I'm an... office-managery-reception-adminy-creativey-wannabe type person at my office. It is advertising. Thanks to Hollywood and the way the creatives around here dress, one could think we are a casual, boutique, SoHo shop, but in fact we are a part of a large international corporation. The man. Big Brotha. Good insurance.
Since graduation from higher learning I had to find a way to make a living not acting so I've learned how to act 'corporate'.
Or so I thought.
I recall the time I was working as an executive admin for an upscale real estate development company. I was taken into the President's office and told I was getting a hefty Holiday bonus. I was absolutely convinced they were punking me.
CEO: Jennifer, we think you're great and you deserve this.
Me: OHHHhhh-kay. Good one guys.
President: This isn't a joke.
After a lot of eye rolling, I shut the door behind me and went to my desk. Then I sat and thought about all of the other folks who'd been called into that office before me and after. They probably wouldn't take too kindly to a joke about their income. Especially the grumbly VP's. I called the Office Manager. She assured me they wouldn't joke about such things. Reality hit, I burst into tears and the first chance I got, I ran back into the President's office to give him a bear hug.
Corporate gal. That's me.
One time the President of our sister production company walked up to my desk asking me a question.
Me: 34
President: What?
Me: I'm 34. Wait. What did you ask me?
He only wanted to know what time it was, but I obviously heard something else and well...in corporate-land you can't go around asking folks their age. In thespian-land they'll ask the circumference of your cervix. Old habit...putting it out there...whether they want it or not.
At least I didn't hug him.
I was recently in a conversation with the President of my present employer and was asked my opinion on a touchy subject. I hope she either accidentally lobotomized this part of her memory or she thinks I'm cute.
President: Would you mind sharing your thoughts? What do you think about my decision? How have others responded?
Me: Well I'm impressed you had the balls to do it!
I don't recall her smiling and I remember looking for one. I decided I had to own what I'd just said so I sat there quietly. I thought about hugging her, then I changed the subject.
I should have learned to wait tables. I think you can cuss and hug more.
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