He looked her up and down. Excellent. She'll do nicely.<br/><br/>"Come in Sophie. Please have a seat. I wanted to discuss your performance as of late. You've been doing an excellent job, and I believe you are due for a promotion."<br/><br/>As he spoke, he reached for a small executive toy on his desk. It was a pendulum, and as he set it so swing, it gently began to tick...tick...tick...as he spoke.<br/><br/>"Here at the company, we reward resources that prove hard working, responsible, and loyal." Tick...tick...tick...<br/><br/>"You've shown us all these traits in spades. You know how to follow direction, work diligently, and due as you're told reliably."<br/><br/>His eyes locked onto hers. "You are a valuable asset to me."<br/><br/>Something about those last words seemed to echo in Sophie's mind to the rhythm of the ticking pendulum. Asset...asset...my asset...asset...