The Transformation of Angela, Part 4

This fictional account contains adult language and sexual themes.  If such
language and themes offend you, please do not read further.  The persons and
events described in this work are purely fictional.  Any similarity to actual
persons or events is strictly coincidental.  Copyright 2004 by SSTORYMAN.  All
rights reserved.  Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this story in any
form and for any purpose as long as this notice is reproduced and no financial
remuneration is received, directly or indirectly, by the person reproducing or
using it.

THE TRANSFORMATION OF ANGELA

4.	Overcoming Unexpected Obstacles.

   My girlfriend Angela finished her first carton of cigarettes well ahead of
schedule.  By mid-day on Sunday she polished off her tenth and last pack, not
counting the Newport 100's she smoked with her sister Friday night.  In other
words, Angela smoked way over 30 a day on Saturday and kept going Sunday
morning.  I was pleased, optimistic that her consumption would stay stable and
maybe even increase during her second week as a smoker.

   Since she finished her first carton, Sunday afternoon we had to visit the
store to buy her a second carton.  Angela chose Newport 100's to smoke during
week two.  I've never been a menthol fan, though I like one occasionally as a
change of pace.  Anyway, Angela kept smoking heavily the rest of the day, and
by late that night she'd finished over half a pack of her sister's wonderfully
strong menthol brand.  As had become our custom, she smoked while we made love
that night.  Angela's first experience of smoky sex by the computer had
transformed into a regular routine.  God, I loved it.  It was more than I ever
dreamed of.  Best of all, Angela seemed to always cum extra hard when she
smoked while we fucked.

   For the most part, Angela's second week smoking went splendidly.  She fell
into a regular routine of visiting the smoke room several times a day.  Her
new friend Steph smoked Salem 100's, and Steph made a special point of
encouraging Angela's conversion to menthols.  But Steph had an ulterior
motive.  She knew the delicious Newport 100's Angela was smoking now were
extremely potent.  By mid-week Steph confided that she felt Angela was now
fully addicted.  I hoped Steph was right.  I wanted Angela totally hooked
before the end of our 28 day experiment.

   Meanwhile, my coffee consumption increased.  Not unexpectedly, I now drank
caffeine laced beverages regularly.  I didn't mind.  It was worth it if it
meant my lovely girlfriend smoked constantly and made new smoking friends.
The only real speed-bump that second week took place when Angela's friend Judy
paid me an unexpected visit.

   It was early Thursday afternoon.  I heard a knock on my office door.  I
looked up.  Angela's old friend Judy Frye was standing there.  I didn't know
Judy too well, although she'd long been a good friend of my girlfriend's.  I
figured Judy's visit was not good news.  It wasn't.

   "Can I come in?"

   "Sure, Judy, come in."

   She closed the door.  A bad sign.

   "John, I need to talk to you.  I'm really pissed," she grumbled.  "Excuse
my language."

   "I don't mind, Judy.  Go ahead and sit down.  Tell me what's on your mind."
As if I had to ask.

   "It's about Angela.  I know that she's started smoking."

   I nodded.  "Yeah, that's right."

   "You know Angela and I have been friends since she came to the firm.  I was
her first secretary here if you remember."

   I did remember.  When Angela joined the firm five years earlier, Judy was a
relatively new secretary in our real estate group.  She was assigned to Angela
and a young associate.  She was a crackerjack secretary and eventually got
re-assigned to some of the younger partners.  I knew Judy's friendship with
Angela went back to the time they worked directly together.

   "Yeah, Angela's told me.  She's always liked you, Judy."

   "I really care for her," Judy went on.  I noticed her hands were shaking.
"That's why I'm so pissed about what you've done to her."

   I cocked my head.  "Angela deciding to smoke was totally her decision,
Judy.  I didn't do a thing to her."

   "Look, John, cut the bullshit.  This morning I pressed Angela for the real
story.  She told me everything, how you suggested that she smoke with you for
a month and that in return you'd drink coffee with her, holding out the false
hope that by the end of the month you'd both quit if she wanted to."

   I was stunned.  Angela promised not to tell anyone about our deal.  It was
supposed to be private.  That was the rationale behind her story about
supposedly being a relapsed smoker.

   "Okay," I began.  "So, what's your point?"

   "You're using her," Judy fumed, switching to attack mode.  "You have no
intention of quitting smoking.  You tricked Angela into smoking with you just
so you won't have to quit.  You want her hooked for purely selfish reasons.  I
want you to know, I think it's despicable."

   A good negotiator knows not to tip his hand.  I merely smiled.  "That's
pure speculation on your part, Judy.  You don't know that's the case.  I care
deeply for Angela."

   "Don't bullshit me, John," she snorted.  "Look, I used to smoke myself so I
know just how hard it is to quit.  But Angela's so naïve.  She trusted you.
She didn't realize how you were actually taking away her free will by getting
her just 'try it' for a month."

   "Suppose you're right, Judy.  I'm not saying you are, but suppose for a
moment it's true.  Even so, I'm not the only one being selfish.  You're just
unhappy because your old friend started doing something you can't or won't
share with her.  Angela's made new friends, like Stephanie and Kristen.
You're on the outside.  That's why you're really unhappy."

   "No, I care about Angela," she growled.  "But you don't.  No one who truly
cares about his girlfriend would ever let her start smoking like that."  She
took a deep breath.  "I'm warning you, John.  Unless Angela quits, and soon, I
can make your life a living hell."

   "Oh?  How?"

   Judy offered a sinister smile.  "First, I can tell other people in the firm
what you did.  Hell, most of 'em don't even know you and Angela live together.
They don't like office romances and they won't like hearing how you seduced
Angela to smoke.  You're not a partner in the firm yet," she threatened.  "You
need support from the whole partnership to make it."

   "I don't worry about that.  The quality of my work and my client
development speak for themselves.  My personal life is my business."

   "Fine, let's talk about your clients, John," she sneered.  "You do lots of
work for Grand Corp., right?"  I nodded.  "And you work with Randy Rogers,
correct?"  I nodded again.

   Judy literally sneered at me.  "Well, my husband Bob knows Randy Rogers'
boss, Bill Springer.  Know him?"

   "Yeah, I met Bill a few times.  He's the Senior V. P. in charge of business
development.  But mostly I work with Randy Rogers."

   "Do you know Bill Springer is on the lung association board?  How will Mr.
Springer feel about you working for Grand Corp. if he finds out you smoke?
And not only that you're a smoker, mind you, but that you love hooking
unsuspecting non-smokers like poor Angela?"

   I leaned forward.  "Let me get this straight, Judy.  Are you threatening
me?"

   "Call it whatever you want, John.  But I bet it'd set back your chances of
partnership if Grand Corp. stopped calling you."

   She was right.  I'd spent many hours developing a relationship with Randy
Rogers at Grand Corp.  Ever since that closing in Minneapolis, Randy had been
calling me directly instead of calling Bill Johnson, the partner in charge of
their account.  I gulped.

   "You wouldn't?"

   Judy laughed.  She had the upper hand and she knew it.  "Don't tempt me,
John.  My husband only needs to say a few well-placed words to Randy Rogers'
boss, and soon you could be history.  I want to keep Angela from getting
hooked on cigarettes.  I'll do anything, I mean anything, to make sure she
doesn't.  Catch my drift?"

   I did.  Judy blabbing about me and Angela wasn't a worry.  A few people
might not like our living together, but it wouldn't derail my career.
However, my relationship with Grand Corp. was different and Judy knew it.
Without Grand Corp. as a client calling me, I'd never make partner.

   I cleared my throat.  "Judy, you're more of a bitch than I dreamed.  Let me
mull this over.  Can I get back to you tomorrow?"

   "Sure.  That's fine.  But don't talk to Angela about interceding.  I won't
listen.  She's not in her right mind these days.  Bottom line?  Either Angela
stops smoking or I hurt you!"

   Judy haughtily turned to leave.  I felt flush; my heart was racing.  I
needed a cigarette!  I picked up some papers to read and hurriedly headed for
the smoke room.

   I took stuff to read from force of habit.  Mostly I had to think.  I never
figured that Judy Frye had either the will or the power to threaten me like
that.  What could I do?

   The smoke room was empty.  I lit up a cigarette, sat down and stared
blankly at the wall.  Every fifteen seconds I hit on my B&H.  I couldn't tell
Angela to quit.  I just couldn't.  Why did she tell Judy the truth?  Shit.  It
looked like everything I'd worked for was ruined.

   The door swung open.  In came Stephanie.  I was glad for a friendly face.
She sat and lit up a Salem 100.  I had to smile.  Steph always looked great
smoking.  Okay, she's a little trashy.  But her curly blond hair with dark
roots perfectly frames her lovely face, and seeing feathery traces of smoke
seep from her lips over many successive breaths after an exhale always raises
my spirits considerably.

   "What's wrong, John?"  Steph is very perceptive.  She could tell something
was wrong.

   I told her of Judy's visit.  Steph already knew the whole story with Angela
anyway.  So I asked what she thought I should do.

   Stephanie frowned as she attacked her Salem 100.  "God, John, that's a
bitch, isn't it?"  She mused silently.  I watched the silky remains of her
last exhale dribble from her mouth.  

   "You need leverage on Judy," Stephanie finally offered.  "Maybe Angela can
help us think of some dirt about Judy."

   "I don't know if I want Angela in the middle.  We don't know if she wants
to keep smoking."  I reminded her of the unfortunate incident last Friday in
the smoke room.

   Steph just laughed.  "Those were her unhappy cravings talking.  Angela
doesn't want to quit and she won't want to when the four weeks are done.
Trust me."  She hit on her Salem.  "Have you thought about talking to Blake
Pennington?"

   "Pennington?"

   "Sure, why not?" Stephanie grinned.  "Blake likes you and he likes Angela.
Above all, he loves Angela being a smoker.  I bet he'd help."  Seeing my alarm
at the idea of involving Pennington, she shook her head.  "John, don't be a
chump.  Pennington is the perfect ally.  He's about to become the chairman of
the entire real estate department.  Haven't you heard?"

   I shook my head.

   "Bill Brady's retiring.  God, I thought you associates kept up with the
gossip.  All the paralegals are talking about it.  Pennington's gonna be
formally anointed in a week or so.  Blake's not only a fellow smoker.  He's a
real player in the firm.  And trust me, he does _not_ want to lose Angela
Sinclair as a smoker."  She cocked her head.  "I've seen how he ogles us in
here; the girls who smoke, I mean.  Sometimes I wonder if Pennington's a
fetisher?"

   I felt myself beginning to perspire.  "A what?"

   "A fetisher," Steph grinned.  "You know.  God, a man who finds female
smoking sexy, a turn-on!"  I didn't respond.  Steph continued.  "I think
Blake's one of 'em.  Supposedly he wants Angela to work for him since she's a
real estate paralegal and they can talk about work while they smoke.  But
mostly I think he likes to watch her.  I think seeing Angela smoke turns him
on."  She hit on her cigarette.  This time her drag was longer and her inhale
a bit deeper.  "I see how Blake stares at me out of the corner of his eye when
I smoke, and how he watches Kristen smoke.  He thinks we don't notice, but we
do.  God, you can't miss it."  She grinned.  "Lots of men think girls who
smoke are super sexy.  You don't know anything about that, do you, John?"

   She was playing with me.  I let out a big sigh.  I was busted.  But I
didn't mind confessing anything to Stephanie.  I trusted her.

   "Steph, I can't bullshit you.  I'm guilty as charged.  Yeah, I feel the
same way."  I flashed my most sincere smile.  "But you should know I
especially think _you_ look super sexy the way you smoke a cigarette.  I hope
you don't mind."

   "Mind?  Hell, no!  I love it.  I love having a fetisher stare at me when I
smoke.  It's very affirming.  For years I've seen you watch me.  It doesn't
bother me, John.  Not a bit.  God, what girl wouldn't like having men think
she's sexy?"  She drew on her Salem 100.  "I betcha you and Blake have lots in
common."  She tipped her head to exhale.  "I'm just glad you guys like the
smoking show I put on in here.  Shit, I guess it makes me an exhibitionist!"

   "But how do I approach Blake?"  I wanted to return to my crisis.  "How can
he help protect me from Judy?"

   Stephanie giggled.  She seemed glad to have my secret, and hers, in the
open.  As she talked wisps of diffuse smoke burst from her mouth.  "Let me
tell you my plan," she began.

   Mid afternoon I dropped by Pennington's office.  I told him the whole
story, omitting only the parts about my deal with Angela and about Stephanie's
conviction that he was a smoke fetisher.  I told him Judy held me responsible
for Angela's decision to smoke, and described her threats.  I asked for his
help.  Surprisingly, he was more than ready to offer assistance.

   A scant thirty minutes later Pennington met with Judy.  I wasn't there, of
course, but Blake later described it in excruciating detail.

   "Frye, come in," he barked, using her last name as was his custom.  "Sit
down.  Make yourself comfortable.  We need to talk."

   The brunette secretary beamed.  She knew it was something important.
"Sure, Mr. Pennington.  What's up?"  A little cheeky, perhaps, but not overly
so.

   "You know I'll soon be named Chair of the Real Estate Group?"

   She nodded.  "It's not much of a secret, Mr. Pennington," she smiled
warmly.  "Congratulations."

   "Thank you, Judy," he smiled back, purposely using her first name this
time.  "As Chair of the Real Estate Department, I'll be responsible for lots
of things, including secretarial assignments.  You've been an excellent
secretary with the firm for five years.  You started out working with
paralegals and young associates and graduated to taking very good care of two
partners at the same time.  You should be proud."

   Judy blushed.

   "But today I heard something very disturbing about you, something that
might interfere with your future here at the firm if it turned out to be
true."

   "Oh?  What?"

   "John Conrad and I are good friends.  We both visit the smoke room, you
know."  He smiled condescendingly.  "Certainly you're aware that I smoke?"

   She looked aghast.  Clearly she didn't know.

   "John said you threatened him today, specifically that you threatened to
tell Grand Corp. through your husband to stop using John for legal work."  He
paused.  "I hope it's not true, Judy.  Any time a client loses confidence in
one of our lawyers, it hurts the firm.  It hurts our business.  And as a
partner in the firm, that hurts me.  You don't want me to lose confidence in
your loyalty to the firm, now do you?"

   Judy gulped.  "Uh, no, Mr. Pennington.  Of course not."

   "Good.  I'm glad we understand each other, Judy.  Because if Grand Corp.
were to stop calling John for whatever reason, good or bad, I'd have to assume
that you were responsible."  He smiled insincerely.  "I'd hate to see you lose
your job here under those circumstances."

   "Mr. Pennington," she began to babble.  "You don't understand.  Angela
Sinclair is a long-time friend of mine, and John made her start to ?."

   "Hush, Judy.  Stop.  Don't embarrass yourself.  I know all about what
happened.  Remember, Sinclair's a paralegal in my department, someone I just
began to work with.  She's a talented young woman.  But whether you like it or
not, Judy, smoking's a perfectly legal activity.  Lots of people smoke.  I
smoke.  You don't think less of me because I smoke, do you?"

   "Well, no, but ?."

   Another smile.  "Good.  Then it's settled.  You'll do nothing to discourage
Grand Corp. from sending corporate work to John.  And then I'll have no reason
to terminate you.  Right?"

   She groaned.  She was beaten and she knew it.  "Yes, sir."

   "But that's not all I wanted to discuss, Judy.  One more thing.  You knew
my long-time secretary Kendra retired a few months ago?"  She nodded.  "I'm
waiting to become Chairman of the Real Estate Department to fill her spot.
Once I become chair, I can pick anyone from among our group's secretaries to
work for me as my personal assistant."  He leaned forward and smiled warmly at
the befuddled young woman.  "How would you like to be my secretary, Judy?"

   She gasped.  "But ?.  You questioned my loyalty!  You want me to work for
you?"

   "It's not that surprising.  You're ambitious, Judy, ambitious as well as
shrewd.  I like that in an assistant.  You've shown yourself fully capable of
dealing with pressure and taking good care of your lawyers and our clients.
Officially I can't offer it to you till I become department chair, but I
wonder if you feel this is a position you might be interested in?"

   Judy was speechless.  She'd gone from nearly getting fired to being offered
a promotion.

   Blake went on.  "The secretary for the Chair of the Real Estate Department
has a lot of influence, both in the group and in the firm at large.  She
trains staff, oversees our department's administration, and so on.  But in
addition to more power and influence, it also means more money.  Lots of it."
He paused for effect.  "Interested?"

   "God, yes," she mumbled ecstatically, with a disbelieving grin now firmly
plastered all over her pretty face.  "Yeah, who wouldn't be?"

   Blake smiled and leaned back in his chair.  "Perfect.  I hoped you'd say
that.  I believe you have all the qualifications for the job, except one small
thing."

   Her face fell.  "Oh?  What's that?"

   "Loyalty is important to me, Judy.  When Kendra was my secretary, I had
absolute trust and confidence in her.  I confided in her and depended on her
implicitly.  My assistant is like my right hand, my mouth.  Through her I
interact with the business world.  She speaks on my behalf to clients and to
other lawyers.  For that reason, I must be certain we share the same values."

   "Mr. Pennington," Judy blathered.  "I'm the most trustworthy person you'll
ever meet.  Ask my current bosses.  Ask anyone."

   He smiled.  "Oh, I have, Judy."  It was the truth.  For weeks he'd
researched, making discrete inquiries about each secretary who was a possible
candidate.  "But it's not only that I need someone who's trustworthy.  Kendra
smoked, so I knew she'd never criticize me for being a smoker.  I had complete
confidence that she'd cover for me whenever I went to the smoke room.  If we
worked late, Kendra and I often smoked together.  I'm simply not comfortable
with an assistant who doesn't share my addiction.  It's important to me, Judy.
It's why I want to work with Angela Sinclair now.  As soon as I learned she
smokes, I wanted her on my team.  It may be a bit unusual, but smoking is a
core qualification for my secretary."  He smiled.  "Judy, I also understand
you told John this afternoon that you used to smoke.  So here's the deal.
I'll offer you the job as my assistant, but only if you start smoking again."

   Dumbfounded, Judy opened her mouth to speak.  Nothing came out.  She
blinked her eyes.  Was he serious?  Astoundingly, the smile on his face said
'yes.'

   "Mr. Pennington, you're kidding.  Right?"

   "No, Judy, I'm not kidding.  I'm serious.  In 20 years I never once had a
secretary who didn't smoke.  I insist on it.  I'll never stop smoking, and my
secretary and I work closely together.  I can't have someone whom I work with
so closely not share my habit."

   Judy felt shock and bewilderment, and her face showed it.  She was
speechless.

   "This is a surprise," Blake smiled compassionately.  "Perhaps you want to
think about it before you decide?"

   "You want me to be your new secretary," Judy stammered.  "But only if I
smoke?"

   Blake just nodded.

   "But that's insane.  Smoking is so bad for you.  It's disgusting.  I can't
even consider it."

   "Now, Judy.  Don't be too hasty.  Think about it for a moment.  It's not so
bad for you if it allows you to move into a new job that advances your career.
Is it?"

   Conflicting thoughts swirled around inside her brown-haired head.  "But ?
I quit ten years ago, Mr. Pennington.  I can't go back to it now.  It wouldn't
be smart.  It's not healthy."

   Blake nodded.  "Fine.  Suit yourself.  I said you have all the qualities
I'm looking for in a secretary.  Only one thing you lack.  If you want the
job, it's yours.  All you need to do is show up in the smoke room with your
old friend Angela Sinclair."

   Her confusion turned to anger.  "Is this a perverse payback for threatening
John Conrad ?  Did he put you up to this?"

   Blake laughed.  It was the laugh of a man used to being listened to and
obeyed.  "Don't be silly.  That's ridiculous, Judy.  I wouldn't make you a job
offer if I didn't feel you're the best person.  I've thought about it for
weeks.  John's news about your silly threat was only a coincidence.  I've been
intent on making you this offer for some time.  It's up to you if you want to
accept it."

   "But it's illegal," she sputtered.  "You can't force me to smoke."

   "I can't force you to do anything, and I'm not trying to.  I'm only telling
you the job requirements.  I won't hold it against you if you're not
interested.  Believe me, most girls would jump at the chance to be my
assistant on any terms.  It's more money, power, control and prestige.  You're
perfect for the job, Judy.  Don't give me that look.  Really, you are.  You're
smart and ambitious, and a former smoker.  It'd be easy to return to it.  Just
think for a second," he said with a wicked grin.  "You've dreamed about it.
You fantasize about smoking again, don't you?  Be honest.  Isn't it true?"

   "Mr. Pennington, I'm speechless.  I ?.  I just don't know what to say."

   "Don't say a thing then.  Just think about it.  It's not so bad.  It's a
dream come true.  I'm offering you a bulletproof excuse to smoke again.  It's
a perfect rationalization to backslide without being responsible.  No one can
blame you for smoking; you only did because it was a job requirement.  No one
will know you wanted to do it anyway.  Think.  You can indulge again.  Judy,
you loved it.  All ex-smokers remember how much they loved it.  In your secret
moments, you know how good it was.  Longingly you've dreamed of someday doing
it again.  Right?"

   "This is crazy," she objected.  "I can't.  My husband will kill me if I
start smoking."

   "Are you sure?  Your husband couldn't really object.  Oh, he might not be
happy.  But it's more money and it's a big step forward in your career."

   Blake is a good negotiator.  He talks people into doing things they'd never
dream of.  He can read his opponents, and he began to sense Judy waffling.  So
he turned up the charm.

   "It's perfect, Judy.  It's such a deal.  The job you want, the power and
prestige you deserve, and pampering yourself with nicotine, welcoming back
those delicious cigarettes you only halfheartedly left behind years ago."

   Blake watched her.  Yes, she was mulling it over.  "So let me know," he
went on.  "If you're not interested, fine.  I'll go to the next best
candidate.  No one will know you turned it down."  He looked at his watch.
"But please excuse me.  I'm afraid I need to visit the smoke room."  He
flashed a shameless smile.  "Care to join me?  We can confirm your
qualifications for the job this minute if you come.  As I said, think how easy
it'd be!"

   A million thoughts flew around inside Judy's brain at that moment.  He was
right.  She _was_ ambitious; ambitious as hell.  Being his secretary, the
administrative assistant for the Chair of the department, was a great
opportunity.  She didn't want to turn it down.  Sure she could use the money,
but it wasn't the most important thing.  It also meant power, power over
everyone, being Blake's gatekeeper.  Judy lusted after that power.  She wanted
it.

   Could she smoke?  Well, she could.  But was it worth it?  He was right.
She did sometimes daydream about it, even after ten years of abstinence.  Back
in high school and college she smoked all the time.  It was smelly, dangerous
and nasty, a truly terrible habit.  She knew all that.  But it was also
deliciously wicked.  A rueful smile slowly formed on her lips.  Pennington was
offering her a perfect excuse.  Maybe she wouldn't mind it so much.  God,
perhaps ?.

   "Judy.  Judy!  Hey, what's going on there inside your head?"

   She blinked.  "Oh, I'm sorry.  I was just thinking about your offer.  It's
something to consider, isn't it?"  She flashed an almost wanton smile.  "I
hardly need to tell you it's tempting, do I?  Even though I suppose I should
know better, it's really very, very tempting."

   Blake was a little surprised by her frank admission.  He really didn't
expect her to seriously consider it, not right away.  He thought she'd
probably turn him down flat at first.  Hmm.  Maybe Judy Frye wasn't the
staunch anti that John and Angela believed she was.

   "Judy, I'm glad you're tempted.  I know how ambitious you are.  I'm
ambitious, too, and I see the same quality in you.  I admire and respect it.
But one's thing true of people like us who are ambitious.  We know how to
concede if we must, to get what we want.  Don't we?  I realize accepting my
terms means you need to compromise.  But I bet you've compromised your values
in the past to get what you wanted."  He smiled.  "And I bet you can do it
again.  Am I right?"

   Like a fish on the line, she felt herself being reeled in.  She tried to
picture herself lighting up a cigarette alongside Blake Pennington.  All of a
sudden the image wasn't so disgusting, because money and power accompanied the
cigarette.  It was almost ? inviting.

   Blake interrupted.  "Do you want to think it over and get back to me
tomorrow?"

   She frowned.  No, she had to decide now.  But how to explain it to her
husband?  He'd go ballistic.  But if she had to, she could explain.  After
all, it was a small sacrifice on the altar of money, career and power.  They
were important, more significant than smoking.  In her mind's eye she again
pictured herself with a cigarette.  It was getting easier to imagine.  She
also began to almost anticipate the naughty thrill of smoking.  Yeah, she
finally decided, it was better not to talk to her husband first.  It was
smarter to just decide and tell him afterward what she'd done.

   She looked at Blake.  "Blake, I apologize for taking so long.  I had to
think.  Your very generous offer is intriguing.  It's definitely what I want.
I'll be honest.  I'm ambitious.  I want the money and I definitely want the
power.  As for the other thing, I don't mind conceding if I need to in order
to get what I want.  Years ago I quit smoking because I felt it was important.
Well, I guess things have changed.  Now it's important that I undo my former
decision and begin to smoke again."  She took a deep breath.  "So, yes.  Why
not?  I'll do it."  She smiled boldly.  At last she'd made the decision.
"Yes, I'd love to join you in the smoke room for a cigarette."

   Blake grinned.  "Judy, I'm so pleased.  I promise, you won't regret this.
It's worth it.  You have spirit, drive and smarts.  You and I will make a
great team."

   He opened his desk drawer and ostentatiously got his pack of Marlboro
Lights 100's.  He motioned toward the door.  "You're sure you want to do
this?"

   Judy grinned.  With each passing moment her smile was becoming more and
more sincere.  "Yeah, I'm sure."  And she dutifully followed him as he walked
out of his office.

   Minutes later they got to the smoke room.  Although she'd decided it was
the only smart thing to do, Judy felt nervous entering the domain of the
firm's smokers.  For years she'd looked down on them.  But now she'd be one of
them again.  It made her pause.

   The room was empty.  Blake sat at the table, got out his pack and
graciously offered it to Judy.  She hesitated.  He pulled it back.

   He smiled.  Seeing her ambivalence, he decided to use some reverse
psychology.  "Hmm.  You know, it looks to me like perhaps you're not truly
ready yet, Judy.  Trust me, I understand."  

   He put a cigarette in his mouth and promptly lit up.  "Ah, that's better,"
he quipped as he released an initial exhale.  Turning back to the dumbstruck
young woman by his side, he grinned.  "Don't worry about it, Judy.  I love to
smoke, but perhaps you need to think it over a little longer before you decide
to join me."

   Firmly she shook her head.  "No, I decided.  I'm gonna do it."  She reached
out her hand.  She wanted a cigarette.

   Blake held out his pack again.  His ploy worked!  "Okay.  Here you go,
Judy," he grinned victoriously.  "Tell me again, exactly how long's it been
since the last time you smoked?"

   She took a long white cigarette between her fingers.  She stared at it,
then at Blake.  "I haven't had a cigarette in ten years.  God, I can't believe
I'm actually about to do this," she said with quiet trepidation.  "But I do
want to," she added resolutely.  "I do."

   Blake just nodded.  He clicked his lighter.  He moved quickly.  She was so
close.  He didn't want her to reconsider.  "Good girl.  I bet you did used to
like smoking, didn't you?"

   Bashfully she nodded.  "Yeah, I did.  That's why quitting was hell."  

   For several seconds she stared mesmerized at the dancing flame before her.
Then she sighed deeply and leaned forward, decisively catching the light and
pulling meekly on the cigarette between her fingers.  It crackled.
Instinctively she inhaled and pulled smoke into her lungs.

   Her eyes noticeably opened wide.  "Oh my!"  Judy let out an involuntarily
gasp, with her mouth parted, and released a feathery exhale.  "Oh my God
almighty, this is _so_ funny!"

   "Weird funny, or good funny?"

   "I dunno," Judy admitted with a shy grin.  "Sort of both, I guess."  She
put the smoldering cigarette to her lips for another hit.  This drag was both
longer and harder than her first.  Without hesitation she inhaled another
mouthful of smoke in her chest.  Her second inhale was noticeably deeper.  The
look on her face was priceless.  

   "Oh God, what a buzz!"  Despite herself, she laughed.  Smoke violently
burst from her lips in staccato cadence.  "God, it's a good buzz, though," she
mumbled approvingly.  "Shit, I nearly forgot what it feels like to do this.
Wow, it feels _so_ good!"

   "Yeah, we smokers never forget, do we?" Blake mused.  "Not totally, anyway.
It never matters how long it's been since the last cigarette.  We smokers can
always return and it's always a marvelous homecoming.  Welcome back, Judy.
The job's yours.  If you smoke like this and don't quit on me, you can be my
secretary for as long as you want."

   The brunette exhaled confidently.  This time the thick stream of smoke that
erupted from her slightly parted lips looked both poised and self-assured.
"Ooh, this feels _so_ nice!  God, it's _so_ incredible, _so_ good!"  She let
out a guilty laugh.  "I feel like a teenager.  I ought to hate you for making
me do this, Blake.  But I don't.  It's nice.  It's _so_ nice!"  She meant it.
Appreciatively she took his hand.  "Thanks.  I mean it.  Thanks _so_ much!"

   "No, Judy, thank you," he smiled.  "But remember, I didn't force you.  You
chose to smoke.  But seeing you return to your old habit makes me happy."  In
more ways than you can know, he added silently as he stared longingly at the
gorgeous brunette smoking beside him.

   Like I said, I didn't see Judy's first cigarette.  But Blake told me all
about it.  Before they were done Kristen Bugelas came in.  I guess Judy had a
hell of a time explaining to Kris why she was smoking with old Pennington.

   By the end of that day every smoker in the firm heard about Judy's relapse.
She had a real rep as an anti.  Or shall I say, 'former' anti?  That night
Angela and I talked about it.

   "Angela, I was gonna let you have it for telling Judy about our deal," I
began.  "But after how it worked out, I guess I can't be mad, can I?"

   Angela giggled.  "God, John, I was shocked when I heard what happened.  I
thought no way in hell would Judy Frye ever even touch a cigarette."
Absentmindedly she reached for her Newport 100's and slipped one between her
lips.  "I talked to Judy late this afternoon.  She and I met in the smoke
room," she giggled, pausing long enough to light up.  "I don't think Judy's
that unhappy about what happened."  She expelled an initial cloud of smoke and
pulled hard on her cigarette.  "She wants that job.  Judy loves being
important.  Working for Blake, she sure as hell will be."  She tipped her head
back to release a bountiful exhale.  "It kind of breaks up my non-smoking
lunch group, doesn't it?"

   "I guess," I agreed.  "But why did you tell Judy about our deal in the
first place?"

   "I dunno.  She kept cross-examining me.  She didn't buy my relapsed smoker
story.  She said it was bullshit.  She knew I never smoked."  Angela hit on
her Newport.  "I didn't think it'd hurt anything to tell Judy.  It got her off
my back."  She smiled.  "I'm sorry, John.  I didn't mean to mess up."

   "Well, thanks to Pennington, what started out as a total disaster turned
out to be fabulous.  Now that Judy's totally co-opted by Pennington and is one
of us, she'll never influence Grand Corp. to quit using me.  Yeah, if she
wants to be Blake's secretary, she can never quit smoking."

   "And she won't," Angela confirmed.  "Judy wants that job.  She'd have done
anything to get it and she'll do anything to keep it, even if it means smoking
all the time.  It's funny, though.  She didn't seem upset about it at all.
It's almost like she's glad to have an excuse to smoke.  I don't know.  I
watched her smoke with me when we were in the smoke room together.  She had
one of my Newport 100's.  She loved it.  I know she did."  She tapped an ash
in the ashtray by her side and paused for a drag.  "I sort of understand,
though," she confessed with a grin, smoke mingling with her words.  "It's hard
for me to imagine quitting after our four weeks are over."

   Her smoky admission was music to my ears.  "Really?"

   "Yeah," she begrudgingly acknowledged.  "I really don't only smoke because
I said I would.  Not anymore, anyway.  I guess I can tell you the truth, John.
The truth is, I like it.  I always looking forward to smoking my next
cigarette."  She gazed longingly at the cork-tipped cylinder held between her
fingers.  "I just fuckin' love to smoke anymore, especially since I switched
to smoking menthols like Heather.  God, I don't know, John," she sighed
wistfully.  "Hell, maybe I won't want to quit.  What would you think if that's
what I decided?"

   Play it cool.  Stay calm.  Don't seem too excited.  "Well, it's not all
that surprising, honey.  It's understandable.  Hell, I love to smoke; so does
your sister.  The good thing is, you don't have to decide now.  We have two
weeks to go.  Let's see how you feel about it then."

   "You need to understand, honey.  Judy smoking totally changes things.  With
her smoking it'd be a hell of a lot harder for me to ever quit."  Thoughtfully
Angela played with her cigarette in the ashtray, manicuring it and rounding
off its smoldering tip before she raised it to her lips.  "I just thought I'd
mention it," she added with a twinkle in her eye.  "After all, you didn't want
to quit smoking in the first place, did you?"

   "No," I laughed.  "I didn't, and I don't."  I leaned over and gave her a
kiss.  "You know it turns me on when you tell me you like to smoke."

   She had on one of her trademark tight sweaters.  I began to touch her
breasts through the fabric.  She laughed wantonly.

   "I know you like it.  You go crazy hearing me say I love pulling lots of
yummy smoke deep inside my hungry lungs, right?  And saying I can't get enough
and always want more?"

   I groaned.  I fondled her breasts enthusiastically.

   Angela took a big drag before noisily sucking a massive amount of
metholated smoke deep into her chest.  I felt her lungs expand to accept her
gracious gift to herself.

   "Oh yeah," she groaned breathlessly.  "Oh my God, this is _soo_ fuckin'
nice.  It tastes _soo_ good!"  Still exhaling, she again hit hard on her
Newport.  "But know what I love best?  I love smoking cigarettes while we
fuck, baby.  God, it's soo sweet."  She giggled excitedly.  As she did
rivulets of smoke punctuated her laughter.  "Hey, maybe we should do it right
now!"

   I needed no encouragement.  I pulled her sweater over her head and
excitedly unzipped her skirt, dropping it to the floor.  While I took off my
slacks Angela cackled and reached for her pack of Newport 100's.

   "God, this isn't enough.  I need more," she moaned.  With an evil laugh she
got out a fresh Newport 100 from her pack and slid it between her lips.  With
the old one's cherry she fired up the fresh cigarette.  "Mind if I
chain-smoke?" she teased.  She knew I didn't.  She knew I loved it whenever
she chain-smoked.  Angela double-pumped her spent cigarette before eagerly
replacing it in her mouth with a new one, disposing of the spent butt.  "I
hope you don't mind, baby, because smoke's all I need.  Shit, I can't live
without it.  Not anymore.  I crave it all the fuckin' time, ever since you got
me to join you in your filthy nicotine indulgence and got me all addicted.
Now I adore smoking _so_ goddamn much!"  The Newport 100 dangled strikingly
from her smiling lips.  I nearly lost it hearing Angela talk about loving it
and putting on a show.  "But I also crave you," she added with a sly wink.
"So fuck me while I keep smoking.  Okay?"

   I did.  She did.  It was fuckin' great.

Previous part | Next part