Author: J. W. McKenna -

When He Did It She Liked Being Bossed Around! -

Emily quickly learned that nearly everything was a test. Pass and he'd nod his acceptance; fail and he'd express his great disappointment in that maddeningly calm voice of his. She knew she could be fired at any time and vowed to learn from her mistakes. She needed this job!
She was called in to dictate a letter and Emily was so nervous she could hardly sit still. She tried to remember her shorthand, but her boss spoke so quickly! When she left, three pages of notes in hand, she despaired to get it right.
Taking a deep breath, she started right away, hoping she could remember what her notes missed. She spent a half-hour typing it up on her computer until Mr. Caudry buzzed her and asked, "What's taking so long? I could've written it myself by now!"
Emily wondered about that too ? wouldn't it be easier for him to simply write up the damn letters himself? Isn't that what computers are for? "I'll be right in, sir."
She printed out the two-page letter, rose on shaky legs, knocked once on his door and went in. She passed the letter over quietly and waited. It didn't take him long to scan it.
"What is this? I didn't say 'take' ? I clearly said 'make.' Where did you learn shorthand, anyway?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Caudry, I can fix it."
He found two more mistakes ? all in all, not bad, considering, she thought. They were easily fixable. A normal boss would've simply asked her to redo it and let it go.
But not Mr. Caudry.
"This is unacceptable, completely unacceptable. I can see I'm going to have to talk to Mrs. Dowd." His voice was calm, just like before, which made her feel worse. She almost would've preferred he yelled at her. But to be admonished by that calm, forceful voice made her feel like a misbehaving child, not a grown woman!