Shelly stood straight in front of his dark wood desk, staring at the painting of a rainy Paris street mounted on the wall. She took in a slow deep breath, taking in the musky fragrance of his cologne. She heard the slap of his eighteen-inch wood ruler on his hand as he paced behind her.

"Yes, sir."

"So I am going to ask you about the divorce case that you are handling. Are you prepared to have a meeting with the opposing council?"

"I think so, Mr. Steinhauser."

"Think so?" He smacked his hand again with the ruler. "Do you know the name of the opposing council? What his or her habits are?"

"No, I didn't think it mattered." Shelly gasped as she felt the impact of the ruler on her behind, the blow penetrating through the black fabric of her long skirt.

"It most certainly does!" He smacked her on the ass again, obtaining another gasp from her. "I make a point of finding out whom the opposing lawyer is immediately. I learn if he is a morning person, if he eats lunch every day or what his marriage is like. Do you understand why?" He hit her on the ass again.

"Oh!" Shelly called out.

"Because if he is a morning person, I schedule an afternoon meeting. If she enjoys a good lunch, I have a meeting with her at eleven and make sure the meeting goes well past noon. Know thy enemy, Miss Macintyre." He gave her three more smacks.

"Oh, oh oh." She resisted covering her behind with her hands. "Yes, Mr. Steinhauser. I understand, Mr. Steinhauser."

"I certainly hope so or there will additional consequences."

Shelly licked her lips, wondering what the additional consequences might entail. This was the first time he had struck her more than once on her posterior and she considered what the next step would be in the escalating discipline measures. She felt more than a little excited at the thought of the tall, handsome Robert E Steinhauser standing behind her holding the long wooden ruler in his powerful hand.