Another new week dawns. Another window of opportunity for the world of Chase McCabe, another chance to pluck the grapes of industry and avoid the cogs of wrath.

I'm turning into Geoff McCabe... :-(

He called me in this morning. It wasn't even eight o'clock. I'd gone in early to try to make up for some of the time I lose when I'm online with str8guy - he's playing havoc with my workload - and I lost my chance by spending half an hour in the company of the loosest cannon on the quarterdeck. If quarterdecks have cannons, I don't know.

"Where do you see yourself in five years time, Molly?"

Holloway probably, if I have any more sessions like yesterday afternoon. "I'm ambitious. I'll probably go one of two ways: either I want to have my own company or I'll be senior manager in one of the major London companies. Not sure which way I want to got yet."

"And why the indecision? Indecision killed the canary."

"I thought that was the cat."

"No,no. Curiosity killed the cat. Curiosity - that's Tess. Curiosity isn't your bag, Molly."

I wasn't sure I'd totally go along with that, but I knew what he meant, which was a first, anyway. "It isn't indecision. I'm just learning. Every day I learn more about myself and about business, and I'm finding out where my strengths and interests lie."

"Oh yes? An enquiring mind. We like that, don't we. The buds of enterprise bloom in an enquiring mind." For a fraction of a second I began to picture my head like a parsley pot, shoots of enterprise blooming from each orifice, but I quickly shut down the mental image. God, was this the way Geoff McCabe saw the world? Was I really turning into him?

I paused for a moment. It was work we were talking about, but I was increasingly conscious that my relationship with str8guy was informing my thoughts just as much as my work experience. "I don't know. I'm... At the moment, what really interests me is, like, I suppose, negotiation. The thrill of the chase. D'you know what I mean?"

"Not really. Make yourself clear woman. Language is a beautiful and precise implement. It's a scalpel, not a broadsword. A stiletto, not a galumphing great boot. Now shoe me a stiletto."

"I used to like some of the operations management aspects. The planning, implementation, monitoring, contract kind of side to the business. I got a kick out of that, because you can see how efficiency drives quality. I could see how I was making a difference. That was good. And it still is, don't get me wrong. But just lately I've become more interested in the risk side. What really gets me going is the negotiation, the game. Us and them, parrying, jostling for the best deal. One using the other for mutual benefit, but still, in the end, looking to come out on top. We both win, but one wins better. I want to be the better one. Is that clear?"

"Eminently clear, Molly. And eminently marvellous, too. Music to my ears. You are my symphony, Molly. My Ode to Joy. Ode to Molly, Ode to Molly." He was fidgeting with excitement, his blubber barely contained by the straining cotton shirt and his neck bulging over the far-too-tight collar. "Forget the half-baked, self-obsessed London companies, Molly. You're too fucking good for them. You've got balls. Well, no you haven't, obviously. You've got tits, Molly, great stonking bazookas of them. Inner strength, that's what they are, that's what you've got. You can go all the way, Molly, if you want. With your sort of attitude you can win, and win high. Go for it girl, go for it. Swing those tits on the way out, show me the swagger of a champion."

Well, I've been fed some lines in my time, but never before, and never again, I can confidently predict, will my breasts be described as great stonking bazookas. Malnourished hand grenades, more like. As compliments go, that's one of my more unusual, but I'll treasure it... Almost as good as when he called me a shit...

And so from one fantasist to another. Logging on now...

[molly] Hmm, here first today. At least he can't criticise me for being late this time...

[molly] ...

[molly] where are all the blackmailers when you need them...

[molly] these stilletos were made for walking...

[molly] and that's just what they'll do...

[molly] one of these days these heels are gonna...

[str8guy has entered]

[molly] walk all over you...

[str8guy] Pardon

[molly] oops, wasn't expecting you just then. was singing a song to myself...

[str8guy] Singing a song? In an empty chatroom?

[molly] i've just been in with mccabe. it addles your brain. normal behaviour is out of the question for at least an hour afterwards

[molly] till you get him out of your system

[str8guy] LOL. I hope you're not nursing any unfortunate sunburm after yesterday's escapades. No burning polly, inflamed nipples, scorched arse?

[molly] factor 18, m8. gives your nipples a glossy sheen as well as protects them.

[str8guy] You seemed to have fun, judging by your pictures.

[molly] it was okay. bit hairy at times. thought i was going to get arrested on a couple of occasions.

[molly] or molested

[molly] or both

[str8guy] I was quite intrigued yesterday afternoon, thinking about you.

[str8guy] While I was sitting at home, quietly sipping wine in the garden, and thinking about what you were up to.

[str8guy] It was quite exciting to think about the positions you might be finding yourself in.

[str8guy] I was thinking how embarrassing it must have felt, when someone saw you and then you made eye contact, knowing what the person had just seen.

[str8guy] Do you smile or blush in that circumstance? Or both, perhaps.

[molly] actually that can be difficult.

[molly] most people seriously avoid making eye contact if they cop a look.

[molly] but some stare right at you. like they're challenging you. that can be awkward.

[str8guy] What do they do?

[molly] they kind of leer at you. almost as if to say show me something else.

[str8guy] And did you?

[molly] no, not yesterday

[str8guy] But you thought of it?

[molly] yes

[str8guy] Why

[molly] because it was a challenge. and it was me against them in that circumstance. and i wanted to come out on top

[str8guy] So you want to gain the upper hand?

[molly] totally

[str8guy] Even if that forces you into embarrassing situations? Compromising situations?

[molly] risk. you have to take it to accumulate.

[str8guy] You're sounding like McCabe now.

[molly] funnily enough, I've just been having a very similar discussion with him.

[str8guy] Really?

[molly] not the flashing bit, obviously.

[molly] curious though, isn't it?

[str8guy] What?

[molly] the coincidence. mccabe and str8guy independently talking to me about the same kind of subject.

[molly] almost gets a girl thinking...

[str8guy] LOL, you think I might be McCabe?

[str8guy] Well, that's an entertaining notion. I'll leave you to ponder on it. You could be right, you could be wrong. Who's to say?

[str8guy] And on the subjet of challenge and risk, are you ready for today's challenge?

[molly] yes

[str8guy] Excellent. I've just emailed it to you. Speak to you later, Molly...

[str8guy has quit]

Okay, so what have we got today then. Let's have a look.

From: str8guy [str8guy@frea.cc]
Reply-To: str8guy@frea.cc
To: mollyhadley@emailaccount.com
Subject: Today's challenge
Date: Mon 05/03/04 08:42 AM

Little Molly Hadley,

I've missed watching you play with yourself over the last few days.
Anticipating the end of your period, I am instructing you to buy the
following items:

small dildo,
black large dildo,
black butt plug,
small butt plug,
large large vibrator
nipple clamps x 2
whip
paddle
nurse's uniform
schollgirl's outfit
duotone balls
anal beads for your delicious little bottom

I want to see them tonight when you come onto chatmate.com.
8pm please, on the dot. Rather than our own room, I wish to meet in
Freezone. Your webcam will be on public view. Ensure it is trained on
your delicious breasts. The nipple clamps will be optional at this stage,
although they will be used before the night is out.

love str8guy

PS In your drawer is the bag I want you to use to carry your
purchases.

Well, what can you say?

str8guy presumably thinks buying this stuff is a formidable challenge for me. He must think I will find it humiliating having to go and purchase those things. Well, frankly, no. I think he's misjudged me on this one. Underestimated me. I'm not much bothered about buying this stuff. Not even the schoolgirl's outfit, assuming that's what he meant, and not really schollgirl, which must presumably be a girl with a fetish for sensible sandals... Mind you, there probably are people out there who'd get off on that...

Going public in Freezone is something else, though. I'll think about that later. I've done it before, of course, but when I was in charge and my face was kept out of the picture. I know str8guy, and I know he'll try to push it...

I've just looked in my drawer and taken a deep breath. My bag is, indeed, waiting for me. And it's clear plastic. Completely see-through.

He does like to up the stakes, doesn't he? I have to admit that is quite clever, an extra means of piling on the embarrassment. Well done, str8guy, you bastard.

But never mind, I can do this. And quite easily, I think. Speak to you later.