Help Me Stay Out of Jail
Tom Lombardo looked like an athlete; 6'2", muscular, broad-shouldered. Not nerdy looking in any way. Not what might have been expected for a large manufacturing company's Chief Information Technology officer. When those background facts combined with a handsome face, short black curly hair and warm brown eyes it caused the female employees at both management and secretarial levels, to take notice of his movements. On this particular day the trip was a short one, down the hallway and around the corner to Mrs. Weatherly's office.
Mrs. Weatherly, at 50 years of age, was old enough to have been Tom's mother. Her desk was in a cubicle, centrally located for the convenience of Tom's group. She was exactly what Tom had wanted for the position; a super-efficient, well-organized mother hen taking care and keeping track of the youthful IT group.
"Mrs. Weatherly, in a few minutes I am going to have to get on an international conference call that will run for some time. I am guessing that you are probably going to the cafeteria for lunch. Would you mind picking up something for me to eat at my desk?"
"I would be happy to. What would you like?"
"Surprise me. You know what I like, maybe a salad, maybe a bowl of soup, maybe a pastrami sandwich. Whatever looks good and fresh today. Also an iced tea." Tom offered her a $20 bill.
"That's too much. Let's see what I spend first." Then, with a smile, "I think you're good for it."
About an hour later there was a faint tap on Tom's door, after which Mrs. Weatherly entered, discreetly placing a salad, a container of ice tea, utensils and a napkin on Tom's desk.
Tom was still engrossed in his call, but waved a 'thank you' to Mrs. Weatherly as she left.
Still later that afternoon Tom retraced his steps to Mrs. Weatherly's cubicle. When he arrived he found her in the midst of a conversation with Joann Bloom, secretary to the Vice-President for sales. Joann was a controversial figure in the Company for a number of reasons. She was often loud and outspoken and always extremely prideful of her 40+ inch bust line, given to wearing tight sweaters in the winter and revealing tops in the summer. At the same time, and, possibly for at least some of the same reasons, the men in the sales department were effusive in their praise of her.
When Tom entered the cubicle the conversation stopped and Joann stepped to the side.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt." He took a $20 bill from his pocket and offered it to Mrs. Weatherly.
"That's way too much."
At that moment Joann reached out and snatched the $20 bill from Tom's hand, immediately transferring the bill from her left hand to her right in a 'keep away' move.
"It's not too much for me! I'll take it."
Tom instinctively reached out, using his height advantage to try to recapture the bill. Joann at that moment reached out and grasped Tom's crotch. Mrs. Weatherly's face lost all color.
"Joann!!"
For a moment, everything was frozen. In the next instant Joann released her grip on Tom's crotch and relinquished the bill.
Somewhat sheepishly, Joann spoke. "I can't believe I just did that. My instincts just took over." Joann left the cubicle.
Tom was still in a state of shock facing Mrs Weatherly. "Did that really happen?"
"Yes, I am afraid it did. You should have seen your face."
*****
It was close to 5:00 when Mrs. Weatherly again came to Tom's office. "May I interrupt?"
"Certainly."
"I am afraid I have some bad news. After Joann left my work area she apparently spent a lot of the afternoon telling various groups of women that she groped you."
"Oh, man!"
"It gets worse. The theme seems to have been focused on your physical attributes. I understand how personally offensive this is, but I felt you should know, just in case you want to do something about it."
"Thank you for telling me, I think. I am not sure what to do."
"I understand. Good luck."
It was closer to 6:00 PM when Erin O'Malley appeared in Tom's doorway.