"It's just, you know... I tried really hard!"
"Uh-huh."
"But I never felt like she was really listening!"
"Mm."
"And I would tell her, like, 'Hey! I have needs too!' But she just, I dunno, didn't want to hear it."
"So what'd you do?"
"Ugh, I haven't really done anything, I'm such a coward. I've just been pushing back our next date over and over. I feel bad, but I don't know how to tell her it's not working."
"That's rough."
"I just wish I could find someone who would respect me. Or at least, like, show me a good time every once in a while. God, I don't know. Am I just being needy?"
Beth looked up from where she was crouched behind the minister's desk, rifling through his files. Lina was staring at her expectantly. She sighed.
"Break up with her."
"But..."
"Do I need to bribe you to do that too?"
"H-hey, I'm helping you on ideological grounds!" Lina protested, "I mean, the money's really helped me out, don't get me wrong."
Beth stood, and took a step toward her partner in crime.
"You've been moaning about this abysmal woman for weeks. So here's what you're going to do." She took another step. "Tomorrow, you're going to break up with her," Lina opened her mouth to object, but Beth talked over her, "And then you're going to get me into the minister's personal suite."
"I'm not sure I can manage that," Lina was looking nervous.
"You're a smart girl, you'll figure something out." Beth was in Lina's personal space now. The traitorous guardswoman had backed up into the wall. Beth reached up a hand and placed in gently on Lina's chest.
"Because once we're in, I'm going to give you your reward for being so brave."
She put her lips near Lina's ear.
"And I'm going to keep giving it to you, until you can't remember her name."
Lina swallowed in a throat that was suddenly dry.
"I'll show you a real good time," Beth whispered, "But I won't be respectful."
