It somehow served him well, though.He raised me reasonably well, with the exception of the ideas he put into my head about women. I didn’t get his c...harisma, so my misogynistic ideas didn’t pan out as well for me. I also had a tiny bit of empathy my father did not have. I still had my share of one-night stands and short relationships like my father did, but much fewer and farther between. Looking back, I always felt slightly guilty for the women I had used.When Doug passed away a couple of years. ''Sure, let's go.' I joked.'I wasn't serious. I suppose I need to work on my sarcasm tone better.'And you need to pick it up when someone is directing it at you.' This was the second mistake Pepper had made in the last two days. Was she always like this, and I had just had her up on a pedestal, or was she doing it to make me feel better? Either way, I liked it. Every day a tiny piece of the giant mosaic that was Pepper Kerr was being revealed.'One day. You know sarcasm isn't as popular in. "Instead of our planned activities for this evening," she continued, "I want to do something... simple. I want to play a game." She leaned forward, gently slapping her hand once more, enjoying that Todd flinched at the sound. She sat up straight in her chair, and said, "We're going to play... checkers!"Todd felt confused. He was certain he'd heard it wrong. "Checkers, Mistress?" That's right. You'll be red, and I'll be black." Another slap of the paddle. Todd shook. "Go to the hall closet and. The girl who helped me with paperwork gave me a sly smile when I got to my office. I knew there was something wrong. I dropped my briefcase on my desk when Nick's voice came through the intercom."Got a moment?" Sure. Coming," I replied, and walked towards his office. Nick's secretary gave me a sly smile when she saw me."Close the door, James," Nick said when I got into his room."What's the matter?" I closed the door, pondering what had happened."How was it?" Nick asked, giving me another sly.