“Thank you, sir,” Dominique Perry replied. “I assure you my qualifications are matched by my work ethic. I will work as hard for your company as I have for both of my previous employers.”
“I appreciate that, Mrs. Perry. But if you don’t mind, could you explain to me why you would leave a firm like Harrison’s to come and work for our small shop? It seems like a major step down from where you have been.”
“Of course. I get that question all the time. The truth is quite simple. We decided many years ago that my husband’s career would be our priority. He is very successful. I do not have to work. I choose to work because I like to keep busy and I enjoy challenges, but financially, it is not at all necessary. So, when my husband was asked to lead the Miami office, I decided to use the relocation as a means to accomplish a complete change of scenery and continue my career in a less stressful environment. My placement consultant advised your firm as a quality place to work in a competitive but relaxed atmosphere. I knew immediately this was the right firm for me.”
“Well, Mrs. Perry, you are certainly an exceptional candidate. We will contact your references and I will circulate your resume to the other partners, and unless something unexpected is uncovered in the due diligence process, I am confident in stating the job is yours. Expect to hear back from us in about a week.”
“Thank you, Mr. Cabrera, I will be looking forward to hearing from you soon.”
Dominique rose from her seat across from Alex’s desk. Alex walked her to the door and handed her off to the temporary secretary seated at the desk outside his office.
“Miss Walker, will you give Mrs. Perry a tour of the office please?”
“Yes, sir. Your 4:00 appointment is waiting in the lobby. Should I send her in?”
“There’s another one? I thought Mrs. Perry was the last applicant.”
“There was a late addition.”
“Well, send her home. I think we have found the perfect candidate.”
“Sir, she’s been waiting for three hours. There was a typo in the email, and as a result I double booked the 1:00 appointment. I think you should at least meet with her.”
“Alright. Give me ten minutes to return some phone calls, and then send her in.”
“Yes, sir.”
Alex listened to his voice mails and returned two calls. He was about to return a third call when he was interrupted by the temporary secretary.
“Yes?” he said into the phone.
“Sir, it has been ten minutes,” Miss Walker answered. “Are you ready for the final candidate.”
“Alright. Send her in please.”
The door opened and the temp led the applicant into the room.
“Mr. Cabrera,” Miss Walker announced, “this is Dolores Espinoza.”
The temp turned and left the room, closing the door behind her.
Alex looked up from his screen and saw the candidate for the first time. She had glossy black hair which hung just past her shoulders. She wore bright red lipstick and a generous amount of shadow around her eyes. Her tawny beige skin was covered by a floral print sheath dress that stopped half-way between her crotch and her knees. The synthetic fabric was stretched to the limit, barely containing her curves while simultaneously covering her entire body yet revealing everything. The outline of her bra and panties were visible through the fabric. Alex looked up when he caught himself staring at the hint of nipple protruding through the tight bodice of the dress. By that time, however, he had already taken in her ample bust, wide hips, round butt, and smooth, sturdy thighs.
Alex stood up and stepped out from behind his workstation. He instantly regretted that action, as he realized his arousal was no longer concealed by the sturdy oak desk.
“Hello, Ms. Espinoza,” he said. “Thank you for coming in. I understand you have been waiting for a while. I apologize for the scheduling error.”
“No problem, Mr. Cabrera,” she answered in a husky, heavily accented voice. “I’m grateful that you took the time to meet with me. And it’s Mrs. Espinoza, but you can call me Dolores. My name is Dolores, but everyone calls me Lola.”
“Very well, Mrs. Espinoza. Do you have a copy of your resume for me?”
“Yes, I do.”
Dolores reached into her leather attaché and pulled out a single sheet of paper which she handed to Alex.
“Thank you, Mrs. Espinoza,” he said. “Please have a seat while I take a second to look this over. Ordinarily, I have a chance to review an applicant’s credentials prior to the interview, but you were a late addition.”
“No problem,” she replied as she lowered herself into the chair.
Alex scanned the one-page resume, looking up only when Dolores crossed her legs. Despite her best attempt at modesty, she nonetheless flashed him a brief view of her panties. Alex gulped, then looked down again. He studied the sheet much longer than otherwise necessary to consume the sparse background it revealed.
“Mrs. Espinoza, if I’m reading this correctly, your last job was with the Walker Simmons firm. Is that right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you left that job fifteen years ago?”
“Yes, sir.”
“What have you been doing since you left that position?
“Raising my children. My husband — ex-husband — and I decided that I would stay home with the children until they were out of school.”
“I see. Are they? Out of school, I mean?”
“My son — the oldest of the two — is in college. My daughter is a senior in high school.”
“I see. Not that it matters, but where does your daughter go to school?”
“Pinecrest.”
“And your son?”
“FIU.”
“Very good. Can you tell me more about yourself, Mrs. Espinoza?”
“Where would you like me to start, Mr. Cabrera?”
“Where are you from? Where were you born?”
“So you want the whole story?”
“Just the important parts, please.”
“OK. Well, I was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. At nineteen I left and emigrated to the United States–Texas. I lived in San Antonio for five years. I got a job at First National Bank. That’s where I met my husband. He was the branch manager. I was his secretary. I got pregnant, so we got married. A few years later he got an offer as a loan officer for Citibank, but they wanted him in their downtown Miami office. So, we moved to Miami. That’s when I went to work for Walker, Simmons as a secretary. I got pregnant again and went on maternity leave. While I was out, he decided I would stay home until the children were out of school. I agreed, although I really didn’t have much choice in the matter. Five years later I caught him fucking his secretary and filed for divorce. I got child support and ten years of alimony payments. But the alimony has run out and he stopped paying child support for my son when he turned eighteen, so now I’m forty-two, broke and looking for work. I think those are the important parts of my story. Would you like to hear more?”
“Just one thing. Are you authorized to work in the United States?”
“Of course. I already told you I worked at the bank and Walker Simmons.”
“Let me be more precise. You were born in Mexico. Are you a citizen or permanent resident?”
“Yes, I am resident for twenty-three years.”
“Do you have a green card?”
“Oh, that’s what you want to know. Yes, I got my green card while I was still married to Antonio.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“That’s more than enough background. Let’s talk about why you are here.”
“OK.”
“Why did you apply for this position, Mrs. Espinoza?”
“I told you. I need a job.”
“Of course, but why this job? You could apply anywhere.”
“This is not the only position I have applied for, Mr. Cabrera. But this is the first interview I have been to. I applied here because I need a job and this position matches my qualifications. The location is convenient for me, and the hours work well for my schedule.”
“Alright, let’s move on. Mrs. Espinoza, what motivates you to do a good job?”
“What motivates me? Bills. Living expenses. Eating. I need to pay my bills. I need money to live on. The paycheck is all the motivation I need. No matter what other people may tell you, money is the real motivation for anyone looking for work.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Espinoza. I appreciate your candor. Now tell me, what would you bring to the office that sets you apart from other candidates?”
“Well, let’s see. I have superior people skills. I can manage others, and they don’t resent me. You know how some supervisors are assholes and everybody hates them, and it creates a negative work environment? That doesn’t happen with me. People like to be around me. They do what I ask because I don’t make them feel like I am ordering them around. That’s one. What else? OK, here’s another. I am persistent. When you need something done, I won’t stop until it’s completed. When you need to get someone on the phone or a meeting with someone important, I get them. Every time. I don’t give up until you get that meeting. If I run into a wall, I find a way to get over it, around it, or I to smash through it.”
“That’s very interesting, Mrs. Espinoza. Now tell me, what qualities do you consider important in a secretary?”
“Good question. I’d say hardworking. Honest. Flexible. Dedicated. Reliable. Good listener. Hmm. Oh, loyal. That’s probably most important. And protective, that’s important too.”
“Let’s talk about some of these qualities. Hardworking speaks for itself, I suppose, but why is honesty important in a secretary?”
“Honesty is important in every relationship, and especially in the relationship between a boss and secretary. How can there be trust if there is no honesty?”
“Fair enough. You also said loyalty is most important. Why is loyalty so important?”
“Well, loyalty relates to trust. You need to know that your secretary is someone who is going to have your back. You know what I mean? When you cannot be disturbed, the secretary has to guard your time and space so you can do what needs to be done without interruption. A good secretary is a barrier between you and everyone who wants a piece of you.”