The Witch, Part One
Copyright 1997-2002 by OldTom, all rights reserved.

Leslie found the internet newsgroup. She demanded:

What is this about?

I understand the newsgroup name of soc.sexuality.spanking. Is this fantasy, serious, serious fantasy? Most of what I am reading is not worth reading. Someone please clue me in.

Tom sent her "The Witch," and she had her clue.

"Well, Leslie, that witch hunt of yours just turned up another witch."

Leslie looked around her office and sighed. He called it a "witch hunt" just to annoy her - and it worked every time. She consciously reminded herself that this was her domain, but the plush leather furniture and cherrywood trim, the imposing shelves of law books and thick ivory carpeting meant nothing at the moment. Her special touches - bright red shrub roses in the window box; the signed Elton Bennett prints - were designed to remind visitors that she was a woman to be reckoned with, both competent and feminine. Her perfume permeated the room, subtly combining with that special scent of fresh leather.

She was so busy reminding herself that Corporate Counsel should not have to put up with such annoyances, that she missed the import of Tom's statement. She continued the argument just as she had so many times in the past.

"Tom, you know why this policy is necessary. Especially with what happened last month, you know we need to protect ourselves. The more things we do to prevent any possible lawsuit, the better."

"Yes, Leslie, I know that. But I still think we've gone way too far." Tom shifted in the dark leather visitors' chair, making himself even more comfortable. He seemed unaware of how out of place he looked with his jeans and sneakers. His very casualness seemed to dominate the room; it was as if he had power over his surroundings by remaining so completely untouched.

Leslie, for her part, listened patiently. Tom seemed to take a special pleasure in coming to the point slowly, and she didn't really mind this endless discussion with him. It had developed into something of a game.

She suspected Tom rather liked her, though he had always been careful to keep his feelings to himself. Perhaps that was why he kept returning to continue their discussion, even though he was never quite able to prove his point. Not that he ever would prove his point; after all, it was a matter of legal theory and that was her area.

As Tom continued, she wondered if he might have been reading her thoughts. He said, "We've been arguing with each other for months, and it hasn't meant a thing because every one of your victims accepted their fate. But now we have a dangerous witch, and before the day is out, you're going to be very sorry this witch got caught."

Leslie suddenly realized she had missed something - her preventive measure had really paid off! But Tom was still talking...

"Anyone could make one tiny mistake that doesn't hurt anybody, and doesn't cost the company a thing, and still lose their job over it. It's this 'zero tolerance' business that really bothers me. It's just too harsh, and today I'll prove my point."

Somehow Tom always seemed able to put Leslie on the defensive. But she was determined to be reasonable. She was on familiar ground, confident she could continue to prove her point as she had every time past.

She explained, as she had so many times before, "I know it might look that way, but it's really a matter of fairness, because everyone is treated equally, no matter who they are. The only way to be truly fair is to make employee discipline mandatory in every case. No exceptions.

"Suppose, for example, that we tolerated even one problem. If we don't enforce that particular case, how can we justify enforcing any particular case? We dare not pick and choose, so we are forced to adopt the 'zero tolerance' policy."

In spite of her size - an inch over five feet tall - Leslie's words always seemed to carry special weight. Leslie herself knew this to be by design. Like any lawyer, she'd had her share of training in rhetoric, but she also had the knack of wrapping her surroundings about her like a cloak. She dressed to blend in with her office, consciously making herself a part of the whole.

The furnishings surrounding her were conservative, expensive, and subtly feminine. Her clothes were likewise conservative and expensive, but exquisitely feminine. She treated her figure as she did her other investments - that is, with an eye toward asset appreciation - and could still surprise people with her claim to be well past her thirtieth year.

Tom sat still for a moment, absently rubbing his cheek in thought. Leslie shifted in her chair, immediately drawing his gaze to the fall of the pleated linen skirt across her legs.

Tom caught himself with a twitch and returned to the point he was endlessly claiming to make. "Yes, you've explained all this before, but I still don't agree. You're assuming that every single case actually merits discipline. What about an accidental or otherwise minor violation? Just one teeny little spell, and you want to burn them as a witch. If you have your way, one alleged witch is sure to be scorched this very day."

Tom could be so dramatic. Leslie retorted, "A witch is a witch, even if you only observe a single spell. But this is not a witch hunt. This is a corporate protective measure, for the greater good of the employees. Even if we have to lose some particular employee."

Tom leaned back in his chair, slumped down with hands laced behind his head, legs straight out with ankles crossed. His voice got a bit louder as he snorted, "'Corporate protective measure' indeed. Look. Take the present case. The company did not lose any money, and nobody has any reason to sue us. So no harm has been done. Even so, you would argue, this person was well aware of the policy and this particular case might have turned into a sexual harassment complaint."

"Yes, that is exactly my point. If we don't enforce this case, we leave ourselves wide open."

"Even if we're dealing with an extremely valuable employee?"

"Even so. It's for the greater good of the company, and that's more important than any one employee."

Leslie paused - obviously for dramatic effect - and then continued. "As you well know, we have had four cases so far, without losing a single employee. Each took a cut in pay, that is true, but the company has been protected, which is good for all of us."

Tom was becoming more sardonic with each passing moment. "So the witch gets scorched, eh? Anyway, it's your policy. What do we do in this specific instance?"

Leslie ignored the wisecracks, focusing on the specific question. "The policy, as written, mandates employee discipline of a substantial and punitive nature including, but not limited to, either demotion or outright dismissal. The intent was that the offending employee could be offered a choice."

"I see." Tom sat up to stare as he made his declaration. "Well, I have record of corporate counsel doing outside legal work. That in itself presents no problem, since there is no indication the time was billed to this company. The work was in support of the so-called Internet freedom of speech campaign, which again poses no conflict of interest. Electronic mail was received by yourself containing references to files of a prurient nature. Again, this by itself presents no problem. However, you also received - at your own request - an article on the legal ramifications of 'sex in the park.' You set me the task of watching for such things, regardless of whether any harm was actually done, and that is how you got trapped by your own witch hunt. "

Leslie's face had long since drained of color. "I... I... I had no idea. You're absolutely correct, and now that you point it out, I remember that piece of mail, which I deleted immediately. So now I have the choice between demotion and dismissal, and you have won your little game."

Tom smiled, making what he appeared to think would be the winning point. Making his point seemed to be more important - to him - than her dismissal, which was probably a good thing. "Well, Leslie, it doesn't have to be that bad. I've been arguing all along that your policy is too harsh, and today I am proving my point. It's your policy, so all you need to do is change it."

Leslie, now the martyr, replied. "You know I can't do that. That wouldn't look right. Besides, it is still for the greater good of the company. Not that I'll be around to appreciate the effort."

"But if you found a way to stay without demotion and comply with the policy, wouldn't that be for the greater good of the company? Would you then be willing to reconsider changing the policy? You could say it was in light of recent and personal experience - surely nobody would question that?"

This was happening too quickly. Things were spinning out of her control, forcing her to merely react. "Yes, of course." She paused, apparently in thought, but really just taking a moment to calm down and regain control over the course of the conversation. "You have a suggestion to make?"

"Well... an option. I doubt it's an option you will like, but you said the intent was that the offending employee could be offered a choice. I believe this choice meets the requirement of 'employee discipline of a substantial and punitive nature,' while at the same time keeping you from any public embarrassment or financial hardship. And most importantly, it allows me to prove my point."

"Are you serious?" Of course he was. He quite obviously had planned this in advance. Spar for time; keep him talking. "How could all that be possible?"

"I believe your other option is to request a sound spanking, which should certainly be of a substantial and punitive nature. Not only would it be for the greater good of the company, but it just might do you a lot of good personally."

Leslie flushed bright red. She stole a glance at Tom's strong hands, speculating about the option. She had little choice in the matter. "And I suppose you're offering to do the honors? Somehow I can't see myself as a child, or you as my father. And I don't believe in spanking anyway!"

Tom counted his points off on his fingers. "First, I wasn't suggesting you be anyone but your charming self. Second, it doesn't matter if you believe in it or not - it fits your requirements and is therefore a valid option. If you don't believe in it, I should think that's another plus from your point of view. And third, are you really considering trying to explain all this to someone else and try to get them to spank you?"

She could see no alternative to conceding. "You're right. I'll take the spanking, in private, from you."

"Could you be more specific, please?"

So Tom was going to require her complete capitulation. Why did that thrill her at the same time it humiliated and infuriated her? "I hereby request that you spank my bottom in punishment for my policy violation, in private, with the understanding that the spanking needs to be substantial and punitive. And with the further understanding that nobody else shall hear of this during my lifetime."

Tom smiled again, stopping just short of chuckling at her wording. After all, this was a serious request, and she couldn't help it if she were a lawyer. Still, there was more to be clarified. "I will be fair, but do you understand that I will decide how hard your spanking will be, and that it will be on your bare bottom?"

"Couldn't I keep my panties on?" Leslie was thinking furiously. "Or if I go buy a thong panty, wouldn't that be acceptable?"

"No, it has to be on the bare."

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On to The Witch, part 2