In a state of near panic I vowed to resist everything Mary might do.In a state of near panic I vowed to resist everything Mary might do. Just then the door opened and Mary flounced back in. She made a point of locking the door behind her and winking at me, and then she plopped down on the couch next to me. She gave me a lewd smile and started slowly reaching into a bag she had with her. But before she got very far, I blurted out in panic, "Wait, Mary, wait." She stopped reaching for the bag and slowly lowered her hands to her lap and gave me a questioning look. She stared at me patiently while I struggled with myself. She didn't seem the slightest bit upset or even surprised at my obvious anxiety. Finally, under the pressure of her stare I started talking, trying to get her to stop flirting with me: "OK, Mary, uh, look ..." "Yeah?" she queried with a friendly smile. I was getting more and more confused and panicked. All I had to do was to become cool, thank her for the magazine, and then ignore her. But that sort of thing takes composure and at least some strength and confidence. I had none of those right then, and so I just helplessly pleaded, "Like, uh, why, Mary? Uh, why are you doing this?" She looked innocently surprised and asked, "'Why'? I'm not sure I know what you're asking. Why did I get you the magazine?" "Well, uh ... |