CHAPTER 3: FIRST DAY
"Take a deep breath."
Toni turned to look at her mom as they sat in the car in front of the office of Collins Sales. They were asked to park in the back row and there were other cars parked there they guessed were the Collins men and the other businesses.
"Did you say that for me or for yourself?"
Jean smiled and as she pulled on the door handle, she said, "Both, I think."
Outside the car, they straightened their short mini-dresses and nodded approval to each other. The first day of work, two weeks after that eventful interview. Jean had given her notice immediately and Toni quit school. As Jacob told her, the experience of working in an office will mean more than a two-year degree from a community college. They had debated how and what to wear for their first day and settled on similar outfits: form-fitting sleeveless mini-dresses with plunging bodice, lace bra and panties, sheer thigh-high stockings (the tops of which were just covered by the skirts), and 4-inch heels.
Jean had plenty of experience in an office but Toni was maybe more nervous about pleasing the men with her work as she might be pleasing them ... in the more personal side of the job. As they walked across the parking lot, thinking about that 'personal side' brought a flush to her which was magnified when the door to the office opened and Terrell stood welcoming them.
Jean noticed an immediate change to the outside appearance of the office. The large front windows and door were now covered with frosting covering much of the window and door which effectively hid the inside of the office.
"Welcome to Collins Sales, ladies." Terrell held the door for them as they entered carrying small boxes of personal items for their desks. Jean passed through first. As Toni passed, though, he patted her ass. She turned her head and gave him a wink They had thrown out scenarios over breakfast what the office time might actually be like but quickly gave up as almost anything four men might come up with was possible. Toni was sure, though, that a pat on the butt was the least of it.
They met with Jacob for an hour in his office as he went over the salary payment into direct deposit accounts, vacation, sick time, personal time, etc. Then he explained the employee profit-sharing and where they would be in it, covering health insurance, and got them signed up for it all.
Jean blurted out, "How do you keep all this straight while still running a company, sir?"
He smiled, "I'm not sure I do a very good job. I lose track of vacation time and schedules, missing updating the boys on updates and changes to plans we have through our national sales organization." He paused and studied her. "I know this is quick, but I was hoping you might consider taking all this off my plate and Toni can take on more of the word processing and project tracking." He turned his eyes to Toni, "I don't mean all of it, Toni, but enough more to free up your mom some."
She glanced at her mom and responded back to him, "However you need to use me, sir ... I mean ... ah, ah ..."
He chuckled, "Thank you, Toni. I know what you mean."
Jean added, "Sir, I'd be happy to take on those duties for you. I did have some experience with it in my last situation as long as you don't mind being bothered while I get up to speed." Of course, he said. "Sir, we've talked about this opportunity ... a lot ... and we want you and your sons to understand that we'll do anything we can to make this firm even more effective than it is. You're giving us a very unique opportunity. We're here for you, sir."
He studied both women sitting across from him. The dresses they wore were so short the only thing preventing him from seeing what was underneath was their crossed legs. This new situation was going to take some getting used to. "I can see your dedication by the way you chose to dress on your first day."
Toni responded, "Yes sir."
Jean uncrossed her legs, parted her knees, and leaned forward for intent, "Sir, we mean that in all aspects. We know why we were hired. We also intend to be highly effective employees to advance the firm. But that's half the job." She smiled, "Some days that may be 100% and other days much less. The other part of our job ... you guys just tell us. What you want, how we should dress." He smiled. "To paraphrase what Toni said earlier, sir, use us however you need."
"First days are always tough." He stood and came around the desk. The women stood and Jacob took each into his arms for a meaningful hug with a hand sliding down to their butts. He winked, "Handshakes are a thing of the past for us, I think, don't you?" They both nodded in agreement.
The morning was filled with the sons giving an overview of each of the major clients they represented and providing them with cheat sheets of important contacts, phone numbers, and email as well as their products and the customers they interact with on the clients' behalf. The morning was filled with that and they agreed to push off until the next day to review the specialized tracking software some clients required. After lunch, the men retreated to their offices doing 'sales stuff' which allowed the women time to organize their work spaces and personalize their computer settings.
Toni half-turned in her swivel chair and whispered, "Do you think any of them will ...?"
"Jacob's right, honey, first days at a new job can be different."
