Andromache
I'd been working at the firm for a year. We designed and sold computer games and were starting to capture quite a chunk of the market. Then we got taken over by another company who were in the same business. They had big plans for us and shortly after they'd taken over there was a management shake up and some new staff were introduced. The company arranged a conference at a hotel, a couple of days away for the staff, so that we could all board blast some ideas, gel together and finish, re invigorated, enthused and full of team spirit. I'm a little cynical about these types of event.
Now the computer industry has a reputation for employing more than their fair share of socially awkward individuals, people who don't quite fit in (the more common term is 'geeks'). However, the technical talents of these people allow any personality failings to be overlooked, which is where I come in.
I'm fortunate. I'm good looking and I'm a shrewd operator. I have a strong personality, I'm ambitious and I like to get my own way. I'm what you'd call an alpha male. I know you're thinking, 'What an arrogant sod,' but why be self effacing?
I also know enough about computers and their associated products to be able to sell them, and I'm good at selling. No matter how good the back room boys are, you need someone good on the shop counter.
When I joined the firm I made sure the impression people had of me would enhance my career prospects. During my first week there I had a night out with a few of the lads. The drink was flowing nicely when I fed it into them that I had the nickname 'Egg'. Inevitably I was asked why.
'Because I'm smooth and tend to get laid a lot.'
The name stuck and although no one could remember which wit had thought of it, the story behind it was soon spread and often repeated, not by me I hasten to add. Those who were new to the firm, or hadn't heard the tale before, simply assumed I was cerebrally well endowed and so, when they met me, they reacted respectfully. Clever, eh?
I've no doubt some people thought I was a bit of a Jack the Lad but I got the job done.
On the first day of the conference we spent the morning playing a few corporate type games, getting to know each other, all on our best behaviour. I knew quite a few of the people there, but there were plenty of new faces. During the afternoon the 'delegates' were split into groups and assigned to various breakout sessions. Our session was facilitated by my new manager, a woman who didn't seem to have much of a sense of humour. There were about twenty of us all sitting around a large table. Fortunately, I was seated next to an old drinking buddy so I could at least enjoy a bit of banter to let off some steam. It was hard work. We were all bored and the manager was struggling to get any responses from us.
Sitting opposite me were two women who were part of the staff of the takeover firm. I'd never seen them before and I nudged my mate and whispered to him to, 'Check out the dykes opposite.' He began to laugh and my boss gave me a filthy look.
I had an inkling that the women were web designers, I thought they managed the company's web profiles. But Jesus, to say they'd not made an effort was an understatement. One was in her late thirties to mid forties, it was difficult to tell. Fat, no make up, short dark hair. She was wearing a track suit top and a tee shirt. She had a stud in her nose and an eyebrow piercing. Her arm was draped, protectively, over the rear of her colleague's chair. Her colleague was younger, late twenties. She had a pleasant face but it lacked any make up and her dark hair had been scragged back carelessly and clamped by a big, brown, cheap looking, plastic clip. The fat bull one said a few things as the session progressed but the younger one was quiet.
'Bull and heifer,' I whispered to my mate. He started laughing again and the boss gave us another dirty look. The lesbians also looked at us, I think they'd worked out that we were making fun of them.
A little later in the afternoon, we were all asked to think of a phrase that would best sum up the company's vision for the future. There was an awkward group silence broken only by the occasional shuffling sound as people self consciously adjusted themselves in their seats. My eyes caught the face of the younger of the dykes opposite me. She seemed to be in a trance, daydreaming. All of a sudden, amidst the silence, she said, quite loudly, 'Software, hardware.'
Everyone turned to look at her, and the boss, thinking she was making a contribution, said, 'I beg your pardon?'
The woman went crimson.
'I'm sorry,' said the boss, 'did you say something?'
The woman answered so quietly it was almost inaudible and my mate whispered, 'I wonder if her pussy's as pink as her face?' I burst out laughing, I couldn't help it. Her companion shot me a dirty look which made me laugh even more. I think all eyes around the table were directed at me, because of my loud laughter, and at the younger lesbian because of her obvious embarrassment.
The boss wound up the session shortly afterwards, telling us all to think up some ideas overnight and that we'd resume in the morning. As the meeting was breaking up she called me to one side. 'What was all that about?'
I feigned ignorance. 'What?'
'You know what. Embarrassing that young girl.'
'She's not a girl, she's a woman and she embarrassed herself. I'm sorry but I found it funny.'
'Well, let me tell you, I don't like your attitude.'
I looked at her, quizzically, and began to say something but she held her hand up and continued. 'I may be wrong, so I'll leave it at that. All I'll say is, I want to manage staff who work as a team and are supportive, I don't want a culture where people feel they can't voice an opinion without being subject to ridicule.'
'Well, I'm all for that, I just couldn't help laughing because she came out with such an odd remark.'
'Okay,' said the boss, 'well, I've made myself clear so let's just leave it at that.'
Leave it at that? Leave what at that? What had I done? When I returned to my room I had a shower and lay on my bed mulling over the injustice of my bollocking. I fell asleep and woke at about 8pm. It was still early and after about twenty minutes, I decided to go down to the bar to see if anyone was there. I fancied a skinful.
As I was crossing the lobby I saw a woman with long, dark hair, striding towards me. She was wearing a raincoat, buttoned up to the collar which was turned up. She was tall and moved gracefully, like a model. The coat was belted quite tightly around her waist showing off a slim but curvy figure. Several men had turned and taken a sly look as she'd passed and I prepared to do the same, but she walked straight up to me and stopped.
'Hello, Egg, I was looking for you. After that embarrassing moment this afternoon I thought I'd buy you a drink and explain what I was thinking.' She held up a bottle of wine.
I didn't know what the hell she was talking about, how the hell did she know my name? She was stunning.
'Don't you recognise me?' She put her hand on my arm and said, 'This afternoon, sitting opposite you, remember? When you laughed at me?'
'My God,' I said, the light suddenly dawning, 'I can't believe it's you, what have you done?' An attractive smile spread across her face. 'Well, there's the work look and then there's the play look.'
For once I was stuck for words, I'd never seen such a transformation.
'Well,' she said, shaking the bottle of wine, 'shall we go to your room?'
'Fuck me,' I thought, 'game on, game on.'
We entered the lift where she gave me a full on gorgeous smile and we travelled in a comfortable silence. When we reached my room I took the wine from her. 'Here, let me.'