"Face it, Emily," I chided myself. "You didn't put in all that hard work and graduate, just to work at these dead ends jobs for very little pay. You need a real job, that pays well, and maybe can be a career or at least offer advancement." Properly chastised by myself in my mirror, I went out looking, hoping to get something interesting. Wandering around, I decided not to pound the same old 'beaten paths' I'd been pursuing. I decided to go over to an artist and tourist area, since at least the scenery would be more interesting. They always had new, fascinating stuff so I drove 30 min and found some parking. I walked around and noticed a sign on a side street that got my attention, so I left the main drag and approached the store window.
The displays in the window indicated it was a store that sold leather and latex clothing. Enraptured, I fell in love with everything I saw in that store window. Outfits like that give me a tendency to hyperventilate and drool, not necessarily in that order.
I opened the door, and as I entered a bell rang. There was an older woman manning the counter. She looked up and said nicely, "Please feel free to look around, and call me if you have any questions."
Oh my god -- the sights in the store window were delightful enough, but the smell of leather that permeated the air of the store was absolutely wonderful. I inhaled deeply and felt my toes tingling. Trying my best to look sophisticated and nonchalant, I looked around and barely was able to contain my excitement. However, the cost of the items seemed to be well out of the reach of my pocketbook. Like small lead weights being poured slowly into it, my heart was filling with sadness. "I wonder if I'll ever have enough money to simply buy things that I desire?" I mentally asked. During my examination of the store, I looked at the woman by the counter and noticed that she looked tired. I decided 'nothing ventured, nothing gained' as the proverb goes.
"Ma'am, by any chance are you looking for help here in this store?" I asked politely.
She looked up and hazarded a smile. "Hello, my name is Hannah, rather than Ma'am. And the answer to your question is yes, but I need someone that is interested in this community and lifestyle." She pointedly was scrutinizing what I was wearing an seeing an obvious lack of any leather or latex in my garments.
Blushing I told her, "This has been a dream of mine for years, Hannah."
She looked me over and handed me a job application. She warned me, "If you've ever been arrested, don't bother filling out the form, hun. You see, I cater to a high end community and the job also involves a strict nondisclosure agreement to protect my clients. Applicants who have a criminal record are immediately disqualified."
I could see her point and quickly agreed, saying, "That's fine with me, Hannah. My name is Emily. I have no police record and I'd love to work here." I paused, a little shy to ask my next question. Disregarding the hammering of my heart, I finally asked, "Would there be any chance to wear some of the clothes here in the shop, like if I was modeling things to show the customers?"
The woman looked a little surprised and thoughtful, considering my proposal. "Actually, that's a good idea, Emily, and you obviously have a better figure for that than I do. If we gave that a try, I'd let you buy at cost anything you wore for that purpose."
Taking the pen she handed me, I finished my application, handed it to her, thanked her politely for considering me, left and headed home. I felt good about our interaction and really hoped to get a call from her. Of course, I knew that I probably wouldn't be modeling any of the clothes in the near future, since I expected that I couldn't even afford the 'at cost' prices. But I knew I'd just love being in that store, sweeping, arranging the stock, pricing things, and doing whatever else Hannah might need.
About two weeks later, she did give me a call, saying, "Everything on your application checked out, Emily. You can start work here at my store on Monday, if you're still interested."
Needless to say, I was there bright and early on Monday and got busy following her orders and trying to be very helpful around the shop. As I relieved some of her burden, she began to look less tired than the first day I'd seen her, and the mood in the shop brightened. Hannah complimented me on being a hard worker, and when we weren't busy, we began to chat and grow closer as friends. But I always gave her the respect she deserved as my boss.
I'd been working there more than a month when a statuesque blond came in and looked around. Her clothes fairly screamed 'money' and the way she carried herself just naturally informed the world that she was a important person.
Hannah rushed out and greeted her, saying, "It's so wonderful to see you again! I hope you're planning another one of your fabulous parties!" They chatted animatedly for a while, both of them smiling. Then they came over to me, and I was introduced to this obviously important customer. Hannah said, "Emily, I want you to meet Miss Jane. Miss Jane, this is Emily, my new assistant."
I'd paid close attention to Hannah's clue as to how I should address this woman. "It's very nice to meet you, Miss Jane. If I can help in any manner, just call me," I said.
"Is your assistant available for demonstrations?" she asked Hannah rather then me, since it was Hannah's store, and therefore she defined my roles.
"Oh yes. You can used the fitting room as long as you like, if you wish."
The woman started to look around and handed me a couple of latex dresses. I gave Hannah a secret look of panic and whispered, "I can't buy all this, Hannah."
She remembered what she'd told me about selling me at cost whatever I wore, and whispered back. "It's OK, Emily. She's a very important client so just do as she asks, please."