"Hey runt, get over here.”

Of all the humiliation of being demoted, he couldn’t believe his boss sent him to the interns. Worst of all, on his daughter’s first day.

“So you’re Evelyn’s dad?”

He looked up at the blonde who sat on her office chair, right leg crossed over her left. A pair of blue-jean capris showed off her ankles and dark brown clogs. She wore a sweater with “Kingsley University” embroidered on it.

“Y-yes, m-miss.” He answered, it felt weird speaking this way to somebody over half his age younger, but he had horror stories of what the interns did to demotees.

The blonde nodded, “Thought so. She said you were pretty spineless.”

His stomach dropped. He had never had the best relationship with his daughter, especially after he and her mother divorced. She lived with her mother most of the year as “she wasn't a loser” but would visit him reluctantly on holidays.

He never considered himself a loser, he thought he did just fine, especially since he worked at Vilecio and survived numerous demotions. He still stood at his original 6ft. On the other hand, however, he never did enough to get promoted. In fact, his current boss was his intern from 5 years prior. He had watched as she grew, quite literally, into a leadership role. His mind flashed to the events two hours prior...

---------------------------------

“Liam, if you would come into my office, please.” A message popped-up on his V-Hud.

“I bet this is the day she finally gives me a promotion.” Liam thought to himself as he eagerly walked across the floor to his boss’ office. He stopped at the door and looked at the label “Naomi Minh, Dir. Accounts Payable”. He lifted his arm and knocked.

“Come in.” Naomi’s voice sounded from behind the door.

Liam slowly opened the door and stepped into Naomi’s office.

“Close the door please.” She ordered and Liam did as he was told.

Naomi sat behind her desk typing away at something on her computer. She gave him a brief smile and motioned for him to sit down.

Liam sat across from his boss and couldn’t help but notice her size. At 8ft tall she easily towered above him even when sitting. He remembered when she was a 5ft 2in nervous ball of energy.

Naomia finished typing whatever she was typing and then turned her attention to Liam.

“Thanks for making time for this.” She spoke sternly.

“Uh..no worries...Naom-” Liam caught himself, “Misses Minh.”

Naomi nodded and then began, “I’ve been your boss for what, 2 years now?”

“Uh. Almost 3.” Liam corrected her.

“Almost 3...” Naomi’s voice trailed off. “And do you know how many times I’ve requested a promotion for you?”

“Uh. 5?” Liam asked.

Naomi sighed, “No. Not 5. Zero.” Naomi looked sternly, “Look. I’m going to make this short as security is on their way, but I’ve moved you for demotion. It’s been three years and, though you haven’t made an errors, I would like some fresh blood on my team. I need employees who I can connected with and are quicker with modern concepts.”

“...so I’m being demoted?” Liam asked in shock.

Naomi sighed, “See. This is what I’m talking about. Yes. You’re being demoted.”

“B-but you can’t do that! I trained you!” Liam stood up in an attempt to intimidate the girl he remembered in his mind from years back.

Naomi rose from her own seat and looked down at the man, “And now you report to me, so I can do whatever I want. I think you’ll be a good role model for what not to do.” Just as Naomi finished, a knock came at the door...

----------------------

The rest was a blur. Now he was only 1.5ft tall and dressed in a brown jumpsuit. He stared up at the girl who had called him.

“So, like, anything I say you have to do?” She asked.

“Y-yes, miss.” Liam replied.

“Seriously? Like, that’s all you exist for?” The girl chewed on some gum.

“Absolutely, miss...” He looked up quizically

“Just call me Carmen.” She smiled. “Using my last name seems like an old person thing.”

“N-nice to meet you, Carmen...” Liam spoke up to the girl.

“So anywayyy,” Carmen went back to the prior topic, “What if you refuse to do something I tell you?” She asked.

“You can submit me for demotion.” Liam looked at the floor.

“Or I could squash you.” She teased.

“T-that’s not unheard of.” Liam gulped.

“What if you get too many demotions?” Carmen asked.

“Eventually I would get reallocated as a permanent demotee for somebody.” He replied.

“Could that somebody be me!?” Carmen asked enthusiastically.

“No. Only full-time Vilecio employees.”

Carmen pouted her lips, “Darn. But let’s try this out.”

Liam watched as Carmen pulled her chair closer to her desk and typed above him on her computer, “I’ll hit send and...” she spoke and pushed herself back from the desk.

Within minutes, a woman from HR appeared. She was probably 7ft tall.

“We have a demotion submission?” The woman asked quizzically.

“Yeah! I think this one is broken.” Carmen pointed down to Liam.

The HR rep rolled her eyes, “Liam! We *just* demoted you!” She scolded and then reached down.

“Wait! But I -!” He attempted to protest but it was no use...

“Hey! Welcome back squirt.” Carmen looked down at Liam who now stood just over 1ft tall. “Oh damn. You’re almost a size 11.” She spoke as she held her clog covered foot next to Liam.

Liam wanted to say something, but the girl’s unpredictability kept him silent.

“You want to know how tall I am?” She asked proudly.

“Do you want me to?” Liam asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Hey! You’re not as dumb as Evelyn said.” Carmen replied, “6ft 2in.” She smiled.

“Good for you.” Liam replied sarcastically.

“Did I just hear you ask for another demotion?” Carmen sung.

“No! Wait. I mean, wow! That’s taller than I was!” Liam put on a fake smile.

“I know! I caught up on your file while you were gone.” Carmen smirked, “So if I stay here long enough, I could be promoted to be some rando’s boss and then demote him?” she asked.

“I-if you want to look at it that way.” Liam tried to brush off Carmen’s words.

“Awesome. I hope they have some open positions. Wait! I know of at least one...” Carmen snickered.

“Did you just want to roast me or is there something you want?” Liam asked, his temper running short.

“Actually! I’m glad you asked.” Carmen smiled and pushed her right clog with her left.

THUMP

Her large foot appeared. Her toes wiggled and sole flexed.

She repeated the act with her left clog and right foot.

THUMP

Liam soon found himself face to face with two bare size 11 feet. The nails painted in turquoise flexed and popped.

“Evelyn said that despite you being a loser, her mom would always say you gave her the best foot rubs. I thought I’d be the first to put this to the test if I found you.” Carmen snickered.

“This is what Evelyn talks about me to other people?” Liam asked aloud incredulously.

“Yeah, she doesn’t think too highly of you, dude.” Carmen shrugged matter-of-factly. “Maybe you can at least prove the ex right?” She poked his chest with her right big toe.

Liam wanted to tell her off but feared another demotion in such a short time frame and Carmen already seemed to have her mind set.

“Um. How? I mean your foot is so big...” Liam began

“I think you mean, you’re so small.” Carmen retorted.

“I just...it’s not quite the same.” Liam tried to protest.

“Make it work, little guy or else you may just be living in my clogs before the day’s over.” Carmen threatened and pushed her chair to the desk.

Liam sat down cross-legged and maneuvered Carmen's right foot, so its heel rested on his crossed legs. He then did his best to begin kneading the flesh.

An hour later, Carmen pushed her chair pack and appeared once again above Liam.

“Wow. That was great little guy. The ex was right. I mean, maybe this was your calling all along? Just exist to make us larger folk happy.” The girl teased. “I mean, the way your hands pushed and then getting between my toes. You pulled each one so well...” Carmen trailed off. "...you’ll definitely be sticking around me this summer.”

---------

“Oh hey! Look who it is!” Carmen shouted as Liam was giving her feet an after lunch rub down.

“Who?” A familiar voice asked from above the desk.

“Not you silly, that was for him.” Carmen spoke and then leaned down.

Liam watched the smiling face of Carmen appear, “Take five.” Liam stepped back from the warm skin of Carmen’s left foot and walked out from under her desk. His stomach dropped...

-----------

Evelyn looked down at the sight of her tiny father dressed in a brown “DEMOTEE” jumpsuit. She compared his size to that of her own heel covered feet.

“Ugh.” She spoke and rolled her eyes.

Liam chewed the inside of his cheeks as daughter inspected him from above. He couldn’t believe how much she looked like her mother – a tall, fit, redhead.

“So you already put him to work?” Evelyn asked Carmen.

“Oh I HAD to after all the stuff you said about him. I mean, I had to see if he’d break as easily as you insisted and the whole foot rub thing...both of which are true.” Carmen leaned back into her chair and sighed.

“Of course they are.” Evelyn spoke without emotion, “Oh. Mom said if I run into you to grab a pic, so smile.”

Liam barely had time to react as a flash from his daughter's phone signaled the task as complete.

“Welp, guess I won’t need to worry about saving for airfare this year to go visit you.” Evelyn spoke without looking at her diminutive father while tapping away on her phone.

“You know. You never told me what your mom does.” Carmen asked.

“She works for Vilecio too, but she’s over in San Francisco. She’s the head of HR for the west region.” Evelyn finally looked down at her dad as she spoke.

“Oh shit. She must be huge.” Carmen commented.

“12ft. It’s a bit intimidating being around her, but she has a position for me lined-up once I graduate. She’s said she doesn’t' want me to wind up like him.” Evelyn sighed. “Anyway, I’m gonna head out for the day. Enjoy...whatever this is...” She looked at her dad with a disgusted grimace.

After Evelyn had left, Carmen looked down at Liam. “I didn’t realize she’d be such a bitch. I thought she’d be somewhat happy to see you.” Carmen honestly felt sorry for the little man. “I won’t demote you tomorrow like I planned...” she added and then returned to her full seated position.

---------

Two days later, Carmen looked down at an 8inch tall Liam.

“Now you’re smaller than a size 11!” She laughed.

The prior day, the two learned more about each other. Carmen and Evelyn met while running cross country together and became close acquaintances. According to Carmen, Evelyn didn’t keep too many people as close friends – no doubt thanks to her mother’s influence. Alternatively, Liam was a regular at his local bar, he wondered what they were all up to.

Carmen also learned that Liam and Evelyn’s mother, Lyla, separated due to disagreements on what to expose Evelyn to. They divorced when Evelyn was 12, before her mother had reached her current status at Vilecio. For Liam’s safety, the company offered to move Lyla across the country. Unfortunately for him, it appeared that other women were out to get him regardless.

“How much smaller do you plan on making me?” Liam asked.

“Oh I don’t know. I may find somebody else to pick on. Hell, you still may have been your original height if I didn’t know who you were.” Carmen spoke about reducing the man so non-chalantly. “Also. I wanted a match for this lil guy.”

Liam watched as Carmen reached down and undid the buckle holding that day’s footwear to her left foot. A flat sand held by clasped leather straps. The sandal fell from the foot with a small sound of leather peeling from skin. It landed with a soft thud.

Carmen and Liam looked down at a naked man lay spread eagle on the insole of the sandal. His entire body was reddened. Liam noticed a layer of moisture covering him and the insole.

“Evelyn gave him to me this morning. She said he didn’t give her coffee this morning.”

Liam recognized the man as a higher-up director, “Uhhh. Maybe she shouldn’t have done that.” He feared that his daughter would get in trouble.

“She said you would say that once you saw who it was. She said to tell you that ‘mom took care of me’.” Carmen relayed the message.

“ANYWAYS!” Carmen continued on, “The point is, I need you to be in my right sandal. And you’ll need to remove that stupid jumpsuit.” Carmen grinned.

“Carmen, please! You can’t be so non-chalant about this!” Liam wriggled in the girl’s left hand as she undressed him with her right. “I may slide out while you’re walking and do I really have to be naked!?” He screamed as the fingers peeled him from the jumpsuit.

Carmen placed her thumb and forefinger around Liam’s head and held him in the air. Liam felt the pressure from the digits against his ears.

“If you don’t shut-up, I’ll just squash your head like a grape.” Carment threatened which got Liam to go silent.

“One. You need to be naked so that you DON’T slip off. Two. I got some tiny tack from the supply room today, so I doubt you’ll be going anywhere...” Carmen burned a hole into Liam with her blue eyes. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll have to do this quick as I have a meeting to get to.”

Liam tried to fight but it was no use as his arms and legs were tacked into place and his torso was pressed into the leather surface. He pleaded with Carmen but was only met by the sight of her size 11 sole lowering upon him. His face soon pressed into the warm flesh, Carmen’s sweat already began to work its way into his mouth and over his body.

------

The “meeting” Carmen had to make was an intern icebreaker. She and 40 other interns all mingled and discussed their first three days of Vilecio. The number one topic of discussion of course was the demoted individuals.

“Oh my god. I love your sandals.” A girl of Indian descent commented to Carmen.

“Oh thank you. I love yours as well.” Carmen commented back. “Have you had a chance to try out any of the tiny people as insoles?” she asked non-chalantly.

“What?” The other girl asked in confusion.

“Oh yeah. They’re so comfortable. Here let me show you.” Carmen unclasped her right sandal..

Liam screamed as he was blinded by light after having been in the darkness under Carmen’s foot for the last 45 minutes. His vision soon focused. He gulped as he was looking up at Carmen and another girl’s face.

“No way.” The other girl replied. “You’re literally using living people as insoles?” She asked with some disgust.

Carmen nodded exictedly, “Absolutely. I mean, that’s part of their job this summer; they cater to our whims. Soooo if I think they’d be good insoles...” Carmen let the gears turn in the other girl’s head. “Want to give it a try?” She asked.

“I...I guess?” The other girl was hesitant but agreed.

“Cool! Just go ahead and stick your foot on there whenever you want.” Carmen encouraged.

After about 30 seconds of getting herself ready, the other girl made her move.

Liam tried to plead but it was no use as he was soon covered by a new sole.

“Oh..this is...it’s definitely not bad.” the other girl fought to hold back a smile. “And he’s warm.”

“Well, he was under my sweaty foot for the past almost-hour, but he may also just run hot.” Carmen smiled.

After letting the girl walk around in the sandal for 5 minutes, Carmen eventually took Liam back.

“I’ve just been having them fetch me coffee...” The other girl looked at Carmen with an ephiphany.

“Happy to have given you some inspiration!” Carmen hugged the other girl and walked on to meet others.

--------------------

“That was really fun. It makes you appreciate how large a company Vilecio is.” Carmen spoke above once more.

Liam was still tacked to his insole prison though Carmen had removed her sandals as she sat her desk.

“I hope I wasn’t too hard you by walking around for two hours.” Carmen spoke as she typed on her computer.

Liam was speechless. He had seen countless people be so needlessly and overtly cruel to demotees but Carmen’s outgoing happiness was a new form of horror. Liam could feel the warmth from her skin still emanating from the insole and himself. Each time he smacked his lips or breathed; he could only taste her sweat.

“You did really well, Liam.” Carmen continued, “Maybe I can request you as mine when I come back full-time. I’m not so sure about him though.” Carmen referred to the other man stuck to her left sandal. His screams and cries had been non-stop.

Two hours later, Carmen closed her laptop.

“Okay. Quitting time. I guess time to turn you two back in.” She reached down and picked up her sandals.

Liam grimaced as she grabbed his right arm and easily pulled him from the insole. He screamed as he felt a lot of his hair stay attached to the tack.

“Ope. Sorry about that.” Carmen sat Liam on her desk and repeated the act with her other demotee.

Liam was too exhausted to move or make any noise. He simply enjoyed the ride as Carmen carried him to the designated drop-box where he and other miniature demotees were stored until the next morning. Automated feeding and water ensured them no human contact...

--------------

As the summer continued, Carmen’s torture of Liam only increased.

“Oh man. That was a wild game of basketball.” Carmen commented as she sat at her desk. Liam and the former director both contained in a small fish bowl.

Liam looked up at the giant girl who was soaked with sweat. He couldn’t help but notice her grey crop top and matching sweat shorts were soaked through.

“Good news, I was the MVP. Carried my team to victory. 23 pts, 8rebounds...no dunks though.” Carmen frowned for a second, “Bad news. My dogs are fucking barking and you two little guys are just what the doctor ordered.”

“Um. Carmen. Maybe that’s not a good idea. How about instead...” Liam attempted to plead but was ignored as Carmen untied her shoes and placed them on the ground. She then peeled off her socks. Her feet, skin wrinkled from sweat, enjoyed the cool air.

Liam and the other man looked at one another in disgust as the large feet seemed to be taunting them from atop Carmen’s desk.

“I’m gonna need each one of you to pick one of these girls to work. I want you to put your back into this. Use everything you got. Your arms. Your legs...” Carmen let the words hang, “Your mouths...”

Liam fought back gags as he pushed his body into Carmen’s left foot. He could feel himself sweating as it was still warm from her game.

“Hey, Liam. Go ahead and get the sock lint out for me, would you?” Carmen ordered and angled her foot and spread her toes.

Liam looked in disgust as the white lint seemed glued to Carmen’s skin. He carefully reached into the first crevice and began to peel. Suddenly, however, Carmen’s toes clasped around his arms.

Liam screamed in, both, shock and pain as it felt like his arms were going to break.

“Got ya arms!” Carmen teased.

“P-please let me go!” Liam begged.

“Aw. You don’t love me little guy?” Carmen pouted.

“I-I do, just I need my arms to work!” Liam attempted to pull his appendages free, but it was no use.

“Give my toe a kiss to show me that you love me.” Carmen teased.

Liam looked at Carmen’s ring toe. A sheen of sweat still covered it. He looked at the giant blonde face and then back at the toe. He closed his eyes, leaned in, and kissed.

“No way you’re my real dad.” Evelyns voice came from above.

Liam looked up to see his daughter standing behind Carmen with a look of disgust.

“Hey! Don’t be so mean to him. The little guy just professed his love to me.” Carmen winked.

“Whatever. Just keep him away from me.” Evelyn continued toward wherever she was going.

----------

The games continued from Carmen as she wittled down Liam’s will.

“Tell me how beautiful my feet are, little men.” She ordered.

Liam and the former director, both obediently went on about how soft and immaculate Carmen’s peds were and how perfect her nails were done.

“You like it when I work out, right?” She asked while sipping an ice coffee.

“Of course! Your sweat is the highlight of our day.” The men replied.

“Carmen, you’re fucking sadistic. I really hope you don’t any dudes who work here.” A girl to Carmen’s left spoke.

“I mean, I get it but, like, did you hypnotize them or something?” another girl to Carmen’s right asked.

“Nope. They just know what I’m capable of doing to them.” Carmen replied.

The three watched as Liam rolled a globule of toe jam from between Carmen’s toes and began chewing from it.

Gag’s from the other girls, but Carmen smiled proudly.

----------

By the summer’s end, Liam had been completely broken by Carmen. Demoted one more time to 7-inches, “Just because she could” Liam had learned every inch of Carmen’s peds. He had been used as a seat cushion on more than one occasion and was even given to other girls thanks to his obedience.

“I’m gonna miss you, little guy. Evelyn is lucky to have such a great dad.” Carmen teased as Liam licked between her toes. “I really hope when I go full-time after graduating next year that you’ll still be here.”

“I-I hope so as well.” Liam added. Thoroughly broken down by Carmen, he continued, “D-do you think I did good?”

Carmen smiled, “You did. I’ll be sure to give you a good review. If we don’t see each other again, I’m sure you’ll make another intern happy. Oh! And one final thing. Evelyn sent me something to show you.”

Carmen turned her phone toward Liam.

“Heyyyy.” A familiar voice sounded and then Liam saw her, his ex-wife, Evelyn’s mom. “Evelyn has been sending me status updates and I just want to say I’m so proud of you for finally finding a purpose for yourself.” The gigantic redhead smiled on the screen. “As a surprise, I’m loaning you to Carmen until she graduates. Also, since Kingsley so close to the office, I may even pay a visit to see you in action...”