It had been in the cavernous file room that Sharon Michaels had made her great discovery. She had gone into the large room, with its dim lighting and dusty racks to locate an old company sales contract. Sharon had entered the room silently, walking on flats, rather than the high heels that she normally wore to work. That way, she didn't make any noise while walking, which her high heels would have done.

While bending down to retrieve that file that she had been looking for, Sharon suddenly realized that two of her male colleagues were in the next aisle, unaware of her presence.

"Did you hear about the contract that Steve Anthony landed?"

"Yeah, Jeez, I'd give my goddamn right arm to get something like that."

"Well, that guy has it made. I'm sure that he'll get promoted next year to sales manager, yet I got here first!"

"Well, some guys have all the luck."

"It gets even better. I was sitting in old man Carlson's office, waiting for yet another pep talk, when I heard him get on the phone to give golden boy Anthony a bonus."

"What, tell me, I'm interested?"

"Old man Carlson called one of those outcall services, you know, rent a girl for an hour. Anthony isn't going home tonight, but instead is going to spend Friday night at the Stafford House with a bimbo. All expenses paid by Carlson."

Sharon heard the first voice emit a low, long whistle.

"Jeez, what a lucky prick he is. Last time I landed a big contract, all I got was a free dinner!"

"Well, that's why I call him golden boy."

"Have you got the number of that service?"

"Yeah, 555-7123. Why, you got a few extra bucks to spend on some broad?"

"No, but when I do, I'll be sure and call that one. Whatever Carlson arranged for Anthony is sure going to be a good time, and I'll try whatever he does."

"Yeah, tell me about it."

Sharon hurriedly wrote down the number when she heard it recited. Taking care to remain silent, she did not betray her presence by making a sound. Instead, she listened as the two men, who did not know that she was there, walked away.

She could hear their footsteps on the tile floor as the left the file room.

"Dave Anthony," she said to herself.

Ever since she'd come to work for Carlson Associates, all that she ever heard from the other single women in the firm was gossip about Dave Anthony. True, their paths had only crossed once in an elevator, and a designer had pointed him out to her.

Dave Anthony was just the sort of attractive man that Sharon wanted. White, mid-thirties, tan and athletic, he should have been chasing ever woman in the office. But he didn't. Nor could any of the single (or some married) women seem to get Anthony interested in them.

Constantly, she had heard her co-workers discuss how they had failed to get Anthony into bed, or just out on a date.

Sharon had been attracted to him. She liked the way he looked, and wondered just what she should do.

She hurried back to her desk, when her friend Joyce was waiting.

"Well, glad you got back. Got lost or something?" asked Joyce.

"Not exactly. What if I told you that I knew of a way to get Anthony in bed?"

"You've got to be kidding. I've tried to interest that guy in going out, and he won't even look at me. How are you going to do it, Sharon?"

Sharon was on the verge of telling her friend, then stopped short. It had suddenly occurred to her that Joyce either might blab it around the office, ot else try to take advantage of the chance herself.

"That's going to be my secret. I'll bet you dinner that I get him in the sack," wagered Sharon.

"Okay, but what's the proof?"

"You know that monogrammed silk tie that he wears?" asked Janet.

"Yes."

"I'll steal it."

"You do, and you've got dinner. When?" asked Joyce.

"Tonight."......(cont)