms. I know that’s probably not much fun for you, but please consider it – your case could give the medical community a lot of much-needed data on this parasite. Also, he says he won’t charge you for those exams, since it’s in the scientific interest.”

“Um ... okay...” you say. The thought of going back to see Doctor Kapoor makes your stomach cramp ... but should you stay away from his office, if it would mean depriving the medical community of valuable information?

“Well, if you decide to go see him,” continues Doctor Lemmon, “he says the best time is during his lunch hour – between twelve and one o’clock.”

Coincidentally, this is the same as your own lunch hour. “Okay, I’ll bear that in mind,” you say guardedly.

“Thank you,” says Doctor Lemmon. “Good luck with the Piperazine!”

“Thanks,” you reply, and you hang up.

You get back to work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you drive to Rite Aid and pick up your prescription, then you return to the office, drop off your car, and walk to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You tuck yourself away in a booth, where you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup. After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your roll and soup over to the bar in front of the window, where you sit on a stool and gaze out over the lake, ignoring the pedestrians whose heads pass by just below your line of sight. As you butter your roll and then eat it along with your soup, however, you cannot help noticing that your legs are attracting a few glances, particularly from male passers-by. Concerned that they might be able to see up your skirt, you cross your legs.

After you have eaten, you walk back to the office, where you sit down at your desk and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You return to the office and eat your panini at your desk. After you have finished your lunch, you get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

You take your panini down to the water’s edge, find an available bench, and sit watching motor boats race around the lake while you eat. After you have finished your lunch, you return to the office, and get to work processing invoices.

Around the middle of the afternoon, you find your energy level ebbing, and you head to the kitchen to make yourself some coffee. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you smile to see him sitting there, poring over customs paperwork.

With coffee in hand, you return to your desk. Soon afterwards, you receive an instant message from Tina: “Heading over to mason road – wanna come?”

You think about it, then decide to...

go to Mason Road with Tina.

stay here.

“Good thanks,” says Tyler.

You chat with him for a few minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

Tyler chuckles as he looks up at your face. “Sorry, sorry,” he says.

You chat with Tyler for a few more minutes, and then you return to your own desk and get on with some work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.

The Sandwich Station.

You leave the building with Tina, and she drives you the short distance to the Mason Road office, while you grimace at the horrible sensation of worms wriggling just inside your anus. Once you arrive at the office, the two of you head straight for the main conference room, where, one by one, the other attendees join you. Finally Ryan Vincent walks in, and the meeting begins.

As the various team leads in attendance take it in turns to report on their departments, you listen attentively, trying to learn what you can. After the meeting, you and Tina return to Chapel Street.

Back at your desk, you spend the rest of the day hard at work. At five o’clock, you still have plenty to do, but none of it is especially urgent. Will you...

stay a while to clear your plate a little?

call it a day, and leave?

Remaining at your desk, you spend some time chatting with Ford, Justin, and Tyler, but you still manage to get a lot done, despite the distraction of countless worms wriggling around in your rectum. Soon enough, it is five o’clock.

Continue.

You stay for another forty-five minutes, getting a few things done that you would rather not have hanging over you. Eventually, you are satisfied with how much you have managed to achieve.

Continue.

You switch off your computer, leave the office, and head out to your car. Pondering your dinner options, you decide to...

pick up a pizza on your way home.

cook something at home.

You call ahead to your favourite pizza place, Pizza Be With You. By the time you arrive there, twenty minutes later, your pizza is ready. You take it home and eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

You head home and make yourself a quick and easy (though not terribly healthy) meal. You eat it in front of the television, then spend the rest of the evening alternating between the TV and various social media.

A little after eleven o’clock you decide to call it a night, and you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

Continue.

Another day, another dollar...

As you wake up, you initially feel rather horny, but then you shudder as you realise your panties are again full of worms. You can feel them writhing between your buttocks and wriggling against your pussy. You can even feel them squirming inside your vagina.

“Ugh,” you mutter, climbing out of bed and trotting through to the bathroom. You pull your panties down, then spend some time fishing worms out of your vagina and dropping them in the toilet bowl. With a shudder of disgust, you shake the rest of the worms out of your panties and into the toilet. You flush them away, then wash your hands.

Then, as usual, you shower, put on your clothes (white underwear, a blouse, a miniskirt that comes down to mid-thigh, and black shoes), apply some make-up, make yourself a mug of coffee, and head to work.

Once you have parked your car, you enter the building and...

stop by Tina’s office.

go straight to your desk.

Tina smiles as you enter. “Hey Penny,” she says. “How are you this morning?”

“Okay thanks,” you reply.

You chat with her for a couple of minutes, then head to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You head straight to your desk. You say hello to Ford and Justin, and sit down in front of your computer.

After answering a few emails, you see an instant message from Tina: “Bagels are here – can someone pick them up?”

Will you...

volunteer?

let someone else get them?

You type “I’ll get them”, and then you get to your feet and walk down the aisle towards the far end of the office. As you pass Tyler’s desk, you say “Good morning Tyler!”

Tyler turns around and smiles. “Good morning Penny,” he says. Then he glances down at your skirt. “Nice!”

You smirk as you continue onward, passing through the sales and IT departments. You open the door to the lobby, step through, and find Warren waiting with a large box.

“Good morning!” he says.

“Hi Warren,” you reply with a smile as you take the box. “Thanks for these – have a good day!” But then you gasp as a cramp hits your lower intestine, and although you try to stem the flow, you cannot stop a tangled column of worms from slithering out of your anus. To your horror, the worms keep coming, filling the seat of your panties ... and then you feel wet contacts on the backs of your legs as a few of them squirm out of your panties and fall on the floor. “Oh my God!” you wail.

“Shit!” exclaims Warren, staring at the fallen worms, which are wriggling around blindly on the floor between your feet. “What’s going on?”

“Ugh – just please take the bagels, Warren!” you exclaim.

Warren steps forward and takes the box, and you stoop to pick up the fallen worms. “Please don’t tell anyone about this, Warren,” you say. “I picked these things up in Africa and I’m on medication to get rid of them.”

“Oh my God, how terrible for you!” says Warren sympathetically. “But maybe this means the meds are working...?”

“Maybe!” you reply, looking around for a receptacle to put the worms in. You are holding six wriggling specimens in your hands. Seeing nothing suitable available, you realise that the best place for the worms is probably with their brethren in your panties. There, at least, they will be concealed by your skirt. But you certainly don’t want Warren seeing you putting them in there.

“Anything I can do to help?” Warren inquires.

“Can you turn around?” you ask him desperately.

“Yes, of course,” he says, and he turns his back on you. You hastily pull your skirt up around your waist, tug open the front of your panties, and drop the worms inside. By now, however, two more worms have dropped on the floor; you stoop to pick these up, and tuck them into your panties with the others.

You can feel some of the worms already beginning to explore the opening of your vagina, and you are anxious to get to the restroom as soon as possible. “Warren,” you say, “could you please wait a couple of minutes while I go and deal with this situation?”

“Sure – no problem,” he says.

“Thanks!” You pull your skirt back down, then hurry through the door and back past all the IT staff towards the restrooms. Luckily, no further worms escape from your panties on the way, and soon you are safely locked in a toilet stall. You pull your panties down, and shudder at the sheer number of writhing worms inside. You dump them into the toilet bowl, then you pull out of your vagina a couple of worms that were trying to get back inside you. Lastly, you pull out of your anus several worms that have only partially emerged. Finally, all of the worms are in the toilet, squirming around and trying ineffectively to climb up the sides of the bowl. You flush, pull your panties back up, fix your skirt, then leave the stall and wash your hands.

When you return to the lobby, however, Warren is gone. So are the bagels. Confused, you return to the accounts department, to find Tyler has fetched the bagels himself. “Warren said you had to run to the bathroom,” he says. “I don’t need details, but are you okay?”

“Fine thanks,” you say airily. “Thanks for getting the bagels.”

You take a bagel for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

After a short while, a response from your colleague Janine pops up: “I’m on it!”

She passes your desk on her way to the lobby. A couple of minutes later, she returns with a box, which she puts on the table customarily used for communal food. One by one, your colleagues gather round and help themselves. You take one for yourself, spread some butter and jelly on it, and take it to your desk.

A little later, without warning, your bowels suddenly cramp up, and worms begin forcing their way out of your anus and into your panties. You rush to the restroom, where you lock yourself in a stall and pull down your panties. By now the flow has stopped, but there are at least two dozen worms in your panties, and several more are dangling from your anus.

Before long, you have transferred all of the worms into the toilet bowl. You flush, leave the stall, wash your hands, and then return to your desk.

At ten o’clock, you run your daily invoice report. You tweak it for a few minutes, getting it in a shape appropriate for distribution. Having finished, will you...

check it over?

send it out?

You analyse the report carefully, and find a couple of minor discrepancies, which you investigate and correct. Feeling more comfortable with the report, you send it out, then get on with some other work, which occupies you until noon.

At lunchtime, you decide to go to...

Souper Salads.