Mia was tingling with anticipation as she entered the elevator with her two interns. As chief writer at 'Style' magazine, it had been the coup of the year for her to land an interview with the newly crowned Queen of the music industry -- Brianna Caley.
The elevator took them to the top floor of this skyscraper, to Brianna's very own penthouse. They were met at the door by the wonder woman herself; Brianna wore a warm welcoming smile as she kissed cheeks with Mia.
The journalist introduced her two graduate interns, Riley and Sabrina. Riley was clearly agog at meeting such a powerful, beautiful vixen like Brianna. He made a poor impression on her with his blatant staring at her chest. But Sabrina was much more to Brianna's liking. Dressed modestly in a headscarf, the young female graduate was very polite and respectful in her introduction to Brianna.
Mia looked on as Riley devoured Brianna's gorgeous features with his eyes. This guy was such a pig! Since he'd started his internship with 'Style' magazine he'd been insufferable in their office with his macho ways and Mia had twice had to warn him about his sexist comments towards Sabrina. 'Style' was primarily a female-focused magazine and Mia was close to the conclusion that Riley's misogynist ways were no longer welcome.
Just then, Tom came out of the kitchen, removing some washing up gloves and looking very sheepish. Brianna had demanded he be there for this encounter. After the interview there would be a picture taken of Brianna for the front cover of 'Style' and Brianna thought Tom could be a useful prop in the photo. Sabrina briefly wondered why Tom would be doing the washing up at Brianna's own home. In Sabrina's house her father insisted that such chores were woman's work.
As the three staff members of 'Style' took individual chairs, Brianna reclined casually onto her couch while throwing a cushion onto the floor. Sabrina and Mia could not help giving each other an amused look as Tom shuffled over and sulkily sat down on the cushion, below Brianna. It was almost as if he had to obey his older step-sister!
As they got into the interview Sabrina's respect for Brianna rose even higher. Here was a woman who had overcome misogyny and become a global success within two years of graduating. Unlike Tom, who had been sent to an expensive preppy school, their parents had sent Brianna to a terrible public school in the local downtown area. And yet she had excelled, won a scholarship to Harvard and had become a valedictorian.
Mia then asked Brianna about her first job at an established record label. While Riley looked on, clearly bored with all this sisterhood talk, Sabrina and Mia hung onto every word as Brianna spoke with a fury about the sexism she had encountered within the music industry and how it had emboldened her to start her own label and later sign her own step-brother as her first act.
In conclusion Brianna talked about how now she was established, she would not apologize for using her voice to advance feminism in the workplace and in society. Her fledgling record label made a point of hiring ambitious young women and male staff were taught to treat their female superiors with respect and exercise a dose of humility. She was proud to say that all the senior positions at her record label were held by women.
This female-led vision stirred something within Sabrina. Being from a very traditional family where women must cover up and obey their fathers, she had never thought another way was truly possible. But Brianna had forged a new female-led future, and was offering a guiding hand for other young women.
Tom and Riley were squirming throughout all this. Riley deeply resented the instant connection his rival intern had made with Brianna. He hated the fact that he had to compete for favor from Mia with a silly little girl who could never possibly compare with him. He looked forward to the day this intern period was over and he got the permanent job while Sabrina was sent back to the kitchen where she belonged. It angered him that Tom sat there silently on the floor as his step-sister basked in her own personal glory. 'Man up pal!' He thought mockingly.
With the interview over, Brianna gave a mischievous smile; "Now Mia, you recall when we spoke on the phone my idea I had for the photo? Did your editor approve it?"
Mia had been waiting for this, she was nearly shivering with excitement; "Oh yes! She just loved the concept! It's sure to go viral, how could it not?! All the editing staff were in favor, even the men. I think it's an amazing statement to make!" with that her eyes fell on Tom and narrowed in a sinister manner.
Sabrina was confused. Why was Mia gushing? What did they have planned for the picture that had got Mia so animated?
Brianna snapped at Tom to stand up and listen well. She was about to reveal her masterpiece. As the whole piece was about how she had conquered a sexist, male-dominated industry, the picture on the cover should reflect that.
Her conquest. Of men. A female victory.
Both Tom and Riley were deadly silent in fear. Mia and Sabrina nodded along enthusiastically.
"And so Tom..." said Brianna with an amused look "For the photo. I need you to take your clothes off. All of them. I'm going to stand tall here in my home while you lay nude at my feet. But don't worry, your um...little chap....won't be seen. As I'll have one leg placed on you. Like a huntress would on her captured prey."
Sabrina could barely believe it. Oh yes yes yes! Tom was actually going to get naked here in front of them?! And she was the one who had been entrusted by Mia to take the photos! Oh this was divine! At that point she could not have loved Brianna any more. She was oozing in gratitude for this powerful woman.
