Office Slave - the New Intern

I walk into the office, slowly making my way up to my desk. I pull at the straps of my heels in the elevator, hating how uncomfortable they are. It's only my fifth day working here and my liking for heels has not grown at all. The elevator door dings and I stumble out to my desk trying to focus on not tripping. Setting down my bag, I look through the door of my boss's office and notice he has not arrived yet. I slowly start to work, wondering where he must be. I sigh. People told me he tended to be pretty lazy, often taking days off for golf or to go out on his boat, leaving everyone else to work. George was a bigger man, likely from a long time sitting behind a corporate desk. While he may not have been the best looking guy ever, nor the most patient, everyone in the office respected him. Me especially. He had given her this internship after only two years off college courses. This company was extremely well known, and I knew that my options for a real job after this internship would be opened up tenfold because of this. I jump slightly as I hear a voice behind me, lost in my own train of thought.

"Hey Ella, meet me in my office in a few minutes, ok?" It's George, or as I'm supposed to call him, 'Mr. George', or just 'Sir'. I turn to see a grin on his face, clearly noticing that he startled me.

"Yes sir." I say quickly, giving a polite smile. I check my clock, noticing it is already 8:30 in the morning. Work started half an hour ago. I return back to my computer, quickly checking if I have any new emails. I naturally get a bit nervous, wondering what George needs me in his office for. I get up slowly, walking over to his office. I give a polite knock and step inside, stumbling a bit over my shoes. I blush hard, catching myself. I hear George give a small, hearty laugh.

"You really aren't used to those heels yet, are you?" He asks jokingly. "Shut the door." His tone changes to serious so quickly, reminding me that he is the boss here. I take a shaky breath, shut the door, and walk in and take a seat across from him. "Stand up Ella." He says, almost looking offended that I sat opposite of him.

"O-oh yes sir, I'm sorry." I say quickly, standing up before I could even cross my legs on the seat. I stand there awkwardly, not really sure why he is making me stand instead of sit. I clasp my hands in front of me, letting them fall. Trying to look as professional as possible. George's eyes linger on me for a few moments before he continues.

"So, we have some things to talk about." He says, taking an overly dramatic pause. My heart is racing now, getting increasingly nervous. I give a slight nod to show that I am still listening. Why was he dragging this on for so long? It felt like torture. "I was doing a final review of the information that you gave to us on your application..." He says, giving a small glance up at me before he reaches to his desk and pulls out my file. "And I noticed that there seemed to be some falsities. Do you care to explain?" He says with a smug grin as he looks up at me. I stare at him, my breath catching in my throat.

"I-I well um...." I say, wanting to speak stronger, to lie better. I know that a lot of my volunteering hours were fake, along with my G.P.A., club attendance, and work experiences. Though I thought I had been in the clear when they took me onto this job. "I-I don't know what you mean, sir." I say shakily, though I know it's helpless. George sits up in his chair a bit higher, spreading out all the papers from my file.

"Well if you would like for me to go through all of this with you, I would be happy to take the time to do so." He says. His arms open as if challenging me to make him do it. "But I think it would be a waste of time, yes?" He asks. I look at the floor in shame, my face bright red. A few tears well in my eyes. Everything had been going so well, even my mom had been proud of me for moving out on my own for this job. The thought of losing what I just so recently worked so hard for is devastating. I think about what my family would think, what my friends would as well.

"N-no sir.. I-I... I did" I take a long pause, trying to gather the courage to look up at George. I sniffle. "I did make up some things...." I say in a defeated tone. I pause for a few moments, letting out a deep sigh. "I-I'm sorry..." I say. I hold my breath, slowly looking up at George. I'm surprised to see the grin on his face, anger washing over me as the thought of him seeing this as some game to mess with me crosses my mind. Yet I keep my face straight, not wanting to upset him at all, praying that I'm not in too deep of trouble.

"Well, Ella" George says, his chair creaking as he leans back in it further. "I hope you understand how serious this is." He keeps eye contact with me, boring into my soul. I can't help but look down at the floor in shame. Nodding my head as I listen. "You realize how competitive this position was, yes?" He asks rhetorically. "We not only pay well, but we also paid for your flight, and of course the apartment you are currently living in while you work here." He pauses for a moment, letting it sink in. "Plus! Think of all the opportunities you will have because of this." A few tears well in my eyes, feeling so guilty. Wondering how I could have been so stupid. He lets out a long sigh, shaking his head. "Look, Ella," I look up at him. "I can't just let this happen. Do you understand how disrespected I feel?"

"I-I know sir, I know I'm so sorry." I say, sniffling a bit and wiping my tears with the back of my hand. My legs are shaking slightly, my heels only making the problem worse. I scold myself in my mind for not practicing wearing heels more before I came here.

"I'll tell you what," George says, crossing his hands in a business-like gesture. "I'll allow you to continue to work for us, as well as continue staying in your apartment. I won't even tell the university that you falsified your achievements." I beam up at him, relief washing over me.

"R-really!? Oh my god thank you so-"

"However," George interrupts cutting me short. "You must understand that I don't believe you deserve to be in the position you are. You are going to take a lower position." He says with a tone of finality. I find myself nodding along with him, though I myself feel I am perfectly capable of the work I have been doing. "Honestly, anyone else and I would have thrown you out already." He says. "However, the company is regrettably filled with older men like me, and I feel that you being around helps with morale." I blush hard, looking at the door nervously, happy that it is closed and none of my coworkers are hearing all of this. "You must promise to do whatever I say, and when I say it. You may not enjoy your new position, and maybe you will find it beneath you." He continues. "However I know this is exactly where you belong, and I'm sure you don't want to be sent home without a job, and likely being expelled, do you?"

He asks with such a matter of fact tone, as if there's no other option for me in the world. The way he says it almost gets me to protest, to tell him that I'm fine being fired, but I know that I need this position, and I can not be expelled. What would happen to me if my parents found out? What about all my friends at school? What would I do if I never finished my degree?

"N-no sir..." I say, admitting defeat. "I-I understand, I-I will take the lower position." I say, my lower lip quivering, and I do my best not to cry.

George just smiles back at me. "Great! I knew you would make the right decision. I think you will learn just how much you can really improve the moods around you." He says. Reaching into his desk he pulls out what looks to be a contract. I tilt my head at it. "It's just an agreement that you understand that you are taking a lower position in the company." He says. "Don't worry, your pay and apartment is all still as it was." He beckons to me with a pen to sign it.

I step forward, not reading it at all as I take the pen and sign. My mind still spinning with a million different thoughts, wondering if George is going to make me do some low work like getting everyone coffees and lunch. He takes back the contract, locking it in his safe. Giving a polite smile, as if we just talked about the most normal thing ever.

"Good girl, Ella." He says. "You may leave for today. Come in at 8:30 tomorrow, 30 minutes before everyone else gets here. You may come into my office, and you will find a note with your instructions. You are dismissed."

I nod my head quickly, hurrying out of the office, my mind still trying to process what just happened.

-----

I wake up the next morning groggy from the lack of sleep I was able to achieve. The whole night I was tossing and turning, so upset with myself for letting this happen. Wondering what my new job will be. I have always been a confident, independent person that works hard so I don't have to be beneath people around me. But there was also a feeling of guilt, knowing that I did lie on my resume, did lie about my experience. I try to convince myself that I'm lucky that George did not just send me home right away, nor did he contact my university. If this got out, my whole life would come crashing down.

I throw on what I think to be one of my nicer outfits, and just a bit more makeup than I usually put on. I want to make a good impression today, hoping to earn my way back up to a respected position. I check myself out in the mirror a couple times, and slip on my three inch heels that I still struggle to walk in.

I check myself out in George's office window one more time before I go in, double checking the time making sure I have a few more minutes before I am supposed to go inside. All the lights were off in the building, and I find it odd that I had to come here so early. I assumed that George would be here to explain my new duties, however it seems that he isn't. One last look at my outfit - A white blouse, black jacket, black pleated skirt, and my white heels. My matching set of black underwear fortunately does not show through the blouse or skirt. I take a deep breath, tugging my ponytail to be a bit more tight, and slowly open the door to George's office. As I step inside, my anticipation falters a bit. I look around, but do not see anything out of the ordinary. I step forward, going to Georges desk and that is when I see a letter addressed to me on it. I take it in my hands, and slowly open it.

Ella,

Thank you for coming in early today, I hope you learn to embrace your new position here. Do not think for a moment that it isn't important. That being said, your first task will be to start to coffee maker. I'm sure you know where it is. You will do this every morning when you arrive. After you have completed that, please open the other paper in this envelope.

I'm happy you decided to stay!

George

I roll my eyes as I read the paper, my worst fear coming true. I cannot believe he is really making me run for coffee! Him thanking me for staying just makes my mood worse as well, as I had virtually no choice. I sigh, trying to pick my head up a bit, telling myself that the fact that I'm here and working is important. I go out of his office, filling and starting the coffee machine. I then open the next part of the envelope.

Once you have finished with the coffee maker,

Please return back to my office, and you will find a mat with your name on it. When the door is opened, it should be right behind the door. You will take off your socks and any shoes you are wearing, and you will kneel. Your hands will be gripping each other behind your back, assuring that your back is straight and you have good posture. You will wait in this position until I am here to tell you otherwise. Please understand that I am serious in this matter, and there will be consequences if I find these instructions were not followed.

Thanks for all your hard work!

George

I stare at the letter for a few more moments, forcing myself to reread it a few times. Completely shocked by what he is asking. How would he ever expect me to do something so degrading? There is another 25 minutes until everyone in the office arrives. Does he expect me to kneel that entire time? Why do I have to kneel? The thoughts swirl in my head, my face red with embarrassment at just the thought of doing something like this. I bite my lip nervously, trying to make a decision as to what to do. I pace around the office for a minute, my heart racing. No way he truly thinks I would ever do this. But then I think about what would happen if I refuse, think about what my life would be like were I to be sent home and expelled from university.

"Oh god..." I whisper to myself, still so eerily silent in the office. I take a deep breath, and walk to George's office. I open the door, and look behind it as it is open. As the letter said, there was a mat with my name on it in between the door and the wall. Hidden if you don't turn around after entering. I recoil as I study the mat. It is thin and black, except for the word 'ELLA' in bold pink letters. I purse my lips, staring at it for a few moments before I reluctantly take off my jacket and hang it on the door. I take a deep breath, steeling my nerves before I slip off my heels. I feel so oddly vulnerable without shoes, standing on the gross corporate carpet in my bare feet. I put them neatly in front of the mat, and then slowly drop to my knees. Positioning myself on the mat, my butt resting on my ankles as I sit in position. The mat does little to cushion my knees, and my skirt is not long enough to reach beneath my knees. I wonder if I will be able to last the entire time.

-----

Half an hour later, I start to hear everyone arrive. My knees are shaking, numb with the pain of kneeling here on the unforgiving floor. My heart races, praying that no one comes in here and discovers me like this. I faltered a few times, placing my hands on the floor for a minute or so to give my knees a bit of a rest, however now I make sure to stay in a good position knowing George might walk in. My hands resting on my thighs, core engaged. I continue to wait for what feels like forever, hearing my coworkers in the cubicle area eventually get settled and start to work. I wonder how long I've been like this, wondering why George is taking so long. Annoyed at him for his constant lack of punctuality. After what feels like forever, I sigh in relief as I hear his voice outside the office door. After about a minute, the door clicks open and George steps inside. However he does not turn to look at me, or even acknowledge me at all. Instead, he closes the door behind him and goes to his desk. My heart races, not wanting to be seen but also wanting to be allowed to stand so badly. To finally be rid of this position. After about a minute, I cannot take it anymore.

"S-sir?" I ask, looking at him. My face flushing red, hating calling attention to myself like this. "Can I get up now?" I ask. He ignores me for a few moments, before looking up.

"No." He says plainly, returning back to whatever he is doing on his computer. The blatant disregard he has for me takes me aback, and I'm stunned for a few moments. He sighs, and looks back at me. "You do not speak unless I tell you to, understand?" He asks, before continuing without waiting for my response. "Firstly, you are not in the correct position. Put your hands behind your back, and sit up straighter!" The odd sensation of feeling like a child being caught doing something wrong kicks me into motion, and I quickly nod and put my hands behind my back and sit up straighter. The position only worsens the soreness of my knees, and I have to struggle to stay still. "Secondly," He continues after seeing me get into position. "I saw that you didn't stay kneeling the entire time while you were waiting for me. How do you expect me to respect you when you can't even do such a simple task as staying still?" He shifts in his chair a bit, his face impossible for me to read. I can't tell if he is angry with me, but his tone seems almost disappointed.

I find my weak voice. "I-I um... I'm sor-"

"Did I say you could speak?" He snaps, bearing down at me now from his desk. I shut my mouth, unable to believe he is really speaking to me in this way. "You have already upset me enough today! I thought you were smart enough to be able to follow such simple instructions. I thought you were maybe capable of keeping even a lowly job like this, but clearly you are not. I knew I should have never accepted you into this company." George rambles as I sit there in shock, a few tears welling in my eyes. I do my best to keep them from falling, not wanting to look any more pathetic. I open my mouth to apologize, before snapping it closed again, remembering I am not allowed to speak. George smiles as he notices. My knees tremble on the mat, shaking with soreness. "Now, Ella" He says, taking a deep breath and reclining a bit in his chair. "Understand that you will see consequences for not following such simple directions. I think that is the only way you might be able to learn." He grins. "For now, I just want you to apologize. You can do that by licking my shoes clean. Then you may stand." As he says this, he turns his chair so that his feet are parallel to his desk. I stare at him in shock, wondering if I really heard him right.

"W-what?" I ask, my voice just a small squeak.

He groans, chuckling to himself. "Are you really that stupid? Did you just speak again?" He asks me, beckoning me over with his hand. "Do not do that again, you are already facing harsh consequences. Come here, girl." Pointing to in front of him behind his desk. My whole body feels like Jell-O as I start to slowly shuffle over on my knees, unable to believe this is really happening. Am I really going to let myself be treated this way? "Good girl." He says, smiling as he sees me. My legs feel numb as I move, happy to move from the spot, but unable to really enjoy the circumstances that it happened.

I move to behind his desk where his shoes are on the ground waiting for me. I look up at him nervously, hoping that this is all some twisted prank and he won't actually make me do this. However, he just leans back in his chair, relaxing more. "You may begin." He says. I stare at his worn brown leather shoes, knowing that he must have been wearing them for years for them to look like this. I wince in disgust as I slowly lean down, placing my tongue on the leather. I grimace, the taste slightly salty, and feel a bit of grime on my tongue. I force myself not to gag as I start to lick up and down his shoe, wishing I had never lied on my resume.

-----

It takes me almost an hour to completely lick his shoes clean. The entire time, George just watched me, telling me when I was doing something wrong, and when I needed to redo an area. The whole process was so horribly degrading, and my mouth feels as if it will never be clean again.

I look up at George after I finish, and he smiles back down at me. "Great work, maybe you can learn." He says, grabbing my hand and bringing me up to my feet. I let out an audible sigh of relief, my legs shaking like crazy, but feeling rushing back into them. George chuckles at me, but I pay him no mind as I lean on his desk and stretch out my legs. "You will get used to it." He assures me. Though the thought of getting used to spending time on my knees is not reassuring to me at all. "Now, what do you say?" He asks me innocently, looking up at me as he continues to lounge while I stretch my legs. I look back at him, confused. George just rolls his eyes. "And here I thought you were learning. Why did you clean my shoes for me?" He asks, and I'm forced to think back. I had done my best to not think of what I was doing the entire time, it takes me a moment to connect what he is trying to say.