Author's Note: This story takes place in a universe without STDs. Comments are greatly appreciated.
JOB SECURITY
John Rutter approached his front door very weary from his day's work. A last-minute meeting had pushed his day into overtime and at 8:00 pm he was just getting home. As he entered, he was surprised to hear voices from within as he set his briefcase down. Walking into the living room, he was even more surprised to see his boss, Horace Ender, and his wife, Emma, along with the ubiquitous presence of Horace's bodyguard/right-hand man, Jared, all 6'8" and 275 pounds of sculpted black imperviousness. Even more jarring was the presence of Horace's secretary, Melissa, a 5'4", red-headed pixie with an upturned, freckled nose beneath bright green eyes.
"So, you're finally home," Jean, John's wife said, pressing her body into his and kissing him lightly on the lips. "Busy day?" she asked, her bright green eyes staring into his as her braless breasts rubbing lightly against his chest, her waist-length blonde hair swaying back and forth.
"Very," John replied, still wondering how he could have forgotten that everyone was coming over this evening.
"Sorry to surprise you, John," Horace said, at 65 still a silver-haired, energetic powerhouse of a man whose 6'3" was dwarfed by the presence of Jared standing behind him.
"Not at all," John replied, nonplussed. "I thought I had forgotten you were coming or something."
"Hello, John," Emma said, her silvery-grey hair tied back in a ponytail just like her husband's. At 63 and 5'6", Emma Ender was still a beautiful, willowy woman with bright blue eyes. "Nice to see you again."
"Emma," John replied, taking her hand and kissing her on both cheeks. "My pleasure. You look great," he said, admiring her and her husband, both very tanned from spending so much time at their home in Hawaii. "To what do we owe the pleasure?" he asked.
"Your future, John," Horace replied, a firm look on his face.
"My future?" John said a bit nervously.
"Yes," Horace answered. "Why don't you sit down and we'll talk," he said, indicating the large seat next to him.
As John settled nervously into the seat, everyone else settled down, too, Jean sitting between Melissa and Emma on the sofa while Jared stood behind John imposingly.
"Now see here, John," Horace began. "As far as your work goes, I can't say we've ever had a better, more productive employee, so rest assured on that score."
"I'm happy to hear it," John replied.
"Your energy, innovative thinking, and enthusiasm have all combined to bring in much business," Horace said. "So naturally we think of promoting you. We like to keep the best and the brightest and most promising at all costs."
"Wow, I don't know what to say," John said, truly surprised that this moment had come after only two years with the company.
"But we also consider other factors," Horace continued, "in deciding which people are worth keeping, factors such as honesty, morality, and suitability to our particular type of corporate culture. Being a productive worker just isn't enough anymore in today's marketplace."
"I understand," John replied.
"We're interested in determining whether you're such a person," Horace said. "But we do have some reservations, I must admit, which is why we're here tonight."
"What do you mean?" John asked, struggling to keep the nervousness from his voice.
"Well, we like to know that managers in our company are honest, truthful, and can be relied upon at all times, as well as whether they fit into our particular corporate culture," Horace said. "Are you such a person, John? Are you honest and truthful? Do you fully fit into our particular type of corporate culture? Can you be relied upon at all times to do what is required of you and do so with the utmost in discretion? Now, think before you answer! This is extremely important. Everything about your future with the company depends upon how you respond this evening."
Everyone just watched John expectantly, saying nothing. The tension was so thick, you could cut it with a knife.
"The best answer I can give you," John replied after due consideration, "is that I always try to be honest and truthful. I'm not a saint and I don't always succeed, but it's important to me, too, so I try. As for being reliable and acting with discretion as far as the company is concerned, 150%," he stated. "I have to say that I've never had a job that was as challenging, yet as exciting and fun. I look forward to going to work each and every day."
"Yes, that we're well aware of," Horace said somewhat cryptically. "But we're referring to your entire life when we talk about honesty and truthfulness and integrity, and even to an extent our particular corporate culture. Was your answer only about work or did it also cover your life in general?"
"My life, period," John answered without hesitation.
"I see," Horace said, a disturbed look on his face.
"John, when we got married, we agreed to always be open and honest with each other, to share our lives completely," Jean said from her seat on the sofa. "No matter what."
"That's right," John agreed, nodding his head warily.
"Neither of us was a virgin when we met, but I've been absolutely faithful to you ever since we got married," she continued.
"Can you say the same, John?" Emma asked quietly from the sofa.
John just stared at the three of them sitting there, realizing suddenly that both Melissa and Emma were each holding one of Jean's hands.
"No," John replied quietly after a minute. "I can't say the same."
"I'm glad you're being honest with us, John," Horace said after a few moments of pregnant silence filled the room. "That's very important, believe me. Now, you're saying you've been unfaithful to your wife; is that correct?"
"Yes," John replied, hardly daring to look Jean in the face but not daring to look anywhere else.
"Has it been one woman, many women?" Horace asked.
"Just one," John answered.
"I see," Horace said, nodding his head. "And was this a one-time thing or an ongoing thing?"
"It's been ongoing," John admitted, hating the look of pain in Jean's eyes as she stared at him, white-knuckled as she held Melissa's and Emma's hands.
"Are you in love with this other woman?" Horace asked.
"No," John answered, exhaling a huge breath. "It's just sex, lust."
"Your wife doesn't please you, satisfy you sexually enough?" Emma asked softly.