April 6, 2004

• Jess had not slept well in days and here she was lying awake now at 3:47 A.M. with a big interview looming in front of her at 8:45 the same morning.  The second interview with Mr. Dickens had been set the day she had the first interview by him, without going through his receptionist, the bombshell.  She had a big decision to make and as she lie awake staring into darkness she knew what she had to do.  With her mind and heart set on the answer, she turned over to make sure her clock was set for 7:00 and fell asleep.

  
  

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  Mr. Dickens had been snooping a bit to see if he could get to the bottom of his perceived men only persona.  After the interview with Jesse he felt he had to know why.  Why would a woman want a job with him but feel her only hope was to pretend to be a man?  Had she even made an attempt to get in to see him as herself?  If she had, why was it he’d not been told?

  
  

  These questions had to have answers so he decided to ask his receptionist.  “Miranda, could you come in my office a moment please?”

  
  

  As she headed for his door, she blotted her lips to make sure the color was even and she looked her best.  She’d been working for him about two years now and was hoping he’d taken notice of her attempts to take good care of him.  No, she didn’t want a promotion, that might mean working in another area.  Then she might not see him every day and know what he was working on and what was on his mind.  And she certainly couldn’t keep away all the potential predators.  No, she wanted his attention and approval.  She needed to keep her post.  Maybe today he was going to make mention of how nice she looked and let her know he had never had such a good receptionist.

  
  

  “Yes, Mr. Dickens?” she said as she entered his office.  He seemed on edge.  She was hoping she could help him.

  
  

  “Miranda, I have a question for you and I want you to be totally honest with me.”  She nodded and began to feel a bit awkward, wondering if he was about to let her know she had fouled up royally.  “I have an interview scheduled in a few minutes.  I made the second interview after the first one went so well.  My question is this.  Can you give me any indication as to me why all the interviews I have had for the open positions have been men?”

  
  

  He asked and then folded his arms, leaned back on his desk in front of her and waited.

  
  

  Miranda felt a wave of panic sweep over her as she tried to determine if he was upset that they were all men, or glad they were and wondering of she was responsible.  So decided to seem like she wasn’t understanding the question so maybe he would give her a gist of his stance on this situation, “Mr. Dickens?” She tilted her head and went on, “I don’t know for sure what to say.”

  
  

  “OK, let me ask another question.”  He began to pace as he thought of how best to get her to tell him if she had any part in this or was it just that no female interviewees made known their desire for the openings.  Not wanting to be accusatory without just cause, “I have held numerous interviews, especially for the marketing position I have listed at universities and on the Internet.  Most all the potential candidates schedule with you?  Isn’t that right?”

  
  

  She nodded without replying so he continued.  “I have never held open interviews before, that I can recall, without even one single female candidate coming for the opening.  I find that odd.”  With still no response, mostly becasue she still was unsure if he was glad or upset, he asked outright, “Are you scheduling me only men for these postings or have there actually been no females call to make an appointment for the jobs?”

  
  

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  Jes was pleased with the look when she finished her remake.  She’d not had short hair often in her life, but she decided she looked quite feminine now that it was her color of blonde again and styled to suit her as a woman.  She’d chosen a nice skirt suit, had her high heels on, resaonable height but they showed her shapely legs.  She hoped he didn’t have a coronary when she arrived but she had to go as herself.  The dishonesty was not something she could live with, job or no job.

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