Ebony: It’s a man’s world-part 2

Jorge walks off towards the kitchen, while Ebony looks around at the art on the wall. Jorge comes back a few minutes later with drinks and food. Ebony looks at him and says, “when you said we were going to grab some food while having this interview I didn’t know you meant at your condo.”  Jorge looks at her asking, “is there a better place? I don’t like too many restaurants, so my chef cooks me a meal before he leaves for the night. He just so happened to cook enough for two.” “Wow this looks good,” said Ebony. Jorge replies, “Trust me it’s delicious! So, Ebony you want to work for the biggest marketing firm in America? Why are you the person for the job?”  “First, I would like to thank you again for giving me this interview and your time. I will not disappoint you. I am the right person for the job because this is my dream. I graduated at the top of my class at Blackmon University. If you bring me on board you will be getting a smart, determined hard worker who is capable of getting results,” said Ebony. Jorge replies, “Is that it? I interviewed fifty people today, and almost all of them started with similar answers—that this was their dream job and they were at the top of their graduate classes. I don’t need people who are just top of their class. I need creativity and fresh energy; I need people who are willing to take a chance.” “Jorge I can be all that and more for the company, said Ebony.

Jorge said, “can you? Let me give you some insight into what will hold you back from getting this job. First, you are a woman of color.”  Jorge is looking Ebony right in her face while he talks. “Oh I didn’t know B&J Associates was a racist company,” said Ebony. Jorge responds, “We’re not prejudice to anyone Ebony. We have a well diverse group of mature people that works at B&J Associates. I guess I need to make myself clear. Your skin color is a shade darker than what we usually consider, even though I think you’re a pretty girl.” “You mean, a pretty woman,” Ebony said loudly.  Ebony puts her hand through her hair as she makes that statement. “Excuse me,” says Jorge. “I’m a pretty woman Jorge. I’m not a girl. Besides what does my skin color have to do with me working at B&J Associates? I think it’s unfair of you to evaluate anyone’s professional performance by their skin color,” said Ebony. “ First, I want you to know I don’t mean to offend you, but I’m only stating facts. We deal with the biggest corporations in America. These companies trust that we will come up with the best marketing plans that will put their next big products at the top. Ebony did you know that you could have a great product, but if its marketing is done incorrectly that the product may never see its potential full. With that said, our clients think dark skinned girls are great workers, but aren’t market ready, meaning the face that we want our clients depending on for the future of their success. Do you understand what I’m trying to say,” said Jorge. Ebony stares with a blank look on her face wondering what is going on.

Ebony finally replies, “Look I do understand you, but I don’t agree with that philosophy! First of all, black is beautiful; it doesn’t matter what shade. Your business partners are right about one thing. We are marketed wrong and that’s why a dark skinned woman, like myself, needs this career so I could change the perception of the masses.” Jorge says, “Ebony you are very ambitious. I love an ambitious person.”  He puts his napkin down after wiping his mouth and then giggles for a little while. Ebony takes a drink of her wine. “But can you be as ambitious, creative, brilliant, and as strong as your male counterpart? Our clients look for weakness in our women employees.”  Ebony replies, “Oh so is B&J Associates patriarchal and prejudice?” “No we love women! I’m just giving you the harsh reality of this business, if I was to hire you,” said Jorge.  The two are at a dead stare. Jorge asks Ebony if she would like another drink. Ebony takes the glass of wine and turns it up.

“I don’t think you will hire me and I’m not sure I want to work for this company any more,” said Ebony. “Jorge replies, “Now hold up Ebony. I didn’t say I wasn’t going to hire you. I did tell you when we started this interview process that it is made to weed out the weak. From this interview I can see you’re far from being a weak individual.” “Jorge, I have a question for you,” said Ebony. “Let’s hear it,”   said Jorge. “You’re a white man. What do you think about this dark skin girl who sits right in front of your face?”  Jorge moves in a little closer to Ebony and says, “I’m happy you asked that as I was just admiring your good looks.”  “Oh you were? I don’t know–all of the sudden I feel happy and weird at the same time, said Ebony.” Jorge replies, “It’s okay to feel happy, but I want you to feel good. I think I know a way you could earn your position.” Jorge is now rubbing his hand through Ebony’s hair; Ebony feels defenseless, as if she was drugged. She turns to Jorge and says, “What do you mean Jorge?” Jorge responds, “You know what I mean. You are a woman and you always have the last word. Do you know what I mean?”

Jorge is now playing with the top of Ebony’s blouse. Ebony jumps up and pushes Jorge away.

Ebony says, “What are you doing?” “Relax Ebony! Everyone can get what they want here,” Jorge gets up moving towards Ebony.  Ebony says firmly, “No this is not that type of party. Why do I feel this way?”  Ebony starts to stumble around the room. A vase falls and breaks and Ebony jumps. Jorge jumps up and grabs Ebony. Ebony hurries to move Jorge out the way. From the looks of it, she is very weak, but still tries to get away. Jorge follows Ebony every move grabbing on her as she pushes away from him. “What’s going on? Why do I feel this way,” said  Ebony again. Then Ebony sees the bottle of wine sitting on the kitchen counter. Her eyes open big then she falls to the ground. “Nothing you will remember in the morning,” says Jorge.

The next morning Ebony finds herself in an emergency room where she had been awaken from loud noises. Ebony mysteriously ended up in the hospital and had no clue as to how she got there. Ebony held her head and was moving around very slowly.  Earl came through the emergency room door and into the room; he was really scared and worried. He goes straight to his sister and gives her a big hug. The two hold each other for a while. Earl says, “Ebony what happened to you?”  “I don’t know Earl. I don’t remember a thing,” said Ebony. She puts her hand on the top of her head and starts to rub it and says, “I have a splitting headache. How did I get to the hospital?” Earl responds, “This police officer found you crashing out at a bus stop. He said when he woke you up, you were complaining that you were raped, so he took you here.”  Ebony asks, “Why would I be at a bus stop?  “That is what I was going to ask you? Where was your car,” said Earl.  Ebony says, “I left it at B&J Associates.” “The place where you went for that interview?”  “Yes!” Ebony tries to move, but her body is really sore.  “Wait maybe you should just wait until the doctor comes back,” said Earl.

Earl grabs his sister to comforter her back to the bed.  “Look I have to get out of here and find out who did this to me, said Ebony.  Earl replies, “Maybe someone robbed you in the parking lot.”  “Tell me what robber robs for no money. I still have all my possessions,” said Ebony. She sits on the bed pondering what might have happened and says,  “Do mom and dad know?”  “Of course I told them, they are on the way,” said Earl. Ebony says, “Something happened to me I just know it. I think I was raped last night Earl!”  “Don’t say that! Everything is going to be okay,”  said Earl. Ebony puts her head down and Earl once again comforts her. Then the doctor walks inside the room. “Hello! How is my patient?” Dr. Leslie asks. The doctor walks over to Ebony and starts to examine her again.  Ebony says, “Dr. Leslie can you answer one question for me?”  Dr. Leslie replies, “Yes?”  “Was I raped,” said Ebony.  “No, that’s the weird thing. After examining you, there was no sign of rape. I found some swelling on the top of your head and some bruising on your arms,” said Dr. Leslie.

Earl looks and says, “I am happy you didn’t get raped, but something happened to you.”

Dr. Leslie says, “You’re right about that young man. Someone did commit some type of foul play on her.”  “Why do you say that Dr. Leslie,” said Ebony. The doctor asks, “Did you have a drink last night?”  Ebony replies, “Yes I do remember having a drink or two.”  “Well we found alcohol in your system. We also found traces of a drug in your system that has the same effects as the date rape drug. Whoever did this wanted you, but suddenly changed his mind,”  said Dr. Leslie. “But I can’t remember anything,” said Ebony.  “Don’t worry about that. Your memory will come back. The only thing is you probably won’t be able to do anything about it. Okay, I will go and let you get some rest,” said the doctor.  As the doctor leaves the room, Ebony wonders what she meant by she “won’t be able to do anything about it.”  Earl looks at her and says, “you don’t have any evidence. Hell you don’t even know who you were with last night. Come on you have to make yourself remember.”  “I do remember waiting on this guy to interview me, but he didn’t interview me at the office, said Ebony. Earl replies,  “Where did he interview you?”  “I don’t remember Earl. Wait we had dinner, said Ebony.