“Take it easy, Aaron.”

“Bye, Aaron.”

“Thanks again, Aaron.”

As Aaron turned to walk towards the door, something sparkly near the fly of his black slacks caught his employees’ eyes. Not wanting her gaze to linger in the area, Tina turned back to the guys across the table with a curious frown.

Once the three were left to their own devices and they were positive that the label’s general manager was completely out of earshot, they all blew out a laugh through their cheeks.

“Was that glitter all over his crotch?” Oscar snorted.

“Damn, what did he have for lunch?” Esai asked in between chuckles.

“Apparently, a 22 year-old lap dance sandwich?” Their blonde boss answered shaking her head. When they all calmed down a little bit, Tina sighed and put on a serious face. “Okay, I’m gonna tell you guys something super confidential. The human stripper pole has put me in a very difficult position.”

—

KDG Offices

“Let me get this straight,” Bette said, then stifled a giggle as she remembered Joyce Wischnia’s inability to speak a similar phrase without cracking a smile. “You went to New York this weekend, you met with the pharmaceutical reps, you pitched them the campaign, but, you couldn’t land the account, and yet, somehow, despite all of these things that YOU did or did not do, it is MY fault?”

The condescending tone in the ad executive’s voice was evident, and only served to further aggravate her already seething boss.

“It was your Power Point I used at that pitch!” Leonard hollered defensively as he pointed a shaky finger at Bette from across the conference table.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Bette resigned with faux respect. “I’m sorry that I listened to your ideas and incorporated them into the Power Point presentation YOU wanted me to prepare, the way YOU wanted me to prepare it.”

“Bette, there’s no need for sarcasm right now.” Phyllis gently admonished.

“Phyllis, I refuse to be blamed for your husband’s blunder in securing this client. I did my job the way I was told. Why should I be the scapegoat when I am responsible for huge numbers this quarter? Did you get my preliminary quarterly reports, Leonard?” Bette asked, increasing her volume as she spoke directly to him.