Out of Silence

by Ruby Monroe

  “Why did you do that?”

  “If there was anything mechanically wrong with the Pinto, they likely wouldn’t have given me such a good trade-in on the car. That would mean I couldn’t afford the new one. When I pick up the new car, I’ll find a space that I can drive through or back into.”

  “That was either clever or sneaky.”

  “A little bit of both, I guess. I giggled about it on the way home. I couldn’t believe I did that. A couple of years ago, I would never have had the courage to pull off something like that.”

  “I have seen the change in you. You’re more outgoing and confident. That’s a good thing.”

  “Really, I didn’t start out to hide anything from them, but once I was approved, I was afraid they would cancel the deal because that little prank may have been construed as lying. Self-preservation or looking out for me was my only motivation.”

  Chapter 35

  Two months after Ruby’s arrival at Pompous Sports, Vince, her immediate supervisor, left the company. He told Ruby that he had found an amazing position that was perfect for him. He said he was comfortable with her ability to fill his shoes.

  It never occurred to Ruby to question him further, but later she wondered if they had paved the way for him like her previous company had for her. Regardless, she wasn’t sure that his leaving was good news for her.

  Nevertheless, knowing that she had landed on her feet and feeling financially secure, Ruby approached Jason about applying for a no-fault divorce. This was how she chose to close that door and move on.

  Jason continued to stay in their house for about one year after she left. When their divorce was finalized, they decided to sell the house they had lived in together. When they met at the lawyer’s office to sign the closing sale papers, she discovered that Jason had forged her signature on documents to add a $30,000 second mortgage to the original one on their house. Jason had spent the whole amount, so the money had to be repaid with the proceeds from the sale. He had cheated her again.

  Ruby didn’t care as much as she would have even two years earlier. That chapter of her life was now closed.

  The new vice president of labour relations, Mr. Miller, took over Vince’s duties. Mr. Miller was about 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a rotund body (probably eighty pounds overweight) and a full head of gray hair. This is never a good reporting structure for human resources, thought Ruby. We fare much better when reporting directly to the most senior executive—definitely not to a person with a labour relations mindset. This move makes me very nervous.

  On Ruby’s six-month anniversary, her new supervisor, Mr. Miller—or the weasel, as she had come to think of him—sauntered into her office. Most of the staff had left for the day.

  He said, “Ruby, would you mind if I sit and have a little chat?”

  “Sure. Come in. Have a seat.”

  With that, he squeezed his oversized body into the visitor chair opposite her. Leaning back in the chair, his fingers intertwined behind his head, he crossed his legs. His cocky mannerisms set off warning signals in her brain. “How’s it going, Ruby?” he said.

  Like he cares. I wish he had left his enormous ego at the door.

  She responded, “Fine. What’s the agenda for your little chat? Is there something specific you want to discuss?”

  Ruby shuddered as he gave her an I’m better than you smirk that screamed, Wouldn’t you like to know. Maybe I have a little surprise for you. She had never been able to read the man. She just didn’t like or trust him. His sneaky sneer made her feel very uneasy.

  Then he continued, “You know the career path that Vince said was open for you when he hired you?”

  Hesitantly, Ruby said, “Yes. I remember. That is one of the reasons I left my last position to accept this one.” She thought, Red-flag alert. Be still my heart. What is he up to now?

  “Well …” He started to say something, but then he briefly halted while he surveyed the walls and ceiling of her office. After his pregnant pause, he looked back at her and casually stated, “That career path no longer exists. I have the approval to reorganize the department. I took that position out of the organization chart and created a new, more junior position. It will report directly to me. I need assistance with my labour relations day-to-day reports and activities.”

  “Really. That’s very interesting. Do you have someone in mind?” she asked, but being a people-watcher, she knew who Mr. Miller had been cozying up to lately.

  “I’m going to promote Neil, your assistant, to that position. It’s a done deal. He starts tomorrow.”

  Her heart sank, but her gut told her she had to remain calm. She asked, “Why would you do that? Do I get a say, as he is my assistant? Besides, he is really green, with only six months experience—plus he’s right out of school.”

  “Nope. I know how green he is, but I like him, and he’s trainable.”

  Ruby thought, You mean mouldable.

  The main purpose of his visit accomplished, he got up from his chair and casually strutted toward the door. At the doorway, he turned to look at her, paused and then said, “Oh, by the way, we never had this conversation.”

  Where is a recording device when you need one? This would have been a conversation that would have got me a great settlement in a wrongful dismissal case.

  With that, he slithered out of her office. He was gone as quickly as he had appeared. His departure left her in shock. She was hurt and angry that he had an arbitrary veto over her career path. She felt violated once again.

  A few years ago, she would have cried, commented, or displayed some emotion. Not today. That would not happen—plus, this was not the place. Female managers don’t cry. She had developed a tough exterior, and that is all the world would see. Inside, however, she was devastated.

  Ruby drove home, trying to concentrate on the drive. She was angry but held her feelings inside her for now. The second she closed her apartment door behind her, however, she allowed herself to shed the tears that had been waiting to flood down her face. She sobbed. Why me? What did I do to deserve this?

  She had foolishly thought she was in control. She still didn’t get it. The upper management—all of them men—played with people’s lives like pawns on a chessboard. The organization didn’t matter. Ruby had developed a saying: “Different corporation and different men, but the game is always the same.”

  The next day, she telephoned a recruiter friend. “Hi, Stan. Do you have any HR jobs?”

  “No, Ruby. But I think you might want to get out of that company sooner rather than later.”

  “I can’t just quit,” she told him. “I’m on my own and need my paycheque to survive.”

  “Maybe this would help: I’d gladly hire you as a recruiter at my firm. Hell, you could start tomorrow if you wanted to.”

  “That was not exactly what I expected to hear,” Ruby replied, “but I’ll think about your kind offer. I don’t want the reputation of running away at the first sign of conflict. But one thing’s for sure: I’m not going to allow them to abuse me, either.”

  Later the next day, she met with Walter, the son who headed up sports clothing manufacturing. He was a kind and caring type, even though he had the reputation of being a jock. Ruby repeated the complete discussion she’d had with her manager the weasel the day before. “And as he walked out of my office, he said, ‘We never had this conversation.’ What conversation? He told me what he was going to do. There was no consultation, and certainly no conversation. Walt, is there anything you can do? Am I already past-tense?”

  She could see that he was genuinely upset and angry. “I’m so sorry to hear this was handled so poorly,” he apologized. Then he added, “I’ll look into it, but I don’t know what I can actually do about it. It is his department.” He did not want to give her false hope.

  Ruby told him straight out, “I never want to be someone’s pawn.
Furthermore, I do not want that weasel to have the satisfaction of thinking I’m desperate and begging for my job.” Abruptly, she stood up, as if she’d had a change of mind. She said with the most inner strength she could muster, “Don’t bother looking into it. I couldn’t work with that weasel after this, now or ever again. But you do realize I have a good case for litigation: sex discrimination.”

  Walter nodded, his eyes wide.

  “Here’s my letter of resignation,” she said, handing the envelope to Walter as she left his office. She had worded the letter very carefully so as to leave the door open for litigation.

  With a strong sense of purpose, Ruby walked quickly through the building, not making eye contact with anyone she met. Back in her office, she held back her tears of anger as she cleaned out her desk. She briefly explained the situation to her staff of five and then said, “I just don’t want any of you to think that I’m abandoning you. You guys should be okay. None of you is a threat to Mr. Miller.”

  Ruby started toward the department’s door, and then she turned, smiled and waved goodbye to her staff. Before leaving, she stopped at Neil’s desk and said, with as much sincerity as she could manage, “Congratulations on your promotion.” Her parting comment to Neil was, “Watch your back. He is throwing you into the fire without the proper training. I’m concerned that he is setting you up for failure. Please be careful, Neil.”

  Sheepishly, Neil bowed his head. “Thanks. I will be careful. Good luck. I’m sure you’ll land on your feet.”

  Chapter 36

  A New Slant on Recruitment

  Stan, her recruiter friend, was as good as his word. Ruby immediately joined his executive recruiting group. She had access to all open human resources and management positions, with first dibs on any new HR positions other consultants brought in. This was a gold mine. It was like living in a candy shop. Not only did she have priority access, but she saw the critique of the employer and often the review by the leaving employee of the company. They paid Ruby with a monthly draw. This she needed to live on.

  The majority of the consultants’ skill sets were suitable for sales representatives. That’s what recruitment specialists in this type of company really were. Ruby, through education and training seminars, had developed a much more unique set of professional skills. She felt like this company would not be her home for long. Ruby successfully placed three managers and therefore was able to pay back her monthly draw, plus she had enough money to pay her bills.

  Stan had asked Ruby to prepare a presentation, which she invited all of the consultants to attend. The subject was “Recruitment”—her specialty. It was payback to her friend for being there for her. Stan and the consultants expressed their appreciation for the inside knowledge Ruby gave them, which helped them do their jobs better.

  One month later, Ruby attended an interview for a position with not only more responsibility but a substantially higher compensation package than the one she had just left. The position was at Mix and Match Cosmetics. It pleased her that this wonderful new job was located just five minutes from her apartment. She was more than qualified for the HR management position. During her initial interview with the president, he asked, “Do you think you could perform the duties of a labour relations assistant to the vice president, who works out of our head office in Los Angeles?”

  Ruby took a deep breath. “Yes, I honestly think I have a good base of experience and education that has prepared me to learn how to do that job—and well.” She couldn’t believe her ears. Interesting—they wouldn’t consider her for labour relations at her last company because she wasn’t trained. This company was more than willing to train her.

  “I love to learn new things and improve my skills,” she said. “Sure, I would like that very much.” Ruby responded. This job is sounding better all the time, she thought.

  “We would like to send you to Los Angeles for assessment and evaluation—all expenses paid for by the company. We will arrange for the flight to and from, plus the limo to the hotel and meals. You will stay at a hotel very close to our head office in Hollywood, California.”

  There was a short pause. I think he’s waiting for me to catch my breath, she thought.

  “Are there any days next week that would not work for you?” She felt that the president was making it clear that she was his favourite applicant.

  “My schedule is pretty open,” Ruby replied. “I’m working at the recruitment firm on commission. My supervisor knows that I’m looking for something that more closely fits my experience and skills—as a matter of fact, something just like this position. If you book the trip, I will clear my calendar.”

  When Ruby got into her car for the drive home, she pinched herself. Stay calm. You’re not there yet. One more step. Don’t celebrate yet.

  Ruby shared the details of her interview that afternoon with George. She tempered her enthusiasm when she cautioned him, “I’m very nervous. I don’t know what to expect next. Why two days of interviews? I don’t know. Maybe I won’t be successful.”

  “I have every confidence in you that you will do great,” George replied.

  “I’ve not only landed on my feet, but I’ll be a member of the senior management committee—plus, and most importantly, I will be reporting to the president. This is an international company with shareholders. No more family businesses for me.” She couldn’t stop smiling.

  George had faith that Ruby would be offered the job. “Sweetie, they are smart people. Look how quickly they acted. You’d have to do something really stupid to lose this job. We both know that won’t happen.”

  George and Ruby enjoyed a celebratory drink, dinner and sex—not necessarily in that order or in the singular tense.

  The last thing Ruby said to George as she fell asleep was, “I’m so nervous and excited to be going to California for the final interviews. I feel like an up-and-coming executive. That glass ceiling is getting closer.” She smiled to herself when she said, “I wonder what it sounds like when the glass ceiling shatters?”

  Ruby received a phone call. “Ms. Monroe?”

  “Yes.”

  “Hello, my name is Dana. I’m the president’s administrative assistant at Mix and Match Cosmetics. He asked me to make an appointment with you. Would you please drop by the office today and pick up an envelope? I’ll be here to go over the details with you.”

  “Yes, Dana. I will be there at about three o’clock. Is that okay?

  “Perfect. I’ll be waiting for you.”

  “Thanks.” Ruby wasn’t positive the envelope contained a job offer, but she wanted so much to believe she had been successful in getting the job.

  Ruby sat in the reception area and read the letter with interest. It began: “We are pleased to offer you the position of Human Resources Manager, conditional on positive feedback from the Management at Head Office in Hollywood.” She met with Dana, who explained the details and the expectations of those at the head office.

  When Ruby got home, she read the letter several times and then repeated it to herself several more times: “Hollywood … Hollywood, California.” I have never been to California. The butterflies in her stomach took flight.

  Chapter 37

  California—Here Comes Ruby

  Other than the time of the flights, hotel reservations and instructions on where to be and when, there were no other details written in the letter that mattered. With a puffed-up chest, she felt her confidence growing into an assertive, I’m-in-charge demeanour. She was very confident that she would pass this scrutiny with flying colors.

  George provided a note of caution. “Careful, Ruby. Overconfidence can be the enemy. I’m not saying don’t be confident, just tone it down a bit so you come across as self-assured and not cocky.”

  With the three-hour change of time and the length of the flight, it was still daylight when Ruby flew over Los Angeles, a massive city of 10 million
people. She was excited and very happy that the company had booked her a window seat so she could see the whole city below her, just waiting for her arrival.

  Once at the hotel, she checked in, took her luggage to her room and then hurried down to the lobby. Ruby wanted to explore this new environment.

  She asked the uniformed concierge for the name and direction of a restaurant where she could have dinner. His reply took her by surprise. “Madame, I suggest that you have dinner at our Penthouse restaurant. You know, there are some areas that are not safe, especially for women and at this time of night.”

  She was a stranger, so she followed the doorman’s suggestion. It didn’t matter that she had to eat in-house. She was, for the first time in her life, right there in the middle of Hollywood, California. This was the number-one most exciting time of her life.

  A couple of times over the past week, Ruby had reflected on her new life. Despite her nervousness, leaving Jason after twenty-two years of marriage and moving into her very own apartment had turned out to be no big deal. Why did I put up with Jason’s abuse for so long? If only I had known everything would work out so great for me, I would have left him sooner—much sooner.

  Both the dinner and the views were fantastic.

  The next day was typically Californian: beautiful, bright and sunny. Not that Ruby saw much of the sun. She spent the whole day in interviews.

  Interview #1

  The vice president of operations asked Ruby many questions about production, determining what she actually knew about this part of the business and how she made her choice in selection of unionized hourly employees for production-line work. He asked, “Ruby what do you think will be your greatest challenge in finding and hiring hourly production employees?”