Thin Ice by Brighton Walsh

Author:Brighton Walsh
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Xcite Books
Published: 2012-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Picture of Lily

by Zombie Ferguson

When the temp agency told me they had an assignment, they asked that I stop by the office first, to talk about it. I shrugged, and drove in. While in traffic, though, I got to thinking. Why, of all the temp jobs they sent me on –clerk, receptionist, data entry, inventory for a sex shop for God’s sake – would this one be any more controversial?

Kerry, my boss, was to the point. ‘Stacy, your new employer, Mr Gibbs, has a photo of his wife, Lily, on his desk that is not, let’s say, like most. He pays well, but we found it hard to keep someone working for him because of their reaction to the picture. Some found it distracting, and one girl actually ran out the door. How do you feel about nudity?’ I thought about it and decided I was all for it, as long as I didn’t have to be naked while filing or anything like that.

‘Don’t worry. Nothing tawdry. We wouldn’t send you if it was.’

I raised an eyebrow. ‘The sex shop inventory?’

‘Well, OK, but it paid quite well and you did get some lovely parting gifts …’

I giggled. ‘That’s true. In fact they have still been parting … Well, that’s for another day …’

Kerry cleared her throat. ‘Yes. Anyway, I assume then you’re fine with this?’

‘Sure,’ I said. ‘I mean, how often am I in his office?’

Kerry leant against her desk. ‘Well. It’s a small room, but it’s being remodelled. His business is expanding. Your desks are side by side. Curious arrangement, but since you’ll be receiving packages and making calls and signing invoices, you’ll probably be pretty close to being in charge when he’s not there. Processing invoices and making reminder calls. And you might be offered a full-time position after your assignment. Still interested?’

Full-time, I thought. Full-time eating. Full-time cable. The whole concept appealed to me. I was going to give Mr Gibbs the temp of his life. ‘I’m ready.’

‘Wonderful. Mr Gibbs will really like you. He likes people who are witty and vibrant.’ She gave me the address, telling me I was to report on Monday. I stood. Kerry stopped me.

‘Just one more thing. I probably shouldn’t mention this, but John Gibbs is quite good looking, and we have fired past temps for trying to, let’s say, get too personal. He’s completely his wife’s husband, if you know what I mean. Not your usual hand-on-ass executive. Just thought I’d let you know.’

I looked at Kerry, not sure how to answer. ‘OK …,’ I said, with an irritated uprise in my voice.

On my way home, I fumed a bit. When have I last been inappropriate at work? When have I tried to seduce any boss? Granted, most of them were old and fat, or young, arrogant, and treated me like office furniture, but still, Kerry saying that stung. Even when I was doing inventory at the sex shop we maintained professional decorum, despite the occasional giggle after 90-year-old Emma Smyth left with her second Black Mambo vibrator, the first burned out way before warranty.

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