Class today was meeting at the Danger Shop. And was being taught by a short blonde TA.

"Mr. Dukes couldn't be here this week," Elena said. "So I'm supposed to teach class, today. So ... let's see."

The syllabus said MMA, but Elena wasn't entirely clear on what that was. So she was just going to wing it.

"An enforcer," she said, "is what's known as the brawn of an operation. Usually found in gangs. Someone's getting out of line, someone's not paying what they owe you, you send an enforcer to break a couple of bones. Sometimes, that's not necessary. You just make a show of force, send a big guy to glare and crack his knuckles. Then you've got full cooperation without having to bother getting violent."

"At the same time," she added, "there's a delicate balance that needs to be kept. You push someone too far, you'll break them. Or, worse, you'll make them discover that steel of spine they didn't know they had. Never make empty threats -- you'll look weak, and no one will fear you. And never push someone until they have nothing left to lose. When people get desperate, when people turn into cornered rats, that's when a situation can get dicey."

Elena shrugged. "So, we can discuss intimidation techniques, or you guys can go into the simulation and try it out, or you can just punch some punching bags. Your call."