Zoom- Part 2 of 2

After writing Part 1, I realized that I had no idea where this was going. I had the opening scene ready, but as for the meeting for the boss, I just hadn't prepared that far. This tumbled out of me, and obviously, I need a few more parts to keep this story going.

Before those come out, check back here next week for an extra story in my wrestling story. I think some different redemption might be needed there as well...

I couldn’t eat anything at lunch, so I just threw my sandwich into the trash and headed into my closet. Grabbing a pair of slacks that was neatly hung up and rarely worn, I slid them on and tucked in my shirt. Looking at myself in the mirror, I saw how nervous I looked, and I tried to calm my breathing down before my meeting. It was 12:50 now, and I wondered what my boss was doing. Was he prepping for what he was about to say, or was he casually finishing up his own lunch? Was I about to be fired?

Fuck, I really don’t want to deal with interviews again.

Banishing that thought, I headed back into the spare bedroom that I used as an office, and I logged back in. About two minutes later, my boss joined the meeting.

He looked relaxed in his chair, and I tried to match his stance, but I couldn’t. I was the one about to be interrogated unlike him.

“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t fire you, Ian.”

Oh my god, it was happening.

Stammering out a list of responsibilities that I covered, I pled my case as Tony sat their stone-faced. I ran out of air, and as I tried to keep going, he spoke up to stop me.

“Ian, I don’t think that I was aware of how much work you have taken on since you started here. Your immediate manager stuck up for you and corroborated a similar list. It sounds like you probably should be getting a promotion instead of a pink slip.”

“Th- thank you?”

“A car will pick you up for your induction meeting tomorrow morning at 8:30. Are you still at the same address that we have on file?”

Wait, what was happening?

“Yes sir, but-”

“All of your questions will be answered tomorrow morning once you get to the office.”

Before I could say anything else, he hung up on his end, and I was left alone with just my confused face on the screen.

The next morning, I was sitting on the front porch of my townhouse when the black car pulled up to the curb in front of me. I pretended that this was a normal car service, but I wondered if any of my neighbors were looking out their windows to see me walk up to the car as the driver got out to meet me.

He opened the back door for me, but I felt his hand on my chest stopping me before I could get in.

“What are you doing, sir?”

“Oh, is this car not mine?”

“Ian Tyler?”

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Then it is your car, but you’re not following your boss’s instructions.”

“I wasn’t given any instructions- he just told me that I would be picked up at 8:30.”

“You need to be in uniform.”

“I’m a salesman- I don’t have a uniform.”

“Almost correct.”

Why was my driver turning into The Riddler?

“Can you just tell me what needs to happen so that I’m not late?”

“I need your clothes.”

“What clothes?”

Reaching forward, he pulled open the top button on my shirt.

“These clothes- you don’t get to wear clothes to work.”

Stepping away from the car, I walked back up to my porch as I pulled out my phone. I expected the driver to leave, but he stayed there, leaning against the car. Tony luckily picked up his phone.

“Is the car not there yet?”

“No, it’s here. I am just very confused.”

“About what?”

“The driver says he needs my clothes.”

Relief washed over me as Tony started laughing- this was all just some joke.

“Ian, of course he is.” That relief was short-lived. “Your promotion comes with different responsibilities and a higher salary, but you honestly didn’t think there wouldn’t be consequences, did you? You jerked off and exposed yourself on a company call, which by the way, are all recorded and stored in case there are questions. You’re going to be my assistant, and that comes with some regulations.”

“Like losing my clothes?!”

“Yes, now you’re getting it.”

“Tony, I cannot accept the promotion then.”

“Then I hope you know that you won’t ever be hired in this industry again. Once this hits the news, you’re fucked. Do you hear me?” My silence was apparently the answer that he wanted.
“I will see you in thirty minutes for your training.”

Just like yesterday’s call, he hung up before I could say anything else, but there was nothing left to be said. I had fucked up, and my only solution was to get in that car. At least until I could figure out some loophole.

Walking back over to the man large enough to rip my clothes off of me if needed, I simply nodded to answer the question that he was implying. Tossing my phone onto the seat, I looked back at the windows behind me, but the sun’s glare prevented me from seeing if I had any spectators for the show that I was about to put on.

Quickly pulling at buttons, I opened up my shirt as I stepped out of my shoes. I was trying to do the big reveal as quickly as possible so I undid my belt and unzipped my pants next. With one final deep breath, I dropped my pants and whipped off my shirt, throwing them both onto the seat before I lost my nerve. Practically throwing myself in after them, I was stopped yet again by Tony’s driver’s hand.

“No clothes are allowed.”

I was expected to get fully naked right there in my front lawn, and I couldn’t do anything to stop it. Relinquishing any last shred of dignity I had, I leaned over and pulled off my socks. The asphalt was warm beneath my feet, but there was a chill working its way up my spine nevertheless.

“Would you like me to help you?”

There was a small smirk on his face- the first crack in his professionalism, but the mean mug returned just as quickly. I wanted to defy him, to not give him the satisfaction of seeing me sweat, but that was impossible for me right now. I was utterly humiliated, and I knew that this was just the beginning.

Pushing my briefs to the ground, I was now completely naked as I was finally allowed to slip into the car. He closed the door for me, and as I looked out the tinted window, I saw my neighbor standing there at his door, coffee in one hand and a shocked look on his face. I’m not sure how much he saw, but it only mattered that he saw the finale.

The car was pulling away now, and with no idea what to do, I just began folding my clothes and sitting them on the seat beside me.

About twenty minutes later in complete silence, we pulled up to the office building that I had been to only a handful of times and descended into the parking deck below the building. Parking next to the elevator, he got out once more to open my door, and I stepped out into the world again.

“I’m assuming my clothes stay with you?”

“You assume correctly. Here is a small bag for your phone and other personal effects.”

This all seemed so normal to him, and I wonder how many assistants had come before me and where they were now. With nothing else to say, I walked over to the elevator and just prayed that I wouldn’t see anyone on my way up to the top floor.