I recognized him as soon as I walked into the office, but tried to keep my cool. Jim Johnson was my idol, my favorite sports writer, and now here I was, recent journalism grad, starting my first day of work at the same paper where he'd spent his career! It was October, I had just graduated from Big State in June, and still had goosebumps from the phone call last week when I learned I'd gotten the job here.
None of my friends understood why I had taken the entry-level job, where I'd likely be stuck listing high school football scores in the back of the sports section for the next two years. I tried to explain that it was the first step towards my dream job - respected beat writer for a major paper, following my favorite team around the country (baseball would be my first choice), scoring free tickets to any sporting event I wanted, and keeping my readers entertained with insightful insider information.
That first day, after introductions and a tour that ended at my ridiculously small cubicle, I decided to be proactive and introduce myself to Jim. He would find out soon enough what an eager beaver I was, so it might as well be today! He waived me into his office and motioned for me to sit down as he finished a phone call, and I took the opportunity to become duly impressed by all of the photos on his walls and memorabilia on his desk. There were photos of Jim with every major sports figure in the city and region - from local high school legends to college and pro stars.
"So," he said, interrupting my awe, "you must be Shannon."
"Yes, Jim, and can I tell you what an honor it is to be working with you!"
"Well, thanks. So, I remember from your application that your dream is to be a beat writer? What makes you think an innocent young girl like yourself is cut out for that?"
I crossed and then re-crossed my legs in my chair, fighting two conflicting emotions before I responded. I was always both offended and turned on when older men challenged my ability to compete in their world. "Well, I know I've got the writing chops. I've followed sports all my life. I love watching the games both on and off the field, and love the way that writers like you are able to share that with your readers. I'd like to do the same, and I think I can if I have the opportunity to learn from the best - maybe I could shadow you for a while?"
A tiny smile formed at the corners of his mouth, obviously flattered by my desire to learn by working with him. "Alright, Shannon. I'll let you shadow me, just a couple of things I'm going to ask of you. Don't open your mouth unless you're sure you know your stuff. And, to be blunt, you should show a little more leg. This is still a man's world, and there's no point in a beautiful young woman refusing to take advantage of her god-given assets. If it helps you land an interview, there's no shame in that."
Again, I found myself getting hot and bothered as he talked to me this way. Jim was probably in his mid 40s, with an attractive, athletic build. He was about 6'1" with blonde hair and blue eyes, and looked at me over his reading glasses as he talked. He was tremendously attractive to me, physically and career-wise. But I also hated being talked to like an innocent little girl. Smoking inside, I politely thanked him for being so generous as to let me shadow him, and made my way out of the office. I knew the only way to handle my conflicting emotions was to take him at his word, take his instructions to heart and take advantage of the opportunity.
The next day, I arrived at work in an outfit chosen in response to Jim's suggestion. In stark contrast to the business suit I had worn for my first day on the new job, today I strutted into the office in a short pleated skirt, a white blouse which was tied around my waist, showing just a bit of skin around my navel, and my blonde hair tied up with a velvet bow into a ponytail. My big blue eyes were framed by glasses which I didn't need, but which I thought added to the look. As soon as I sat down at my desk, my phone rang, and I jumped to answer it when I saw "Johnson, Jim" on the caller-ID. "Yes, sir?"
"Good morning, Shannon, could you please come into my office? Be sure to bring a notepad."