She turned and the bright LED lights on the wall flashed across her mask. Her hollow eyes met mine and I looked away when I saw my own reflection in her fearsome chrome-plated face.

From the light of the auditorium, she looked like a tall metallic super-model with straight synthetic hair and fixed facial features that filled me with dread each time I looked at her. I’m sure that the intent of the mask was not just immunity from the diseases in the outside world. It was meant to induce fear and intimidate employees, and it was a powerful tactic.

It was as if she could read my mind when she said, “Do look closer at me, Carl. Do you like what you see?” She circled around me and dropped her hands to her side, showing off her attractive figure.

“I don’t know how to answer that,” I said.

“Of course you don’t,” she replied with a hidden smile. “Vortreten! Now, stand at the podium and read this to me,” she said, handing me the tablet. She made some additional changes and then we walked down to the courtyard.