I hold the essay in front of me and read the first paragraph again.
"Well Natalie." I say. "We have a problem here."
"Sir?" She asks. I look up at her sitting, a touch resentfully, in front of my desk. She is dressed in the college uniform, but as a number of her contemporaries are prone to do, she pushes the dress code to its limit. Perhaps they do this to encourage glances from the boys in the local village. As a senior student she would be allowed visits at the weekends, and after lessons finish.
Her skirt is slightly shorter than regulation length, and reveals her stocking tops as she slouches in the chair in front of me. She crosses her long legs and looks bored. I note her high heels, another college rule ignored.
"Natalie, you are aware of the college rules on plagiarism?"
"Yes sir". She affects a world weary tone, but suddenly is watching me carefully.
"Your essay seems to have in it large parts that are a direct copy of your friend Hannah's essay, one she submitted last year."
She sits up straight. "What? No! I never copied. I have never even seen her essay. You can't prove it! This is bullshit! I'm not standing for this, I'm telling my parents about you!"
"Go ahead." I say. "Do you want me to call them?" I point to the phone.
She slumps in her chair and folds her arms and stares resentfully at me.
"You and I know that this essay breaks college rules. We also know that your parents would be more than a little upset to find out that you have made this error."
She looks at the floor and sits up a little in her seat.
"I understand that you will inherit a large fortune when you are twenty-one. But I understand that this is conditional upon your behaviour here at college. I imagine your uncle had some concerns about your attitude when he wrote that clause into his will, no?"
She says silent. I wait. She slowly nods her head.
"So as I say, Natalie, we have a problem. Or rather you have a problem. This act alone could have you disciplined, and would not be looked upon well by your late uncle's estate."
She looks up at me. "I don't want anyone to find out about this, Sir. Can I just take the essay back? You don't need to be a dick about it."
I sit back and consider this. "You are suggesting ...exactly what, Natalie? That I risk my academic career to withhold from the authorities, and your parents, an example of cheating on college grounds? Why would I do such a thing?"
Natalie's lip begins to tremble. "Please Sir. I need this college degree. Next year I inherit enough money to set me up for life..." she pauses "... and I will let you have some of that to show how grateful I am for your help."
Again I consider. "Natalie. Perhaps there is a way out of this messy situation, but I assure you that the promise of deferred bribe is not going to help you at all. If we are to find a way out of this we need to work together. I think there is something that I would find much more motivating."
She brightens and smiles. "Yes Sir! Anything!"
"Good." I say. "Good."
I pause for a moment and then say. "Natalie, stand up for me for a moment would you."
She stands, looking a little puzzled. I look at her. She is very pretty indeed. I can see why she is so popular, and why she takes the lead in the cheerleaders squad. Her slim figure is tucked into the regulation blouse and tie, though I can see a back bra through her cotton top. Another uniform violation. I look down at her long legs as she stands on her high heels, and she begins to shift uncomfortably. She feels my gaze and looks away, embarrassed.
"Sir?" she says.
"Remove your knickers." I tell her.
Hey eyes widen and she opens her mouth in astonishment, her pink glossy lips forming a perfect O. She swallows and stutters "S... ssir? W what? I mean pardon?"
"Remove your knickers." I repeat.
"No! How dare you!" She begins to back away from the desk towards the door.
"Have it your own way, Natalie. You must make your own calculation about how much you have to lose in this matter."