Competition Smile

(Non?)Fiction by Ivy Dillinger



Lauren, a marketing manager, was a former Miss Connecticut. Despite her looks and poise, she wasn't rising. She'd been with the company just shy of two years - no promotion, no additional responsibilities. Maybe it was her distance, her aloofness. Maybe she lacked a killer instinct. Either way, she was stuck. Until the day she decided to get unstuck.

"Lauren?" Mr. Vogel was stirring Sweet'n Low into his coffee.

"Sorry to interrupt." Force of habit. She reminded herself not to apologize anymore. For anything.

"What are you doing?"

She was setting up a digital camera on one of Mr. Vogel's bookshelves. She checked the angle, made an adjustment, used the zoom, set the timer, approached Mr. Vogel, removed her blouse, then grabbed the back of his head and pulled his face into her cleavage. The camera flashed. Mission accomplished.

"What are you doing?"

"I want a promotion."

"Are you nuts?"

"I have evidence. I'll say we're having a affair. I'll tell your wife. I want a promotion."

Lauren smiled. Her competition smile.