My name is Brittany. I was fresh out of college, 22 years old, and got my first good job as a sales apprentice with a medium sized company. My job consisted mainly of making presentation materials supporting sales meetings. Basic support functions for the sales department. It's a fairly high pressure department as many of the deals they make are worth hundreds of thousands and sometimes millions of dollars.
My boyfriend, Jared, and I met in college. We just moved in together and plan to get married in a few years, once our careers are more established. We're perfect for each other! I can't imagine being with anyone else. As a young couple, we struggle with money, but somehow we get by.
Mike Jones and Richard Collins are the owners of the company. Sometimes, they meet with the clients personally on the bigger deals. They are well liked by the employees and try to treat them well. There have been some cutbacks in recent months though.
I try to do my job as well as I can. I've always had a strong work ethic and always try hard to please my employers. A couple of the female office workers act a little jealous towards me. After a few people were laid off, one of them suggested to another that I kept my job because of my looks. It upset me a little, how shallow and jealous they can be, but I just tried to ignore them.
For the last week I've been working on a very important presentation. Victor Carlucci, the owner of a very large construction company, is coming in. Mr. Jones and Mr. Collins will give the sales presentation personally. They briefed us that this is an extremely important deal, and we need to put in whatever effort is necessary to make sure things go right.
The morning comes and everything is ready. Mr. Carlucci arrives. He's a tall, very boisterous New York Italian man who's well built body looks like he's spent his life in the construction industry. He has salt-n-pepper hair, slicked back and a thick gray mustache. Even though he must be almost 60, he's attractive for his age.
Mr. Jones introduces a few of his staff. When he gets to me, I put out my hand to shake. Mr. Carlucci looks me up and down, takes it and says, "well...hello gorgeous!" He takes my hand up to his lips and kisses it. I smile shyly. His hands are rough and strong, working man's hands.
The men go in the conference room and begin the presentation. My desk is out in the main room, but the conference room is surrounded by glass and I can see in. The presentation looks to be going well.
Mr. Jones comes out and says "Brittany...can you get Mr. Carlucci a cup of coffee? Cream and sugar."
"Yes Mr Jones," I reply.
I bring in the coffee and hand it to Mr. Carlucci, "Thank you gorgeous!" he says.
"You're welcome Mr. Carlucci," I reply.
"Call me Vic sweetheart," he says.
I smile and leave the room. I look back as I'm leaving and catch him checking out my ass as I walk.
I sit at my desk and work. I occasionally look up at the conference room. The men are wrapping up the meeting and standing just outside the door continuing to talk. I can overhear just a couple of things they're saying. Mr. Collins and Mr. Jones look a little concerned as the conversation continues. They seem intimidated by Mr. Carlucci. "I don't care...you'll find a way to convince her," I overhear Mr. Carlucci growl in his gruff voice.
The men shake hands and Mr. Carlucci goes to leave. He looks at me, smiles and winks on the way out.
Jones and Collins continue to talk for a few minutes by the conference room door. They look serious and glance my way a couple of times.
Finally, Mr. Jones comes over to my desk. "Brittany...can we have a word in my office?" He looks serious. I wonder what could be going on!
"Of course Mr. Jones," I reply, and follow him. Jones, Collins, and I walk to his office. We go in and Collins closes the door behind us.
"Please...sit," Jones says, gesturing at the chair in front of his desk. "Water?"
"No thank you," I reply nervously. The men exchange glances with each other.
Jones sits behind his desk and Collins sits in the chair next to me. "Brittany...," Mr. Collins begins, speaking slowly and deliberately. "You probably know the business has been struggling the last couple of years...We've had to lay off dozens." He speaks with some degree of resignation in his voice. "This deal with Mr. Carlucci...if it goes through...will save the company."
He looks at Jones. "Yes... everyone who works here relies on us for employment," adds Jones.
"Their families...their kids," says Collins.
"The deal is worth 50 million over 5 years," adds Jones. "So...you can understand... how important it is...that we close this deal."
"Okay...," I reply, curious as to why they're telling me all this.
"Mr. Carlucci wants a few changes made to the contract...which we're going to make today," Collins says, after a long pause. "There's something else...," he continues slowly. He looks at Jones.
"He wants...you...to bring the revised contract to his hotel room tonight to sign," Jones says, a little quietly.
"Umm...why me?" I ask.
The men look at each other for a few seconds. "Brittany...," says Collins. "We're prepared to pay you a commission if this deal closes," he pauses. "One hundred thousand dollars."
I sit staring at him shocked, not knowing how to react. "Look...Brittany...," Jones says slowly. "It's important that you understand...for obvious reasons... that all we're asking you to do is... ahem," he clears his throat, "...convince..."
"Yes...convince...Carlucci to sign the contract," Collins interjects.
It begins to dawn on me why they are offering so much money...what they want me to do...and what Carlucci probably wants from me. I sit there in stunned silence.
"I know......I know...," Jones says, sighing a little. "The reality of the world is...powerful men get what they want...just think of all the people that rely on this company to succeed." He pauses for a few seconds. "Take a long lunch...think it over...this afternoon we'll have it all in writing...as well as the new contract for you to bring him to sign."
We stand and walk out of Jones' office. I walk away, not knowing what to say. I go back to my desk, get my purse and go to lunch.
I can barely eat, my mind racing. So much money!! It would be life changing! But what does Mr. Carlucci want in return? Maybe he just wants my company?? I wish I could be so naive. Of course he wants sex! But how can I do that? I can't cheat on my boyfriend. And Mr. Carlucci is so much older!
I take my time, and finally go back to the office. Mr. Jones gives me the signed document showing I get the commission if the deal happens. He also has a briefcase with the revised contract for Mr. Carlucci to sign.
He looks at me worriedly wondering what I'm going to do. I look at the briefcase for a few seconds then slowly pick it up. I don't even look at Jones as I say quietly, "I'll get him to sign it."
As I walk away Jones says, "Brittany.... Thank you."
