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A solitary middle-aged woman sits in front of her computer gazing at her personal profile displayed for the world to see. She examines her inbox and sees that no messages have been left for the fourth week and her heart begins to feel heavy, mournful – the rejection of the unknown surfers. Samantha Gregson, a successful personnel manager, lived on her own in a three bedroomed semi detached house in the desirable suburbs of Guildford. At the age of forty she had the rest of her life to look forward to but with no one to share it. This self-awarded celibacy offered the explanation for her joining an Internet dating agency to discover her soul mate. From the time Sam left school she aimed to be successful in her chosen career, personnel management. Her time, energy and youthful years were dedicated to this singular cause to the expense of her personal life and intimate entertainment. Sam’s friends marvelled at her middle-aged virginity and teased her from time to time but respected her choice. They secretly desired her virtue unbeknown to her. Sam ploughed through the search programme looking at a variety of men from the over weight to the ridiculously young. She persevered as her mind was made up – she wanted to find a suitable partner to share her wealth and fortune with. Her greatest fear was that the selected man might take advantage of her good nature and hurt her in the process. Sam was prepared to risk this but aimed to minimise this hazard through careful scrutiny of the images presented to her through the Internet. Sam examined her ‘favourites’ file. She returned to three profiles, that she knew by heart. With the courage of a mountaineer she selected the message option and started to type a short message to her object of desire. The Canarvon Arms was reasonably quiet for a Thursday night and Sam was sitting in the window seat watching the customers arrive and leave via the main entrance. She was waiting for a man called Stan, her first favourite. She pondered whether the photograph had been electronically enhanced as she found the result very pleasing. Indeed he reminded her of her first boy friend, James. This was the young boy who wanted to conquer her virginity when she was sixteen and her refusal had led him to move on to pastures new with her best friend, Anna. A familiar image fleeted in through the door. She smiled and Stan walked towards her. "Sorry I’m late. I was delayed at the office. You must be Tina," he said offering his hand in friendship. "Yes, I’m Tina and it’s a pleasure to meet you Stan," Sam returned. "Now your glass is nearly empty. A dry white wine? "Yes please. The house white will do," Sam requested taking in his smart suit and exercised figure. "He’ll do," she thought as she watched him walk with confidence towards the bar. They spent a very enjoyable evening together sharing stories of interest. Sam revealed her real name after her fourth glass of wine and this caused great amusement to Stan who was very familiar with this protective ploy. He was a regular of the dating circuit and well versed in the art of deception. He chose his moment and reached under the table to caress Sam’s thigh. She felt uncomfortable and pressed her knees together in complete reflex. His persistence was unceasing and Sam took evasive action by visiting the sanctuary of the ‘ladies’ to consider her next move. As she sat in her lonely cubicle she wondered if this man was her right choice. She wanted to give herself completely to the right man but she doubted his credentials. She could go back with him and offer herself to him but her inner voice said ‘no – wait!’ She listened to the voice of reason and took appropriate action. Sam immediately left the Canarvon Arms via the convenient fire exit and hailed a taxi from a side street. She left the scene intact and victorious. This feeling would not last and she hit rock bottom as she examined her second favourite in the ‘Lonely Dating Agency’ files in the solitude of her darkened bedroom. On Monday morning Sam prepared to leave her house to attend a three-day management seminar and training session at a country mansion. She looked forward to the change of routine and the chance to learn new skills and management techniques. Sam closed her front door after setting the alarm and placed her travelling case in the boot of her brand new silver sports car. She lowered the roof electronically and shot like a speeding bullet out of her drive towards the M25 motorway. At the end of her journey Sam stopped her car at the electronic security gates of the prestigious training establishment. The CCTV camera moved slowly to inspect her vehicle and she pressed the single button on the intercom system. "Samantha Gregson from RG. Incorporated. I’ve come for the three day seminar," she projected clearly into the microphone. To read the rest of this story send me an email... © 2002 Steven Longman-Marshall - all rights reserved.
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