For eleven years Hector had worked at the factory. It was mundane, it was mind numbing, it was tiring. It paid the bills and that, thought Hector, every time he became discouraged was what mattered most. But there were other up sides to the job. The guys he worked with in his section were terrific and they had a little family like rapport. There were 18 of them, but all, each and every single one (aside from Chuck, who everyone agreed was just too strange and a bit pushy and didn't have the best hygiene) was a great stand up guy. Hector could never, or would ever say he loved his job, but going to work was never THAT horrible.
For months the shop steward, Stewart (he got kidded on that a lot) had been pushing for some more help. The area's output required the number originally slated for, twenty. That was only two more people to ease the work load on each of the other guys, thus not only upping the morale in the area, but also potentially increasing production. Management, which had just gotten a very nice and rather large Christmas bonus, complained that money was far too tight but agreed, reluctantly to hire one more person and since diversity was all the rage, they were going to hire a woman. This made the guys cringe. No more sexual jokes amongst themselves, no more horseplay, no more swearing. Morale would NOT go up and production would suffer.
"NO IT WON'T" cried the plant manager, Mr. Schmeckle, "It will GO UP, Just like Stewart said it would or you're ALL fired and we bring in NON-UNION people."
Everyone knew that was an idle threat...or they hoped.
The following Monday the new worker was coming in for the first time. The guys were rather worried and yet, each hoped she'd be a stone cold fox and each had confessed (in the strictest confidence-to almost everyone) that he was hoping for a workplace romance. Even a few of the married...no even ALL of the married guys were saying this. The big moment came at exactly 8:50. Though work started at 9, everyone had shown up early to make sure they were there to greet and check out the new worker.
The door opened and every eye turned. She walked in and jaws dropped. "Holy fucking shit," mumbled Henry. "What the fuck?!?" stammered Richie. "I'm in shock, I, I," was all Hector could get out.
"Hi," she began, "I'm Lucinda Merch. Nice to meet you guys." She went man to man shaking their hands and introducing herself. The guys just stood in stunned silence as she took their hands, shook them and moved on.
She was HIDEOUS. Lucinda stood about 6'3" and was a bit stocky. NOT fat, muscular. Her teeth were a bit too big and her long sandy hair was, well, no one could really put a finger on it. She had fuzz, on her upper lip, extra hairs on her chin and what looked like sparse sideburns. Each guy smiled as he shook her hand and looked, as covertly as he could, for an Adam's apple. Her voice was nearly angelic by comparison, though a bit raspy. Her tits were midsized, but that may have been the bulky clothes or the muscles. Her ears were a bit too large, well, one of them was. Her forehead was huge and protruded slightly. She looked to be maybe somewhere between 30 and 50, but the general consensus was 34.
She finished her introductions and said, "So, where to I work? Where's my station." Stewart had Hector show her to where she'd be working. She had a nice personality. It was the only thing that kept Hector from crying as he walked her over to her spot. They chatted, but that voice was just a bit grating.
Once she was settled in, Hector was to show her what to do. He did not relish his work, but it HAD to be done. Hector just bowed his head and did what he had to do.
On Tuesday, the boys were going out for a few beers after work, Lucinda had overheard and asked if the 'new guy' could tag along. "New, GUY?" they thought. Reluctantly they said sure, of course, but needless to say, they would not be able to discuss 'her' with 'her' there, but, whatever. On Wednesday, Hector, Jerry and Phil had snuck off after work on their own and discussed Lucinda on their own.
"Come on, it's GOT to be a guy," said Phil, convinced of it.
"I'm not so sure. I mean, I've been working close with him...her, whatever for three days, I really think she's a she," Replied Hector. "I mean, she says stuff that only a woman would say. I think, I don't know."
Jerry added, "I don't care WHAT she is, and I do mean, WHAT. I like her, she's funny."
Phil responded with, "So you thinking of asking her out?"
"OH DEAR GOD NO," yelped Jerry, I think she's a wonderful person, but...."OH DEAR GOD NO!"
They parted company vowing to keep their conversation among themselves. Eventually they'd all know whatever there was to know.
At the end of the week, Hector was thrilled be not having to look at Lucinda for a couple of days. Granted, her appearance softened but still..... Had he simply become desensitized? He got home and his brother Randall met him at the door. As for now, all they had was each other. Not the best of arrangements, but since neither was rich, they shared a small two bedroom house that their parents had left them when they moved to Florida upon retirement. Basically, their parents had abandoned them when Randall, the younger of the two, was 24. It had been almost 15 years.
Randall worked at a large warehouse driving a forklift. He was also far more handsome than Hector and unlike Hector; he got girls, LOTS of girls, GORGEOUS girls. He'd romance a new one or three every other week. Hector was rather jealous but knew in his heart he'd meet miss right someday and he'd be the one to gloat. Whenever that day may come, he thought.
"All week long you've been telling me about this Lucinda chick. When do I get to meet her, Bro?" asked Randall.
"You are kidding, right?" retorted Hector. "Have you not heard a word I've said? My Lord, she's AWEFUL!"
"No way she's that bad. Let me stop by work Monday and drop off your lunch or something." Randall was acting like a little dog, yipping at Hector's heals to be let out to pee.
"OK, Fer krissake, shut up. Come by Monday." Hector finally gave in, just to shut the kid up. "Huh, kid my ass. He's 36," he thought.
Monday came and Hector spent the day listening to Lucinda go on and on about...he had no idea. He just kept waiting for Randall, hoping Randall wouldn't say anything embarrassingly stupid when he saw Lucinda. He also thought, "How much longer do I have to train Fido here. I mean, sheesh?"
