Lessons In Business

Aiden Ashley's about to bail for work when her landlord rings demanding the rent. She swears she'll have it by tomorrow. Then her car decides to shit the bed. She slams the wheel, calls her boss to say she'll be late again. That's when her teacher Stirling Cooper rolls up and offers a ride. Aiden climbs in, still frazzled. While they're driving, Stirling wonders why she's grinding it out at the diner when she's one of his sharpest students. Shouldn't she be hitting the books? She tells him the truth: waiting tables is how she keeps the lights on. Stirling gets this look like he just figured something out. His step-dad runs a business, he says. Maybe it'd fit her schedule. She asks what kind. He hems, passes her the old man's card, tells her to call if she wants the details. Few days later she's sitting across from Steve Holmes, Stirling's step-dad. Steve sizes her up, scoffs at the plain clothes, asks if she's even serious. She fires back, says she is. Steve tells her to unbutton the shirt, gives her body a once-over like he's checking livestock. Says she's got potential, claims he runs a high-end agency—only the best. Aiden's wavering, then the money talks and she folds. She's officially one of his girls now. Couple nights after, Steve and Stirling are kicking around numbers when Aiden rings. Steve tells her to come straight over. They want to sample the goods. She's nervous as hell, but she still shows up. Business school, the fuck-me edition.