Big Bang Theory-Penny Meets the NFL
shaggy77
(fictional story about fictional characters)
Penny Hofstadter was sitting at her desk at Zangen Pharmaceuticals sorting through her emails from current and potential customers when her friend and colleague, Bernadette Wolowitz came through her door and informed her: "Henry Kimball wants to see us in his office...ASAP."
"Wow...the grand poo-bah," Penny exclaimed, "must be important." Kimball was the Vice-President in charge of Marketing and Product Development, so being summoned to his office was a big deal. Bernadette had been responsible for Penny getting a job at Zangen, and had been her boss at one time; but Penny had worked hard and been promoted to Assistant Director of Marketing. Bernadette was still above her on the chain of command, but was no longer her direct supervisor (a fact which annoyed Bernadette, since she possessed a PhD and Penny only had a few community-college credits).
They made their way up a floor to a corner office and Kimball welcomed them: "nice to see you both...please have a seat." After they were seated in very comfortable leather chairs (Penny was certain it wasn't faux-leather like the chairs in her office), Kimball began: "as you're aware since you were both instrumental in it's success; one of Zangen's top sellers is our anti-inflammatory cream. Especially since we added the heat-factor. Well, the National Football League has challenged us; and our competitors; to make an extra-strength version incorporating a strong pain reliever. Something prescription strength that their team-physicians could immediately prescribe and use of the sidelines of their games in order to get players back on the field quickly."
"We have had it in development for some time and now we think it is ready to be introduced. I don't have to tell you what a coup this would be for Zangen to be the first to be accepted. Every professional sports league and college program would line up to sign contracts and endorsements. The Los Angeles Chargers have requested that we test the effectiveness on their players during their training camp, and if they approve of the product; the NFL will adopt it. We would like you two to go to their training facility for a couple weeks as our representatives to help introduce our newest offering."
"Once it had been adopted by the professional sports world, we would release it to the general public so that any physician could prescribe it." They could tell he was excited by the prospect as he continued: "of course, your bonuses would be incremental, based on sales. We have tentatively named our new product Relaxx, although the name can always be re-tooled before mass production. Penny we would like you, and of course Bernadette, to head up the marketing since you did such a remarkable job with the original. Not to put undue pressure on you, but I don't have to tell you there is a lot riding on this opportunity."
As soon as Kimball spoke Penny's name first, Bernadette's blood began to boil. It wasn't a secret that every since Penny had secured Shaquille O'Neal's endorsement for their anti-inflammatory cream, Penny had become the darling of the company...a fact that irked Bernadette beyond belief. Bernadette had a PhD in micro-biology and Penny possessed a couple community college credits; and yet Penny had surpassed Bernadette in the company's pecking-order; although not income level. She seethed as Kimball continued: "their training facility is in El Segundo, and you will be staying there for a couple weeks. The product is all ready for full-scale production; FDA approved; we just need an official endorsement."
Bernadette knew that many of the male honchos favored Penny because of her sex appeal, but knew that wasn't the case with Kimball. She had long suspected him of being gay. This irked her even more because it meant he truly valued Penny for her sales ability. As soon as they left Kimball's office, Penny exclaimed: "wow..if we pull this off, can you imagine what our bonus would be. I'd ask Leonard to come, but he's about as fond of football as he is of the outdoors."
Trying to control her emotions, Bernadette responded: "yeah, same with Howie; besides it will be nice to have a little break from being wife and mom. He's been getting on my nerves lately. You know...not pulling his weight around the house; I'm sure you can relate."
Penny just answered: "sure...sure," although she didn't mean it. Truth was, after a couple years of marriage, Leonard still treated her like a princess. He was always telling people how lucky he was to be married to her, but she was convinced that she was the fortunate one. When Penny got home that afternoon, there were two packages waiting for her in the foyer. One was from Amazon and the other from a small niche company that dealt with "obscure adult," Star Wars collectibles. "Perfect timing," she said to herself, "I know just how I'll tell Leonard about my trip."
Although they both felt their marriage was just about perfect; especially after Leonard had admitted he had no ego problem with Penny making considerably more money than him, after all he had been emasculated by his mother for years; they still worried since many people they knew were divorcing and splitting...even his parents. To combat any apathy with their relationship, they had begun experimenting with their sex-life. Once they even introduced other men into the equation, but both had subsequently mutually agreed that it was a one-shot deal. Neither had any desire to repeat the addition of other people to their bed...fantasy fulfilled...end of story. Role-playing and various toys were now the preferred method of introducing variety and spice.