Family Business

Bully

Wednesday May 22nd 2019 4.30PM

Gretchen sat impatiently in the Hungry Duck café one black away from the office of Sternwood Hospitality & Financial Services. Her cell phone beeped her grumpiness replaced with satisfaction when she read the message "she is gone". Dozy Rosey as she called her had left the office now. She got up from her chair, she was going to have some fun. 'Fuck what the others think, I'll have my fun', she storms out of the cafe with purpose.

Prudence is deep into reviewing the business suitability report of a recruitment firm in Kansas with the aim of turning it into a specialist resourcing business for the hospitality industry. Her telephone rings it's Tanya. "An odd one for you Prudence, a Nicola Molloy is down at reception, she says she's an old high school friend!"

Prudence rubs her temple. She is too busy for walk in visitors but she hasn't seen Nicola in eighteen years, they lost touch. Last she heard she was in Ireland married with children. "Okay bring her up, thanks Tanya".

Tanya gets the elevator down to the ground floor. A slender lady with narrow face and toned arms dressed in a sleeveless pink and white chequered blouse and a pair of light blue Levi Jeans cut into shorts to just above the knees. Tanya's gut tells her something is wrong. She places her hand out and forces a smile, as too does the other lady "Hi Nicola, I'm Tanya, nice to meet you come with me I'll bring you to Prudence, she's excited to meet you".

"Oh I bet she is, why didn't she come down herself" Nicola asks.

Tanya calls the elevator she turns towards Nicola "She's extremely busy"

"Busy or Lazy?" asks Nicola.

Tanya stares in shock as the middle elevator opens and they both enter. She presses floor three "Oh Prudence is extremely busy. She runs an impressive empire, an inspiration really!"

The elevator door opens and Tanya guides her through the office.

Prudence groans as she rises from her seat, she has a plan in place, a small chit chat now and plan they meet for a meal and keep in touch.

On Site of Prudence's office Nicola turns to Tanya "I'll let myself in thanks" and barges in.

Prudence gasps in horror, her breathing grows heavier and slower. She takes a step away from her desk with her plump hands extended forward.

"Hello Prudence, gosh like your business you're expanding too"

The psychedelic grin on Gretchens face terrifies her, "Get out of my office, how dare you barge in like this" she gasps. Her stomach churns.

Gretchen takes a step closer "I saw your fat head on TV and I was in the area and thought I really want to see Roly-Polys fat head in person and I am in town and thought why not?"

The nickname Roly-Poly Prudence cut her like a dagger but she had to be the bigger person despite how afraid she is. She couldn't fight Gretchen, not in a million years "Well you have seen me, you have insulted me which you really wanted to do so leave!".


"oh but I haven't finished yet!" taunts Gretchen, she notices Prudence eyeing up the phone on her desk "Don't even thing about it, I'll have ripped off your desk and smashed against that pompous photo of you on that wall before you've even raised your hand".

Prudence breathing grew heavier it was like her throat was shut with panic. She cursed that the blinds were drawn on her office. She extends out her arm to Gretchen to take a seat.

"I don't need to sit down!! I'm not out of breath like you!! bet that big belly of yours is a big belly of money"

Prudence's left hand shakes as she adjusts her glasses, her face burns as beads of sweat builds up on her brow.

Gretchen laughs at the fear on Prudence's face "Bet if I stick a pin in that big belly of yours, fifty dollar bills will start floating in the air".

Gretchen raises her hands flexing her fingers as they moves.

"If my belly was full of money" wheezes Prudence almost breathless "you would have stabbed me along time ago".

"Well its either money or lard!" sneers Gretchen

Pain shoots from Prudence's ankles up through her back "I know I'm not a model, I know I'm not a athlete, I'm a businesswoman, and yes I know I need to lose weight and I will address it now leave!"

Prudence moves her head sideways as if she is examining Prudence "Your very rude Prudence, I might have to put you in a headlock like last time, gosh how I enjoyed that. I think everyone else did too"

Tanyas gut continued to tell her something isn't right about this Nicola O'Malley. She remembers she didn't offer her a beverage. She gets up from her desk and knocks on the office door.

Prudence lets off a shallow sigh of relief upon the sound of the knock and the door opening. Tanya freezes upon the site of the terrified Prudence.

Prudence is relieved but feels humiliated that Tanya sees her like this.

Tanya stumbles with her words "eh eh eh is there something I can do for you Prudence"

Gretchen turns around delight written all over her face "My work here is done".