Johnson was a dick, but I realize that isn’t why I got so upset. It’s because there is truth in his words. I need money to get Saucy Nights off the ground, and the start-up costs are likely more than I have saved in the bank.
I wallow for a moment more before forcing myself up off of the floor, stumbling a bit as I right my frame.
“Get it together, girl,” I say out loud as I make my way to the couch. Then, I take a seat and inhale deeply before closing my eyes. I have to stay positive. Stay positive, stay positive.
Then, my phone starts ringing, and sure enough, it’s Shannon, my manager at City Girls. Could this evening get any worse? I imagine her in my head: she’s a tall, skinny, blonde woman with dramatic facial features. Her sharp cheek bones and square jaw line could render her a unique kind of beautiful if only she didn’t over-exaggerate her already out-there features by caking a gallon of harsh makeup. But even without the cosmetics, beauty resonates from within. And within Shannon, unfortunately, there is nothing pretty.
I answer the phone, cringing as a pounding beat echoes over the phone. Dang, wherever she’s at is super loud because it sounds like a raucous party out there. But her voice has a weird echo to it, and it doesn’t take long for me to decipher what’s going on. My boss was out partying and probably got a nasty message from Johnson about my behavior. Now, she’s likely in the women’s restroom, locked in a stall for the express purpose of bitching me out. Sure enough, her voice is frozen as she speaks.
“I received a call from your client tonight, Rose. Any idea what he said?” She speaks in a patronizing voice, as if belittling a dog who trailed toilet paper through the living room. I ignore her nasty tone and come clean.
“I’m sorry I walked out on my date tonight, Shannon. But he was such a prick! I couldn’t stand to sit there and allow him to degrade me any longer,” I confess, a slight pleading tone in my voice.
She’s ruthless.
“That is what they pay you for, Rose. What, do you think they pay for your scintillating conversation? For your witty comebacks? No, Rose. They pay you because you get dressed up in a tiny outfit and shake those ta-tas in their faces. Then, you listen to what they have to say and laugh appropriately. How dare you abandon one of our clients! Johnson is one of our best customers, Rose. You know how much I made off him last year? One. Hundred. Thousand. Dollars. And you! Now you’ve fucked it up!”
I go still, just listening. What can I say at this point? Meanwhile, Shannon continues.
“Not only that, but Johnson called to tell me that you’ve gained weight since your profile picture was taken. He said you’re chubby, if not straight-up fat, and showed up to the date in a cheap dress that literally had a ragged hem and a hole in it. What the hell, Rose? Have you completely lost your mind? This is a beauty-oriented industry where men want to be seen with a gorgeous girl on their arm. And you! You have Fucked. It. Up.”
I audibly gasp at this preposterous statement. I can’t believe this. Johnson is lying! There’s no way my appearance was messed up the way he’s describing. I try to stand up for myself.
“That is a lie! My dress, while not couture, was certainly flattering and clean. I always make sure I look presentable for our clients. And you of all people should know this – I’ve worked for you for four years without a single complaint up until now. Furthermore, while I certainly am a curvy girl with some generous assets, I’m not obese by any means! I take good care of myself!” I defend, choking back tears. “You surely don’t believe the word of an angry client over me, do you?”
I can almost hear Shannon’s sneer over the phone.
“You see Rose, this is what happens when girls get to comfortable in their jobs. They start to take liberties. An extra piece of cake tonight, re-wearing that old mini tomorrow. I have to nip this behavior in the bud before it gets out of hand.” Ugh. I can’t believe how nasty she is. She is actually taking Johnson’s side on this!
“If you weren’t such a good producer, you’d be fired immediately,” she says. “But as it is, I will keep you on. Probation, that is. You’ll only be receiving half of your usual fees for the next month or so.”
This is a real low blow. I feel like I have just been decked in the stomach. I am livid, but I have no choice but to suck it up to keep my job. After all, I can’t afford to lose my only source income.