The Performance Review

 In the spring of this year I took an online writing course which jump started my interest in writing fiction. This story is one I submitted for an assignment to write a 1000 word story. It's based on the years I spent working for Honeywell.

David Jasper Collingsford strolled arrogantly down the hall and knocked on the office door of his boss.

            'Come in.' She said, pleasantly, opening the door to greet him. 'David,' she smiled. 'It's good to see you. Have a chair and sit down.'

            'Thanks'. With a smug smirk David sat down and gave his boss a quick once over. Peggy Sandquist was around forty five years old. She was short with a firm build and sandy, flyaway hair. She wore a dark blue skirt and jacket with a contrasting string of colored beads around her neck. She had an easy smile and almost everyone liked her. But not David. She had been his boss the entire twelve years he'd been a sales rep with the company, and he couldn't stand her.

            She smiled again. 'How have you been?'

            'Good', he answered, barely containing his dislike for her.  'Been on the boat a lot.'

            David had a big problem in his life and that problem was women. He honestly felt women had a certain place in society. And that place was definitely not on the same level as himself. He went to bars, met women and dated them. But he didn't like being subservient to them. Especially where he worked and especially like he had to be with his boss. In short, he felt he was better than women. He knew this went against the grain of modern society's attitude, but he couldn't help it. It was just how he was. Now he had this yearly meeting to deal with, and he was ready. His plan was to be assertive and ask for a raise for all the great work he'd done as a salesman for the company. He was positive he would get it.

            David was single, thirty nine years old and an athletic six foot one. His short cropped, dark hair and strong jaw anchored a confident face. He was tanned from hours spent out on his boat. He caught a reflection of himself in a window in the office and grinned, happy with what he saw.

            They spent a few minutes with small talk before getting down to business, which was fine with David. He'd had all he could take of her babbling on and on about her stupid kids. He was just about ready to bring up the subject of getting a raise, when Peggy offered a rare frown, concentrating. 'David, I'm afraid I have been receiving some troubling reports about you.'

            David leaned forward in his chair. What the hell about?, he almost yelled, and then checked himself. 'What about?' he asked pleasantly, trying to keep his cool. He had no idea what she was talking about.

            'It has to do with how you are treating the receptionists.'

            'Them? What do you mean? I'm fine with them.' David spat, bristling with anger.

            'Well, for one, you can't call any of them sweetie or darlin' or doll face. They have names, you know. Alice, Sue and Elizabeth. It's very derogatory'. She held up her hand to stop him as he tried to interrupt. 'And for another thing, you can't keep asking them to get you coffee and run errands for you.'

            David was stunned. This was idiotic. 'Why the hell not? Aren't they there to 'support us' he said, using his fingers to give air quotes around support.

            'Yes, David, but not like that'. Peggy was straining to be patient. 'They are not there for your own beck and call. You should really know better than that.' He fought to contain his anger. She had no right to talk to him this way. Peggy continued, looking him straight in the eye, 'You are disrespectful to others in the office, your clients find you boorish, and you treat women, myself included, like second class citizens.'

            David blew up. 'I do not,' he yelled, and stopped himself from pounding his fist on her desk. 'I can't help it if other people are incompetent.'

            Peggy sat stunned, not believing what she was hearing. 'David, I truly believe you should think long and hard about what you just said.'

            David glared at her for a moment, struggling to calm down. Then something deep inside took over.  He realized he could turn this situation to his advantage. After all, his boss was just a woman. He took a deep breath, and turned on the charm. 'Hey, I'm sorry,'  he said, giving her a bright, cheerful smile. 'I know I have a few faults, but, really, don't you think my sales record supersedes all the complaints?'

            Peggy sat back and sadly shook her head. 'No, David, I don't. It takes more than sales to make it in this company. You have to be a decent person, too.' Then she got up, signifying the meeting was coming to a close. 'David, I am placing you on probation. I would like to meet with you next week to discuss the next steps for you and your career'.  The meeting was over. She ushered him out the door.

            David was beyond mad. How dare she treat him like this? Literally seeing red, he stomped down the hall, bypassed the elevators and yanked open the door leading to the stairwell. His forehead was beaded in perspiration. His heart was racing. He leaned against the wall and sank to the cement steps. He was a perfect employee. How could she do this to him? Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a cigarette and lit it, blowing smoke to the ceiling. After a moment the smoke alarm went off. Then the sprinklers kicked in and water started raining down. David sat there livid, getting drenched and wondering if he should just quit. The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea. To hell with her. And he quickly made the decision. He'd just quit. And he smiled, water dripping from his nose. That would really show her who was boss.