Tuesday:
"It is fucking mandatory Kyle." My boss said. "Every week, you are no special employee Kyle, just because you get good numbers. Does not make you privy to anything. Except a good bonus, which you already get. All sales staff needs a weekly debriefing. By a state psychologist. You can't skip out any longer."
I intentionally stared at the big old-fashioned clock behind his mahogany desk. I did not want any eye contact while being barraged with this. Oh no.
"Fine Larry. I will do it then, but only since you ask so nicely. So, what's he like anyway."
"It's a she Kyle. A woman, and she is a temp until the regular state guy gets back. Should only be for a couple of weeks at most."
"Fuck Larry, a woman? I got to bitch and moan to some woman about my make belief problems."
"Your attitude is dangerous Kyle. No more arguing. Now as your boss, not your friend, but your boss. You will do this, or find another firm willing to pay you as much as we do, asshole." He grinned at the asshole part.
"Fine Larry, I'll do it. For the job. And for you. And mostly the money." I smiled at him. I could see my attitude was getting to him. He sighed and gestured me out of his office.
It was an acceptable job; sales branch was a fucking bomb. We sold to corporations. Meaning sales where rare. Or at least new ones are. Standard sales of the same stuff every year, sure you get payed for the standard stuff. But the new sales, selling them something they never bought before. Big pay out.
Now I was not a very suave salesman, but most of the corporate buyer appreciate a straight shooter. No bullshit. No catch, just a deal and an opportunity. Or so they thought. It did pan out for them sometimes, but most of the time, I did not really care.
All money.
That is what this job was for me.
Last Christmas some weak-willed newbies had a burn out. Cry me a river, right? Anyway. The company had to settle in court, in 4 out of 7 cases. Cost them a huge amount.
Since then, they had a state assigned therapist. I had avoided him like a demon avoids holy water. My friendship with Larry helped. I was not going to burn out so easily, and I had no intention of wasting my time. But Larry, nor I it seemed, had a choice. Mandatory was the key word here.
Fine then, it is going to be a great ninety minutes of my life. I checked my watch. Ten minutes till zero hour. A quick tea could not hurt, it was near the shrink's office anyway.
I finished the somewhat drinkable brew in quite a fast pace, not hot enough to burn anything anyway. Never been a coffee guy. Stains the teeth, also disliked the taste as a kid. Too bitter, guess I started drinking it too early. T-minus five minutes. Guess it is better to be early then to be late.
I knocked at the door. "Hi, its Kyle Davids, I heard this is where I am expected to be for the next ninety minutes." I tried to hide the disdain and dread in my voice. I wanted to be working, talking with somebody that could give me a bonus, not making up something to say to check the mandatory part of my list.
No immediate answer, just as I was about to knock on the door again. It opened. A tall woman, her hair done up business like. It shined in its auburn color. She only wore exceptionally light make up, accenting her beautiful face. She seemed to be a fit person. From what I could tell. A conservative look. A long black skirt, with matte black pumps. Her legs covered on stockings or tights. Could not tell. Her brown satin shirt tucked neatly into her skirt. The fabric shimmered in the light of the door opening. An elegant golden chain with a single pearl at the end around her long slim neck.
Well fuck, if I had known she would be doing this, I would have started as soon as possible. I felt a sheepish grin creep to my face as I was clearly looking her over. If she had noticed, she was not responding to it. Probably used to it.
"Yes, I have been expecting you for a month now. I have had to go to the higher ups to get you to come here Davids." She sounded a little disappointed and almost stern. I chuckled lightly.
"Well gee miss, I am terribly sorry." I replied in my best schoolboy voice. Intentionally mocking her tone.
"Whatever, I am glad you are here now mister Davids." She said as she stepped into her office with an arm gesture for me to follow. I had to kind of maneuver my way around her without being too inappropriate about it. Like she was intentionally giving me a hard time.
Jesus, fuck me. This was going to be tiresome. I wriggled past her and into her modest office. It was dimly lit, and the blinds were drawn to an 85% closed position. She walked past me and gestured to a chair in front of her desk.
"Well mister Davids, as you know its mandatory for all salespeople to come have a chat, at least once a week. Yet you have not been around in... six weeks." She stated plainly.
"Well, I-"
"Please don't interrupt me mister Davids." She said scoldingly. She looked at me fiercely like some disappointed mother.
"As I was saying, I gathered you weren't too keen on coming and exploited your personal relationship with Larry Walters?" She said. Hinting at a question.
I disliked her tone. I kept my silence for a while calculating, trying to provoke a reaction. She just looked at me intently. Her radiant blue eyes sparkling like the sunlight reflecting off a quiet ocean. She seemed to be patient enough to let me hold the awkward silence for the whole ninety minutes.
I finally broke. And laughed a little. "Busted."
"That is all well and good to use your personal relationships in such a manner, but mental health is no laughing matter, and you should refrain from ignoring it so blatantly."
What a pretentious woman, I felt like a lid being lectured and it did not feel like what I was used to. It was the same tone I used for when somebody did not want to buy.
I was a little shaken, not really knowing what to say. "I'm sorry?" I suggested. Hoping we could get started so I could go back to my work.
"Good boy." She said. I looked at her with shock on my face, she did not even look up from the file she was reading. I decided it meant nothing. "I want you to know this is a safe place, you can talk about anything you like. Or nothing at all, I am just a guide. Now relax, and let's get started."
I did relax a bit, still not letting my guard down fully.
"I am Augusta Ruberts, I am a state licensed psychologist, and I am here to talk." She continued.
"Nice to meet you, Augusta Ruberts." I replied.
"Miss Ruberts will do just fine, thank you very much. Now mister Davids, I want you to focus on a single spot on your forehead, and just breathe. Relax, and feel yourself letting go of your inhibitions." She said.
I did as she said, feeling relaxation come over me as she said would happen. My muscles starting to relax.
"Just sag further and further into relaxation, and feel yourself relax, like you have never been before."
