PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE
By Mark Cane

'Jason, Amanda would like to see you now.'
Jason's stomach knotted up and he swallowed dryly. He
had expected the summons, but the shock still scared
him.
'I'm sorry Jason.'
'Its Ok Sue,' said Jason with feigned optimism, 'I'm sure it
will be fine.' Jason knew it was not fine. Whatever
Amanda wanted, it definitely would not be fine.
Jason had got the job on the trading floor of the bank on
the strength of an excellent MBA. Unfortunately he was
finding that the theoretical models that had worked in
academia did not seem so effective in the real world. He
knew that his results were far from satisfactory and he
also knew that Amanda did not condone poor trading
results. Amanda was the bank's top player and she led the
strongest team, consistently achieving the highest
bonuses. Only the best were good enough for Amanda's
star team. Jason knew that Amanda was a total bitch. She
was utterly ruthless in the pursuit of her goal. Jason was
in fear of losing his job. Sue squeezed his hand as he left
his desk to make his way to Amanda's office.
'Good luck, Jason.'
Sue, Amanda's PA, was the only person on the team who
had shown him any kindness. Everyone else was too busy
chasing their own bonuses to take any interest in the new
boy.
Jason knocked quietly on Amanda's door and entered.
Amanda did not look up from her monitor screen. After a
few moments of silence Jason gave a discreet cough to
announce his presence. Still no response.
After an age Amanda broke the silence. 'Jason, your
trading figures are shit. Give me one good reason why I
shouldn't fire you right now.'
'I know I've not done very well, Amanda, but I know I can
improve.'
Amanda thought for a moment. 'What kind of car do you
drive?' she asked.
'Toyota coupe,' replied Jason. Amanda's lips curled as
though she had just discovered she had stepped into
something unpleasant. She drove a Masserati Gran
Tourismo, the £95,000 price tag of which had cost her a
good part of a month's salary. 'Do you have any ambition,
Jason?'
'Oh yes, Amanda. I want to get to the top, like you.'
Amanda pondered for a moment and then tapped a few
keys on her PC. 'Ok Jason I have transferred some stock
to your account. It will just be enough to get you out of
trouble. Not enough to earn a bonus, but enough to keep
your job.'
'Gosh thanks Amanda, that's really kind of you.'
'Jason, I don't do kind. I'm a bitch. Anyone here will tell
you that. They all know I'm a bitch.'
'I am sure everyone has the greatest respect for you
Amanda.'
'Don't bullshit me, Jason. They hate my guts and more to
the point they are all scared of me. I like it like that.
Keeps them on their toes. So Jason, you owe me and you
can start paying me back tonight. Be at this address at 9
pm and don't be late. Come by taxi. I don't want your
crappy car parked outside my apartment and you may
not be fit to drive home.'
Jason pocketed the card bearing Amanda's address and
considered what her last remark might mean. Perhaps he
might be a bit tipsy after enjoying some of Amanda's wine
collection or maybe exhausted after a night of hectic sex.
Maybe a combination of both. Sadly Jason's conjectures
were far wide of the mark.
At the appointed hour Jason approached the concierge at
Amanda's exclusive apartment. After a brief telephone call
to ensure that he was expected, the concierge directed
Jason to the lift to the penthouse suite. Amanda admitted
him into her sumptuous apartment and Jason immediately
took in the luxurious fittings and furniture and the view
over the capital. Amanda herself looked stunning in a
figure hugging cat suit that showed off every curve of her
gorgeous figure. Amanda looked at Jason coldly and
without any preamble ordered him to remove all his
clothing. Although surprised at her direct approach, Jason
complied and began to remove his clothing as Amanda
watched, aloof and apparently quite disinterested in him.
When he got down to his Calvin Klein underpants, Jason
paused and looked at Amanda, wondering if he should
continue or wait for some signal from her. Amanda
showed no sign that she was going to undress too.
'Those too Jason, I want you naked.' Jason eyed
Amanda's curves appreciatively as he peeled off his pants.
As if reading his mind, Amanda said 'You are not here to
fuck me Jason. I don't need it and I don't want it. I am a
bitch at work and a bitch in my private life. I am going to
cause you pain.' So saying, Amanda picked up a wicked
looking cane that Jason had not previously noticed. 'This is what floats my boat, Jason; I'm going to cane you. It is what I enjoy. Now you have a simple choice. If you do not want to play, get dressed again and first thing in the morning clear your desk and go. I will give you a reference that will get you a job as a counter clerk at a high street branch. Or you can oblige me and maybe, just maybe you might just make a career on the trading floor. Bear in mind while you think it over, I am serious about this. I will cane you as hard as I can. I never make any concessions for inexperience. Every stroke will be delivered as hard as I can. You may have heard the expression "six of the best," well I have gone decimal. My minimum tariff is ten strokes. So that is what you will receive - ten very hard strokes of the cane on your bare arse. You could complain to the bank, but frankly it would get you nowhere. You must know that banks have no morals, only profits. I bring them profits. End of story.'
Jason swallowed hard. He looked at Amanda's face and
knew she was serious. This was not what he expected.
'Turn round Jason,' ordered Amanda. Jason, your bottom
looks very sensitive to me. I can assure you it will be very
tender and painful by the time I have delivered ten
strokes, so consider you position carefully. This incentive
session is a perfect metaphor for working at the bank. It
can be very painful, but the rewards are great if you can
make it.'
'Jason gulped. He could not bear to give up his chosen
career. 'I'll do it Amanda.'
'Very well Jason, bend over and place your hands on the
coffee table. Do not look round and do not move from that
position.'
Jason assumed the position and waited. He was conscious
that Amanda approached him and sensed her raise the
cane. He shuddered as it hissed down, cutting though the
air in a practice stroke. Then a second whoosh and then
Jason's world exploded in pain and coloured lights. He felt
tears start to build up in his eyes and his buttocks
trembled. The vicious pain was beyond belief. Through the
mists of his agony, Jason heard the click of a cigarette
lighter. He sensed that Amanda had paused for a
cigarette.
'Jason, I know it is very painful. Are you sure you can take
another nine? Some people think, wrongly, that it gets
easier after the first few strokes. Believe me, it doesn't. I
know. I've been where you are now. Once I had to decide
whether to quit or break though the pain barrier. That is
how I got to where I am now. So think hard. Do you go on
or quit? There are no consolation prizes. You must accept
all ten stokes to win your job back. Five will get you
nowhere. If you reach nine, but cannot go to ten, then
you would be better to quit now. Think carefully. You have
until I finish this cigarette to decide.' After a short interval
Amanda queried, 'Well, Jason.'
'I'll go on Amanda.' Amanda had already taken up post
behind him and without warning the second stroke
descended and the shock seemed to electrify his nerve
endings and exploded in a new agony. There was a pause
of several seconds then a third and a fourth stroke. Jason
was openly sobbing now. All concerns about
embarrassment and shame had evaporated. He was
blinded by pain. Then there was a longer pause,
punctuated by a rustling sound. Jason could not place the
source of the sound at first. Then he was almost certain it
was caused by Amanda discarding her cat suit. He began
to turn his head.
'Don't dare turn round, Jason. If you move one inch, I
shall start again from "one."' Jason shuddered and then
remained motionless, obediently looking straight ahead
through a mist of tears. 
Jason sensed that Amanda had sat down in a chair somewhere behind him.  Then there was a new sound, a kind of liquid, squelchy noise.  Jason had lived a somewhat sheltered life, but he knew that Amanda was masturbating as she looked at the stripes she had made on his buttocks.  She was getting off on his pain and discomfort.  Even in his pain, Jason wondered what his boss would look like, naked with her had on her clit.  He shuddered with the desire to have just one peep, but he dare not.  Too much was at stake.
Amanda drew close again to deliver the next five strokes. Jason sensed she was still naked, but dare not turn his head to test his theory. As he considered the notion, the cane cut the air and struck his buttocks once more. The pain seemed even more intense and instinctively his hands moved to feel the damage that was being done.
'Get your hands out of the way. If this cane hits them it
could break your knuckles.' Jason obeyed, blinking in his pain.  The caning continued without mercy. Amanda kept her word, executing every stroke as hard as she was able.
Finally with a hiss the tenth stroke fell. Jason fell to his
knees, openly sobbing.
'Well done, Jason, I wasn't sure you would make it. You
can get dressed now. Before you go - a word of warning.
This episode is not to be discussed. Everyone in the team
will know, but no one will mention it. Be on the floor in
good time tomorrow. Think of this as a performance
incentive. Now you may go.'
Jason struggled into his clothes and turned to face
Amanda. She was now dressed in a long, black silk gown,
looking as ravishing as he had ever seen her. Even now,
in his agony he desired her, but knew she was out of his
reach.
The following morning Jason walked slowly to the office
water cooler, glad to be standing for a short while, easing
the severe pain in his arse.
'How are you, Jason?' Sue, Amanda's PA had approached
him.
'Oh fine, Sue. Never better,' said Jason, trying to put on a
brave face.
'It's Ok, Jason. I know. I've been there too. I understand.'
'What, you too, Sue, but you're her PA.'
'PA's have targets too Jason.' She squeezed his hand
gently as she hurried back to Amanda's office