(A standalone story)
(Fictional story about fictional characters)
Penny knocked perfunctorily on the glass door of her friend Bernadette's office. The whole wall was glass and reminded Penny of the old saying about "people who live in glass houses..." It had been a prosperous few years for the pharmaceutical company where they were both employed, and the new building they occupied reflected it (both literally and figuratively). Bernadette had graciously helped Penny land a Sales Representative position when her acting career had virtually failed, and Penny had worked hard to establish herself. Opening the door, Penny asked, "you wanted to see me?" Penny was dressed in a conservative gray pencil skirt that hugged her hips and a classic burgundy red button up shirt, with the long sleeves turned up and folded twice. She looked both business-like and sexy.
Smiling, Bernadette answered in that high-pitched little-girl voice of hers, "hi...yes I did...please sit down." Penny settled her firm body in a comfy chair and Bernadette slyly commented, "I see you were going out on a sales call."
"How did you know...oh yeah," and she reached up to re-fasten the second-to-the-top button on her blouse. Bernadette knew that Penny sometimes used her sexuality to boost sales, and she approved. She often wondered just how far Penny went to secure a sale, but had decided she was better off not knowing. If Penny did actually trade sexual favors for a big sale, it would be unethical and Bernadette would have to report it to corporate... even worse she would probably give up the secret to Penny's husband Leonard, who was her husband's close friend. If only Penny knew to what extremes Bernadette had gone to secure her lofty position. "So what's up, boss," Penny relaxed.
"Well, the pain relieving drug my team worked on for four years and submitted to the FDA last year has been approved...finally. I want you to head up the sales team...so study up," and she slid a large manila envelope across the desk to Penny. "It really is a remarkable drug and the biggest selling point is that it's not an opioid. As you know, they have gotten such a bad rep lately. This acts as a pain receptor blocker...it truly is revolutionary...if I do say so myself."
"Me...head up a team...are you sure," Penny asked incredulously, "there are a lot of sales people with so much more experience than me...I'm just not sure I'm up to the task." She was serious about the lack of experience; she had only been a sales rep for a year...plus it sounded like an awful lot of work, and she was content with the money she was making just by coasting.
"Bull...you are doing this and I won't take NO for an answer," Bernadette sternly told her, " and you better not let me down. Did I mention that your bonus for this could be well over a hundred thousand dollars...this is the drug industry and there are virtually no restrictions on price." Bernadette knew that when Penny put her mind to something, she was very tenacious. She remembered how hard she had studied to land the sales rep job; but the real reason she selected Penny was because she knew she could control her...she knew she could constantly coax her (and yes...bully her) and Penny wouldn't say anything because she felt indebted to her. Bernadette knew that a big promotion would be hers if the sales accelerated like she was sure they would. Penny just sat there with her mouth slightly open, letting the words "hundred thousand dollars" soak in. Of course Bernadette failed to mention that bonuses are taxed by the IRS at a 40% rate instead of the normal 22%; but still a nice chunk of change. "Now you select your sales team and we'll meet in the Conference Room on Friday," Bernadette instructed.
She knew she had Penny when she saw her fingers close around the envelope, and Penny walked out of the office, seemingly in a daze, mumbling, "well...if you're sure." In the back of her mind, Penny knew she shouldn't take the job but, truth be told, she was actually afraid to say no to Bernadette. Despite her demure stature and tiny voice, Bernadette was a bully; as vicious as a rabid badger and most of the employees avoided her like the plague. She had even commandeered the employee restroom on her floor and made it her personal, private one.
When Penny told Leonard about the challenge, he hugged her tight and praised her, "I keep telling you that you're better than you know at that job. Whenever you put your mind to something...you're great at it. You know...like sex," he laughed and nudged her shoulder. Seeing the pained look on her face, he assured her, "come on...just joking...that's what we do...especially during sex. Just joking again. You will be so great at this. Bernadette would never have picked you if she didn't have total confidence in you. Speaking of which: are you sure you want to work directly with Bernadette...she's kind of scary."
"I know...Penny exclaimed, "you see it too...I didn't dare to refuse her. But you're right, she wouldn't have chosen me if she thought I would fail. Did I mention there will be a big bonus in it for me?"
"Really...no you didn't. Woo-hoo," Leonard shouted, "comic book store here I come...or, you know, something sensible like a long term CD."
"Yeah, right," Penny laughed, "manicure and pedi, here I come...and maybe a visit to the naughty store," and she winked at Leonard.