2006 -- Making an Office Slut
I'll never forget seeing Sandra in the lobby while I was headed to the office. We'd gone to college together and became close friends while in the sorority, but lost touch after living so far apart. Keep in mind, those were the days before social media and mass communication.
She looked like a more refined version of herself from college. The slight shyness she had was still there, being a booksmart girl never really goes away, only now she's professionally dressed in a suit and matching heels. She was the same sweet girl on the inside, but her outside appearance had taken on a new level of sophistication.
"Hey, remember me?"
When she looked in my direction, it took her a few seconds to register my appearance, then a smile beamed across her face and she gave me a hug. The same as ever, but now her affection was geared towards a corporate setting.
"God, I can't believe it's you. It's been so long."
"Yeah, I was just headed to my office when I somehow recognized you. Lovely outfit by the way. Based on your nervous tension, you're new here."
"It's my first day on the job and I was taking a moment to admire the grandeur of this lobby."
"Come on, I'll buy you coffee. We have so much catching up to do."
We had about 20 minutes for a quick cup of coffee and we sat and talked fast. There was so much enthusiasm between us. The chemistry never left. When you're close friends with a person, it never does.
Sandra explained that she was re-entering the workforce after having finalized a divorce. She has a wealth of experience as a paralegal and a number of connections in the city, which was how she got a job at this place.
At the end of our quick chat, we exchanged phone numbers and made plans for lunch. I gave her pointers on how to succeed at this place, things about company culture and who to befriend and who to avoid. We worked in different departments but I knew everyone.
I accompanied Sandra to her floor and felt happy for her. Her enthusiasm was genuine. When we went our separate ways that morning, I remember sitting in my office wondering how much she knew about this place. Yes, there's prestige, importance, and the salaries are generous. But she's an attractive woman who's just the type for prominent men.
In the weeks that followed I'd come to the conclusion that she had no idea what this place was truly about. There was a certain naivety whenever she talked about her job. I'd ask questions in vague generalities about certain people and she'd give candid remarks. Nothing to suggest that she has any inside knowledge.
The following year, which was right before the big financial crash, our company went through a series of restructuring to eliminate a layer of bureaucracy. A number of middle-managers were removed and Sandra got herself a nice promotion working in the office of Mr. Goldman and reporting directly to him.
Under normal circumstances, that would be a thing to celebrate, but the problem was that Goldman's office was far from normal. I wondered if it was just a coincidence or if she was specifically chosen, because after all, she's their type. Smart. Attractive. Hard working. They have a particular fetish for breaking in women like her.
I've always had a great working relationship with Mr. Goldman so I went to his office and inquired, days before Sandra was scheduled to work there. Men like him are always upfront. I have to respect that.
"Yes, that's exactly what we're planning," he said.
"Does she know?"
"Not yet. I was going to have my secretary give Sandra a briefing. If she has any further questions, I'd be happy to explain."
"I can talk to Sandra if you want."
"Why?"
"I've known her since college. We're actually good friends and she's an amazing person."
He smiled, "Yeah, I like that. Talk to her. Let me know how it goes."
I smiled back, wondering how I'd explain to Sandra that I'm part of what happens behind closed doors. Or open doors, depending on how you look at it.
We had lunch the next day, a French bistro on the lower floor serving gourmet steak and fries, and I requested that we be seated by the window. More room for privacy for our personal conversation, one that could potentially shatter our friendship.
"What do you know about Mr. Goldman and that office?" I asked.
"Not much, actually. He's on a different floor. Never met him. I've heard he's strict."
"So no one told you anything?"
"Nope. I'm supposed to get an orientation next week."
"From the secretary, right?"
"Yeah, I have a meeting with the secretary, why?"
"There are many secrets at this institution," I said. "People work long hours. Lots of stress. Certain men expect perks. That includes pay and accommodations. And for women like us, that means we'll have to suck a dick. Here and there."
She nearly spat her food out. I did my best to keep my voice down, hoping she'd do the same. There were colleagues around having lunch and the wait staff was attending to people.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard that correctly. Mr. Goldman expects to have his dick sucked."
"By me?"
"Yes, since you'll be working there. I know it's difficult to hear. The higher you climb in the corporate ladder, the more that's expected of you."
"That's sexual harassment."
"It's a generous paycheck. It's endless letters of recommendations. It's also great orgasms. Do you miss getting fucked? Do you want someone eating your pussy? Those things can happen. Discreetly. You just have to keep an open mind."
"This job was too good to be true."
Sandra put her elbows on the table and buried her face in her hands. She wasn't crying, but she was close. The job meant everything to her. It meant career growth and the ability to start a new life after a messy divorce. It was also a way of supporting her son, who was still in college at the time.
"I'll think about it," she said.
Her voice was soft and tender, with her face still buried in her hands. I rubbed her shoulder and leaned toward her ear. No one else needed to hear this. It was a private conversation between friends about the intricacies of work life.
"Give it a try. I'll join you the first time. If it's not your thing, then leave. I'll make sure you get a nice recommendation letter to work anywhere in the city, okay?"
"Thank you."
She seemed devastated at the moment and I felt certain she was going to quit and never return and never speak to me again.