The Memory Stick
Author's Note: I wrote this story a couple of years ago when every week it seemed as if there was a story of some poor government servant losing sensitive data. Initially it was nearly 900 words but I have reduced it for the competition. I hope it hasn't lost too much in editing.
Beeb = BBC
The Memory Stick
There was a firm tap at the door. 'Interesting' thought Sir Hubert.
"Come."
Bernadette was not a stunner but had all the right components. Button nose and bobbed mid brown hair. Nice boobs too. She clutched a single sheet of paper.
He didn't invite her to sit.
"You've seen the news, I take it?" She nodded.
"Have you any idea how much trouble this farrago has caused?"
"Yes sir." The soft eyes shifted downwards.
"We've spent the morning grovelling to the Beeb, and the only reason the tabloids haven't demanded the minister's balls on a silver platter is because she hasn't got any."
"I'm... sorry sir."
"Sorry." He leaned forward, chin resting on his knuckles. Contempt dripped off the syllables.
"So how much data was on this infamous memory stick which you 'forgot' on the train Bernadette?"
"About ten thousand names and addresses. All prisoners or ex-convicts."
He sucked air in through his teeth.
"Hmm. Scarcely a week goes by without some bloody report about a government data loss. The identity fraudsters must be having a field day."
She looked up.
"But would they really want to impersonate known criminals sir?"
"Well, they might be more efficient at removing their loot than those incompetent bumpkins at the 'Confiscation of the Proceeds of Crime' office" he said, "So, what's to be done?"
She handed him the paper.
"My resignation sir. It's the only honourable thing to do."
"Honourable? Are you out of your mind woman? No-one's resigned for honourable reasons since Lord Carrington when the Argies invaded the Falklands! You can't possibly resign."
"But that's what I'm doing sir."
He sat back, steepling his fingers.
"Bernadette, I don't think you are quite cognizant of the narrative here."
Indeed, Bernadette was not.
"What is supposed to happen is that I threaten to dismiss you. Then you say: 'Please, No sir, my career will be ruined'...and I say, ' I do have my own memory stick in that cupboard which will certainly improve your memory. Fetch it please?' Then I bend you over the desk and give your backside a thorough caning and everyone's happy."
She had thought so; public school, no girls, corporal punishment fetish.
"My resignation sir. You will accept it." It was a statement of fact.
"No I damn well will not! You're too good an under secretary to lose, memory loss notwithstanding"
"I don't actually think you can stop me sir."
"The department needs you Bernadette. I need you. Isn't there something I could do? A rise? Promotion?"
A crooked smile creased her lips.
She went to the cupboard, removed the cane from behind his coat and held it, feeling its strength, its flexibility, thinking how it would feel.
She walked back, skirt swishing against black stockings, aping the future susurration of the cane.
"If you'd care to bend over the desk sir?"
sarah nada email
The imbalance of power in "The Memory Stick" wasn't at all what I expected, and the twist was well done. Although the story was inspired by headlines from some time ago, it felt topical and more engaging for it. I liked the pace and the rising suspense. The author noted that the story was pared down from a longer original, but it seemed complete in itself. Very nice.
Barrister
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was well-written, clever, sexy and fun. I wonder what was in the deleted 400 words, though. Probably just some naughty bits and some spanking. Great story.
Crimson Kid email
I found this story to be very creatively written, especially for an entry in the 'Imbalance of Power' category, as it employs a misdirection RE which party actually holds power over the other and then cleverly reverses the situation with the twist ending. There's a lesson to be learned here, which Sir Hubert is about to be taught with a cane swishing across his buttocks (hopefully bared at Bernadette's insistence), which is obviously that there may be a difference between the surface perception of a power-holding relationship and the actual reality of it.
This contrast between appearance and actuality develops gradually, first with Sir Hubert's unwillingness to accept Bernadette's resignation "for honourable reasons," then his suggestion that he cane her instead, followed by the unexpected (to me) indication that she's not merely an office worker but an undersecretary in the government--which partially explains his resistance to having her resign (negative public opinion), although my impression is that he also would've enjoyed giving the buxom young woman some strokes with his cane.
Instead Sir Hubert going to be forced to bend over while she applies the flexible rod to his hindquarters--because Bernadette's willingness to resign has called his bluff and through it the power-holding in their relationship at least momentarily belongs to her. As a fan of F/M spanking scenes I enjoyed the reversal of what was an apparent M/F situation, but more than that it was the author's portrayal of Sir Hubert (even his name reinforces the image to me) as a stodgy, conservative, rather chauvinistic politician of the old school that made me anticipate his upcoming corporal comeuppance--at the cane-wielding hand of a nominal female subordinate--with considerable relish.
There is some playfully wry dialogue about the prime minister's lack of certain male organs and the two different meanings that the term "memory stick" is given in this narrative.
Finally, for a story edited down from one almost twice as long, I'd venture that the key elements appear to have been preserved quite well...
Zille Defeu email
This is just wonderful. It builds up so perfectly, and then the surprise ending made me laugh out loud with delight.
Also: "Bernadette, I don't think you are quite cognizant of the narrative here." Ummm, hawt! [melts]
Thus ends my entirely professional review of this story....