Hostile Environment

by

Valentina Michelle Smith

 

Attorney Jane Palozzi and her client, Brian Northrop, entered the room. Palozzi stood behind the podium with Brian at her side and read a prepared statement.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," she began, addressing the reporters who had gathered for the conference, "We are, of course, delighted with the verdict. The long nightmare is over for Brian Northrop. He can now go about building a normal life for himself and put the events of the past year behind him.

"We knew we were in for a difficult battle from the very beginning. Goldwyn's Department Store is an icon in the city, doing business since 1922. The Goldwyn family has political and social contacts throughout the area, and retains some of the top legal firms available. We knew that this would be like David taking on Goliath, but the issue of sexual harassment was far too important to ignore. And what was more important, the victim in this case is a man.

"Mr. Northrop will now take questions."

Palozzi stepped back from the podium and Brian Northrop stepped up. "Before we begin, I just wanted to thank all of the people who sent me cards, letters, and e-mails of support. They helped keep me going when things looked dark. This verdict is not just for myself, but for anybody who finds themselves in my situation.

"I'll take your questions now."

A sea of reporters all vied for Brian's attention with shouts of "Mr. Northrop!" Brian pointed at one woman in the third row.

"Tammy Dewar, Daily Sentinel. Mr Northrop, how did the situation develop that led to this lawsuit?"

Brian laughed. "Well, that's quite a question. It started about four years ago at Goldwyn's flagship store in the city. I was a salesman in the electronics department and was, in fact, their top salesman. I routinely out-performed the other men in the department and I expected a promotion was in order, along with a hefty raise. You can imagine my surprise when none of this ever happened.

"I remember that day when I was called into Mr. Goldwyn's office. I thought I was going to get the good news. I could not have been more mistaken."

 

* * * * *

 

Geoffrey Goldwyn III remained seated as Brian entered the office. "Northrop," he said, "have a seat. I've been going over your record."

Brian felt confident. Jeff Goldwyn himself had reviewed his record! This was going to be better than he had expected!

Goldwyn continued, "Your sales record is quite good. Exemplary, in fact. None of the other salesmen can match it. Which is what makes what I am about to say rather difficult."

Suddenly Brian began to worry. "Difficult, Mr. Goldwyn?" he asked. His confidence was rapidly deteriorating.

"Yes, difficult. Northrop, I'm afraid your position is being eliminated. We are dropping the electronics department from all of our stores. I'm afraid we just can't compete with the big chains like Circuit City. So Goldwyn's will drop the electronics department and concentrate its efforts on our more profitable clothing, jewelry, accessories, and cosmetics lines. Nothing personal, Brian, but this is business."

Brian felt numb. "Bur Mr. Goldwyn," he protested, "I've been with the store for over ten years. How can you just dump me like that? Surely you can find something for me?"

Goldwyn thought for a minute. "Northrop, I would like to help, but the fact is most of our sales associates have been with us as long as you have. Many have been here longer. But I'll tell you what I can do. Go to Human Resources and check the records. If there is someone with less seniority than you, you can bump them. It's the best I can offer."

"Thank you, sir," said Brian. "I appreciate this. I promise you won't regret it."

"See that I don't," said Goldwyn "That will be all." Goldwyn turned his attention to another matter, an indication to Brian that he should leave. As he closed the door behind himself, the intercom buzzed the secretary. "Miss Hewett, Northrop is to proceed to HR immediately. Hold the severance package for now."

"Yes, Mr. Goldwyn," replied his secretary. She looked up at Brian, who was visibly perspiring. "Looks like you got a reprieve," she said.

"I wasn't expecting to get the ax!" Brian replied. "How long has this been in the works?"

"Not very long. I think he just decided a few days ago. That's when Mr. Goldwyn told me to get the packages ready. You're lucky. The other guys just got sacked and that was that."

"Well, I don't know how lucky I am. I'm going to have to bump somebody. I only hope I can find an opening."

"Good luck," said Miss Hewett. Brian left the outer office and headed for the elevator that would take him to the seventh floor and Human Resources.

Brian scanned all of the possible jobs. "All of these positions are dreadful!" he complained. "None of them pay anywhere close to what I was making."

"They're going to be hiring somebody new in Men's Wear." said Marie Gianotti, the HR director. "And we'll have some sales jobs opening in Shoes."

"But these are starting jobs," Brian protested. "I need something that pays close to what I was making before."

"Can't help you there," said Marie. "The only person making that much with less seniority than you is Katie Mulhairn in Lingerie. I really don't think you would want that."

Brian thought for a minute. He really needed a job, and the prospect of starting over at the bottom was not at all appealing. Looking for a job at one of the big box stores was also not an attractive option as they paid very poorly. Maybe Lingerie wasn't his first choice, but he was convinced he could sell Tabasco sauce in Hell.

"What makes you think I wouldn't want it?" he asked.

Marie started to laugh. "Get real!" she said. "Do you really think you could sell lingerie?"

"Why not? I'm a salesman."

"Yes, but this is a job for a sales WOMAN. Sorry, Brian, but you just don't cut it."

"I have the seniority, don't I?"

"Well, yes, but..."

"And Mr. Goldwyn said I could bump ANY job with less seniority, right?"

Marie admitted that this was so.

"Then it's settled. I'm bumping Mulhairn."

"But she's had that job for eight years!"

"And I've had mine for ten years. Like Mr. Goldwyn said, it's nothing personal, it's just business."

Marie was stunned, but she dutifully typed out the necessary paperwork. Brian Northrop was replacing Katie Mulhairn in Lingerie.

Barbara Lipcsey, the head of the Lingerie department, was not at all happy with the news.

"This is a woman's job, Northrop, and Katie is one of my best girls. I can't let you work here."

"You have to, Lipscey," Brian replied. "I've got seniority. Besides, there's nothing in the job description that says this is exclusively a woman's job."

"Northrop, part of this job is advising our customers on the product, not to mention the fact that you will be measuring customers for proper fit. This is intimate apparel we are talking about, and I'm sure our customers won't want a man doing that job."

"Well, like you women keep saying, this is a new era. I'm here and I intend to stay, so let's get on with it."

Barbara fumed, but she had to put up with it. She held her silence for three days. Then she called Brian into her office.

"It's been mighty slow out there, Brian. Sales are way down."

Brian smirked. "I hope you aren't singling me out for special attention. I know for a fact that everybody's sales have been low."

"Don't you think there's a reason for this?" she asked.

"What can I say? Maybe people are waiting for a sale."

"Actually, Brian, we have been getting some feedback. Our customers are avoiding the department because they are uncomfortable. They don't want to shop for lingerie with a man in the department."

"I can't do anything about bigotry," said Brian.

"Well I can," Barbara answered. "I spoke with HR and with Legal this morning, and they agree with me. As of right now I am enforcing the department grooming standards."

Barbara tossed a pamphlet at Brian. "This guide is a copy of store policy for sales associates in the Lingerie department. I expect you be in compliance when you report for work tomorrow."

Brian looked through the pamphlet. "Wait a minute," he said, "this is for women!"

"And your point is?"

"Well this obviously doesn't apply to me!"

Barbara smiled a very wicked smile. "If you will read the first paragraph, you will notice that these standards apply to all sales associates in the Lingerie, Cosmetics, and Woman's departments. It makes no special exclusions for men."

Brian paged through the booklet. "Look, it states here that associates are expected to wear foundation garments. Surely you don't expect me to wear a bra!"

"Not only a bra, but you obviously need a girdle as well. And you will also note that we require our associates to shave their legs and armpits and any other body hair that would detract from a conservative appearance."

"But I don't own any of these things."

Now Barbara smiled even more wickedly, an expression that Brian found disturbing. "Oh don't worry about that. We can supply anything you will need right here at Goldwyn's. The other sales girls can assist you in your purchases, and you can pay for everything with payroll deductions. You can take the rest of the day to shop, but I expect to see you properly dressed by tomorrow."

"I won't do it!" Brian said.

"Well, in that case, I have no alternative but to dismiss you. And since this is a firing for cause, you forfeit your severance package and don't qualify for unemployment benefits."

Brian was stunned. "You wouldn't..."

"Oh yes I would. Now what's it going to be, Brian? Are you going to follow the rules, or do I call security and show you the door?"

Brian hesitated. He really needed the job. He couldn't afford to be fired. Reluctantly, he agreed.

Barbara accompanied him to the Lingerie department and summoned one of the associates. "Laurie, Brian is going to need some brassieres and girdles. Oh, and I suppose he will need some panties as well. Be a dear and measure him? Thank you."

She turned to Brian. "Once you are done here, Laurie will take you to Woman's wear. You will need some appropriate dresses, blouses, and suits. Please remember that we do not allow pants outfits. You will be required to wear a skirt to work, as well as hose and pumps with at least a one-and-a-half inch heel. And we might as well get you over to cosmetics, we require our associates to wear makeup."

Barbara turned and walked away. Brian said, "Is this for real?"

Laurie said, "Oh, yes. Dragon Lady is pretty strict about grooming standards. She can be a royal pain in the ass, and it looks like you have become her latest target. No use putting it off, I guess. Please remove your jacket and shirt so I can measure you."

"Measure me? For what?"

"For your bras; I need to get the correct band size. Let's not make this any harder than we have to."

Brian followed Laurie into the dressing room and removed his jacket, his tie, and his shirt. Laurie measured his chest with a tape measure. "You will need to wear long-line bras at work," she said. "Your waist is just too big. Also you will need some padded girdles to give you hips and a fanny." She picked a few items from the display racks. "Try these on and we'll see how they look. These are B-cups. Put them on and we'll check the fit." She pressed the bras, panties, and girdles into Brian's hands and guided him into the changing room.

Brian was confused and somewhat overwhelmed with the assortment of feminine undergarments he was holding. The situation moved so rapidly that before he could think about it, he had undressed and was attempting to don these very unfamiliar things. He started with the panties since they looked to be the simplest. They were plain, white cotton panties, nothing special. As he pulled them on he noted their similarity to his jockey shorts. The fabric was thinner and softer, and the familiar opening in front was missing, but they were otherwise similar.

The girdle was a different matter altogether. It was made of elastic and it was incredibly tight. Brian struggled as he pulled it over his legs, working it up to his waist. It was a panty girdle and he pulled and tugged to get it into place. When it was finally in place he felt like he was being squeezed to death by a boa constrictor.

He was not looking forward to the bra one bit. The hooks confused him. "These hooks are in the back!" he complained loudly. "How do I reach them?"

Laurie, who stood vigil outside the changing room, said, "First put your arms through the straps and hook the hooks together. I'm sure you've removed a bra."

"Well, yes, but..."

"It's the same process in reverse. How do you think we manage every day?"

Brian struggled and fumbled with the hooks as he stretched his arms into a very unfamiliar position. It took him a while, but he eventually managed to get all of the hooks fastened. "I think I'm done," he said.

"Step out here so I can look at you," Laurie replied.

Brian stepped out, feeling more than a bit foolish. His cheeks reddened with embarrassment. "I feel ridiculous," he complained.

"Well, it doesn't look too bad," Laurie replied. "Let's get you something to put in the cups."

"Cups?" he asked.

"Unless you really want to look silly, you better wear some kind of a form. Here, let's try these." She inserted a pair of foam forms into the bra cups. "That looks pretty good. Normally we recommend silicone forms for our customers, but you really won't need them. Dragon Lady doesn't like to see bouncing boobs anyway."

"You keep calling her Dragon Lady," said Brian. "Does everyone call her that?"

"That's one of our milder names for the bitch," Laurie said. "Brian, look, do you really want to go through with this?"

Brian answered without hesitation. "Hell, no, I don't want to do this, but I'm not going to give either Lipscey or Goldwyn the satisfaction of making me quit!"

Laurie whistled. "Well, I admire your spunk if not your common sense. Anyway, these look like a good fit. I'm giving you twelve pairs of panties, six bras, and six girdles, two black, two white, and two beige. If you want any other colors we can get them later."

"Other colors?"

"Yes, to match your outfits. You don't want to wear a white bra under a black dress, it shows through."

"Oh," said Brian, "I guess you're right."

"We're not done yet, hon," she said. "Why don't you put on that robe and we can pick out some slips and dresses."

Brian followed, wearing the robe and hoping nobody would see him. Laurie left him with Judy in Woman's Wear, where he tried on some dresses, skirts, and blouses. Judy was also sympathetic. "I heard what the Queen Bitch of the Universe did to you," she said. "I want you to know I think it sucks."

"That makes two of us," Brian replied as he turned to see how a skirt fit on him. He was excruciatingly aware of the soft rustling of the many layers of cloth he wore. "And I see you're not exactly her biggest fan either."

"Nobody is," Judy said. "Barbara just loves to enforce the grooming standards to the nth degree. She sent Margie home a few months ago for wearing a blouse that let her bra show through. She made her go home and put on a camisole and then she docked her two hours' pay."

"Why doesn't anybody stand up to her?" Brian asked as he tried on a blouse.

Judy sighed. "We need our jobs too bad, so we put up with it. Let's face it, the pay and commissions are pretty good here. Barbara knows it, so she uses it against us. Hey, that blouse is cute, Brian!"

"Thanks, I think," Brian replied.

"Alright, I think we're done here," Judy said. Why don't you put on a pair of stockings and one of your dresses and we can go over to the salon."

"The salon?" he said.

"Yep, that's where the wigs are."

"Who said anything about a wig?" Brian said.

"It's part of the grooming standards, hon. No hair styles shorter than your shoulder, and no upswept styles. The only way we can do that is to get you a wig."

So Brian followed Judy to the salon, where Theresa helped choose a wig for him. She also gave him a comb and a wig pick, shampoo, conditioner, and a stand along with a booklet on proper wig care. He wore the wig out of the salon, hoping that he might not draw attention to himself. Theresa took him to Shoes where he bought four pairs of pumps and a dozen pairs of stockings. Eileen who worked in shoes signed Brian up in the stocking club (a free pair for every dozen bought) and took him to Cosmetics where Stephanie gave him a makeover. He departed with a bag of makeup and proceeded to Handbags where he purchased a leather purse. Then he returned to the salon. He needed to get his nails done.

Brian was loaded down with shopping bags when he finally reported back to Barbara, who looked him over like a drill sergeant inspecting a private in boot camp. "Not bad," she said. "A few rough edges, but basically not bad. This is the level of grooming I expect of all of our sales associates. Be here tomorrow at eight, ready to work. You may go home now."

"What about my clothes. You know, the ones I wore here today."

"We can deliver them to your home with your purchases. Your purchases will arrive tonight. And delivery is free for employees."

"Gee, and that on top of the generous discount," Brian said sarcastically.

Barbara smiled wickedly. "Well, Brian, you know how to stop it. Just walk out. Quit. We won't even charge you for the manicure. What do you say, Brian?"

"You want to get rid of me, you have to fire me. Or lay me off and give me the severance package."

Barbara circled him like a predator. "Now you know that just isn't going to happen, Brian. You asked for this job, now you have to accept the consequences. Just like all of the other girls."

She deliberately aimed that last jibe at his manhood, and followed it up with another. "Oh, by the way, you will be needing a new name tag with a female name. What shall we call you, dear?"

Now Brian smiled. "I don't need a name tag. I already have one."

Barbara's evil smile quickly faded. "But that tag says 'Brian' on it."

"That's my name, isn't it?"

"But then everybody will know that you are..." she hesitated.

Brian finished the sentence for her. "Yes, every customer will know that I'm a man. And I promise to let them all know just why I am wearing a dress. See you tomorrow, Barbara."

Brian left a stunned Barbara behind. Score one for Brian against the Dragon Lady.

 

(End of Part 1)

  

  

  

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