It was Rebecca's fifth interview that morning and she was no closer to finding a candidate. Half of the girls that had come in to interview for the secretary position had been empty-headed co-eds, probably just looking for a steady paycheck so they could pay every weekend. They didn't know anything about the hard work that Rebecca had put in for the last ten years to build her company. They didn't care about the lost weekends, canceled relationships, and general sacrifice that she had put in. They only cared about having fun and boozing and maybe waking up in someone else's bed.
She had no time for wastes like them. She was looking for someone to match her hours, her work pace, and her lifestyle. And yes, she wasn't paying very much, but surely people realized that she was doing them the favor but offering someone with no experience a job. It was an opportunity to build a resume, learn to live on low means, and they would thank her when they were done.
Her last secretary hadn't seen it that way, of course. She had said several unchoice words on her way out about her boss "asking for mountains and paying pebbles". It was clever, but shortsighted.
There was a knock on the door. Part of the problem with having no secretary was that she had nobody to announce visitors.
"Come in," Rebecca called.
The door opened and a man stepped in. Immediately, Rebecca didn't like him. He was dressed in jeans, a t-shirt, and a jacket.
"Can I help you?" Rebecca said, her voice ice cold.
"Yeah, I'm here for your position," he said with a grin.
"And you are?"
"Max," the man sauntered over. "You're Rebecca, right?"
"It's Mrs. Cartright," Rebecca said stiffly. People did know her as Rebecca, but she found this man presumptuous and immediately wanted him to leave.
He outstretched his hand across the desk. "It's good to meet you," he grinned.
Rebecca looked down at the hand for a moment, considering simply snubbing it entirely and telling him to leave. But she was professional and part of that meant remaining professional when others didn't. She took his hand and shook.
He wasn't one of the quick pump-and-release handshakers. He was one of the ones who lingered and held on. He put his other hand on top of hers in a way that was normally a power play. But she was okay with it. In fact, she was even more okay with him.
"You have two chairs over here," Max nodded to his side of her desk as he finally let go of her hand. "Why don't you come around?"
"Hmmm?" Rebecca said absently. Her mind had been wandering.
"It's more personal," Max said.
"Yes," Rebecca said, nodding vaguely. Suddenly she was tired, but she didn't know why. Did she need coffee? She thought about this harder than she normally had to as she stood and walked around the desk. She sat again, next to Max. He scooted his chair closer to her and set a hand on her arm. She barely registered it.
"Most of the time, people want me to talk about what I know about the company," Max said.
"Yes, do that," Rebecca nodded. It sounded like a good idea anyways.
"Well I know that you're a very successful company," Max said. "You've grown a lot in the last four years and posted record earnings last quarter. I think a lot of that has to do with your work, right Rebecca?"
"Yes," Rebecca nodded. She was vaguely listening, but she was also looking at Max. He was kinda cute (did she normally say "Cute"? She wasn't sure...).
"But despite all that profit, you haven't increased your employee count very much. I think you're pocketing a lot of that profit yourself. Which, of course, is your right. It's a sole proprietorship. Is that about right?"
"Yes," Rebecca nodded. She had about a half million dollars already taken out of the company and in her savings. It was her right, as the manager, operator, and sole owner of the company. There was more in the coffers, however, that she was looking to reinvest.
"Well that sounds like the perfect company for me," Max smiled warmly. Both of his hands were on Rebecca's arm now, but she didn't remember him placing the other there. In fact, she was having trouble focusing at all.
"I read some reviews about you," Max continued. "I read that you're stingy, mean, and generally kind of a bitch. Would you agree with that?"
"I don't know..." some part of Rebecca's mind objected and brought it to her vocal chords, but there was no conviction and no emotion in her voice. Max interrupted her and she immediately listened.
"I'm sorry. I meant to say, 'You do agree with that'."
"Yes, I do agree with that," Rebecca nodded. She was kind of a bitch, wasn't she? Rebecca supposed she always had been.
"Well that's why I'm here," Max said. "I think you need to start living a little. I think you could stand to have some fun. And I think you could help some other girls along the way. Consider it a charitable investment from the company you built."
"That sounds like a good idea," Rebecca smiled.
"Good," Max grinned again. "So how many girls did you interview for this position?"
"Four this morning," Rebecca said.
"And how many of them were hot?"
"I suppose they all were," Rebecca said.