No easy way out by Elaine Raco Chase Read Free Book Online Page B

standing is the most important thing in my life-it is my life. I wouldn't jeopardize it for anything. Things
are beginning to get easier for the professional woman now, but the
last ten years have been hell for me. I've had my age, my brains,
and my sex held against me. I've been able to overcome the odds,
break through the discrimination barriers, and become a respected
member of the scientific community. I'm conceited enough not to
allow myself to be a source of amusement and ridicule for anyone."
Virginia took a deep breath and straightened from the wall. "The
only way out is to have Briarcliff send a replacement."
    "No!" The word echoed in hollow tones. Diane hastily lowered her
voice. "Dammit, Ginger, you can't do that!" She slapped her small,
multiringed hand over Virginia's moving lips and jabbed a
mauve-tinted fingernail against her chest. "You are letting your
imagination run wild again. Alex Braddock doesn't suspect a thing.
Why jump the gun? Now, I realize I had great expectations of your .
. . well, your physical and mental makeover, but I will allow you
to be the dull, boring physicist here at AVELCOMP."
    Virginia lifted the constricting palm. "Gee, thanks, you're all
heart."
    "I'm only thinking of you," Diane told her in a sincere voice
that matched her earnest expression. The effect was suddenly
spoiled by a burst of giggles. "Just listen to you! You're
beginning to talk like a human instead of a computer, you're
looking better and ... and don't try to deny you didn't have a
little fun at the party or during our shopping spree."
    Virginia rolled her eyes toward the ceiling but couldn't contain
the smile that transformed the severity of her features. "I will
admit that being with you has certainly relaxed my workaholic
drives."
    Diane lowered her mascara-coated lashes, her index finger
rolling a tiny lint ball from the sleeve of her black and red
chevron-striped sweater. "Thank you for that lovely compliment."
She looked up at Virginia, her eyes wide and serious. "Listen, I
have no doubts that you have paid your dues; in fact, I think
you've probably paid a lot of other women's dues. But now is the
time when you should reap the rewards of a decade of work, talent,
and fame. There is no danger for you here."
    Her pert features became animated by a wide grin. "Just to ease
your mind, I'm going to check Mr. Braddock's reaction myself. I've
got to get his signature on some company insurance forms." Diane's
high heels tapped a steady beat against the gray floor tiles as
they strode down the hallway to the personnel office. "Do you think
he'll be in the lab?"
    "Well, our lunch did run a bit longer than usual," Virginia
looked pointedly at the wall clock.
    "Those designer jeans were on sale," Diane retorted in quick
defense. "They were a bargain."
    The ultraviolet light in the air lock turned Virginia's oxford
cloth shirt superwhite while the vibrating floor beneath her shoes
shook infinitesimal dust particles from her clothing.
    "This won't make me sterile, will it?" Diane asked, the
oscillating pad making her voice quiver. She hugged the file folder
to her breast while her eyesnervously surveyed the awesome,
blue-violet-tinged chamber.
    Virginia choked back a laugh. "It will cleanse your body of
harmful bacteria," she intoned with affected professional
solemnity. When the buzzer sounded, she pushed open the laboratory
door. The fluorescent lights were on, but the only visible
occupants were six large equipment crates, with SoLas stenciled on
the wooden frames, which had been left in the center of the
room.
    Diane winked and fluffed out her blond waves. "Mr. Braddock?"
There was no response. "Men always take longer lunches than women;
they just never admit it. I'll wait a few minutes." She dropped
into a bleached oak side chair, fumbled in the pocket of her black
pleated skirt for a cigarette, then wrinkled her nose at the
prominent red-lettered no smoking sign.
    Virginia looked up from inspecting the lading bills