Mary pursed her lips and blew several strands of hair out of her face. She raised one hand to gingerly feel at her now-lopsided coif. Disappointed, she swiftly pulled each of her hairpins out in quick succession, letting her dark hair fall around her head.
“I’m listening,” said Mary. She knew what life was like for ex-agents, and she was willing to accept demotion and disgrace without complaint if it meant staying in the Government’s good graces.
The man across from her smiled, mirthlessly, mechanically. “In light of your commendable history with us, we are prepared to offer you a very respectable position. It may not carry the prestige of an ordinary agent’s work, but in undoubtedly offers just as much of the satisfaction of knowing that you are an important asset to your country.”
Mary suppressed the urge to roll her eyes as the swept her newly free hair out of her face and behind her ears.