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“I’m impressed with her confidence,” I continue. “She spoke like she already had the job. She’s ready to go.”

“Oh, boy.” Adam chuckles. “Dude, what are you doing?”

“I’m listening to my instincts,” I tell him.

“Aiden, of the three candidates we saw today, I would pick Kate last,” says Adam. “Let’s forget everything about them individually and look at our canvas as a whole: Sarah has potentially fucked you for life when it comes to how people perceive you with women. I think hiring a man would be safer, given that we’re currently under extreme scrutiny. This black cloud hovering over us will only get darker if you hire an attractive woman at the height of a sex scandal.”

“So, you’re saying I shouldn’t hire her just because she’s attractive?” I ask facetiously. “We can’t afford to go around looking like we discriminate against the good-looking, do we?”

“I’m saying that you should hire one of the very qualified guys that came in before the hot brunette with tits came in,” says Adam.

“You checked out her chest, too?”

“I realize that talking to you about this is pointless,” he says, rolling his eyes. “You’re still going to hire that chick, no matter what I say, right?”

“I’m going to hire Kate—”

“Career suicide,” Adam coughed.

“I want to hire Kate—not because of her looks, but because she impressed me, and I believe she’ll be a better fit than anyone else we interview. Guy or girl.”

Adam shrugs, giving in skeptically. “You do what you think is best, bro.”

I do what I think is best later that evening. I’d made my decision before that, but I gave myself some extra time to determine where that decision is coming from.

I call Kate up and receive no answer. Since I figure I’ll only keep making a fool of myself if I let myself talk, I choose to take the missed call and use that as a way to offer her the job via email rather than by phone. I’ll also be able to articulate better over a message:

Dear Kate,

I’m writingthis message so that I can offer you the job as Head of the Tech Wreck PR department. We were impressed with your interview and would like to see what you’re capable of. Please write back right away if you are interested in accepting the offer.

Shouldyou agree to the job, there are some stipulations:

1) You will be on “probation” for a week. During this week, your task will be to clear my name and get rid of these scandals. You must resurrect Tech Wreck in this time, or I will have to hire another candidate for the position.

2) We must not be seen privately together. As you noted, my image is damaged; we can’t worsen it by furthering speculations of any kind.

3) Work fast. Work hard. Work long.

Please write back right away.If you accept, come back to my office tomorrow at ten for your first day. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Aiden Marx

CEO, Owner – Tech Wreck, Inc.

Kate respondedto my email quickly and simply with, “I accept the position, and I will get to work right now! I’ll see you tomorrow morning. Thank you so much for this opportunity! I won’t let you down!”

2

Kate

I’m heading to my new job, my first day of work. I’m a little nervous, but I feel confident that I can clear Aiden’s name and turn the company’s reputation around. I’m more worried about being late this morning more than anything. New York traffic is ridiculous no matter what time of the day you become involved in it.

I’m determined to succeed for Aiden and show him just how good I am. When there’s something I want, I go after it without letting anything stop me. In this case, what I want is to do exactly what my boss is asking of me: I want to save him and the sinking ship that is Tech Wreck. I worked my ass off to get where I’m at, and I’m not going to keep getting the big name players unless I keep working it.

I show up at Tech Wreck five minutes early and go straight to Aiden’s office. I don’t know who anyone else is around the building, but I decide to save introductions for later. I have been planning what to say to Aiden for hours, and I’m on a roll, ready to keep impressing him. I’m dressed in a conservative blouse with a long plaid skirt, hoping to look as unattractive as possible.