Woman of Substance (11 page)

Chapter 9

Robbie woke to Monday morning coffee aroma. Many times just before bed she almost neglected setting the timer on the coffee maker, but in the morning she was always glad she stayed up a few minutes longer. Who needed a partner when there was an electronic device that met most of her needs? She yawned and during tidying her kitchen and living room, she reviewed the company prospectus on Heavenly Treats and the qualifications for the position of assistant to the Human Resources Officer. Robbie had received confirmation that both applications, one as Robbie Smith and one as Robin Smyth, had received interview appointments.

Robin Smyth received the first interview and was scheduled for one o’clock and Robbie Smith the following day. Part of Robbie’s field study was to present herself to one company with her identical qualifications on a résumé, but for one appointment she would present herself in the bodysuit as Robin Smyth and the other as herself.
Hmmm, did Robin Smyth draw the first appointment interview because her named sounds more professional than Robbie Smith?

After she applied her makeup, Robbie slid her feet through the padded leggings, fitted the specially designed frozen gel packs into small pouches along the abdomen of the suit and zipped up the torso. She wanted to look cool and professional inside the suit. The faux fat neck roll fit securely into position. She finished with her wig and glasses. Then she dressed in her pressed gray wool suit and crisp white blouse. She chose a gray and red silk oblong scarf and knotted it around her neck. Her shoes shone. With a perfect résumé in her briefcase, Robin Smyth was ready. She didn’t know what would happen when she appeared as a woman of size. She wanted to substantiate that not all managers disqualified candidates on body size, but they made their selection based on education and work experience.

Robbie parked and put in coins for two hours. This would give her time to arrive unhurried and not worry about the meter running out and receiving a ticket. The air soothed her scurrying thoughts while she strolled beside other office staff on their lunch hour.

She focused on the clicking of her heels on the tile to calm her mind. At the bank of elevators, she saw Jake’s familiar face. He noticed her at the same time. He waved and walked toward her.

“Hi, Jake.”

“Hey, Robin. We sure meet in unusual places.” He was smiling.

“You’re right. This isn’t a big city but I can go weeks without seeing some of my friends.” His skin glistened in the bright lights. “You look pleased with yourself.”

“That I am. When I was up early reading the apartments for rent, I found one close to the university and I called immediately. It’s mine on January first. I can move out of the hotel in a few weeks.” He waved an envelope. “And you? You’re looking very professional this morning.”

“Thanks. I have an interview for a position in human resources.”

“Good luck, Robin. You’re good with people.” He cupped her shoulder with his hand. His long fingers pointed toward her breast. She had on a coat and layers of foam and padding, so she could not feel his warmth. It was impossible. But memories of his thumb massage slipped into her minutes-ago calmness. She realized he was expecting a reply. “Thanks. I believe we’ll see each other around town.”

He chuckled. “You have that right.”

He leaned forward, and her heart banged against her ribs.
Was he going to kiss her?
So much for a calm mind. She couldn’t let that happen. Not now.
She took a step away and gave him a salute. “Say hello to Frank.”

His eyebrows drew together for a split second. “Will do.”

She looked at the clock on the wall. “I’ve got to run.”

She turned and stepped into an elevator. After the door closed, she drew in a calming breath. That was close. She would not have been able to go through with this interview if he would have noticed and commented on her makeup. When the door opened, she gripped her briefcase and with her head held high she strode up to the receptionist’s desk. “Good afternoon. I have a one o’clock appointment with Mrs. Jones.”

The woman glanced at her appointment book, nodded, and indicated a green chair situated by the wall. “Please have a seat.” Instead of picking up the telephone to announce Robbie, the receptionist walked down the hall. Robbie admired the woman’s straight-cut black suit with matching pumps. Margaret would be impressed with the receptionist’s style.
I’ll have to remember every detail for her.

Robbie folded her coat over her arm, fluffed her scarf, and smoothed her pleated slacks. She hoped that not wearing a skirt and heels in the twenty-first century wouldn’t be the deciding factor between a job and no job offer.

“Miss Smyth.”

Robbie jumped in her chair. The thick carpet must have muffled any sound of approaching footsteps.

“Miss Smyth, would you follow me please?” Ms. Receptionist held open another door down the hall.

Robbie stood and resisted the urge to tug at her jacket. She was led into a room with a computer monitor and keyboard on a desk.

“I’m logging into preliminary keyboard timed tests.”

When the receptionist bent to retrieve some paper for the printer, a ripple of envy crept through Robbie at the way the material in the skirt altered and the skirt clung to accentuate her assets in a subtle shift. If she were without the fat suit, she’d look like that. Robbie gave herself a mental kick in the backside.
Wait a minute. I’m doing exactly what Mavis, Sharon, and Margaret talked about and I complain about. I’m objectifying this woman because of the way her body looks.

Robbie sat up straight and waited for instructions.

The woman spoke. “Please call me when you’ve completed the prompts that the computer gives to you.”

“Excuse me. If I’m to call you, may I have your name, please?”

The woman extended a hand with a diamond glittering on her finger and French-manicured nails. “Eve Winston.”

Robbie extended her hand with her flashy costume-jeweled finger and clear, polished nails. “I’m pleased to meet you, Ms. Winston. How long does this usually take?”

“There isn’t a set time. Just complete it at your own speed. It’s all powered up and ready to go.”

Eve walked out of the room and closed the door before Robbie turned the chair and adjusted it for her height and breadth toward the computer. She seemed to be all thumbs and her speed was slow. The computer gave her three attempts to improve. The next prompt led her to a multiple-choice personality test. The questions seemed to change before she had time to contemplate her answers. An hour later, the computer thanked her and told her that the interview was over. Her previously pressed slacks were creased across her thighs and her blouse bunched at her waist. Her scarf, a gray and red puddle on the floor. She was hot and thirsty.

When she stood, she noticed the accordion creases in her jacket where she’d sat on it. She tugged at the cloth and wished she’d had the foresight to hang it up instead of peeling it off and letting it slip behind her. Someone knocked on the door.

“Have you completed the little quizzes yet?”

“Just finished.” There must be a signal somewhere when the program shuts down or someone had telepathy.
Yet. What did Ms. Winston mean by ‘yet?’ Was I that slow?

“Great. Mrs. Jones will see you now.” Ms. Winston held the door wide for her to go through.

As she walked into the plush office Robbie reviewed the ways to create a positive impression. She had her answers ready if she was asked where she’d see herself in five years: management. What were her greatest strengths and weaknesses? Creative determination and purposeful inventiveness were both strengths and weaknesses depending on the situations.

Mrs. Jones stood and extended her hand over the desk. Robbie was forced to lean and her thighs bumped the edge and caused a framed photograph to clatter onto the desktop. “I’m sorry.”

“Ms. Smyth, please take a seat.”

Robbie stepped away and sat in a chair and when she looked at her lap, her thighs seemed to ooze out from under the armrests. She did her best to smile and respond the questions with thoughtful answers, but she felt like a hamster on a wheel. Mrs. Jones asked her if she considered herself successful.

“Yes. I set goals and have met some and I am on track to achieve others.” She watched Mrs. Jones mark a sheet. Again Robbie wished she could read upside down.

“What motivates you to do your best job?”

“I enjoy challenges and achieving goals. I appreciate recognition for a job done well, too,” Robbie replied.

“Have you tasted our double chocolate marble brownie with walnuts?”

Mrs. Jones produced a thin white china plate with two brownie bits. She tilted her head to the side and a smile played at the corner of her lips when she walked around her desk and extended the plate.

“No. I’ve sampled many of your products. The Strawberry Tulips, Pecan Mousse, and of course the Cherry Cheesecake are to die for.” Robbie licked her lips in anticipation. “These look decadent.” She took a tiny bite and allowed the flavors to settle around her taste buds. “Wow, they really pop.”

“It’s a new product line. I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Take the second piece, please.”

“No, thank you.”

“Are you sure? The sample pieces are so small.” Mrs. Jones offered again.

Robbie shook her head. “When will these be available to the general public?”

“Our media campaign begins next week. Last chance, are you sure I can’t tempt you?”

“Thank you, but no.”

Mrs. Jones returned to her desk. She tapped her pencil against the desk and looked up at Robbie. “How would you know if you were successful in this job?”

“I would set high standards for myself and when I meet them, I could consider that a success. Also, when my outcomes to different projects are successful and when my supervisors and team members tell me.”

“Thank you.” Mrs. Jones wrote a note. “Do you have any final questions?”

“How soon would I be able to be productive at Heavenly Treats?”

“We like to make everyone feel welcome. The new employee shadows the present human resource assistant for two weeks and then gradually assumes the duties and by the end of the third month we would evaluate your progress.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Jones. The timeframe sounds generous.” Robbie maneuvered herself out of the chair. She glanced over her shoulder making certain there wasn’t some mystery Velcro that had held her in place. She grasped Mrs. Jones extended hand and shook it firmly. “Thank you for your time. Your web page didn’t suggest that the skills and personality test would be part of the interview. Did I miss the detail?”

“We try to surprise our candidates. It allows us to observe how they react when something new is given to them. We know that our successful candidates will have researched our company and tried our products. We would appreciate if you’d keep this to yourself if you know other candidates. It’ll make the screening process fair.” Mrs. Jones looked over Robbie’s head as she said these last statements.

Robbie nodded. “Could you tell me the next step in the employee search and who I should contact?”

“Ms. Winston will provide you with that information. We’re all part of a team at Heavenly Treats.” Mrs. Jones smiled and walked behind her desk. Ms. Winston opened the office door.

Robbie wondered if there was a button that Mrs. Jones pressed or if Ms. Winston was indeed intuitive.

Ms. Winston gave Robbie a business card and assured her that she would hear by the end of the week if she were to be included in the second round of interviews.

Robbie stopped with her hand on the door. “May I ask where you purchased your suit? You look as fresh as you did when I arrived.”

Ms. Winston raised one eyebrow. “It’s a little boutique on Hamilton Street that caters to professional women.”

“Thank you. I’ll stop by one day,” Robbie said.

“I wouldn’t bother.” Ms. Winston’s nose wrinkled.

“I wouldn’t copy you. The boutiques where I’ve shopped keep records of purchases made by women in the same offices.”

“You wouldn’t have to worry on that account. They don’t carry plus sizes.”

“Oh. I see.” Robbie bit her cheek and took a deep breath. Why did she seem to run into nastier women than men around the issue of body fat? Perhaps she was more sensitive when she was with women. She’d have to note this in her field journal. It wasn’t Ms. Winston’s fault that the store didn’t carry women’s sizes. The store could just be another example of preferential marketing in the women’s clothing industry. But Ms. Winston did have control over her offensive tone. Robbie remained calm. This was a possible employment opportunity.

“Thank you for telling me. I will visit the shop when I’m downtown and then I’ll know what to look for in my size.” Robbie slipped into her coat. “I’ll look forward to your call on Friday. I have voice mail if I happen to be out and I will return your call as soon as possible.”

Ms. Winston raised her head to a neutral position just before turning back to her computer monitor.
That wasn’t encouraging.
Hold on, perhaps it is company policy that staff do not confirm expectations and Mrs. Jones makes all of the decisions.

The wind gusted and tugged at her coat and threatened to freeze her ears. She had to find a hat that she could wear or ear warmers at least. She tucked her head into her collar. She’d reached the hood of her car when the parking commissionaire approached.
Whew
. She’d been spared a parking ticket. Pedestrians hurried across the streets, while people huddled into bus shelters. Winter was definitely on the way.

After Robbie drove into the garage at home, she released the seat belt and lifted one leg over the car frame and then the other. The armrest on the door was her lever to exit the small interior space. Robbie didn’t feel professional next to the crisp Ms. Winston and Mrs. Jones. She didn’t have the skills to act as a dignified woman of substance. A picture of the proficient Nadine in Jean Clifton’s office flashed in her mind. Nadine knew where to shop and how to dress because she was at home in her body.

Who was
she
fooling? She could never truly experience circumstances the same as women who have always been larger just by wearing a fake body. She slapped the foam and watched it vibrate.