The fake technology breakdown was probably also a bad idea, as others have pointed out. One would need deniability on something like that and she made it clear she had orchestrate it.

Its wasn’t that bad. It was a power play that Becca knew she would win. Ho has been messing around and probably didn’t want to draw too much attention to herself. Plus Becca and Emi have a lot of respect from Su-Ning. So I would just say… well done Becca.

Su-Ning managed to join such a call for that big meeting, but we are to assume that she would not take a call from Becca?

Su-Ning, the girl who didn’t want this role, was close to a breakdown. Plus her father means a lot to her. She doesn’t want to be bothered right now. If someone really needs to talk to her, they can probably go through Ruth. Emi has made her bed and Becca is there helping her get through it. Still, after what Becca just pulled it’s unlikely she wants to have a big meeting with Su-Ning and Ho at this point. So for now, we are in a holding pattern.

 In more serious stories like what the esteemed Readerman is composing, there is ACTUAL power being wielded and so our poor Emi can indeed be forced to submit. 

I think that drama can be more intense and exciting when there are real risks possible. That said, it should be fairly obvious by now, that playful antics are a large part of this story.

Respectfully,
TightRopeMan

You didn’t say anything about Becca. Did you like any of the major story developments? (Maybe I shouldn’t ask.)

Sure, overall I thought the whole bit about Emi revealing what really happened and Becca’s reaction was fine.  As you said, it was probably the right time in the story to address that.  Becca probably did overplay her hand, of course, especially mentioning the consulate. The fake technology breakdown was probably also a bad idea, as others have pointed out. One would need deniability on something like that and she made it clear she had orchestrate it.      

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 It might have been smarter to secretly tape-record Ho saying something that Su-Ning would have considered a betrayal of her.  Speaking of Su-Ning, it still seems a bit odd that she is out of the loop for so much of this.  As I mentioned earlier, her father’s illness is at least a better excuse for her being gone than the previous explanation of “vacation.” But even so, we have these things call telephones and zoom conference calls. Su-Ning managed to join such a call for that big meeting, but we are to assume that she would not take a call from Becca?      

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P.S. — Thank you, arthwys. The next chapter also deals with spankings and recounts a situation (very loosely based on a real relationship) in which the “submissive” actually has all the power and can at any moment strip the illusion of power from the supposedly “dominant” partner simply be declining to participate — in front of witnesses.  BUT that can happen only when there is no actual source of power besides the relationship itself.  In more serious stories like what the esteemed Readerman is composing, there is ACTUAL power being wielded and so our poor Emi can indeed be forced to submit. (And so, of course, I realize that fans of these somewhat darker stories would not be satisfied with my story — which is really more of a comedy with a dom/sub element. )

Regarding the spanking idea, I do have a little experience in that area.  Although I very much dislike like the concept of spanking someone for the purpose of causing pain — because that is freaking battery — it can be tantalizing when done in front of other people as a form of embarrassment. And in your story, the person performing the spanking could change depending on whatever contrived mailgirl transgressions have occurred that supposedly requires correction.  BUT, I do think it is important to make it a ceremonial spanking, not a truly hurtful one.

That’s a great spanking story! Thank you for the link.

Although I have serious reservations about spanking Emi in terms of realism of the story (I doubt that Emi would accept this or Becca allow this), this kind of playful setting might make it possible. I mean when cosplaying a mailgirl, a spanking in a playful manner could be setup. But still, it would be extremely embarrassing for Emi.

You are doing a good job with the scenes in which Emi tells other characters how all of this happened.

Thanks. I tried to find that balance. I put a little extra into it as Molly and Blair, the retelling police – were nearby.

Now that I know Ben has a buzz cut, I like him even less. 

I don’t mind that if people don’t like him (cough everyone). Emi, Liz and I like him at the moment – so we will see how that goes.

In the clothing store scene, I would recommend at least having her peek out the curtain to see that a janitor has come by to empty the trashcan so that the old t-shirt is no longer available. 

That would be very easy to add. I think I will do that.

Every time she takes a shot, Emi should be acutely aware of her precarious situation.

That sounds like something Cave would say as well. Yes, I totally should have done that. Low hanging fruit. I’ll see if it’s possible to inject a few sentences here and there.

I’m puzzled why you bothered with the little plot twist that Emi’s original clothing survived.

I get your point. But our heroine had a disproportional amount of bad luck recently, and so the goddess of fairness waved her magic wand. Not everything is going to be an easy-piesy, overly predictable, slam dunk – [setup, execute and deliver]. We want some realism, some chaos, and most importantly – some comments.

Emi needs to man-up and take the bull by the balls

You didn’t say anything about Becca. Did you like any of the major story developments? (Maybe I shouldn’t ask.)

In the comments, I have to agree with arthwys that Emi REALLY should have made time to finish reading that darned story by now.

Yeah, I’m inclined to agree. Although Emi fears that if she reads something she doesn’t like then she has to wait in apprehension. And if that thing doesn’t happen then it’s a lot of stress for nothing. The upcoming mailgirl testing is already testing her limits on stress and apprehension. So do you really think reading would help? Strategically, bandaid ripping might be the best way to go.

[spanking] – it can be tantalizing when done in front of other people as a form of embarrassment. And in your story, the person performing the spanking could change depending on whatever contrived mailgirl transgressions have occurred that supposedly requires correction.

That sound you just heard. That was my jaw hitting the floor. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised? Your stories after all dabble in the fine art. This is actually a hot topic for some readers. I’m going to savour this light light ass slapping moment. This quiet before the storm. Because up next – is Brandy. And Lucille is chomping at the bit.

Regarding the spanking idea, I do have a little experience in that area.

Indeed!

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Now that I know Ben has a buzz cut, I like him even less.  If he really wanted to spend some money to help Emi out, how about buying her a bicycle so she could zip to work faster? Giving pierced earrings to a girl without pierced ears just reveals how little attention he is paying — a bad sign. As someone mentioned, his antics with the leash and the shaving may have made for fun reading for the rest of us, but did no favors for Emi.  I don’t think Ben has staying power as a boyfriend and personally I am on Team Evan.

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Although both the shopping-for-a tshirt scene and and the shooting-pool-wearing-only-a-tshirt scenes were fun, they sort of seemed like ideas that never quite came to fruition.  Maybe the intention was just to tease the reader, but both segments seemed like set-ups that didn’t lead to anything related to the set-up.  In the clothing store scene, I would recommend at least having her peek out the curtain to see that a janitor has come by to empty the trashcan so that the old t-shirt is no longer available.  And any girl who has gone out wearing only a t-shirt can tell you that playing pool is not the best choice of recreation while so attired. Every time she takes a shot, Emi should be acutely aware of her precarious situation. It wouldn’t really take Liz lifting up the shirt with her cue for someone to get a look.

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I’m puzzled why you bothered with the little plot twist that Emi’s original clothing survived.  It seems kind of pointless since (1) she can’t really wear them anyway and (2) she has plenty of money to buy more clothing if she really wants to. And the downside is that you sacrifice the previously established fact of Emi not possessing any clothing.

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“Emi needs to man-up and take the bull by the balls”
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Hmm, I don’t know a lot about cattle, but this does not actually sound like good advice.

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In the comments, I have to agree with arthwys that Emi REALLY should have made time to finish reading that darned story by now.

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Regarding the spanking idea, I do have a little experience in that area.  Although I very much dislike like the concept of spanking someone for the purpose of causing pain — because that is freaking battery — it can be tantalizing when done in front of other people as a form of embarrassment. And in your story, the person performing the spanking could change depending on whatever contrived mailgirl transgressions have occurred that supposedly requires correction.  BUT, I do think it is important to make it a ceremonial spanking, not a truly hurtful one.

Likely between 9 pm and 11 pm PDT (GMT-7). Meaning right about now, but tomorrow or 24 hours later.

I probably won’t announce posting dates in the future, it’s nice to have extra time incase stuff comes up. Currently I’m madly rewriting the ending part. haha…