I had been divorced for a few years and was having a hard time finding a job that would pay well. A girlfriend was able to get me a sales job with a big auto parts company. The pay and commissions were great but it is a very competitive business. I was the only woman in the sales department and all my customers were men. Despite my hard work my sales were not good and I was worried that I would be fired. While my two girls would continue to get child support I was not awarded anything except the house.
After several months of just missing my sales quota my sales manager told me I had one month to make quota or I would be terminated. As if I did not have enough stress in my life already this was a killer. As the month went on I continued to struggle. With one week to go I had a sales meeting with the owner of a small chain of auto parts stores. I had to get this guy to buy. I just did not know how far I was willing to go.
His office was in a very bad part of the city. I felt like I was the only white person within blocks. All the shops had bars on the windows and everything looked rundown.
When I arrived at the office it was in an old warehouse. In the office I was met by a very big black man. His eyes looked me up and down as he smiled and asked if he could help me. I showed him my card and said I was expected. Him and he smiled even bigger and had me wait.
After a few moments he let me to a dark rundown office in the back. The owner was a chubby old black man. He had very short gray hair and a very short cut goatee. Just like the man at the front desk he looked me up and down and smiled. I got down to business and did the best sales pitch I could. After several minutes the old black man said lets get down to real business. You and your competition are about the same on cost and service. This deal comes down to you honey. I was excited that I was close to closing a big sale and started to feel the stress leave my body.
His next words shocked and scared me. Leaning back in his chair he said, you can get up and lock that door and strip them cloths off for me or walk out and don’t ever come back. You give me that added value and I will buy anything you got honey. So what you want to do is up to you. I was shocked and scared at his offer. I had to have this sale for my kids and to keep the house and my job. Could I do this? I stood up and stopped at the door for a few seconds wanting to march out but knowing the consequences. Well the choice is yours honey and I ain’t got all day he said. Waiting a few more seconds I took a deep breath and locked the door. Slowly I turned around and looked into his smiling face. Very good honey, he said leaning back in his chair. Now slowly get that shirt and skirt off and let me see what I am getting for my money.