Tina knocked on the door of Helena‘s office and let out a couple “hellos?” as she looked around.  “There you are, and bravo, right on time.  The first sign of an excellent employee,” Helena said, as she stepped out from the back room.  “Come, come in, I had lunch prepared for us”

Tina fumbled with the buckle on her coat.  “Oh, that’s really nice of you, but I can’t stay that long.  I’m already meeting a friend for lunch.”   Pouting, Helena simply said, “Pity,” before making her way over to the long conference table.  “Anyway, I have all the paperwork here and ready for your approval.  I’m sure you’ll find everything to be in order, along with a few surprises.

Tina frowned, “Surprises?” 

“Perks, of course.  Bonus, vacations, and so on.  It’s all there, you’ll see.”   As Tina thumbed through the paperwork, she said, “Oh Helena, I don’t know.  This seems a bit much considering the title, don’t you think?” 

Helena smiled and raising an eyebrow, said, “I believe a person pays for what they get in this world, Tina, and I’m confident in all my investments, so, why don’t you let me worry about that.”

Tina just shrugged and pulling out a chair, got right to work.  She soon found herself in familiar territory; being thorough and exact, stopping every so often to question a line or suggest an amendment.  After a while, Helena found it hard to fight back the yawn, and leaning back into the leather high back, gazed upon the perfectionist before her.  “You certainly take this sort of thing seriously, don’t you?”

Tina, barely looking up from the task at hand, said, “Well, this is important.  Didn’t you ever read before you signed.ya know, don’t answer that, forget it.”

“No, I haven’t.  That’s what lawyers are for.  Why didn’t you bring your lawyer, ohwhat was her name?

 “Joyce?  That is who you were going to”

Helena snapped her fingers in the air.  “Joyce!  That’s it, Joyce.”    Tina, pressing one of the papers close to her nose, said, “I’m sorry, I don’t see in here where it says ‘must put up with boss’s sarcasm”

Helena laughed.  “I’m sorry; actually I was being, sarcastic.  Funny you chose that word.  Someone told me I was smug the other day.”