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Stop Running Renata

By: Egmont0409



CHAPTER 1

Two hours before dawn, two hours after the cops had broken up the party, Renata Mead opened her eyes and blinked furiously, looking around trying to identify where she was. She eyed the stacks of winter wood and groaned, accepting she was in a garden woodshed.

Somebody was sprawled over her.

Dead or alive?

Gingerly she reached down and was horrified to feel the guy's flaccid dick was still in her.

Oh god, this was this scenario her mother had often warned her about and it wasn't the first time something like this had happened to her after she over indulged in alcohol.

She moved, his thing slipped out and she edged away, collected her jacket with her billfold still intact and fled.

Renata never managed to identify the guy but he had a potbelly so probably was middle aged. Ohmigod.

Two days later Renata was in a cab heading for Aunt Judy's home. Her mom had taken her to the bus station, weeping all the way and urging, "Don't go dearest. I'll have you attend a cleansing ceremony. The Good Lord will help you rejuvenate."

"What, that bunch of misfits her mother associated with attempting to cleanse her? Serial sex with a sexy twenty-six year old was more likely. So Renata decided to head out of town to escape the wrong crowd she was running with.

Her uncle Peter opened the door and greeted her, boggling.

"Renata?"

It had been a while since Uncle Peter had seen her. He took in her blonde curls and substantially raised chest. "Er your aunt is away at a refresher course."

"That's fine. I can stay can't I?"

"Er yes."

Four hours later, drunk, on her back on the lounge carpet and being fucked by Uncle Peter who was slamming into her for the second time and crowing like a randy rooster, Renata knew her problem was alcohol or rather the excessive intake of booze. So she fucked her almost comatose uncle almost dry next morning simply to teach him he was not up to speed with nubile young women of her generation and left.

At the bus station, facing a wait, Renata clung to a hot chocolate and thought her life was going nowhere. She told herself very severely to stop running Renata. Go to a friendly place with friendly people, mend your ways and try to find happiness. This life you have been experiencing will corrupt your mind and spirit and eventually leave you mentally and spiritually gutted.

Oh yeah? She doubted she'd listen to such chastisement. Up to now she never had.

At 9:30 next evening Renata arrived at a seedy looking bus station but the city of Norris Hill looked rather attractive. She decided to try to relocate there and crossed the street to a diner and sat at the bar for coffee and chicken burger.

"Stranger in town?" asked the guy in his early fifties being handed another coffee.

"Yes. I gather you're not passing through?"

He nodded. "How did you figure that out?"

"A stranger in town would be unlikely to ask the person he was speaking to was he/she a stranger in town. Someone asking the initial question was likely to be a city dweller, about 98% likely."

"So you look cute, have a great figure and a brain goes with it?"

"Is it okay if I don't describe you as having a pot-belly and appear in need of a shave?"

He laughed and said quite okay. "Are you looking for work?"

"Yes but not in a brothel."

He said, "Allow me to pay for that" reaching for the tab as Renata's meal arrived.

"Look you'll not get sex from me."

"Give me the bill," he snapped.

Renata handed it over meekly and the impassive server said, "Thank you Mr George. Are you also handing across her tip?"

He slapped down another couple of bucks on the table and grinned at Renata, "You are expensive to keep."

"What kind of work?"

"We are short in marketing, sales and IT."

"What do you sell?"

"We manufacture and install bathroom spa baths, replacing ordinary baths and also make and install outdoor whirlpools."

"Who do you sell to?"

"Anyone but because we usually sell a maintenance contract as well and so we prefer to market within fifty miles of here."

"That's astute."

"You know about marketing and servicing dynamics?"

"My dad's brother markets home gyms and I've worked for him during school breaks since I was fifteen and then again after I completed my degree after years of being bored out of my mind studying marketing."

"So you think you know more than your tutors?"

"No but they were teaching me too much stuff I didn't need to know. My dad had already taught me all I needed to know. But the parties and sport opportunities at college were great."

Mr Nice said, "I didn't go to college."

"And still manage to make a living from selling spa baths?"

"Our turnover is four to six million dollars a year and my wife and I own the business."

"Jesus, so you're not chicken shit?"

He grinned, obviously accepting that as a compliment. "You remind me of a younger version of my daughter who married and went far away to live."

"And left you a hole in sales and marketing?" 

Mr Nice said yes she was sales manager and his wife who was company administrator was filling the hole as well as doing her own job.

"Look, I'm on my way home now. Come home and have a real dinner."

Renata, mindful she'd only be filled with booze and then fucked said primly, "No thank you."

"My wife's home waiting for me."

"Oh."

He smiled and said so his wife being home made the difference did it?

"Yes."

"Great I'll call Misty now and say we have a guest for dinner and why I'm bringing you with me. By the way I'm Al George."

"Hi Al, I'm Renata Mead and if you do have a place for me in the company I have my credentials in my backpack."

"Fine, leave the rest of your burger and let's go."

Al appeared genuine and that was confirmed when they got into a pickup marked George Spa Pools. Al said he was late going home because he'd been called out on a plumbing emergency after being unable to contact his servicing contractors so late in the day. 

"Your company is doing well because of your hands on attitude and exemplary attitude towards service and thereby underpinning company reputation."

"As I said earlier, cute, great figure and a brain."

"Compliments are still not going to get you sex."

Al chuckled and said, "You're hired providing your credentials stack up."

Al's wife opened the door for them and said to Renata, "Hi, I'm Misty, the business brains of the outfit. If you can sell you have a job."

"Hi Mrs George. I'm Renata Mead."

Renata had gaped. Misty could easily win Mrs America. She had a figure to die for, wonderful wide mouth, great smile and shiny auburn hair that cascaded down to her shoulders.

"You are so beautiful."

"Why thank you darling. I never tire of hearing it. But sadly I hit thirty-five three months ago."

Renata, who also had a wide mouth, a great figure under a little plumpness and was dirty blonde, found that difficult to believe. The woman looked not much older that Renata.

Over dinner after the couple had examined Renata's work record and read references, Misty said, "Did Al tell you I'm his second wife?"

"I figure that out when I guess the age of your step-daughter in that wedding photo."

"I was a cabaret dancer and fill-in singer and met Al one night. We just clicked and his wife woke up that next morning to find me in bed between her and Al and just lost it. She wouldn't accept my apology for getting so smashed I couldn't remember what happened after the party. But Al smirked. We both were slapped over the face and after the divorce I decided I should do the decent thing and marry Al. That won him back respectability in this community because it's conservative and they don't like men busting up their marriages by playing around with whores."

"Er no. That would go for most communities wouldn't it?

"Well probably, apart from Washington DC and New York and perhaps Chicago and not to mention LA."

"Say something Al," Misty urged.

"Misty was certainly no whore," Al said loyally. "I looked great in those days and was spending freely that night and gave her far too much champagne. I was smashed too because I drove straight through the garage, taking out the entire rear wall and window but when I went out in the morning I remember yelling, who the hell's wrecked my garage and thought it was my insanely angry wife. Well that happened fifteen years ago. Misty and I started up in business, I'm a former president of the Downtown Rotary Club and Misty chairs the Community Consultative Advisory Group on Public Health Issues and is a committee chairman in our Chamber of Commerce. Our lax ways are behind us."

Renata said, "Wow, quite a speech Al but there is no need to convince me of anything in joining your company. I see no direct linkage between the personal lives of you two and your business morality."

"I think Renata Al was simply putting you into the picture. In appointing you as sales and marketing manager, with emphasis on generating new business, you will be third in seniority in this company after Al and me. I am offering you a three-year contract and we wish you to work closely with us and not basing your judgment of us on things people talk about that occurred fifteen years ago."

"Understood and thank you guys. I'm perfectly relaxed about working with you."

Renata began work at 8:30 on Monday after spending time from Thursday looking at rental furnished apartments and on Saturday morning choosing a studio with immediate possession. She spent the remainder of Saturday and Sunday purchasing extras to personalize it as her home.

The company employed fifteen other people mainly factory workers plus three subcontractors who provided on-call servicing as part of their own work maintaining pools as registered electricians/plumbers.

Al introduced Renata to everyone in the office and factory and fifteen minutes after completing that Al was engaged in a heated argument with his factory manager who resented someone as young as Renata coming in as senior to him.

Renata sat quietly, listening to the exchanges, picking up useful information on the relationship between David and Al. David had been the first person Misty and Al had employed when setting up fifteen years ago. Misty came in to try to cool the arguing.

"Exactly what do you want David?"

The fading red-head who looked to be in his mid-fifties, pointed rudely at Renata and said, "I want to be in the pecking order ahead of her. I accepted Kate being slotted in ahead of me as sales manager because she was a graduate and your step-daughter, Al's daughter. But not this time."

Misty said coolly, "I'm sorry this has upset you so David. Renata have you anything to say about this that might assist us to reach resolution?"

"Is David being paid more than you're paying me?"

"In salary yes, but you have the ability to boost your earnings hugely by bonuses related to increases in sales as provided for in your contact."

"My current contract is for three years David. After that anything can happen but right now this company needs more sales because they've slumped and output as you'll well know is uncomfortably low, threatening profitability. Can you accept that my position is much closer linked to the bottom-line through the generation of new business than your position is and I have a more direct link to company policy-making and my weekly and monthly reporting is more significant than yours, thereby justifying my seniority?"

"No."

"Al you'll have to fire David and appoint a new manager."

David, Al and Misty looked horrified.

"We can't do that Renata."

"Why not Al?"

"Because David is a buddy and has been with us forever." 

Renata eyed him steadily. "But this goes deeper than friendship and loyalty. It's about company fundamentals and tuning them correctly. As I see it we should end this right now. Either David goes or I go or David backs down. I cannot accept a factory manager has greater seniority than a sales manager but I acknowledge sincerely the importance of his key position to the company."

Misty also remained calm. "Well I guess it's over to you David."

David said to Al, "Do you also want me to decide."

"Yes mate. It's only you who sees this as an issue so resolve it."

"Then your new girl goes."

Renata looked surprised and said, "Okay but I hadn't expected this. I'll collect my things from my office."

Misty and Al looked stunned.

Renata had opened the door when David called, "Wait Renata. This is ridiculous. God you have a hard edge to you for one so young. I'll back down. You are my senior Renata."

"Thank Christ for that," Al sighed. "I know it's early in the morning but close the door Renata and we'll have a whisky to celebrate good sense. The four of us are now poised to become an even better management team than what existed before Renata's arrival."

They toasted and David said, "No hard feelings Renata" and she said replied, "No hard feelings David. After this perhaps we can go to your office and you explain your production schedules and capacities and stock of completed units, what ranges you carry what are the best sellers and..."

"Yeah," he grinned. "But no need to bore these two with production fundamentals. They'd rather see orders flowing in. How will you achieve that?"

"The only practical way, through strong marketing."

In the following weeks Renata managed to convince Al and Misty to increase the annual marketing budget three-fold, persuading them that if she were successful they'd get that outlay returned many times over.

She convinced Al to introduce heat pumps and solar systems as heating options for the company's range of pools. Renata also had him organize the three independent contractors to arrange amongst themselves to take turns for one of them to be on after-hours call-out 24/7.

"It's unacceptable Al for you to go out to attend to a burst water pipe when you have service contractors on hand to do that work."

One of the service contractors rejected the emergency call out reorganization but the other two brought him into line.

The company didn't provide loan finance so Renata went out and found a reputable finance company in the city that was only too happy to provide such a service and its offer to pay for new brochures to include its logo and be named as the preferred finance provider was accepted.

Several promotions were tried and a couple were successful, particularly the Thursday column in the local newspaper's 'Home & Garden' section titled 'About Home Spas' written by Renata Duck. The first two columns to be published drew twenty-seven enquiries and produced nine sales.

Then came the big breakthrough. The city's biggest TV station investigated who was this columnist calling herself Renata Duck and she was unmasked on a 'Behind the News' program and repeatedly called Miss Duck. Renata finally said, "Pardon me but I must point out that my real name is Renata Mead."

"Oh how embarrassing. I must duck for cover," the interviewer smiled.

"Just call me Renata Duck; I'm too young to be called Miss."

'Gaffe by TV Interviewer Calling Our Columnist Miss Duck' screamed the newspaper next day and suddenly Renata was a minor celebrity being invited on to radio shows and TV panels and then an impressed businessman and a pal nominated her for the Chamber of Commerce's 'Young Entrepreneur of the Year' competition. Renata appeared before the judges with thirty-two other contestants. She was sponsored by the finance company associated with offering finance to their pool customers but was knocked out in the semi-finals.

All of this publicity helped to catapult George Mini Pools as the company now marketed itself into capacity production.

"We should expand the factory," Al said at a Monday morning meeting.

"No remain as you are," Renata said. "This won't last; the drive will run out of steam. This is why marketing people tend to move on." Renata was in line to receive bonuses approaching $40,000 by late spring when sales of mini pools would begin to bottom out into summer.

"David?"

"I would like my empire to enlarge Misty but my pragmatic side tells me Renata is talking sense. No one lasts at the top forever and in our market competition rises and ebbs and that makes forward planning even more difficult."

"You guys have now installed a sizeable number of mini pools in this city and out into the hinterland," Renata said. "Misty and Al, you ought to do the calculations and work out if it would be more advantageous for you to employ your own technicians and disperse with the contractors."

"Well it would be good cash flow," Al said, rubbing his chin. "Yes we should examine closely the dynamics and overheads of maintaining our own maintenance operation."

After the meeting finished Renata receive a call from their local morning newspaper, The Guardian. It was the newspaper that ran her weekly column and the person she was talking to was a company vice-president Wilson Simons.

"Miss Mead. We invite you to come in an talk to us as the possible replacement of our director of marketing."

"What? I don't know anything about newspapers."

"It's what you know about marketing Miss Mead. We have had you appraised professionally and the report says you a one of those people who come along every so often. You are loaded with personality, have off-the-wall creativity and I think I know what that means, and have the knack of taking people along with you. You also present immaculately."

Present immaculately? Renata had to stifle a giggle. God, little wonder the newspaper was so stuffy.

"No thank you Mr Simons. I'm not interested. Goodbye."

An hour later Misty came in and said, "I know you dined with us Saturday night but Al and I would like you to come for dinner tonight. There's someone we'd like you to meet."

"Okay."

"Don't you want to know who our other guest is?"

"No I'll find out sooner or later. You know if you really wish to expand trading you should be manufacturing more exotic pools under license. I'd look to France if I were you and then muscle into the hotel, motel and resort market, targeting the older establishments."

"Ohmigod, how did you think of that?"

"I stayed at a tired motel last weekend when I went trail riding with some friends. The spa pool was out of the Ark."

"Drinks at 7:30, okay."

"Yes, lovely."

Renata was suspicious she was being set up so had her hair stylized and wore a slinky dress.

Misty, looking even more gorgeous than usual, said, "You smelt a rat. You knew it would be a male."

"Your air of mystery pointed me in that direction and what's why I didn't wish to know who it was to avoid encouraging you to be deceitful."

"You are so intelligent darling and are looking simply gorgeous. Come through."

"Renata, this is my stepson Lucas, Al's oldest child. Lucas this is Renata Mead. She doesn't like being addressed as miss."

"Hi Renata," said the guy, who was tall with brown curly hair. "You are very pretty."

They shook hands and she said thank you and kissed Al who arrived with her Martini.

"Al and I will be attending dinner," cooed Misty. "Why don't you two sit and relax?"

They stayed standing. 

"Do you reside locally?" Renata asked the handsome guy with green eyes.

"Yes, I have my own apartment and rarely come here. "Dad, mom and I usually eat out."

"I'm glad you call Misty mom. I find her to be a lovely person and your dad is rather okay as well."

"They've told me you are single-handedly rejuvenated their company, returning it to even higher profitability than before."

"Oh, and that interests you?"

"You could say that."

"I thought I just did."

He laughed.

They fell silent for twenty seconds.

Renata said, "This silence means I'm supposed to ask the question that is going to unleash what this contrived meeting is all about."


Stop Running Renata



"Mom told me you'd see through us."

"What do you do to earn money Lucas?"

"I'm editor-in-chief of The Guardian. Dad's parents own controlling interest in the newspaper and publishing company."

"I told your vice-president no."

"Yes he told me and I thought no meant no but mom thought otherwise."

"So I'm the subject of a stepmother-son conspiracy?"

"We want you Renata. It's as simple of that. I have the chairman's authority to hire you tonight. Just a yes or no answer will suffice. Your salary will be $120,000 which is pretty high for your age."

"What does the position involve?"

"You would run the promotions department of five other people including your PA. Part of my duties are to run the entire newspaper business. Your specific task would be to effect changes to win over advertisers, to work alongside me to make the newspaper look more up to date and be more relevant to our various categories of readers. The question advertisers ask is why should they advertise in The Guardian. We want you to give them compelling answers and to motivate them."

"I don't have a single qualification in marketing and..."

"Hush Renata Duck. Why are more people than ever before buying spa pools from dad and mom's company?"

"Um because I motivated them to cooperate with me and then came up with a lucky break."

"Well come up with three or four lucky breaks during the next year with us Renata and we'll say you've earned your money. I'm offering you a one-year or three-year contact. Mom says they'll release you from your three-year contract without penalty."

"You have prepared for this well."

"Good. Give me your answer before you leave tonight. Let's go out and find what those other two are doing out in the kitchen. Sitting and drinking I would think, giving me time and space to pitch to you."

Drinking modestly as was her habit these days because she didn't wish to lose control and be fucked by anyone who was prepared to take an interest in her, Renata eventually stood and said she must go.

"It was such a lovely evening everyone and I'm delighted to have met you Lucas."

She kissed everyone and Al took her to the front door. Renata noticed Misty attempting to pull Lucas off his chair to follow her but he resisted. She liked that.

At the door she turned and said, "Oh Lucas. The answer is yes. Please have a draft contract sent to me."

She turned and kissed Al again and said, "You're bred a lovely guy."

Al beamed.

Renata served out her month's notice, giving her time to induct her replacement and at evenings she went to the library and studied some of the country award winning newspapers in The Guardian's category in having a circulation range of 30,000 to 50,000.

CHAPTER 2

The manager of HR, Rene Duke signed Renata on. The newcomer had not stepped into The Guardian's building previously, having Lucas George's approval to sign on at the end of the month. Renata wish to be regarded as someone who didn't appeared bound by rules and procedures.

Rene took Renata round to all departments, introduced her to department heads and senior managers and lastly into marketing's small office sandwiched between IT and advertising. Renata considered that to be a clever and very convenient location because marketing was closely linked to advertising but if editorial and publishing thought they had no connection with marketing then they were due for a surprise or two.

Renata would have to say her reception by her five personnel in marketing stopped short of being hostile and she assumed it was because she was the youngest person in the department by about fifteen years.

Oh dear.

Rene was appalled by the veiled hostility.

Renata said, "Hi everyone. My name is Renata Mead and I wish to be called Renata. Now let me put you all to test. Which one of you wishes to ask me to resign from this position forthwith?"

Everyone including Rene looked shocked.

Renata stood silently.

"R-Renata. I'm Milly Florence, your PA and general office assistant. Welcome. I'll fetch coffee, with or without milk?"

"Always just half a cup, black, thank you Milly. You may consider your position on the payroll is safe."

The other four quickly identified themselves and welcomed Renata.

Renata looked at the walls and ceiling. "God, when was this office and my cubbyhole over there last decorated."

Robin Wood said, "At least ten years ago."

"Right Rene, please arrange for the ceilings here to be repainted off-white, and the walls eggshell blue after the installation of new lighting that exceeds minimum standards in the workplace. That work can be done at weekends, meaning you won't have to relocate us in temporary alternative premises such as the boardroom."

"Renata I have no authority..."

"Thanks four your interest Rene. Would you like to place my request before the appropriate authority with a request the lighting replacement commence this weekend?"

"Yes Renata. I shall do that for you. God this place is not going to be the same with you here."

When Renata had left Tony Jones said, "That Renata is as hard as old leather and is uncooperative to boot. How on earth did you get her to agree to your outlandish request?"

"Tony can you imagine Rene saying in front of your guys not you cheeky little upstart, do your own digging to find out the person responsible for considering your request."

Tony nodded and said, "Yes I see, she was over a rack."

"Right to work everyone. Milly into my office please and brief me about what you know the manager of this department is expected to do. I don't expect you to know everything."

A guy in pants and a white shirt, no tie, sleeves rolled up to show muscular forearms and his belt was hidden under a roll of beer belly came in and looked at the walls and ceiling.

"Excuse me Milly," Renata said, going out to meet the guy she had met earlier and remembered his name of Eddie Elliot.

"What's wrong with these lights?"

"Twenty years out of date. In your renovated office you have the latest models of fluorescents incorporating more up to date technology and achieving higher health and safety standards."

"Do I?"

"Yes. Are you willing to risk denying me Eddie?"

Eddie almost bared his teeth.

"We won't want health inspectors in here will we?"

Eddie scratched his belly and looked at the ceiling. "Your lights will be replaced this weekend."

"Thank you Eddie. You are very sweet and I'm just a dumb broad trying to push above her weight, aren't I?"

"You're all right," he grinned.

Eddie turned at the door. "Off-white ceiling, walls eggshell blue. Is that what you want?"

"Oh yes, brilliant Eddie."

"Painters will do that Saturday morning."

"Thank you Eddie. I'm sorry to have dragged you away from your important work."

"It's okay Renata. I'm thinking it will be a pleasure having your come into this office."

When he'd gone Robin said breathlessly, "I've been here twelve years and that's the first time I've ever seen him in this office."

Renata's staff looked at her, apparently very impressed.

Renata said she wanted everyone to attend a meeting from 12:30 to 1:30 in the office.

"I wish to talk to you all as a group about what we should be doing, and why, and that we have to cast aside some of the ways you have been doing things because marketing is now a science, rather than just a collection of concepts garnered together by a manager. You need to have full understanding about this because with a different manager you will be doing things differently under my guidance. Now does that timing unduly inconvenience anyone? You may eat lunch while I talk and Milly could you please have tea and coffee on hand."

Everyone said they would be available. 

"Milly please advise reception we shall be disconnecting our phones between 12:30 and 1:30 for a marketing renaissance meeting."

"A what?" Milly asked and Tony said, "Tell them it's a meeting to discuss the rebirth of marketing for this company."

"Yes, very apt wording Tony," Renata said.

* * *

Everyone in marketing was early to work on Monday eager to savor their new working environment and get stuff back on top of their desks again to prepare for the new day. 

"Where are the flowers Milly?"

"Oh sorry Renata. I'll dash out and get them now. Spend up to fifty bucks you said?"

"Yes and give me a chit with the receipt to sign for you to recover my fifty bucks."

Jennifer said, "Mrs Sharpe in Accounts won't payout on unauthorized expenditure."

"Oh Jennifer I'm sure Mr Elliot would have told everyone at management's drinks on Friday night not to cross that punchy young bitch in Marketing."

"Weren't you there?"

"No I wasn't invited. Anyway I had a better time at the singles bar I went to rather than beefing about company problems."

"Singles bar," Milly croaked. "God you are brave."

"No one actually asks you to do it in the bar Milly but it pays not to go to the restrooms."

Renata attended the management meeting at 10:00 that was chaired by the company president, Marcus George. Lucas who'd waved Renata over to sit next to him, introduced her to his grandfather who despite his age, eyed Renata appreciatively. He welcomed her to the executive.

The meeting bogged down on discussion about how to reverse slippage in the circulation of the newspaper.

"You haven't given up any opinions Renata."

"I would prefer to inject them quietly Mr George. My ideas tend to sound radical and are likely to scare the crap out of management."

People either laughed or looked horrified. Renata was unable to read Mr George.

"I indicated to you Renata was a fiery one Marcus," Elliot smiled.

The chairman sighed and said, "Come on young lady, cough up."

"This proposal we are looking at, offering a lucky draw prize of a car available to all existing subscribers who entice somebody to take out a year's subscription has been often tried, usually with mixed success. The problem is it's a oncer unless run repeatedly and that becomes expensive. It is better to use a range of measures to make citizens feel they MUST read The Guardian."

"Don't you think we know that?"

"Oh yes, Mr George. "None of the people here are fools otherwise they wouldn't be here. What I wish to propose is to suggest an integrated marketing program designed to put The Guardian into the hearts and minds of the citizens and believe me, to do that and do it properly will not come cheaply."

"In saying that suggests you're no fool."

"Thank you sir. Just think of me as an inspiring person who is out to inspire you and your executive and people right down to the grassroots. Why are we in a building with such an indifferent exterior."

"Are your critical of our building?"

"Yes and from the street from any angle you look at it, this building looks dead. It's such a shame."

"Careful Renata, gramps can come out swinging really hard and not even a female is safe," Lucas said, not attempting to lower his voice.

His grandfather glared at both of them.

"Here you are sir. Pass this color chart to the chairman please Lucas."

Marcus looked at the chart. "Why is this one color ringed?"

"I want the exterior of your building painted that color with external features picked out in a darker color. The company had the building erected fifteen years ago and I daresay it has not been repainted in that time."

"No and damn good paint and yes the company does own this building. And you have the gall to suggest we have it repainted in Dodger Blue."

"Yes sir."

"Why Dodger Blue. There are other blues, other colors?"

"Well I though suggesting orange would be far too radical for some of you and I like Dodger Blue and my research shows it's usually nominated in the top ten of surveys when consumers are polled on color preferences."

Marcus said, "Does anyone here want to see this building painted in Dodger Blue?"

Renata raised her hand.

"You have guts young lady."

"Well I prefer the improvement that such a repaint would provide and would have not been prepared to recommend orange."

"You have guts and are sensible young lady."

Elliot and Lucas put up their hands and were followed by HR manager Rene Duke and the financial controller Paula Sharpe.

"Well you have some influential support young lady. Carry on."

"Whatever color we adopt it becomes the company color and becomes the color of the masthead of the newspaper, on our advertising rate cards and on our stationery and bills and receipts. Our cars are painted that color..."

Marcus said, "That's enough for now. Please prepare a paper on this and circulate it by Friday and we'll discuss it seriously next Monday. So you have a company car?"

"No sir. The position of marketing managing is off the ranking board in this company."

"That's probably because we've always appeared to have clerical people in the position. You now have a car. Make it happen please Elliot. Any other big idea Renata?"

"Yes I do have one but first wish to discuss it with the editor-in-chief. That is correct procedure."

"Lucas?"

"She can tell us now granddad."

"Out with it young woman."

"The main writers on this newspaper are virtually unknown to readers. Of the thirty similar-sized newspapers I've studied they publish a thumbnail photo and byline on almost everything their principal writers produce and larger photos on major new stories and always big photos with feature articles."

"Why don't we do that Lucas?"

Lucas replied that a directive from the board that was renewed annually and prevented such practice.

"Young woman?"

"Sir, that prohibition is outdated and puts our newspaper on the back foot. Look at what our local TV stations do to their top news reporters. They practically present them as celebrities. It's not my place to make the recommendation."

"If it were what would you do?"

"First I'd ask you as chairman to cancel that directive in writing. Then I'd publish a page in a Saturday's newspaper headed something like, "Featuring our top writers" and running a photograph and brief bio under each name. And then from the following Monday those selected writers will have their major work published with a byline and with the decision to include a photo used prudently."

"Lucas?"

"Sounds a well thought out proposal to me. I say give me that cancellation in writing and let me get on with the job. You will recall I have appealed to the board at least three times to have that directive withdrawn, calling it archaic."

"Yes you have. You'll receive that letter within the next couple of hours. We are now on to General Business."

Lucas whispered to Renata, "God as Elliot says you punch above your weight. Do you date?"

Renata looked at him frowning and whispered to ask her later.

At lunch Lucas said, "Will you date me?"

"Are you going steady with anyone?"

"No, I've avoided doing that since my well publicized divorce."

"That's the penalty of marrying a short-term thinking celebrity."

"Ouch."

"No one told me. I search our newspaper files for articles about you and found that you had a bad year last year, romantically speaking."

"Do you date divorcees?"

"You'll be my first."

Lucas grinned.

He then frowned and said, "Granddad says you really impress him and it appears you have begun a golden run."

"It appears so but as that suggests it won't last."

"You know about that?"

"Yes new people with creative ideas are known to get the inside running, for a time."

Lucas said, "I can't recall your age?"

"Twenty-seven in two months."

"You appear to know such a lot for a person with not a great deal of business experience."

"My career is based on the ethereal, should I say harnessing my thinking, hopefully my original thinking at times, to produce creative ideas and programs and to correct misdirection, rather than to physically make things happen. As people in your grandfather's generation might still say, I provide grist for the mill."

"You explain yourself very well."

"Thank you. My father is an account executive in an advertising agency and my mother is a semi-retired professor of theology and so being the youngest in the family and the most academically inclined I began having fairly heavy discussions with my parents from high school age and between them, unintentionally I'm sure, I was steered into marketing. At college I became intensely interested in carnal delights. Is that one of your interests Lucas?"

Lucas almost dropped the forkful of pan-fried fish nearing his mouth. Steadying himself he said, "Yes that could be an interest, er one of my many interests."

He flushed hearing Renata's musical giggle.

They walked back to work and halfway there Renata pushed her arm under Lucas's, steered him towards the road edge of the sidewalk and stopped.

"Look at our building," she said, staring ahead. "See how nondescript and heartless it looks?"

"Give it a break. That structure was designed in an era of prudent spending and hiatus of commercial architectural austerity."

"Paint it blue and it will be endowed with character and appear to have heart and be recognized as the home of a vibrant, community-minded newspaper."

"Huh. Is that you talking about us Renata? What have you been drinking?"

"You mock me Lucas. Should you not be the editorial head of a vibrant, community-minded newspaper?" 

He checked himself and guiltily said yes."

"You have the power and presumably the ability Lucas. Use them to achieve what you want your newspaper to be. Painting the building blue will not change your newspaper one little scrap. That change has to come from within an led by you."

"Well something needs to be done and probably done radically if we are to halt this decline in circulation and return us to a growth cycle."

"The word for it is a renaissance Lucas. Will you plan and execute the start of a renaissance and take others along with you to make it happen?"

"I think so."

"Lucas!"

"Yes I will and I need you to motivate me Renata?"

"I will. You know at the back of my mind for some years now I've thought I would be good at something. Perhaps this is it."

In the foyer of The Guardian Building Lucas said, "Thanks for your stimulating company. I finish work at 6:00. If you are still around you are invited to ride home with me and cook our dinner."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Very sure."

"And after dinner?"

Lucas stepped very close and whispered, "Carnal delights sound interesting."

She giggled and went through to her department while Lucas entered an elevator to go to the editorial floor.

Half an hour later a Philip Scott called and told Renata her vehicle would be available after 10:00 in the morning.

"And what vehicle is that? she asked curtly, thinking Philip would have been told about the hard-ass bitch in Marketing.

"A base-model Ford Fusion, gas only, new."

"What color?"

"A dark color."

"I'm sorry but I'll only accept light blue."

"You don't get a choice."

"Says who Philip?"

"Um, okay but there might be a delay."

"No problem. Thank you for your kindness Philip. I will have a parking space with my name on it, won't I?"

There was silence.

"Philip?"

"I'll ask the boss to reconsider."

"Oh how kind. If there's a problem ask him to refer it to the chairman."

"Yes Miss Mead."

"Oh Philip, please call me Renata. We're on the same team."

Milly looked at Renata, shaking her head. "You do have a way with you. Those guys and the two women in Purchasing, Supplies and Vehicle Management are a law unto themselves. You just had their assistant manager almost drawn and quartered."

"Oh don't exaggerate Milly. Guys will do anything for a woman providing the woman talks to them in language they understand."

Milly looked less than convinced.




Stop Running Renata



At 6:30 Renata went to the underground car park and stood by Lucas's silver Lincoln. He appeared less than a minute later, kissed her and they drove off.

Lucas showed Renata around the elegant townhouse that he'd purchased after the divorce, their country residence having been sold as part of the marriage settlement. His ex-wife now lived in Florida.

He poured drinks while she cooked spaghetti meatballs, it being one of his favorite dishes.

The cook was complimented as they began their meal, eating slowly, soft music playing and finding out more about each other, at this stage mainly likes and dislikes in food, entertainment and leisure time.

Renata came into the lounge with coffee and sat beside Lucas. After he finished pouring he said, "May I undo your top?"

"Yes of course."

He patiently undid the dozen front buttons.

"So we are going to have sex?" she said.

"Yes unless you decline."

"That's unlikely."

He smiled and asked did she habitually do it on first dates.

She looked at him without expression and asked, "What's a first date?" He grinned and said well answered.

Renata sat up to allow him to remove her top and leaned forward to allow him to undo the single hook.

"Some women with smaller boobs than you have three hook bras."

"I guess it's a preference thing. I have one or two hook bras, depending on style, and have never yet fallen out of my bra."

"You're funny."

"I'm glad you think so. Some men don't like a quick-mouth woman. I guess you are still a little sad after your failed marriage?"

"Yes and I believe my old spirit will return to me when I settle my mind. Gee you have great breasts."

"I'm glad you think so. Do what you like with you while I see what I can find down here."

They fucked slowly, Renata without being asked placed two pillows behind her back and slid forward, allowing Lucas to feed into her and then stroke into a good rhythm, remaining on his knees.

Later Renata leaned over the end of the sofa on her knees, with Lucas coming into her pussy from behind and she really got him away big-time.

After finishing and toweling off sweat he puffed, "You are good, you really can fuck."

"I suppose it's because I like achieving carnal delights."

Drinking their brandies Lucas said, "Tell me why are you here in Norris Hill?"

"In my home town I became bored and left the next two places because I fell into the company of the wrong sort of people and was drinking too much and becoming a little too free about having sex so once more I hit the road and stayed with my uncle for a while but he made a pass at me and off I went again and at that point told myself to stop running, to settle into a quieter community and get myself properly re-established and that's why I'm here."

"It seems to be working."

"That's very perceptive. I think it is too. Earlier today I said something to you that rather surprised me. I said..."

"I think this is it."

"Yes, fancy you remembering that."

Lucas wanted to drive Renata to her studio apartment but she declined, saying it was a lovely offer but he'd been drinking, so why take the unnecessary risk. She'd call a cab.

They parted after kissing very warmly and Lucas saying softly, "I want more dates with you."

She smiled and told him he only had to ask.

The next Saturday night they dined out with Lucas's father Al George and his stepmother Misty and had a great time.

In the restroom Misty said to Renata, "I was hoping you two would get together. How is the relationship?"

"Fine. We like each other but this is only the second date so we are still finding our way."

Misty whispered, "I've had sex with him."

Dealing with that surprising comment well, Renata said, "When he was amid the despondency of his marriage break up?"

"Yes and we only did it on two occasions."

Renata hugged and kissed Misty and said, "In my view it was the motherly thing to do."

"Oh god, I had worried about telling you but thought I should. Um just to let you know but without really knowing why."

"I should think in case Lucas said something if we go farther down the track."

"Well yes. You see I pressed him and so thought I should take the responsibility of telling you so you could be told about it unemotionally and perhaps that would allow you to deal with it rationally, which I must say you have."

Renata thanked Misty for being so honest and said it was behind them now and she'd never indicate to Lucas she'd known about it should he ever raise the subject.

Lucas took Renata to her apartment by cab and after thoroughly fucking her left behind an exhausted and grateful young woman. She was mostly grateful about was having confirmation that Lucas really was a great lover, knowing what he was about and able to make a woman purr, at least he'd made her purr. He also had a brain and an easy manner. God, how good can it get!

Renata thought about what Misty had told her about fucking Lucas. Even if Misty had purposely miscounted to ease the impact on Renata and they had fucked for almost a year, perhaps even longer, it really didn't matter. What it meant even had it been only twice then Renata's behavior in the past had been no more disgusting that Lucas's and with him keeping that side of his past secret then Renata was entitled to keep her mouth closed about her sexually reckless past.

Highly excited she called Lucas.

"Oh god, I have just gotten into bed. Are you wanting me to come over for Round um five?"

She giggled and said, "No you clown. I'm legless. I just wished to say one more good night and to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"Would you consider moving in with me?"

There was a brief pause and fear ripped through Renata's belly. Oh fuck, he was phrasing a rejection.

"Renata, now please don't reject this request. Will you please move in with me this weekend, permanently? My place is larger with thicker walls so you can scream louder here."

Renata paused before replying, giving him time to feel his vulnerability.

Then she said, "Yes, I'd like that but we'll do more than fuck won't we?"

"Yes. Let's try to build a new life together and get The Guardian up and humming."

"Move in at the weekend you said?"

"Yes... um what say we both leave work a couple of hours early tomorrow and relocate your possessions?"

"Oh Lucas you lovely man. Oh yes. Now what was it I really called you for? Oh yes. Goodnight Lucas darling. It appears you and those around you who have stopped me running. I'm so happy."

THE END