Two weeks had passed since Jake Mitty had interviewed for the promotion and he hadn’t heard anything yet. Every day since, he had replayed the experience in his head, second guessing his responses, scrutinizing his demeanor, wondering if he had done enough to stand out. Each day seemed to stretch on as he anxiously checked his email and glanced at his phone, waiting for some sign, some glimmer of hope that his efforts had paid off.
Meanwhile, things in the office continued business as usual. Colleagues chatted, phones rang, and the gears of the corporate machinery kept turning. But Jake’s heart raced every time his inbox pinged with a new message. He knew that his fate could rest on the contents of one email.
And then, shortly before five in the evening, an Outlook notification popped up on the corner of his monitor. His eyes widened as he read the subject line of the email: “Exciting News: New Unit Supervisor for Operational Analytics Unit.”
But his heart sank as he opened the email and began to read it:
“We are thrilled to announce that Anna Everett has accepted the position of Unit Supervisor for our Operational Analytics Unit. With her exceptional skills and fresh perspective, Anna is the perfect fit to lead this crucial unit and drive our analytical capabilities to new heights.
“Anna is not new to our family; she previously interned with us last summer and made a significant impact during her time here. Anna’s dedication, enthusiasm, and keen analytical skills were evident from the start, and even as she headed back to university for her senior year, it was clear that she was a rising star. We’ve been eagerly following her academic and professional journey, and we are thrilled to have her back with us in this leadership role.
“In her new capacity as Unit Supervisor, Anna brings a fresh perspective to the team. Her mandate is to reevaluate our office structure and assignments to ensure that we are maximizing our collective strengths and talents. With her deep understanding of operational analytics and her ability to think strategically, we are confident that Anna will lead our unit to new heights.
“Over the next few weeks, Anna will be working closely with each of you. Her approach will encompass both small group interactions and one-on-one sessions. Based on those interactions, she will strategize how to harness your individual strengths to propel us toward even greater excellence.
“Anna will start on Thursday and will report directly to me. Please join me in congratulating Anna.
“Warm regards,
Veronica Mitchell
Chief Operations Officer”
As the news spread throughout the office, a palpable shift occurred. Whispers and glances were exchanged as colleagues digested the unexpected announcement. Tiffany and Victoria worked in the same cluster of cubicles as Jake, and he was often subjected to their condescending attitudes and lack of respect. With synchronized swivels of their chairs, they faced Jake, their expressions laced with mischief. Victoria, always the nastier of the two, wasted no time seizing the opportunity to gloat.
“Hey Jake, wasn’t Anna your intern?” the fiery redhead asked, her voice dripping with malicious delight.
“Yeah, I remember when you were showing her the ropes. How the tables have turned, huh?” Tiffany added.
Victoria’s raven-haired sidekick always had to followed her friend’s lead. Her tone was less vicious than Victoria’s but equally patronizing.
As the two women stood up to head home, their figures casting long shadows over Jake. The difference in stature between them and Jake was glaringly evident. “Guess we don’t have to worry about looking up to you any time soon,” Victoria added with a sly chuckle, her gaze bearing down on Jake from her lofty height.
“Not that that was ever going to happen,” Tiffany chimed in, her laughter echoing through the office as she ruffled Jake’s hair. The gesture was meant to be light-hearted, yet it felt infantilizing to Jake. He resisted the urge to swat her hand away, his jaw clenched in an attempt to mask his discomfort.
Jake’s face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and frustration. Being confronted yet again with the enormous size disparity between the sexes only further emphasized his feeling of vulnerability in that moment. He felt like a pawn in a game he didn’t fully understand.
With a final teasing comment and a playful wink, Tiffany and Victoria left for the day, leaving Jake to grapple with the reality of his new situation.
As he headed for the elevator, he couldn’t help but wonder: Had he ever seriously been considered for the position?
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