Sexual Harassment 5 - Because We Can

The Ice

Simple explanation, actually: something's screwed up in her life elsewhere, but you're paying for it here. She is beautiful probably. Competent in her field, which will be strong on admin skills, weak on specifics. Career-oriented (though, in that way that hurts, she's been in the same place a bit too long). Unmarried - either never or now - and independent in her ways. Many girlfriends at work. (No, not lesbian: that would be too easy - and she'd be more relaxed.) Somewhere past 30 and below the (visible) radar of 50. Tense as hell inside, about something none of us can know. What you've got to know, though, is: stay away from her. Don't say anything. The same joke you heard from Connie down in AR, if repeated near her listening ears in the copy room, will be taken as an "inappropriate" sexual innuendo. "Oh, but it's innocent!" you protest. They will have no choice but to listen to her, because the statutes say she's right. She has read the statutes, and she knows. She may even be on the company's committee to review "inappropriate" behaviors. 'Made a mistake up above: she's not "The Ice" - because she could have a warm smile, the friendly letter, help a lot - but the eyes are . . . missing something. You can feel sorry for her emptiness, but be very careful if you are male of making any gesture of human warmth. Any.