Page 41 of Reverse Perspective

“Ms. Graves…” Mitch starts to say.

“Oh no. No, you can call me Sadie. What’s the point in formalities when you all watched a two-hour video of me?” I say spitefully.

“Are you going to stop her or do we have to keep listening to this bullshit?” Mitch says to Dean.

“God help you,” I laugh. Dean comes over and looks Mitch over for a moment before speaking.

“I need everyone to understand that she is handling this because no one will like what we have to say,” Dean says calmly. “It is bullshit that she has to stand here and defend herself for something that isn’t even a bad thing. So what, she is dating three men whom she’s known and trusted forever. No one is questioning our morals or the morals of the people whopublished the video. No one is mentioning that this was done intentionally.”

“Well, if we can’t get a simple answer on where your morals align with your company, I think maybe I shouldn’t be investing in this company."

“Okay,” I say. “Give me your keycard and get out.”

“Excuse me?” he asks, taken aback.

“You heard me. Give me your keycard and get out of my building. My mental health and sanity are not worth your money for this company. You can take your bigoted and sexist views on morals and shove it for all I care. Behind you will be companies that align with the morals that it’s none of anyone's business what we do in private. Our company is thriving and this situation has not hurt us in any way and we don’t suspect it will. This is entirely a matter of you all thinking I’ve done something wrong because only women get slut shamed.”

“You’re making a mistake,” he warns.

“How?” I ask.

“We make up for twenty-five percent of the money you pull from investors,” he says.

“I will gladly take it out of my own pay,” I say. “Keycard and get out.”

“We can make up for half of his share,” George says.

“We can do the rest,” Phil says with a shrug.

“Look at that. Problem solved,” I say.

“You three boys are letting this… this harlot ruin this company,” Mitch says to the guys.

“You sound like my father,” I laugh. “I don’t like him very much.”

“Well, clearly he didn’t teach you how to keep your legs closed,” Mitch snaps as he stands and gathers his belongings.

“Yeah, all he taught me was that when you’re bad you get sent to a summer camp to be molested,” I say. “Get out of my building. If I have to repeat myself, I’m calling security.”

Mitch looks at the guys and shakes his head before walking out of the room. “Anyone else feel like talking about the morality of the situation?” Dean asks.

“I have a question, but it’s just out of curiosity and confusion,” Phil says and I nod. “If you’ve done nothing wrong, why are you addressing it at all?”

“Honestly, I don’t know,” I say. “I feel the need to defend them because of how the video was labeled. I feel the need to defend myself because I was taught that everything someone does is bad. I am naturally a defensive person so when someone wants an explanation I feel like I have to give one. Maybe by giving one I can limit the fallout.”

“Well, the only ones in the wrong are the ones who watched it and are judging you for it. I came today because I was unsure of what the fallout would be but I am in no way judging or threatening to pull investments. It would be ignorant to pull out of this company because it’s on a trajectory to be the most successful in-home automation system.”

“Does anyone have any questions then?” I ask. Everyone shakes their heads and I nod once. “If anything happens and something changes, we will let everyone know. You guys are good to go then.”

I stay where I am while everyone leaves the room. Todd is on his laptop but the guys are watching me closely. I feel better with only losing one but they were right that our loyal ones would stay loyal. The staff meeting is what concerns me the most. It’s hard for me to get respect from most of them already. They will go out of their way to avoid talking to me or taking orders. This won’t help at all.

“Did anyone send the email for the staff meeting?” I ask.

“Yep. It’s in ten minutes,” Mary says.

I am standing with Dean, Lance, and Mason in front of all of our staff. They know I am here and waiting for them to quiet down but they continue to talk. I’m trying to be patient but the guys are quickly losing their patience. I knew this would happen. I knew they would be the ones to give me the hardest time. I take a deep breath and step forward a half step.

“Guys, I need everyone to quiet down so we can start our meeting.” Once again everyone ignores me.

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