{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1 \deff0\deflang1033\deflangfe1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman;}{\f1\fswiss\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 020b0604020202020204}Arial;} {\f28\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;}{\f29\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;}{\f31\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;}{\f32\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;} {\f33\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);}{\f34\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);}{\f35\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;}{\f36\fswiss\fcharset238\fprq2 Arial CE;}{\f37\fswiss\fcharset204\fprq2 Arial Cyr;} {\f39\fswiss\fcharset161\fprq2 Arial Greek;}{\f40\fswiss\fcharset162\fprq2 Arial Tur;}{\f41\fswiss\fcharset177\fprq2 Arial (Hebrew);}{\f42\fswiss\fcharset178\fprq2 Arial (Arabic);}{\f43\fswiss\fcharset186\fprq2 Arial Baltic;}} {\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green255\blue255;\red0\green255\blue0;\red255\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0; \red128\green0\blue128;\red128\green0\blue0;\red128\green128\blue0;\red128\green128\blue128;\red192\green192\blue192;}{\stylesheet{\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext0 Normal;}{\*\cs10 \additive Default Paragraph Font;}{\s15\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f1\fs22\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext15 Body Text;}{\s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext16 header;}{\s17\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar \tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext17 footer;}{\*\cs18 \additive \sbasedon10 page number;}{\*\cs19 \additive \i \sbasedon10 Emphasis;}}{\info {\title Chapter 1}{\author SCOTT BAKER}{\operator SCOTT BAKER}{\creatim\yr2008\mo10\dy9\hr5\min17}{\revtim\yr2008\mo10\dy9\hr5\min17}{\version2}{\edmins0}{\nofpages11}{\nofwords4026}{\nofchars22952}{\nofcharsws28186}{\vern8247}} \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1800\dgvorigin1440\dghshow1\dgvshow1 \jexpand\viewkind1\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\htmautsp\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule \fet0\sectd \linex0\endnhere\sectlinegrid360\sectdefaultcl {\header \pard\plain \s16\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {- }{\field{\*\fldinst {\cs18 PAGE }}{\fldrslt {\cs18\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof 1}}}{\cs18 -}{ \par }}{\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang{\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl2\pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang{\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang{\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang{\pntxta )}} {\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8 \pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f1 Chapter 1. Stephanie\rquote s Interview \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\b\f1 \par }\pard\plain \s15\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f1\fs22\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 { \par I applied to Masterson Automotive for my first job in accounting. I was 22 years old and it was the year 2134. Six months earlier my classmates and I had received our diplomas. The majority of my professional friends had received no job offer since graduation. \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f1\fs22 \par On the day of my appointment I chose to wear high-heeled shoes and a rather elegant blue dress that came down only to mid thigh. I knew that my legs were one of my most attractive features and that showing the m off might help my chances! When I arrived on time for my appointment, I felt I really could not afford to blow this opportunity. \par \par I was excited but could also feel some tightness in my chest. I found myself in a reception area. I noted six other wom en about my age and two young men, all professionally dressed, and all with eclip boards busy data inputting what I assumed were job applications. Apparently I had competition as the company had advertised only one opening. \par \par I had transmitted my complet ed forms via the opti some weeks earlier, along with a letter indicating that I had researched this firm and the reasons why I particularly wanted to work here. I remembered that some of the questions on the forms had been quite personal, even intrusive, but I had answered them anyway. After about fifteen minutes, a door opened and a man called out my name. \par \par \'93Miss Stephanie Glenn? \par \par I looked up to see a tall middle-aged man looking in my direction. \par \par \'93I am Jeffrey Duncan from Human Resources. Please follow me.\'94 \par \par I smiled and stood to greet him. \par \par He escorted me down a long corridor, plushy carpeted and with tasteful artwork, to what was apparently his own office. There was a spectacular view of the New York City skyline. He moved behind his elegant desk, with his back to me, and began speaking for a moment to someone on the phone. I eyed the comfortable chairs in front of his desk but he had not invited me to sit down so I remained nervously standing. After what seemed an eternity he finished his call. \par \par \'93Miss Glenn, I do apologize for the interruption. Won\rquote t you have a seat please? Could I have some coffee sent in for you?\'94 \par \par I took my seat but shook my head regarding the coffee as I was too wired already. \par \par \'93My colleagues and I have reviewed your resume and impressive cover letter, obtained your academic transcripts, and checked out your references. Seldom have we had the pleasure of considering such a superbly qualified applicant\'94, he beamed! \par \par \'93Thank you sir!\'94 \par \par \'93Your fine academic record was much enhanced by evidence of your social skills and by an obvious interest in physical pursuits. We like to hire applicants who are both socially adept and physically fit.\'94 \par \par \'93I do try to constantly challenge myself to maintain my skills, sir!\'94 I said this with as much enthusiasm as I could muster. \par \par I felt genuinely complimented. I was pretty sure that the \'93physical\'94 reference was to the fact that I had been captain of the college cheerleading squad, and also an avid tennis player. The \'93social\'94 reference was doubtless to the fact I had been Pledge Mistress and later President of my sorority. \par \par \'93If we make you an offer,\'94 he continued, \'93you will find that your duties with us may include mingling with our clients at various social functions. You would be comfortable with that wouldn\rquote t you?\'94 \par \par \'93Yes sir, I have always liked to mingle at social and business functions. Perhaps you could spell out just what my duties might be at these functions?\'94 \par \par I felt myself tensing up just a bit, wondering if I should be reading anything between the lines in the way he was phrasing this extra-curricular job requirement. \par \par He leaned back in his chair and seemed to be considering his next words carefully. \par \par \'93I won\rquote t go into detail on your actual duties.\'94 He paused to see if I would object to this omission before continuing. \par \par \'93I will say that some of these functions may be quite formal while others may consist of picnics, swimming pool outings and the like. Nothing you can\rquote t handle!\'94 There ensued a long pause in which he seemed to be studying my body language for any clue to how I might be taking all this news. \par \par \'93Your apparent social skills and obvious physical attractiveness are important to us. Clients respond favorably to such attributes.\'94 \par \par I wasn\rquote t sure I wanted my physical attractiveness to be so much a factor in their hiring decision. The implications of that were beginning to worry me. \par \par \'93Thank you.\'94 I said somewhat more hesitantly than before. \par \par \'93I need to inform you at this point, Miss Glenn, that we give three exams to each applicant who reaches this stage of our selection process. One is psychological, one is medical, and the last we call a \'93physical aesthetics exam or P.A.E\'94. \par \par I was no longer making eye contact with him and my muscles tensed. The tests he mentioned were beginning to sound quite intrusive and in spite of my somewhat desperate circumstances and need for this job, I was contemplating a refusal and an early termination of this interview. \par \par \'93I sense your hesitation,\'94 he offered. \'93It is not uncommon for candida tes to feel some apprehension about these tests. But I can assure you, Miss Glenn, that you are very close to receiving an offer from us, and that these exams are little more than a formality which will soon be over and behind you as you begin what we al l hope will be a brilliant career with us!\'94 \par \par Not without some trepidation I reluctantly nodded my assent. He indicated that the Physical Aesthetics Exam would be scheduled first, and gave me the date and time for that appointment. \par \par \'93After you pass your \lquote physical\rquote exam, which I am sure you will, I will notify you of dates for the other two tests\'94. With that he rose, shook my hand, and escorted me out. \par \par }{\f1\fs22\cf6 }{\f1\fs22\cf1 ******************************************************** \par }{\f1\fs22 \par When I reported for the \'93physical\'94 exam I went directly to Room B17 in the basement in accordance with instructions Mr. Duncan had given me. There a male receptionist, who couldn\rquote t have been more than 19 years old, greeted me. \par \par \'93You must be Stephanie Glenn\'94, he stated. \'93We have been expecting you!\'94 \par \par He escorted me down a long hallway deeper into the basement complex. Finally we entered a private examination room. He handed me a paper gown. \par \par \'93I will need you to disrobe and put on this gown\'94, he said. \par \par \'93Put your clothing and personal effects in one of the lockers on the wall over there\'94. \par \par When he made no immediate move to leave, I wondered for a moment if he planned to stay and conduct my examination himself. \par \par \'93The Examiner will be with you in just a few minutes\'94, he finally said, and left me to get undressed. \par \par After getting naked I very carefully put on the flimsy paper gown, which was sleeveless and came only to mid thigh. I had to wait quite a while and this gown was little protection against the chill of the air conditioning. \par \par While waiting, I saw a \'93Physical Aesthetics Examiner\'94 certificate on the wall for a Thomas Baxter, the man who was evidently going to \'93examine\'94 me. He had no medical training but instead had a Master\rquote s degree in \'93 The Aesthetics of the Human Body\'94. I had not even known that such a degree program or professional certification existed. But much had changed in Capitallia in the last ten years. \par \par At long last, Mr. Baxter entered the room, introduced himself, made some small talk and proceeded to fill out a buff colored form. He called out his observations as he checked the various boxes and made additional notes. \par \par \'93I see that you are pretty, a redhead, fair skinned, freckled, have high cheekbones, brown eyes, and a slightly upturned nose\'94, he announced, checking off items on his form. \par \par \par \'93I also see that you have the kind of thick lips most people would consider sensuous!\'94 He announced this with some enthusiasm as he scribbled some note on the form. \par \par \'93Thank you sir.\'94 I wasn\rquote t sure I liked where this might be heading, but I certainly didn\rquote t want to antagonize the man, who might very well hold my future in his hands. \par \par \'93I will need to take one or two good photos of your face for our files. Please step over here in front of this screen.\'93 \par \par I did so and waited patiently while he focused studio lights on my face and adjusted the background lights. He took front and side shots and seemed satisfied. With the photo taking done, he motioned me away from the photo taking area to an alcove with a paper covere d leather table and softer lighting. \par \par \'93I will need you to remove the gown at this time\'94, he stated matter-of-factly, \'93as these exams are always conducted with the subject naked.\'94 \par \par I pondered the fact that Mr. Duncan in Human Resources had not told me abou t this aspect of the exam. It was one thing to be nude for a medical exam, but doing it in that context felt very different. I hesitated enough for him to notice my discomfort, but then reluctantly complied. With me naked he began to call out his addit ional observations. \par \par \'93I see that you are slender, even exquisitely so!\'94 he observed, checking more boxes on the buff colored form. \par \par \'93You have well defined clavicles,\'94 he continued, \'93breasts that are of modest size and firm, a flat and well toned stomach reflecting, no doubt, your cheerleading and tennis pursuits!\'94 he said, checking still more boxes on his form. \par \par \'93And I can\rquote t help but comment on your very long, slim, and beautifully muscled legs of the kind that our clients, seeing you at a beach party or swimming pool, would certainly find most attractive! Are these the legs that won third place in the Boston Marathon?\'94 \par \par \'93Yes sir, they are.\'94 I didn\rquote t like where this was going. \par \par \'93I read about that on your resume. That is why I decided to do your physical myself! I wanted so much to see and touch those marathon winning legs!\'94 \par \par That last point Mr. Baxter found it necessary to verify by asking me to flex and tense my leg muscles several times while he fondled my thighs and calves. He seemed to be particularly interested in my hamstring muscles, and how \lquote defined\rquote the tendons under my flexed knees were. It had become way too personal, but I bit my tongue. \par \par \'93I note that your nipples erect very nicely when stimulated!\'94 \par \par While he played with them, I tried to do multiplication tables in my head to avoid becoming aroused. He made another note on the form. Then his interest shifted to my genitals \par \par \'93I see that you are a natural redhead and that you have applied a lovely perfume to this area of your body! You have trimmed your hair \lquote down there\rquote just the way we like our female employees to do, so the vulva is adorned but never concealed.\'94 \par \par I jerked instinctively when I felt his right hand fondling my bare left buttock as he pulled me closer to him for a better view. I thought it outrageous that he thought any of my private parts were the company\rquote s business. I saw him make more notes on the buff colored form. \par \par \'93No doubt you are wondering why we care about such things?\'94 He looked at me quizzically. \par \par \'93I don\rquote t know if Jeff Duncan told you this or not, but there will likely be times when you will be socializing with clients at pool parties in the nude. Clients like pubic hair but also like to see what you have down there!\'94 \par \par I didn\rquote t know which I felt more, the urge to slap his face or the urge to cry! But I had come that far, so I might as well see it through. I could decide later if I really wanted the job. \par \par After I had settled down again he asked me to do jumping jacks on a trampoline to assess my physical fitness. I saw a flash go off and surmised that my naked body had been photographed during this exercise. He had not asked me if he might do this, and I was not at all happy about it! \par \par He had me turn my back to him and proceeded to palpate my firm buttocks. He then instructed me to bend way forward and touch my fingers to the floor. He let out a whistle! \par \par \'93I must tell you, Miss Glenn, that because of the width of you hips and the fact that your thighs are so slender, there is quite a nice gap between your legs just below your crotch!\'94 \par \par \'93And your point is?\'94 I practically shouted at him in my irritation. \par \par \'93At the nude pool parties, our clients really notice and appreciate women of your build, since, whenever you bend forward even a little, you provide them with a lovely rear view of your vulva!\'94 He made another notation on the form. \par \par \'93There is something else Jeff probably didn\rquote t tell you\'94. He paused, a worried look on his face, as if considering whether he should go on. \par \par \'93Sometimes, when we are entertaining clients there will be \lquote opportunities\rquote when you could help the company if you volunteered to have sex with one of them. I can assure you these situations are always purely voluntary.\'93 He said this in such a casual, matter-of-fact way, that I thought he might be making small talk about the weather. \par \par I was quite sure by this point that I would not likely accept any offer the company made. Nevertheless it would boost my self-confidence to at least have an offer to reject after six months of fruitless job hunting. \par \par \'93You will never be forced to have sex with anyone if you don\rquote t want to!\'94 He proclaimed as though pointing out one of the great benefits of working at Masterson Automotive! \par \'93But if you do have sex with one of our clients, then we want to be very sure the client is going to find you pleasing in every way. That is why we must now proceed to a more intimate examination of your person.\'94 \par \par \'93But I am sure I would never volunteer to have sex with a client!\'94 I intend to keep my work life and my personal life entirely separate!\'94 \par \par \'93That is pretty much what every young woman tells me at the time of her exam. But quite a few of them later change their mind. That is why we have to be thorough now, just in case.\'94 \par \par \'93I need you to spread apart the lips of your vulva with your fingers. I need to have a good look inside.\'93 \par \par I was seething inside but had not yet decided whether to let him know it yet. \par \par \'93You are not a doctor sir!\'94 I said with more than a little concern.}{\f1\fs22\cf6 \'93}{\f1\fs22 I see no reason why you need to look inside my vulva!\'94 \par \par I was shocked at the impertinence of this man and the company he represented. I could feel my breathing speed up and the muscles of my upper back and neck tense. My arms were trembling. \par \par \'93It is partly for hygiene and partly for aesthetics. Now come along and get with the program! I don\rquote t have all day you know!\'94 \par He had answered me with an impatient tone and a look that seemed to say it was almost beneath his dignity to respond to my silly female objections. \par \par \'93Did all your other female job applicants agree to this procedure?\'94 \par \par \'93Nearly all of them, yes.\'94 \par \par I was stalling for time to decide what to do. I reminded myself that jobs in the accounting field were extremely difficult to find under the economic conditions of the time. Finall y I nodded my head in reluctant acquiescence and held by labia open for his inspection. \par \par The man took his time and seemed to be immensely enjoying his work, examining, but not touching, each little detail of my vulva while he hummed a tune and stopped a few times to make copious notes on the buff colored form. \par \par \'93You have a very pleasant aroma \lquote down there\rquote compared to most women I have examined!\'94 \par \par He said this as though I ought to be everlastingly grateful for such a compliment. I became aware of my own sexual scent and looked down, observing that my inner labia were becoming visibly engorged with blood. \par \par Even though he had not actually touched me down there I was becoming aroused. It was the humiliation of the whole situation that was making me hot, and not any feeling I had for him. \par Before I knew what was happening I saw a flash and knew he had taken a second photo without my permission. This time it was of my vulva in an aroused condition! \par \par Without even stopping to think I shoved him away from his camera, grabbed the camera and jerked out the film cartridge, tearing the cartridge apart with my bare hands! What I didn\rquote t learn until much later was that the image had already been electronically stored and would be sent to Jeff Duncan and others for their perusal! \par \par \'93All right bitch! We have plenty of good job applicants here! I don\rquote t need to waste my time with girls like you who don\rquote t appreciate the opportunity you are being given!\'94 \par \par He stormed out of the room. I got dressed. Just then an attractive woman of middle age, a Mrs. Binson, came in to talk with me. \par \par }\pard\plain \s15\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f1\fs22\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\'93Miss Glenn, I understand that you and my colleague, Mr. Baxter, did not get along\'94 , she said with what appeared to be genuine concern. \'93Sometimes he can be a bit rough in his manner with the applicants. I will be happy to take over for Mr. Baxter if you would feel more comfortable with a female examiner?\'94 \par \par \'93Yes, perhaps that would be better.\'94 I breathed a sign of relief. \par \par \'93There is one other requirement, Miss.\'94 She paused, momentarily. \par \par \'93We will need you to sign this consent form, Stephanie.\'94 As she made this announcement she put a clipboard with a form in front of me. \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f1\fs22 \par \'93What is that for?\'94 I asked. \par \par \'93It is for the clitoral response test. It is permission for me to touch your privates, Miss Glenn, for the purpose of arousing you and for testing your capacity for sexual response.\'94 \par \par This female examiner was clearly going to be no better than the male one! \par \par \'93We need this signed to protect me personally, and the company\'94 \par \par \'93Protect you from what?\'94 I asked. \par \par \'93Why in case an applicant should later decide to file a complaint alleging that she was sexually molested during the interview exam. Believe me, it is no big deal. All our applicants sign this. It is just routine.\'94 \par \par I felt the bile rise in my throat and I found myself yelling at her. \par \par \'93I hate to fucking spoil such a successful fucking run you and your colleague have been having, Mrs. Binson, but my answer is \'93no fucking way! You can tell Jeff Duncan I said so, and if that disqualifies me, so be it!\'94 I was hoarse from shouting at her. \par \par With that I put my clothes back on and stormed out of the lab and out of the building. I really did not expect to hear further from the company after my angry outbursts. \par \par Two days later, much to my surprise, I got a call from Jeff Duncan indicating that my objection to the clitoral test had been noted, but that I was still in the running for the job. \par \par He scheduled me for the medical exam at a clinic where the company had a contract. I got that out of the way the next day. It was a routine sort of exam and certainly proved to be far less embarrassing than the P.A.E. had been. \par \par Three days after that I got the call to come back the following day. Upon arrival I was informed that Mr. Gregory, the company psychologist, would see me. After a short wait a twenty something girl in a micro skirt took me from the reception area to his office. \par I wondered how they got their female employees to dress in such a lewd way. \par \par Before I had a chance to pursue that thought we were there and I was ushered into what seemed a much less elegant office than Mr. Duncan of Human Resources occupied. \par \par \'93Hello, Miss Glenn, I am Paul Gregory, he said with a warm smile. Have a seat. Most employees call me \lquote the company shrink\rquote , but really I don\rquote t bite. This will be your last stage in the interview process. Can I get you some coffee?\'94 \par \par \'93No, I just had some, thanks.\'94 I appreciated his courtesy but felt I could do a better job fielding his questions without the distraction of balancing a cup in my lap. \par \par \'93Today we will see if we can learn what makes you tick, what your fears are, and what incentives would motivate you to your highest level of achievement here at Masterson Automotive.\'94 \par He announced all the foregoing with an expansi ve gesture and a genial smile, but I did not feel cheerful. I knew I needed to be on guard for a trap. I felt the muscles in my upper back begin to tense up. This sounded as though it might be as intrusive mentally as the other exam had been physically . \par \par \'93First I am informed\'94, he paused for a pregnant moment, \'93that you refused our clitoral response test. Is that correct, and if so, why?\'94 \par \par \'93Sir, I just believe some things are too personal to share with a prospective employer!\'94 I responded, in my most mellifluous voice, with as much of a smile as I could muster. \par \par \'93Quite right! He said as he grinned from ear to ear and slapped his knee for emphasis. \par \par \'93We were actually pleased\'94 he said, \'93that you refused that test! It showed us that you have some spirit and ability to be non compliant when the situation calls for that! What surprised us, frankly, was that you hadn\rquote t walked out when he asked you to hold your labia open for his vulva exam! \par \par He looked at me curiously, hoping for some reaction. I was acutely embarrassed and at a loss for anything effective to say. Then he continued. \par \par \'93There was really no need for you to have submitted to that. The fact that you did, however, shows us that you are pliable, at least to some degree. We like women who are pliable, within reason.\'94 \par \par I was not comfortable with this conversation. \par \'93Mr. Gregory\'94, I said, \'93that whole episode is something I would like to put behind me. Could we please just move on to the rest of this interview?\'94 \par \par \'93Indeed! I need to ask you if you have any ambitions to rise to a management level position with our firm \par \par \'93Definitely yes!\'94 I replied confidently. \par \par I could see that he was very intently making eye contact with me and watching my body language for anything that might contradict my words. \par \par \'93Would you consider yourself to be a \lquote take charge\rquote kind of person? \'93 \par \par \'93I can only rely on my background to show you that I do have \lquote take charge\rquote potential. Would you like to hear of some of my accomplishments?\'94 \par \par \'93Most definitely!\'94 he replied. \par \par \'93In co llege I was Pledge Mistress of my sorority in my junior year and was elected President in my senior year! In high school I was captain of our cheerleading team two years in a row! I would think that illustrates that others respected me as a natural lead er!\'94 I exclaimed as I smiled brightly. \par \par \'93Then I must also ask you what kind of leader you were?\'94 \par \par \'93What do you mean sir?\'94 I asked, confused by his question. \par \par \'93I mean were you the kind of leader who rose to the top by pushing anyone aside who got in your way?\'94 Were you ruthless?\'94 \par \par I got an uncomfortable feeling as I saw his eyes boring into me. He wasn\rquote t going to let me fluff this one off or change the subject. Clearly he was going after something in particular! \par \par \'93I don\rquote t understand sir? Why would you be asking me that? I always tried to lead by setting a good example and by obtaining the consent and cooperation of all concerned.\'94 \par \par He leaned back in his chair with a resigned expression and avoided making eye contact with me. \par \par \'93Are you telling me the whole truth, Stephanie?\'94 He asked as though suggesting that I was being deliberately evasive. \par \par \'93I guess so. At least I tried to.\'94 \par \par \'93Well, I do have some information about you, Miss Glenn, that I obtained by interviewing some of your old high school classmates.\'94 \par \par He said this like a cat playing with a mouse. He was again looking right at me. I felt my spirits sag. I knew that some of them had never liked me back in the day, and who knows what they might have said to him! \par \'93What I learned was that when you were captain of the cheerleaders you organized your teammates and a select few other girls into an exclusive clique. I was told that your clique was cruel to girls who were not members.\'94 \par \par After throwing this accusation my way he just let it hang in the air for several minutes. He was watching my facial muscles and my body language intently. He had not asked a direct question so I just tried to look calm and waited him out. He continued. \par \par \'93I was also told that behind your back half the girls in your high school referred to you as \lquote the bitch\rquote . Is there any truth, Stephanie, in these statements?\'94 \par \par Now I had to respond, and I was at a loss! I knew there was truth in what he had heard about me, but I struggled to find an artful response. I needed an answer that wouldn\rquote t kill my chances for this job. \par \par \'93Perhaps some of it is true.\'94 I said. \'93I really don\rquote t know what to say. That was quite a few years back and I was only 16 or 17 years old at the time. Now, after finishing a four year college I believe I have matured. I am not the same person I was then.\'94 \par \par I could feel my brow was hot, my cheeks were flushed and I was starting to sweat. Maybe the job was slipping away from me in spite of all I had endured so far. \par \par \'93We hope so Miss Glenn. We certainly hope so!\'94 He responded with a sigh and paused a long moment before continuing. \par \par \'93We are certainly willing to allow for the possibility that you are not that same person after a college experience.\'94 He finished his thought in a more optimistic tone. \par \par \'93Thank you sir!\'94 Maybe there was still hope, I thought. \par \par \'93How would you say you have related to men in connection with dating, during your junior and senior years of college, and since then?\'94 \par \par \'93What do you mean?\'94 \par \par \'93I mean, Miss Glenn, were your contacts with men in social or dating situations generally pleasant for both you and the men? Or would you say these experiences were antagonistic?\'94 \par \par \'93I socialize easily and most of my friends call me an extrovert!\'94 As I said this I knew that it was glib, and not entirely responsive. \par \par \'93That is not what I asked!\'94 He was nearly shouting at me now. After a pause he continued in a calmer tone. \par \par \'93I have also interviewed some of the men you have dated, and some men who wanted to date you and were rejected. What I learned does cause me some concern.\'94 \par \par \'93What did they say sir?\'94 \par \par \par \'93They said you seemed to delight in putting men down, that you would only date guys who were extremely handsome and popular, and that you seemed to well \'85\'94 he paused, \'93find, how shall we say, the ones that also had a hidden submissive side! \'94 \par \par I was stunned! How could he possibly know these things about me? Even my best friends did not know this about me!\line \par \'93Also\'94, he continued, \'93it was said that you were vicious in the way you would humiliate men you did not want to date, and that men you }{\i\f1\fs22 did}{\f1\fs22 choose to date were usually treated badly when you tired of them!\'94 \par \par I thought fast. How could I strike just the right tone and maybe make my vice seem like a virtue? \par \par \'93I will not deny any of it sir. I believe though, that some of my past behaviors could be viewed as signs of an aggressive character. If I can smooth out some of the rough edges, such a character trait could actually help me in a future management role!\'94 I paused for effect and to observe his reaction. He indicated with a wave of his hand that He liked what he was hearing and wanted me to continue. \par \par \'93I think I can grow out of my past \lquote bitchiness\rquote , if you will, and put those aggressive traits to good purpose if I am given a chance here at Masterson Automotive.\'94 \par \par \'93You just said the magic words, Miss Glenn! He beamed! \par \par \'93I am impressed with your resourcefulness that you know how to sell a negative as a potential positive!\'94 This he uttered with an expansive sweep of his hand to show just how much effective my words had been. \par \par He waited to be sure I would hang on every word. I was excited to think I had possibly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat! Maybe I was still in the running! He continued. \par \par \'93I am also impressed with your honesty\'94 he continued \'93 that you would so easily acknowledge the truth of what was said about you! I will tell you that, if we were to make you an offer, you would be in a level 3 position and you would be reporting to Tom Jenkins, head of Accounts Receivable.\'94 \par \par After another twenty minutes of more routine questions, Mr. Gregory announced that the interview was concluded and that I would be contacted within a week or two with the company\rquote s decision. \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 { \par }}